One of the great things about visiting an island is being able to spend some time on the coast – and England, as part of wider Great Britain, is no exception. With a heap of the best beaches in England dotted all across the shorelines, you’ll end up being totally spoilt for choice on sandy bays to visit.
That being said, with so many beaches to choose from, I wanted to share some of my very favourite bays and beaches that I love most.
Some are situated in the South of England, some in the North of England whilst others are nestled on gorgeous islands that hug the shoreline.
Have the most incredible time chilling and enjoying the surf! Oh, and don’t forget that sunscreen.
Take a look, below, at the best beaches in England to visit. Enjoy!
1.) Camber Sands
Just south of the picturesque town of Rye, Camber Sands is a sandy paradise that’s totally beautiful to visit.
Stretching for miles, it’s the perfect, unspoilt, beach that’s well worth visiting in the morning and partnering with a trip to Rye in the afternoon.
Now, one thing to note is that it doesn’t have any real spots to grab a bite to eat or drink. This means you’ll want to pack everything with you before you go.
Read more: Best seaside holidays in the UK
2.) Bournemouth Beaches
This award-winning coastline is without a doubt the best beaches in England for those that want a sandy shore within easy reach of the city.
The beach itself is a whopping 7-miles long and along the whole stretch, you’ll have ample opportunities to try your hand at watersports. With kayak rentals, paddleboard rentals and the epic ziplining (on the pier), you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Best of all, Bournemouth Beach, located in the gorgeous area of Dorset, has a microclimate that’s resulted in nice warm water temperatures. This is totally great in the summer months.
Also, if you want a break away from the city beach itself, head over to nearby Mudeford Sandbank where you can rent your own beach hut.
Read more: Best places in the south of England to visit
3.) Fistral Beach
Known for its swelling surf, the conditions at Fistral beach make it one of the best beaches in England for a spot of surfing.
Now, this means it does garnish a surfer crowd but that doesn’t mean it’s just for those that can stand on a board! Fistral Beach is great for non-surfers, too.
Its soft, sandy shoreline and coastal trails (along the South-West Coast Path) make this a stunning place to visit whilst in and around Newquay. It’s funny, it has an almost secluded and remote feel, despite being right next to the town itself.
Read more: Best places in Cornwall to visit
4.) Watergate Bay
Another spot not too far from Newquay, Watergate Bay is another beach that’s perfect for surfers. In fact, this is where we learned to surf! The sandy beach is totally stunning and well worth visiting for a weekend trip.
Plus, you can check into the Watergate Bay Hotel that we totally loved.
Their rooms are gorgeous and their waffle breakfasts are everything!
Read more: Our stay at Watergate Bay Hotel
5.) Bamburgh Beach
Bamburgh Beach was such a surprise to us! In fact, we hadn’t visited Bamburgh for the beach at all but certainly stayed for it!
Initially, our trip was to explore the iconic Bamburgh Castle (which is totally amazing). Overlooked by historic Castle itself, Bamburgh Beach is a totally unspoilt beach paradise and easily one of the best in Northern England.
Now, Bamburgh is around 20-miles from the Scottish border, which means that it can get chillier as you head further north across Great Britain.
For this reason, you might want to take a wet suit if you’re fancying a swim – though, it’s certainly not needed if you don’t mind a slight chill.
Read more: Visiting Bamburgh Castle
6.) Southwold Beach
The seaside town of Southwold is a gorgeous little treat to visit whilst exploring wider Suffolk. Here, you can chill on the sandy beach whilst also renting one of the colourful huts that is perfect for a day trip!
If you fancy a quieter, but no less beautiful shore, head over to Covehithe Beach that’s totally easy to visit.
Read more: Best seaside holidays in the UK
7.) Silverdale Cove
Perched on Lancashire’s coastline, Silverdale Cove is much more of a ramblers beach than one where you’ll go for a dip and build sandcastles.
Although relatively small, the wider coastline here is stunning and well worth a visit if you’re a keen hiker or cycler. Fancy a challenge? Join the Morecambe Bay Cycleway that stretches upwards of 70+ miles.
8.) Wells Beach
One stunning spot to visit whilst in Norfolk, Wells Beach is totally stunning and the perfect spot to visit in summer.
Perfect for a kayaking adventure or a stroll along the soft shoreline, Wells Beach is popular with locals and visitors alike.
