The English coastline is gorgeous. You’re in for a treat when you visit this lush island because of the impressive sea cliffs, wide bays, and magnificent beaches. The best beaches in England include breathtaking expanses of golden sand.
They cover the entire length and breadth of the nation, fronting towns and cities, edging estuaries, and adorning both large and tiny islands.
The best beaches in England offer several vacation choices for families, lone travelers, and anyone wishing to spend time by the sea due to their exceptional diversity in environmental makeup.
Many of these beaches are served by hotels, dining establishments, and top-notch recreational services, including an abundance of excellent water sports facilities.
For those seeking serene beachfront seclusion, some of the best beaches are found off the usual path. There are many romantic beaches for couples to choose from along England’s breathtaking coastline.
Some of England’s best beaches are found close to thriving towns and cities that have nearby ice cream shops, beachside stores, and entertainment options. Still more are found close to famous sites, giving their sand foundation an antique appeal.
The Best England Beaches
With this list of the best England beaches, you may choose the ideal gorgeous patch of sand for your upcoming holiday.
1. Bigbury-on-Sea: Sandy beach
Burgh Island, Bigbury’s well-known landmark, is situated 270 yards offshore and has outstanding natural beauty in the area in which the small community of Bigbury-on-Sea is located.
The beach, which is the largest sandy beach in South Devon, is in front of a resort that, even in the height of summer, exudes an air of antiquity.
An exposed causeway connects the island, which at low tide is dotted with rock pools and is known for its Art Deco hotel that has appeared in a number of films and television shows.
Tourists can still reach Burgh even during high tide by taking a special “sea tractor” that trundles slowly across the narrow harbor to a landing stage positioned under the hotel.
Bigbury-on-Sea is mostly visited by couples and families looking for a peaceful seaside getaway on one of southern England’s most gorgeous coasts.
Surfers, bodyboarders, and windsurfers flock along the beach when it’s windy conditions to take advantage of a restless sea. It is one of the best England beaches.
2. Studland Bay
The long trek from the Hartland Moors to Studland Bay in Dorset is worthwhile if you want to get back to the basics. This secluded crescent of sand is among the most beautiful in England and is protected by the National Trust.
The beach stretches 4 miles from north to south and can accommodate a wide variety of visitors. At the southern end, there are sailing clubs; at the far northern end, there is a nudist area; and in the center, there is smooth, golden sand. The South West Coast Path follows the shore, making it a popular destination for walkers as well.
Only 8 miles of coastline separate Studland Bay from Bournemouth, but getting there requires using a ferry to traverse a narrow strait, which lengthens the trip. It is one of the best England beaches.
3. Wells-Next-the-Sea Beach
The beach at Wells-next-the-Sea is a broad expanse of golden sand bordered by sand dunes and scattered with colorful beach huts. In addition to being a highly prized component of the Holkham Estate in Norfolk, it is also scenic, tidy, and comfortable.
The beach may be readily reached on foot along an elevated path and is located approximately a mile outside of the town of Wells.
The handy Beach Café can be found on Beach Road, and there are lots of amenities available to make it simple to spend the entire day there. The restroom buildings have showers.
You are welcome to bring your four-legged companions to this well-liked beach area. Dogs are allowed to roam the first 200 yards from the main entrance but not the first 200 yards from the pinewoods entrances. Until you get to the beach, keep them on a leash.
Use the parking lot managed by the Holkham Estate if you are arriving by car. Your best option is an all-day pass, which grants entrance to Holkham Park. It is one of the best England beaches.
4. Bournemouth Beach: One of the best England Beaches
The expansive stretch known as Bournemouth Beach, which spans more than 11 miles of gorgeous golden sands, actually encompasses a number of locations, from Hengistbury Head in the east, through Southbourne, Boscombe, Bournemouth town, and westward into Poole.
