The 13 best beaches in the UK, according to the Independent

In wake of the UK’s recent spurt of sunshine, it’s an excellent time to plan a seaside trip here on our home shores.

While we have some cracking beaches in Britain, we also have some which are more mulch than sand, or have views of shipyards rather than the sun glistening on the horizon. To make sure you’re not wasting your time with any substandard sands, the Independent and its team of in-the-know travel writers has crafted a list of its 13 favourite beaches in the UK.

The team’s top pick is not, as you might expect, down in Cornwall, in fact it’s right on the other end of the country. Instead, Bamburgh Beach in Northumberland, known for scenic castle views, sand dunes, and proximity to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, came out on top.

The Independent says that the magic of Bamburgh lies in the impressive views from its miles-long shore, and the nearby cafés which offer some much needed respite after a long day of walking. The cherry on top is the free to borrow all-terrain wheelchairs offered by the council so that everyone can enjoy the beach equally.

In second place was Lyme Regis, all the way down in Dorset. The Independent’s Ted Thornhill describes it as ‘a perfectly formed arc of golden sand that nestles amid cute, multi-coloured beach huts and food stalls that deploy the freshest seafood’. As if that wasn’t enough, it’s also right on the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site – it’s no wonder locals know it as the ‘pearl of Dorset’.

Taking the bronze was Saltburn Beach in North Yorkshire. Although you (sadly) won’t find Jacob Elordi hanging out here, it’s well worth a visit if you want to try out surfing or ride on a Victorian funicular. According to the Independent, this beach is a ‘delightful balance of stripped-back nature, with its miles of sand-shingle shoreline flanked by craggy green hillsides, and the charm of a classic seaside, thanks to its Victorian pleasure pier’.

Of the 13 beaches listed, two are in Scotland, two are in Wales, one is in Northern Ireland, and one’s even on the Isle of Wight, so no matter where you are, there’s a sandy beach nearby ready and waiting to be picnicked on.

The best beaches in the UK, according to the Independent’s travel team

Here are the Independent travel team’s top 13 beaches in the UK. 

1. Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland
2. Lyme Regis, Dorset
3. Saltburn Beach, Redcar and Cleveland, North Yorkshire
4. Twin Beaches, Gigha western Scotland
5. Lusty Glaze, Cornwall
6. Luskentyre, Isle of Harris, northwest Scotland
7. Colwell Bay, Isle of Wight
8. Cuckmere Haven, East Sussex
9. Whitesands Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales
10. Mousehole harbour beach, Cornwall
11. Jackson's Bay, Barry Island
12. Ballycastle, County Antrim

You can look at the Independent's full list, including details on why exactly each beach earned its spot, here.

The best beaches in the UK, according to Time Out.

Looking for some cracking beaches?

Home or away, we’ve got you covered at Time Out. Here’s our roundup of the best beaches in the UK, and our list of the best beaches in the world if you're looking for sandier shores. We’ve also got a guide for places in the UK that don’t look like the UK, if you want excitement on a budget. 

18 British cities have been named in the 100 best in Europe for 2025. 

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