It’s finally beach season: that glorious time of year that Brits get to spend weekends bathing in the sun, getting sand between our toes, slathering on suncream and running head first into sea waves.
As an island, the UK is spoiled with miles and miles of magnificent coastline, and hundreds of heavenly beaches that can easily give their Mediterranean counterparts a run for their money. We at Time Out have got a list of 39 of them to prove it.
Now, one particularly stunning beach has been named by National Geographic as one of 14 best beaches across the world that you should visit in your lifetime. And if you’ve ever taken a GCSE geography exam, you’ll probably recognise it.
The spectacular Durdle Door in Dorset was named among NatGeo’s top 14 beaches in the world. The publication said: ‘On Dorset’s magnificent Jurassic Coast—a UNESCO World Heritage site along the southeastern shores of England—this beach and its namesake limestone arch are absolute showstoppers.’
Considered a landmark of international geological importance alongside the likes of America’s Grand Canyon and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the limestone arch has been formed by waves crashing into the cliff and eroding it over millions and millions of years. Fittingly, its name comes from the Old English word ‘thirl’, which means ‘to pierce, bore, or drill’.
The beach itself can be accessed by walking down more than 140 steps from the cliff top. You can also take a scenic walk from there and along the coastal path to Lulworth Cove, which normally takes around an hour and a half. So, what are you waiting for? One of the world’s top bucket-list destinations is right on your doorstep.
The best beaches in the UK, according to Time Out.
ICYMI: One of the most beautiful buildings in the world is in the UK.
Plus: The best seaside town in the UK to visit this summer.
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