In and around Bournemouth, a popular south coast vacation town since the Victorian era, a thriving entertainment sector has developed. The town center and esplanade are adorned with theatres, concert halls, cafés, restaurants, theatres, and numerous hotels, and the beach is regarded as one of the best beaches in the UK.
Bournemouth Beach, which is known for its iconic pier, has a variety of family-friendly recreational opportunities, such as the thrilling pier-to-shore zipline, Happyland Amusement Park, and the close-by Bournemouth Oceanarium. It is one of the best England beaches.
One of the finest beaches close to London is Bournemouth Beach, which is about two hours southwest of the English city. It turns into a gathering place in the summer for Londoners seeking a peaceful, sandy weekend getaway in South England.
5. Ventnor Beach
The Isle of Wight has more than 50 miles of coastline and 17 Blue Flag beaches, so there are plenty of beautiful beaches there. With only 23 miles between each sandy beaches, this southern island right off the coast of Portsmouth is a fantastic place to spend a beach vacation.
We have chosen Ventnor Beach due to its blend of gentle sand, crashing waves, and family-friendly amenities because we can only pick one beach. It is one of the best England beaches.
There is a tonne of stores and attractions that have a nostalgic feel huge them. There are many hotels and B&Bs with sea views in the beachside Victorian town.
6. West Wittering Beach
Near the historic city of Chichester, the community of West Wittering is located along the coast. This lovely place is well-known for having A-list celebrities live there, as well as for having a fantastic beach that is recognized as one of the best Blue Flag beaches in the country.
Visitor families love to bring their buckets and spades to West Wittering Beach, which is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The importance of the neighboring wetlands, an area famed for its biodiversity, birds, and spectacular beauty, will become clear to tourists as they explore.
The sea draws kitesurfers and wind because of its excellent water quality. A series of shallow lagoons that are available at low tide is a fascinating area of adventure that is irresistible to explore for children and adults of all ages.
The National Trust manages the surrounding land, so the region in and around East Head is ideal for relaxing strolls along nature trails at any time of year. It is one of the best England beaches.
7. Whitby Beach
Whitby is a fascinating seaside town that offers some of the best fish and chips in the nation, quayside arcades, and picturesque surroundings. The community may be small and perched on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, but it is bursting with personality.
You can go any time of year, but the North Sea can get rather a frigid outside of the height of summer. One of the more well-liked locations to relax in the sun is the settlement of Sandsend, which is located at the end of Whitby Beach.
In and around Whitby throughout the summer, you may enjoy the typical customary British beach activities like donkey rides, ice cream trucks, and rainbow-coloured beach huts. It’s a great beach for kite flying, surfing, and fossil finds. It is one of the best England beaches.
8. Brighton Beach: One of the best England Beaches
One of the liveliest and most culturally diverse towns in England is Brighton. Brighton has a fantastic 5.5-mile shingle beach in addition to its popular tourist attractions. As a result, Brighton and its coastline have previously been named among the top 10 city beach getaway locations worldwide.
The location draws beachgoers from all over the country as well as water sports aficionados drawn by the availability of kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding, as well as traditional beach games like extreme Frisbee and volleyball.
The Palm Court Restaurant, a sizable, dome-shaped arcade, the iconic Helter Skeleter slide, as well as a number of theme park attractions and activities, are all located on the pier. Kids will adore this place. It is one of the best England beaches.
Along with having a wide variety of dining establishments, sporting venues, amusement parks, and year-round entertainment, Brighton is also well-known for its neighbouring Cliff Beach, which was the first naturist beach in Britain.
9. Tankerton Beach
Another one of the best beaches close to London is Tankerton Beach. This golden shingled beach is a sight to behold. It is situated on the spectacular shore of Whitstable, a little fishing community less than an hour and a half southeast of London.
Tankerton Beach is a well-liked beach for Londoners seeking a little respite from the city’s congestion. St. Pancras, Cannon Street, and Victoria Stations in London all provide train service.
