The Top 5 British Beaches

I decided to choose my top British beaches from the North, South, East and West of the UK. There should be a best rated beach in reach for every reader. Unless you live in Inverness… If you want to visit an excellent beach in the UK, it’s worth making an effort. Go for at least a night. You’re likely to have a bit of a drive to visit beaches worth visiting. You’re in for a treat if you decide to stay with a sea-view, with any that have made my list!

5. Bamburgh (Castle) Beach – Northumberland

My North Choice
A Castle on a green Hill, golden sand and clear blue ocean. Isn’t this what dreams are made of? Catch it at the right angle, you will see the castle reflected in the shallows during low tide. Regally called “The Crown Jewel of Northumberland’s Coastline”. Bamburgh Beach is the most breathtaking timeless beauty of the North East. Sheer tranquility is found between the crashing of waves onto the shore and the timeless historical backdrop of Bamburgh Castle – there’s so much to explore!

حلال Halal Recommendations
Food – Bamburgh Walled Garden is a treat for all the family, with a kids playground to keep them entertained whilst you sip your coffee. There’s plenty of vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. In terms of allergies, it does disappointingly state they can’t guarantee an allergen free experience. Eat at your own risk!
Prayer – As the nearest mosque is around 70 miles away, take extra water for wudu and be prepared to pray in nature (maybe avoid visiting on a rainy day).

4. Wells-Next-The-Sea

My East Choice
There is no beach quite like Wells-Next-The-Sea. When the tide is out, the beach is simply huge and stretches for miles. Multi-coloured traditional stilted beach huts line the beach. As the coastal gift which keeps on giving, there is also a lush forest behind the beach huts. For any nature lover, its a magical experience. Strolling through the forest with a sandy beach floor and looking through beach huts through to the sea is an experience unique to Wells. If you haven’t been – I highly recommend! It’s also worth a wonder into the quay to try some crabbing. Get there early enough and crabbing lines with bait can be purchased from the gift shops. Drop the lines over the Quay wall and wait for the pinch.

حلال Halal Recommendations
Food – The beach cafe is disappointingly expensive. Instead, I recommend a special visit to Flour – A stunning Italian restaurant opposite the Quay carpark. They accommodated our allergy needs and had so many yummy vegetarian options. This restaurant has a vibe to shame most city centre Italian restaurants.
Prayer – Take an extra bottle of water for wudu and pray on the beach, or in the forest… wherever you like with a mat.

3. South Beach, Tenby, Pembrokshire, Wales – West

My West Choice
1.5 miles long, Tenby’s South beach is lined with Sand Dunes, making it the perfect natural playground for children. With gentle tides, it is a popular option for paddle boarding, kayaking and surfing. Easily accessed by a car park, it is close to Tenby’s other beaches such as Castle beach, Harbour Beach and North Beach. There are plenty of nearby cafe’s and shops to grab an ice cream. Stunning white sands. Just beware of the jellyfish. We recommend wearing beach socks or crocks to avoid the possibility of being stung.

حلال Halal Recommendations
Food – I love Malaysian food, so I’m excited to discover Nora’s Kitchen right near the beach front! I’ll be visiting here soon. I’ll update this post once I’ve tried it out.
Prayer – There are no Mosques in Tenby. Once again – I recommend extra water and a mat to pray on the beach.

2. Weymouth Bay, Dorset, England – South

South Choice
As a family, we visited Weymouth every year. It has everything a seaside town should have to offer. What sets Weymouth aside as a cut above the rest, is:
The stunning views
The picturesque esplanade
The family friendly activities available
The stunning harbour
The shallow bay
The soft white sand

Did you know that Weymouth has the softest sand in the UK? It’s so silky soft it’s only 1 grade above silt – the type of sand you wouldn’t believe exists in the UK. Every morning the tractor comes out to clean the beach. As a child my imagination would run wild as I combed the shallow bay for shoals of fish and sea shells. The bay itself is excellent for families with children. When the tide is out, the sea is shallow with a very gentle drop – the perfect set-up for young ocean explorers!

Iconic paddle boats and a traditional Punch and Judy Show means families are never short of things to do. Don’t forget to explore the harbour, featuring one of few bascule bridges in the UK. Like a mini tower bridge, it opens to let boats in and out of the harbour. A cut above the rest, you really need to spend at least a couple of nights in Weymouth to make the most of it. Sunset will give you the most stunning views!

🚨 Weymouth beach would have taken top spot, if it wasn’t that last time my family visited, they saw that sewage had been leaked into the beautiful bay, that we love so much. This would make a visit to Weymouth pretty pointless, as we all go there to splash around in the bay. Until Weymouth cleans up it’s act, we won’t be visiting. However, it still gets second position due to the amazing family friendly experience it has to offer.

حلال Halal Recommendations
Food – Babs & Pita on St Mary’s Street is the Halal Turkish Restaurant, that Weymouth has long been crying out for!
Prayer – Visit Weymouth and Dorchester Islamic Center on Governer’s Lane, near the beach and harbour for prayer.

1. Carbis Bay, St Ives, Cornwall

South-West Choice
St Ives stands out as the best beach in the UK, because it’s so naturally stunning. With seven beaches within the area, a traditional seaside shopping town, fresh fish and chips on the sea front, cream teas, sea shanty’s, a lighthouse, surfing, ruins and Cornish pasties, what else is there to ask for? Well – there is one thing, parking! Just make sure to get there early and you will be in for a treat. You will be spoilt for choice for beaches. My personal favourite is Carbis Bay. It feels untouched, hidden behind the hills, hidden around the bay from the bustling St Ives town. It feels almost Mediterranean.

حلال Halal Recommendations
Food – There are halal restaurants in St Ives, a short drive from Carbis Bay. However, when I visited I quite happily lived on vegetarian Cornish Pasties. I used the kiosk on the Harbour Beach front for this, because when in Rome… or Cornwall. Just watch out for the pesky seagulls. Also, it’s a crime to visit Cornwall without having a traditional Cornish cream tea. Fill up on scones at lunch and a veggie pasty is more than enough later.
Prayer – The closest Mosque is Truro. An unrealistic commute. You guessed it – water and another beautiful beach prayer!

I couldn’t eliminate one of the Southern beaches, hence the South won 2. My top rated beach is probably the hardest to get to for most people in the UK, but it deserves it for its sheer natural beauty. I have rated the beaches on beauty and experience rather than facilities. Near the coast, you can’t always expect ample parking. Be willing to find a car park and walk a good 10-15 minutes to the beach, or stay in a nearby property for a couple of nights.

What are your favourite UK beaches? Let me know below!