White Park Bay, Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK.

White Park Bay, Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK.

The Giant's Causeway is the big attraction around here but four miles away White Park Bay in County Antrim is a fine, long beach with squeaky sand and vast views across to Isla and Jura, but no facilities. Swimmers may find dolphins accompanying them.

Also in Antrim is Whiterocks, a large, lush and lively surf beach with rental kit available from Portrush town. The white and green-topped cliffs offer sights for those less focused on surf, while quiet coves along the beach present quieter space for beach-bum isolation. Whiterocks is east of Portrush.

The Isle of Iona, Scotland

The Isle of Iona, Scotland

The lovely little Isle of Iona off Scotland's west coast [Inner Hebrides] has many dazzling white sand beaches with lots of character but few visitors - well, it is a long way to come for a swim and the water, though remarkably clear, is freezing much of the year and the winds and rain come and go with astonishing rapidity. Visiting cars are not allowed on the 1 mile long island. Reach Iona by a 10-minute ferry ride across the Sound of Iona from Fionnphort on Mull island, where you can rent a bicycle.

Luskentyre, Scotland

Luskentyre, Scotland

Luskentyre on Harris Island, the Outer Hebrides, is hell to get to but paradise on arrival, especially if the sun cares to show its face. You'll be one of the chosen few on this massive white beach with its crystal waters, odd scattered rocks and looming mountains, stunned by the monstrous, fantasy panorama.
With summer water temperatures of 12C this is not an ideal swimming beach but walkers, sailors, kayakers and fishermen love the place; bring your own gear or hire in Leverburgh in the south of Harris. Camping is permitted.
Get there via Skye island to Uig, then the car ferry to Tarbert on Harris.

Rhossili Bay, Gower, Wales.

Rhossili Bay, Gower, Wales.

Rhossili Beach on the Gower Peninsula - Britain's first 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' - is a dramatic three mile strip of uncrowded, super-soft sand that provides enough Atlantic surf to keep the lycra lads happy at the north end but is also OK for normal mortals at the south end when the waves are modest, tho watch out for any undertow.
The beach is frequently windy so sunbathers should bring a windbreaker. As for activities apart from surfing, the walking is glorious - whether on the beach or more easily on the trails above, horsey people are hot to trot here, winged folk love the stiff updrafts over the hills and drinkers love the views from the Worm's Head Hotel while they down draughts.
Get there from Swansea by bus on the Gower Explorer 118 or by car on the A4118 to the Gower Peninsula, then signs towards Port Eynon, finally the B4247 to Rhossili; you can park at either end of the beach, Llangennith for surfers or Rhossili for the rest.

Whitesands beach and bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Whitesands beach and bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Whitesands Bay is delightful stretch of fine sand in Pembrokeshire. Whitesands is embraced by spectacular scenery and washed by Gulf Stream waters that work well for both surfers and families; it's not far from the smallest city in the UK, St Davids, which is actually a village but with the status of a city due to its 12thC cathedral. Lots of activities are available including coasteering, sea kayaking, surfing and climbing.

Barafundle Bay, south Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Barafundle Bay, south Pembrokeshire, Wales.

- Barafundle Bay, an isolated, exquisite - and some say magical - swath of sand backed by dunes and pine trees but with no facilities at all and a half mile walk from the Stackpole Quay car park, off the B4319, 5 miles south of Pembroke.

British beaches - Wales

Tenby North Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK

The Pembrokeshire coast in South Wales is one of Britain's best coastal experiences, a lush and craggy length of unspoilt Blue Flag beaches wrapped in rocky promontories, protected by castles [no, not sand castles] and buzzing with activity options - including kayaking, sailing, surfing and cliff jumping/coasteering as well as cycling and superb walks. Pembrokeshire was winner of more British Seaside Awards in 2008 than any other county in the UK.

Tenby North beach, a sheltered, sunny, sandy beach with charm, boat hire, deck chairs and lifeguard from the end of June to the end of September. No dogs in summertime. On the shore is everything a visitor might needs, from toilets to pubs, cafés and all kinds of accommodation. Tenby South is 1.5 miles long [2.5 kms] and also family-friendly with gently shelving sand and lots of kid's entertainment at one end. No dogs in summertime. On shore facilities as with North beach. Freshwater East is the last option, a wide bay backed by dunes and offering a wide range of watersports activities including surfing and kayaking; there's parking, toilets, activity centre, café and restaurant but few other facilities.

Isles of Scilly

Higher Town Bay, St Martin's, Isles of Scilly, UK
Sharpshot, Dreamstime

If you don't mind a bit of travel time the Isles of Scilly, 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall, host some of the best British beaches, especially the tiny island of St Martin's [pop. 140], its one hotel, St Martin's on the Isle and solitary pub. Get there via ferry from the biggest of the Scilly islands, St Mary's. 

Another island, Tresco, not only offers more great beaches - such as Appletree Bay - but also a botanical fairyland of 20,000 exotic world plants scattered with strange statuary, in Tresco Abbey Gardens.

Getting there: Flights go to the Scillies from Land's End, Newquay, Exeter, Bristol, Southampton mostly only in summertime, check the Skybus Timetable. Ferries run from Penzance, along the Cornish coast to St Mary's from April to end of October and take 2hrs 40 minutes. Timetables.

Northumberland

Bamburgh Castle beach, Northumberland

Not exactly a great beach in terms of climate and facilities perhaps but Bamburgh beach's spectacular setting is great compensation, with not only the biggest sand castle you've ever seen behind you and a half-crown of glossy grassy dunes, but also views across to Lindisfarne, the moors of Northumberland and the medieval walls of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Bamburgh is near Berwick-upon-Tweed, off the A1 motorway.

Broadstairs beach, Kent

Broadstairs beach, Kent

Broadstairs is a tranquil old resort town 78 miles from London and only 15 from medieval Canterbury, a place to experience old-style, traditional British beach-going, complete with donkey rides, live bands [brass bands, not the modern racket made by surly long-hairs, damn their girly looks] and fireworks in summertime. Old fashioned it is, but Broadstairs still offers fine, large beaches [Viking Bay is the big one but another six are available if space runs out] with soft sand, Blue Flag waters and an air of timeless gentility that is missing from neighbouring Ramsgate or Margate.

Dorset

Bournemouth's 7 miles of soft, well-sorted sand, and fine promenade, Dorset, England

Bugbog's best UK beaches listing starts on the south west coast with Dorset, Devon and Cornwall counties due to the many spectacular beach locations, the outstanding sights and entertainments available on 'off beach' days, the plethora of awards for efficiency and cleanliness received and the warmer, drier weather due to the latitude and micro-climates.
The Marine Conservation Society in 2009 gave the UK's south west coast [followed by the south east coast] the highest percentage of top grade beaches at 59%. The lowest grade was achieved by the north west of England. Overall beach cleanliness standards throughout the UK are falling, with 370 recommended in 2009 against 444 in 2008.