With pine trees lining the beach and a bird sanctuary behind, it’s the perfect beach for those who spend as much time on land as in the water.
Plus, there’s also a car park that’s right by the beach, too. This makes it totally easy to visit but it can get filled during bank holidays.
Oh, and don’t forget to visit Wells-next-the-Sea. A gorgeous little town that’s a perfect stopping point for lunch. Platten’s is a must and serves up the best fish and chips.
Read more: Best places in the East of England to visit
9.) Brighton Beach
The city of Brighton needs little introduction, especially for its beach!
Brighton Beach and Palace Pier, complete with the Ferris wheel, is probably Southern England’s most recognizable pebble beaches.
A popular haunt for a day trip from London, Brighton Beach showcases historical attractions, like the Brighton Pavillion that is too beautiful to miss!
Not only that, you’ve got The Lanes area (filled with vintage shops, boutiques and restaurants) alongside the newer British Airways i360 observation tower.
Read more: Best things to do in Brighton
10.) Whitby Beach and Robin Hoods Bay
Nestled on the North Sea shoreline is gorgeous Yorkshire, Whitby Beach is well worth visiting whilst exploring the town of Whitby and nearby Robin Hood’s Bay.
Whitby might be a relatively small town but it’s chock-full of history – especially with the Whitby Abbey towering over the town. This makes it the perfect spot for a beach trip that’s filled with history, yummy food spots and quaint streets to explore.
Also, don’t leave Whitby Beach without grabbing a bag of Whitby’s famous fish and chips from the Magpie Cafe. It’s one of the tastiest in the region!
Read more: Best places in Yorkshire to visit
11.) Porthmeor Beach
Right within St Ives in Cornwall, Porthmeor Beach is one of the best beaches in England to visit whilst exploring wider Cornwall.
Although it can get busy in the summer, it’s well worth visiting for the lovely waters and sandy bay that makes this place so special.
Oh, and don’t forget to pop into Tate St. Ives for some incredible art and pop into the Cornish Deli for a picnic to take to the beach.
Read more: Best beaches in Cornwall
12.) Weymouth Bay Beach
Known as one of King George’s favourite spots, Weymouth is a traditional English seaside town that’s well worth a gander whilst on the south coast.
Plus, it has one of the best beaches in England that also hosts lots of open-air attractions in the summer! With a traditional seaside town vibe, you’ll get to enjoy the shoreline but also see a traditional “Punch and Judy show”, join weekly sporting events and
Weymouth Beach has plenty of fun things to do like sandcastle making competitions, donkey rides, puppet shows, and take a ride on some of the beaches acrobatic rides! Most impressive, however, is Weymouth Bay Beach’s crystal clear waters.
Also, for some great views, head over to the Isle of Portland which is stunning! You’ll be able to see all across Weymouth and Chesil Beach (Which is also stunning to visit).
Read more: Best seaside spots in the UK
13.) Isle of Wight beaches
The Isle of Wight has heaps of bays and beaches to explore, with Ventnor Beach being one of the best beaches in England to visit when travelling with the family.
With an ideal combination of a smaller sandy bay, lovely waters and family-friendly attractions, it is also the Isle’s best beach for families wanting a little time by the beach without having to leave the town itself. It’s all so nice and easy.
That being said, if you want a more natural beach that’s away from the towns, head across to Compton Beach. What it lacks in facilities, it makes up with unspoilt charm.
Read more: Best things to do on the Isle of Wight
14.) Bigbury Beach
Bigbury Beach is a popular little beach that’s nestled on the south coast of Devon at Bigbury-on-Sea.
Officially declared an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Bigbury Beach is the biggest sand beach in the county.
During low tide, beach-goers can walk along the causeway while exploring the many rock pools to reach Burgh Island.
15.) Blackpool Beach
There’s sometimes a bit of snobbery when people think of Blackpool as a place to visit. That being said, it’s something of an institution in Northern England and a traditional seaside town that, although no longer en-vogue, still has a pretty epic beach.
Not only that, there’s a heap to do in the town, too. After all, what Blackpool Beach lacks in reputation, it makes up for in fun!
After spending time on the beach, head over to Blackpool’s Pier and see the Blackpool Tower. Plus, for some thrills, head into the Pleasure Beach that’s filled with whopping rollercoasters!
Read more: Best seaside holidays in the UK
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