Ten glorious British beaches you have to visit this summer

Are you feeling the summer vibes already? Now that the weather is starting to pick up it’s time to start thinking about some of the best-rated beaches located in the UK.

Wherever you fancy for your summer staycation location this year, this guide will provide you with the absolute best beaches to add to your itinerary.

Beach credit Pete Garnett / Unsplash

Out of the four nations, Wales takes the crown

It was a close call, but Wales is home to the UK’s highest number of best-rated beaches! The nation has an impressive 19 beaches in the top 50, 5 of which appear in the top 10. The best beaches in Wales are found in Pembrokeshire, with 6 beaches in this area ranking in the top 50, followed by Swansea and Gwynedd with 4 beaches each.

Pembrokeshire dominates the ranking

As mentioned above, Pembrokeshire is the go-to region in Wales and the whole of the UK if you’re seeking top-quality beaches. Highlights include Barafundle Bay Beach, Marloes Sands and Freshwater West. This comes as no surprise, with the Pembrokeshire Coast being famed for its beautiful beaches, towering limestone cliffs and hilly volcanic headlands.

Moray is the Scottish region that scores the best rating for its beaches

If you want to enjoy beautiful beaches and be able to spend the day outside in the sun without melting like an ice cube, Scotland is surely a good option for a long weekend this summer. Cove Bay in Elgin tops the list for being the best. Outside of Moray, the best-rated Scottish beaches include Mellon Udrigle Beach in the Highlands and Machir Bay on the Isle of Islay.

Is it heat that you’re after? Head to the south of England

If a British staycation is on the cards for your holiday of choice this year, there’s a chance that you’ll be favouring a location that has the maximum chance of sunny weather. For this, your best bet is to head to the southern coast of England. Cornwall and Devon are popular choices year in and year out, with Bossiney Cove in Cornwall and Woolacombe Beach in Devon being two of the highest-rated beaches in the regions.

The Best Beaches in Wales

1. Barafundle Bay Beach – Pembrokeshire, Wales – 4.9/5 stars

Barafundle Bay is dubbed as one of the best places in Wales to go to if you fancy some open water swimming this summer. This ‘Jewel in the Crown’ is found in a secluded cove which means that the waves aren’t so strong so it’s perfect for less confident swimmers looking for a safer environment to cool down in this year. This gem is only accessible on foot which only adds to the secluded charm.

The Best Beaches in Scotland

1. St Ninians Beach, Shetland Islands – 4.9/5 stars

Scotland’s best-rated beach this year is actually located north of the mainland in the Shetland Islands. St Ninians Beach is located on the west coast of the island and links the south mainland with the Isle of St Ninians. Visitors to this picture can enjoy an array of watersports, including kayaking, canoeing, snorkelling, sailing and windsurfing. The beach is also dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your furry friend along too.

The Best Beaches in England

1. Bossiney Cove, Cornwall – 4.9/5 stars

England’s most beautiful beach for this year is Bossiney Cove in Cornwall. This is a beautiful, secluded beach that is nestled in a picturesque cove. This is the perfect beach for anyone looking to spend some time swimming in the sea as it is home to a reef along the western edge of the sands, providing a wonderful marine environment for snorkelling.

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