England's beaches are not just pebbles in heavy rain and strong winds; The UK has thousands of miles of beaches with diverse landscapes, so you can absolutely find white sand beaches with beautiful sea water right in the UK.
- The most unique shaped islands on the planet
- The surreal beauty of the world's largest salt flat
- Admire the beautiful Marqueyssac garden in the Dordogne valley in France
Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall
Is this an island in Greece or a cove in Cornwall?
Nestled between two rocky headlands, this fine sandy cove is lapped by beautiful turquoise waters, making you feel like you're on a beautiful island in Greece. At low tide, you can paddle through the shallows or stroll through the sandy paths to find other beaches around the bay. And right on the beach is the extremely impressive Minack Theater, carved right into the granite cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Stay at Trereife House in Penzance, just a 20-minute drive from Porthcurno beach, a long-standing historic residence from the time of Queen Elizabeth I.
Achmelvich Beach, Scotland
Set in a poetic remote area in the Highlands, a wide stretch of sand in the shape of a perfect semicircle reminds one of a beautiful tropical beach in the Philippines. And the beach is beautiful even when the sky turns gray, with adorable dolphins swimming in the waves. Just a 15-minute drive to the beach, Mountview Pod is a cozy log cabin overlooking Loch Inver, with a terrace and barbecue grill.
Discover the blue sea, pristine white sand and adorable little dolphins of the Scottish highlands
Luskentyre Beach, Outer Hebrides
At the end of a winding rocky path on Harris Island's wild coastline, Luskentyre is often said to be a temperate Caribbean beach. Come here at low tide, when swathes of fine white sand, iridescent in the sun, are revealed, gently lapped by the waves, while in the background are small dunes, with soft lawns swaying in the wind. When visiting this place, you will rarely meet anyone, except for two familiar "residents" of the beach - two wild white horses. Sleep right on the beach at Harris White Cottage.
Luskentyre, a remote beach in the Outer Hebrides, looks like a Caribbean sea
Rhossili Beach, Wales
Often recognized by many as the most beautiful beach in Europe and one of the best in the world, Rhossili is located at the tip of the Gower peninsula. With a 3-mile stretch of golden sand, waves perfect for surfers and verdant greens, anyone could mistake this as a paradise beach in Australia. A favorite place for the great Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas, this romantic bay features deep “midnight blue” waters against a red-orange sky at sunset. More impressively, at low tide you can also see the wreck of the Helvetia, which sank in 1887. Stop by the lovely strawberry-red Western House while here, just a short drive from Rhossili Bay.
With its vast three-mile stretch of sand and plenty of surfers, Rhossili Beach can be mistaken for an Australian beach.
Man O'War Beach, Dorset
The Man O'War Sea has a Mediterranean vibe with its precarious hills and rocks named after the Man O'War jellyfish - not because of its abundance - but because of the beach's distinctive jelly-like shape. Closer to the water's edge, you'll often see some people diving around the rocks in the crashing waves. Stroll around to see the whole charming landscape and the shape of this horseshoe-shaped bay.
Blue sea water brings impressive beauty to this Dorset beach
Brancaster Beach, Norfolk
This beach stretches for miles on the Norfolk coastline and becomes even wider when the water recedes, when the golden sand reaches beyond the eye, reminiscent of New Zealand. It is also a nature reserve, known for its diverse wildlife, like flocks of migratory birds that you can see in the sky between the clouds. It's a great place for a relaxing walk, exploring ferry lagoons, gurgling ravines and marshes before stopping to watch the sunset from the green lawn.
Stroll the miles of Brancaster beach with iridescent golden sand
Portrush Whiterocks Beach, Northern Ireland
Located on Northern Ireland's Causeway Coastal Route, this stunning beach is backed by white limestone cliffs that stretch from Curran Strand to Dunluce Castle. The terrain here resembles the Canary Islands amazingly, with steep cliffs facing the sea. The waves crashing on the cliffs create a system of caves and ancient rock formations, waiting for visitors to explore. It's also hugely popular with surfing, windsurfing and kayaking – gear for these sports is available to rent right at the beach.
Explore the caves and rock formations of this beautiful Northern Ireland beach
