Where are the best beaches in the UK? From dog friendly Cornwall to award-winning Weymouth and even London
From Dorset to Devon and Cornwall to the capital, these 11 beaches could be the perfect spot for your next sunny day out
WHETHER you’re planning a staycation, or wanting to make the most of the summer heat this weekend, you might be looking to hit the beach.
From Cornwall to London, these are 11 of the best beaches in the UK – which could be the perfect destination for your next day out with family or friends.
Weymouth Beach (Dorset)
Weymouth Beach is famous for its soft sand and shallow sea, making it the ideal place to take the kids.
With donkeys roaming the sands and regular Punch & Judy shows, this beach tops TripAdvisor’s list of the top 10 British beaches for a reason.
You can also check out the rock pools at Newton’s Cove, and let your dogs paddle in the water.
This is a dog-friendly beach, although your pooches must be kept on a lead and some areas are out-of-bounds – so make sure you check the signs.
Fistral Beach (Newquay, Cornwall)
Surfers flock to the north coast of Cornwall to ride the big waves at this dog-friendly beach.
Fistral Beach is the site of several surfing competitions, while amateurs can book lessons and hire gear before taking to the sea.
St Brelade’s Bay Beach (Jersey)
This sandy beach is one of the busiest in Jersey and offers volleyball, trampolines, pedalos and canoes to entertain your kids.
Voted third in TripAdvisor’s list, there is also sailing, surfing and wind surfing for the water babies among you – but we’re afraid you can’t bring your dogs.
Neverland (West London)
This pop-up Thameside beach in Parsons Green offers an escape from the urban jungle of West London.
The BYOB (bring your own booze) bar concept is going down a storm with city dwellers, while there are also a selection of street food vendors.
Book a yoga class or rent one of their cute beach huts.
Porthminster Beach (St Ives, Cornwall)
This glittering bay offers views across to Godrevy Lighthouse, one of the mildest climates in the UK and a collection of waving palm trees.
The award-winning Blue Flag beach also has an 18-hole mini golf course and is home to The Times’ Best Coastal Restaurant, Porthminster Beach Cafe.
Dogs are welcome on the beach in the spring, autumn and winter – but a seasonal dog ban is in place between Palm Sunday and September 30.
Rhossili Bay (Swansea, Wales)
Voted Wales’ best beach in the TripAdvisor travel awards, this stretch of sand is also ‘the UK’s No 1 dog-friendly beach’, according to The Times.
Visitors to this three-mile stretch of sandy shore might even catch a glimpse of a seal or dolphin.
The surrounding area has even been named as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Beach East (East London)
Over on the Poole peninsula, Sandbanks is home to some of the most expensive properties in Britain – as well as its impressive stretch of beach.
Attractions include a crazy golf course, kids’ play area and water sports hire.
It’s won the Blue Flag award more than any other beach in the UK, but we’re afraid dogs aren’t allowed.
Woolacombe Beach (Devon)
This three-mile stretch of golden sandy beach won the TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award in 2015 and 2016, and it still makes the top 10.
Dogs aren’t allowed in the main section between May and October. There is a dog-friendly area just outside, but you must keep your pet on a lead.
Kayaking, jet-skiing, sailing and wind surfing are all on offer at Woolacombe Beach.
Brixton Rooftop (South London)
Bringing a touch of Cuba to South London, Brixton’s beach is a favourite for locals and tourists alike.
Buy tickets for one of their packed weekend beach parties, with visiting DJs, or go to one of the BBQ Thursdays on the Beach.
There’s also a well-stocked bar and a number of street food venues. Yum.
Perranporth Beach (Cornwall)
Whether it’s surfing, snailing or snorkelling you’re after, this could be the place for you.
There’s a huge surf, sand dunes, rock pools and caves on offer. While the pub, The Watering Hole, is right on Perranporth Beach.
Dogs must be kept on leads between July and August, from 9am-5pm.
