It was previously named beach of the year by the Sunday Times and has been likened to Ibiza thanks to its sandy shores, seafront bars and epic sunsets
While there’s no denying the allure of a summer holiday abroad, there’s a spot right here in the UK that comes pretty close when the sun shines and temperatures hit the 20s.
It’s even been compared to Ibiza, thanks to its sandy beaches, seafront bars and stunning sunsets.
Enter South Shields beach, or Sandhaven to be precise, which bagged the title of Beach of the Year by the Sunday Times in 2022. Now, we know what you’re thinking; comparing a stretch of sand in South Tyneside to the party capital of the world might seem like a bit of a reach.
READ MORE: UK beach with golden sands and shallow waters named among best in Europe
But if you head down there on a sunny Sunday afternoon in July or August, the seaside vibe is definitely one of celebration.
During these months, free Sunday concerts draw crowds of thousands to Bents Park. And while they’ve often been marred by poor weather, when the sun does decide to show up, the party doesn’t stop once the music does, reports Chronicle Live.
The festivities simply move closer to the sea, with venues like The New Sundial, Platform 33 and The Sanddancer packed to the brim both inside and out, as DJs and live bands provide some open-air entertainment.
Order a frozen strawberry daiquiri and imagine you’re on holiday without even needing to board a plane. With a live saxophonist playing dance anthems into the night, it seriously channels Ibiza vibes.
And it’s not just the live music and stunning beaches that South Shields shares with Ibiza – it also boasts its own Ocean Beach.
Instead of day beds, Moet and sushi platters, think a waltzer, slushy and a carton of chips. Rather than being an upscale beach club, Shields’ Ocean Beach is a hugely popular theme park that attracts visitors all year round and has even featured on the hit show Vera.
However, while the two Ocean Beaches may look worlds apart, they do share one thing in common – celebrity fans. In a recent chat with The Chronicle, Perrie Edwards revealed that she took her son Axel to the Shields’ O Beach, which has just reopened for 2025, during her last visit home to South Shields.
Sandhaven is a hit with visitors, boasting an impressive 4.5/5 rating on Trip Advisor, where it’s hailed as ‘an amazing beach. ‘ The UK Beach Guide also gives it a four-star nod of approval.
One happy reviewer wrote: ‘I have travelled far and wide but never seen such beauty as sunset in South Shields. ‘ Another penned: “A first class beach with lovely soft clean sand.”
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