The prettiest white-sand beaches that aren’t a long haul flight away: Britain’s top seaside destinations that could be mistaken for the Mediterranean and Caribbean

With summer now in full swing, the height of holiday season is here, as people plan getaways in the UK and abroad. 

However, if you are seeking sun, sea and blissful scenery, you may not need to jet away on an arduous flight. 

The UK has a number of beaches with crystal-clear waters. beautiful bays and breathtaking views. 

Read on below for ten of the best beaches across the UK, all of which look like they would not be out of place in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula, Wales

Rhossili Bay beach is located in the Gower Peninsula, under 20 miles around the bay from Swansea

Located in the Gower Peninsula under 20 miles around the bay from Swansea, Rhossili Bay beach features three miles of sandy shore, including one of the Gower Peninsula’s most famous landmarks, Worms Head. 

Revellers can partake in numerous different watersports, with surfers in particular benefitting from the Atlantic swell. The magnificent beach’s golden sand also provides a fine opportunity to channel your inner Gaudi and craft magnificent sand castles. 

The beach also offers breathtaking views, with a number of walking routes along the  Gower Coast Path available to choose from.     

Luskentyre, Isle of Harris, Scotland

Named as one of the UK’s best beaches in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, Luskentyre is one of the most impressive beaches on the Isle of Harris

Consistently recognised as one of Scotland’s best beaches, Luskentyre Beach can be found on the Isle of Harris, which is situated to the west of the Scottish Highlands. 

Named as one of the UK’s best beaches in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, Luskentyre is one of the most impressive beaches on the Isle of Harris..

Aside from its magnificent sand dunes, Luskentyre also features clear blue waters and the island of Taransay, made famous as the setting of the BBC Castaway. 

Holidaymakers on Harris can also enjoy plenty of hillwalking, cycling and fishing. 

Achmelvich, Scottish Highlands

Achmelvich Beach is a stunning, white sandy beach that is also  a popular angling spot

You could be forgiven for thinking you’re on a Balearic Island at Achmelvich Beach, a stunning white sandy beach in Scottish Highlands.

Popular with families thanks to its caravan and camping spots nearby, it is a short drive away from the nearby town of Lochinver.

A popular spot with water skiers, windsurfers and kayakers, Achmelvich is a bustling beach during the summer months.

The unique morphology of the area means there are many nearby walks and climbs, including the famous Suilven, for those interested in hiking. 

The beach is also a popular angling spot with cod, haddock, whiting, pollack, saithe and mackerel all being common catches.

Tangasdale Beach, Isle of Barra, Scotland

Found on the west coast of the beautiful Isle of Barra, Tangasdale beach benefits from white sand, blue water and wonderful scenery

Dubbed ‘Barrabados’ and ‘Barradise’ by locals, the Isle of Barra is known for its white sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters.

Found on the west coast of the wonderfully scenic Isle of Barra, Tangasdale beach benefits from white sand, blue water and wonderful scenery.

The Isle Of Barra Beach Hotel is found on Tangasdale beach, and is famous for being the most westerly hotel and pub in the UK. 

Nearby activities include boat trips and angling, giving something for everyone to enjoy when visiting Barra.

Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland, England

A castle is known to have stood near Bamburgh beach since the 6th century, with oldest part of the current structure having been built in the 12th century

With candy floss pink skies and a pristine beach with drifting sand dunes, stunning Bamburgh was named one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world by luxury travel company Kuoni.

It beat the likes of Thailand, Hawaii and the Philippines to be named the sixth most eye-catching beach on the planet, in a study that tracked people’s eye movements to see which natural landmarks they were drawn to.   

But the seaside village of Bamburgh, located in Northumberland, is not just blessed with a stunning beach, but is also home to a stunning castle – the pair combining for exquisite views you are unlikely to see anywhere else. 

A castle is known to have stood near Bamburgh beach since the 6th century, with oldest part of the current structure having been built in the 12th century. 

Opposite the beach are the Inner Farne Islands, home of hermits and monks from the 7th century right up until the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century.

A walk along the north of the beach brings you to Stags Rocks, which take their name from the white stag painted on the stones. 

The beach also contains rock pools and a small lighthouse – the most northerly of its kind in mainland England. 

Interestingly, the world’s first ever lifeboat was developed and tested at Bamburgh beach.

Pentle Bay, Isles of Scilly, England

Pentle Bay is often quiet during high-season, meaning some holidaymakers may even have the beach to themselves at certain times

The Isles of Scilly – whilst notoriously difficult to get to – are home to some of the most scenic spots in the UK, with Pentle Bay being no exception. 

Despite the Isles of Scilly being a popular tourist destination with Brits who want to avoid a long-haul flight, Pentle Bay is often quiet during high-season, meaning some holidaymakers may even have the beach to themselves at certain times! 

Clachan Sands, North Uist, Scotland

Clachan Sands can be  found on the isle of North Uist, which is a short ferry ride from the Isle of Skye

The final beach on the list is another located in Scotland’s stunning Outer Hebrides, with Clachan Sands being found on North Uist, which is a short ferry ride from the Isle of Skye.  

The beach has white sand, made up from broken shells. Low-lying plains run parallel to the beach, making it an ideal spot for a stroll. 

Numerous different types of wildlife can also be found near Clachan Sands, including the elusive corncrake, alongside a variety of wildflowers, such as rare types of the orchid flower. 

Blackpool Sands, Devon, England

Blackpool Sands is backed by evergreens and scented pines, making for a picture-perfect view

Nestled in an area of outstanding natural beauty is the golden sand beach of Blackpool Sands.

A Blue Flag Award-winning beach backed by evergreens and scented pines, Blackpool Sands is privately managed and has become one of the most popular family beaches in the coastal county of Devon.

Blackpool Sands is also situated on the South West Coast Path, making it the perfect place to start or finish a walk along the South Devon coastline.

Porthcurno, Cornwall, England

The high cliffs at the Cornish beach of Porthcurno help to give beachgoers some shelter from any wind

Regularly touted as one of the finest beaches in the UK, Porthcurno Beach can be found just 10 miles around the coast from the popular Cornish tourist hotspot of Penzance. 

The beach’s sand is made up of pounded seashells, which are also partly responsible for the radiant blue colour of the sea at Porthcurno.

The high cliffs here help to give beachgoers some shelter from any wind, along with a stream that flows down the side of the beach, which frequently forms a large pool, making an ideal paddling spot. 

The beach is lifeguarded during the summer but when high tide hits, the waves can be extremely powerful, extra care should be taken.

Conversely, at low tide, the sand stretches all the way round to neighbouring Pedn Vounder, which helps to provide stunning scenery and shallow pools of translucent water and islands of sand across the beach. 

Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Containing golden sand and crystal clear waters, Barafundle has frequently been voted as one of the best beaches in Britain

Barafundle Bay can be found on the Pembrokeshire coast in west Wales, and is backed by dunes and pine trees, with the beach itself just half a mile from the nearest car park. 

Containing golden sand and crystal clear waters, Barafundle has frequently been voted as one of the best beaches in Britain. 

Beachgoers wishing to travel to Barafundle should keep in mind that the beach itself is isolated, which means there are no nearby facilities or amenities. 

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