Compared to other beaches close to London, Tankerton Beach is quite tranquil and is watched after by lifeguards throughout the summer. Additionally, it is conveniently placed close to Whitstable’s beautiful restaurants and shops.
Tankerton Slopes, with grassy dunes located above the beach, offers breathtaking views of Whitstable Harbor, the vibrant fishermen’s cottages, and the sparkling water below. It is one of the best England beaches.
10. Fistral Beach
Fistral Beach, the top surfing location in the UK, is legendary among fans of water sports. It is hardly unexpected that it is at the top of the list of England’s best beaches.
Fistral is a year-round resort, but the summer is when it is the liveliest and most energetic.
This is the time to properly appreciate the recreational options oriented at beachgoers and professional surfers, including the hip restaurants flanking the boardwalk and a restaurant named for British celebrity chef Rick Stein.
The UK Pro Surf Tour’s hometown of Fistral also warmly welcomes first-timers looking to improve their surfing skills. The family-run Fistral Beach Surf School is famous for its teaching techniques and will have you hanging 10 in no time! It is one of the best England beaches.
11. Blackpool Beach: One of the best England Beaches
Blackpool, one of the most well-known tourist attractions in England, gained popularity in the middle of the 19th century and may have been the most popular seaside resort in the nation by 1880.
Blackpool Beach still draws millions of people each year, despite not being quite as enticing as it was during its Victorian heyday. These visitors are pulled both by a collection of significant landmarks and a sense of nostalgia for a conventional day by the sea.
The town of Blackpool is renowned for its 513-foot Blackpool Tower, whose design was influenced by Paris’s Eiffel Tower, as well as for its yearly light festival, the Blackpool Illuminations, which first illuminated the area in 1879. It is one of the best England beaches.
Blackpool Beach, which was been given the Blue Flag designation, is the only beach in Great Britain to have three magnificent piers, each of which is a major tourist attraction in and of itself. The town’s esplanade, known as the Golden Mile, is teeming with entertainment options, including small amusement parks and vintage tearooms.
12. Weymouth Beach
Weymouth is recognized as one of England’s most classic coastal resorts and is home to one of the nation’s best beaches. Weymouth beach was a favorite seasonal destination of Britain’s King George III (1738–1820). Its wide beach creates the yawning arc of Weymouth Bay, a well-liked vacation spot all year round.
The sand of Weymouth Beach is consistently rated as the best for building sandcastles. Additionally, the Weymouth Pavilion, a top-notch theatre and entertainment complex, and a funfair situated on the promenade are present.
In order to remedy an ongoing skin ailment, King George went to the beach as advised by his doctor. The doctor suggested the monarch immerse himself in the warm seas. It is one of the best England beaches.
Instead, the ill monarch popularised bathing, and Weymouth Beach is now known for its sparkling shallows that have won a Blue Flag for environmental excellence. Additionally, visit the lovely Isle of Portland for some fantastic vistas! You will get a full view of Weymouth and Chesil Beach.
13. Saunton Sands Beach
One of Devon’s top beaches for families is Saunton Sands Beach. You should feel free to bring any furry pals to this location.
It’s not surprise that this picturesque location made it onto our list of the greatest beaches in England with its three miles of immaculate golden sand. It’s a top beach as well for swimmers and surfers.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom are two of the films that have picked Saunton Sands Beach as their shooting location.
This lengthy beach is particularly appealing because it is bordered by a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and sizable sand dunes.
Facilities include restrooms, a beachside beach shop, a restaurant, and rentals for beach chairs, huts, and surfing equipment. It is one of the best England beaches.
14. Woolacombe Beach
It goes without saying that Devon is home to many of England’s top beaches. This three-mile stretch of golden sand, a favourite summertime destination, invites visitors to enjoy the sun’s rays, surf the waves, and boogie board down the shore.
Would you like a relaxing beach vacation? Even during the busiest months, it’s simple to locate a more private section of the beach due to the abundance of available sand.
Speaking of peak season, this is the ideal Devon summertime beach for families. You can get an ice cream nearby, there are lifeguards on duty, and the sun has warmed the water to a less-heart-stopping temperature.
If it’s extremely windy, have lunch at a restaurant in Woolacombe or, if you don’t mind having a little sand in your food, take a picnic. It is one of the best England beaches.
15. Bamburgh Beach: One of the best England Beaches
This stunning expanse of sand takes its name from the enormous Bamburgh Castle, whose intimidating ramparts overlook one of northern England’s most famous beaches.
The majority of what you see today dates from the 12th century, despite the fact that it is thought that a castle once stood in this location.
Kiteboarding and surfing are very common at Bamburgh Beach, a lovely stretch of sand backed by a swaying bank of flower-topped dunes. In actuality, kiteboarding and surfing are among the activities most popular on this beach in Northern England.
The opportunities for rock-pooling that are available close to the Stag Rocks lighthouse will appeal to anyone who appreciates marine life in miniature. Children can utilise the adjacent real castle as a point of reference while having access to an endless supply of raw materials.
Across from the shore are the inner Farne Islands, which were once inhabited by hermits and monks and are now a haven for an incredible variety of seabirds. It is one of the best England beaches.
16. Porthcurno Beach
A stunning coastal cliff range surrounds the beach in Porthcurno Bay. At its foot is the crescent-shaped wedge of sand that makes up one of England’s finest beaches. Porthcurno, which is a part of the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is a visual treat and has served as the inspiration for many landscape artists and photographers.
Beachgoers can make use of a car park at the top of the cliff, which is staffed by a café and restaurant during the height of the tourist season. This is a beach to escape the crowds because it is somewhat isolated and offers a good deal of seclusion, although it isn’t always safe for swimming. It is one of the best England beaches.
In addition to its breathtaking surroundings, Porthcurno is renowned for its distinctive Minack Theatre, an outdoor theatre with panoramic views of the coastline that was hewn out of the cliffs. Various theatrical organisations put out shows from May to September.
17. Compton Bay Beach
This fantastic DIY beach lies at West Wight and lacks any notable recreational features. Therefore, visitors should bring everything they’ll need for a day at one of the island’s most well-known beaches.
A contrasted expanse of both black and golden beaches covers Compton Bay Beach, which is bordered by choppy waters and occasionally unpredictable breezes.
The honey and caramel-colored sandstone cliffs that form a pleasing backdrop add more colour. Seabirds fly overhead on rising thermals there as well.
The majority of the beach is gentle and softly shelving. However, there are a few sections of submerged rock that extend out to sea and remain concealed during high tide, so you need to be cautious of these. Shallow water is a safe place to paddle.
When the circumstances are right, surfers can ride in good Channel swells farther out. Dinosaur footprints that have survived the ages can be found in this part of the Isle of Wight. It’s pretty usual to see fossil hunters scouring the beach at low tide in search of a 65-million-year-old keepsake. It is one of the best England beaches.
18. Pelistry Bay Beach
Pelistry Bay is rarely crowded because of its quiet location on St. Mary’s, one of the small islands that make up the Isles of Scilly off the coast of Cornwall. But the attraction is there.
The tiny beach, which is covered in soft, pale sand, is the ideal location to unwind and take a well-earned break from the summertime tourist crush that may overtake Cornwall.
The Scilly Isles are a group of undeveloped subtropical islands, each endowed with its own distinct personality. They are accessible by air or sea. The biggest and most populated island, St. Mary’s, features a concentration of low-key vacation lodging and recreational facilities.
Toll’s island, which is anchored in the bay and connected to St. Mary’s by a sandbar, is an additional draw. It is one of the best England beaches.
Final Remark
In conclusion, the England beaches are some of the best in the world.
They offer a variety of activities for visitors, from swimming and sunbathing to fishing and surfing. With so many beaches to choose from, there is sure to be one that is perfect for you.
