With the long weekend just around the corner, head out on the sands for a traditional day at the seaside
The UK boasts a breathtaking variety of beaches, ranging from wild, pebbled stretches to soft, golden sands — ideal for anyone craving a seaside staycation. With the August bank holiday weekend fast approaching, many are crossing their fingers for good weather to make the most of their time off by the coast.
Tripadvisor has highlighted five standout beaches that capture the essence of a classic British seaside trip. From towering cliffs and family-friendly shores to secluded coves waiting to be explored, there’s a beach to suit every mood.
As an increasing number of Brits opt to holiday closer to home, sites like Tripadvisor provide an excellent resource for organising the perfect coastal retreat. All reachable by car and train, they would make excellent choices for a Bank Holiday escape beside the water.
READ MORE: This £30 alternative to Vogue Williams’ £160 lemon print bikini is great for bigger busts
READ MORE: Stacey Solomon’s fans praise ‘blue is your colour’ as she poses in ‘amazing’ holiday dress
While finding last-minute accommodation could be a bit tricky on one of the busiest weekends of the year, we’ve also added some of the best places to stay to keep in mind for next time.
Bournemouth Beach
Bournemouth Beach, renowned for its spectacular vistas and immaculate sands, has won over both residents and holidaymakers for many years. Tucked away beneath a spectacular cliff face, Bournemouth Beach boasts its own unique microclimate featuring some of Britain’s warmest coastal waters.
The golden shoreline is ideal for splashing about and creating sandcastles, plus taking a leisurely walk along the pier or enjoying a cooling ice cream whilst gazing towards the Isle of Wight and the Purbecks.
Save up to £200 in the Sykes Great Summer Sale
Varies
Sykes Cottages
Book Here
Thousands of UK breaks with prices reduced
Crowned Britain’s top beach by TripAdvisor in 2024, holidaymakers enthuse about its pristine golden sands, spotless condition, and stunning vistas, with one visitor commenting it “felt like being abroad.”
Boasting an impressive 8,970 TripAdvisor reviews, one enthusiastic assessment from reviewer Barrowland dubbed it the “best South Coast beach” whilst Ian T described it as “best in the UK”.
Reviewer Nanna enjoyed a ‘brilliant holiday’ in Bournemouth, commenting: “Beautiful, clean sandy beaches, well marshalled by RNLI Life Guards. Beach as I say lovely, lots and lots going on, big wheel, land train, City sightseeing bus, great places to eat, I could go on and on. Just go see!”
Another visitor added: “Oh, it was so beautiful I felt like I was away in Spain or Portugal or something. We even went to Harvester to eat food, amazing time would love to go again”
Not everyone was quite so impressed, though, with one reviewer calling it: “A ghost town that’s been wiped out and ruined. Not like it was we were kids.”
Situated on the stunning South Coast, there is no shortage of beaches and countryside to explore. Hoppapill House is a stunning seaside apartment with views out across the water that would make a great base for up to six visitors.
For larger groups, Tudor Grange is a grand twelve-bedroomed country house perfect for get-togethers by the seaside. Elsewhere, Throop House Cottage is a cosy bolt hole for four a while The Edge Beach House is a contemporary retreat right by the water.
Rhossili Bay
Rhossili Bay sits at the western tip of the stunning Gower Peninsula, offering three miles of golden sand and breathtaking scenery, from the dramatic Worm’s Head to the rolling Rhossili Down. A paradise for walkers, it boasts routes in every direction, including a stretch of the Welsh Coastal Path.
The beach welcomes dogs year-round, and its beauty shines in every season, whatever the weather. For visitors looking a quieter walk along the beach over the bank holiday, this beach has basic facilities.
With a 4.8 out of five-star rating across nearly 2,000 reviews on Tripadvisor, this beach ranks highly with visitors. One described it as “A beautiful unspoilt bay,” while another added: “This is truly the best beach in the UK.”
Another five-star review said: “Beautiful beach! The sand is beautifully soft and golden, and even on a busy day, the beach doesn’t seem overcrowded.”
Some visitors mentioned the descent to the beach could be tricky, with one review explaining: “It is a bit of a walk to get down to the beach from the car park with rocks you have to walk over. And hell to get back up the hill, unless you’re fit don’t attempt it”
There are lots of great seaside resorts in Wales, but this one has a quieter vibe. There are lots of cottages to choose from close by including Bayview with its wood-burning stove and countryside views.
Elsewhere, The Old Diary offers romantic charm in the village of Scurlage, while Creek Cottage is a pet-friendly home just metres from the beach.
Camber Sands
Camber Sands is an attractive golden sandy shoreline situated close to Rye in East Sussex. Stretching for more than two miles of gorgeous coastline, it houses the sole sand dune ecosystem in East Sussex, creating an important natural environment for numerous wildlife species and flora.
It stands as a favoured destination for windsurfing and kitesurfing enthusiasts, thanks to the mild winds that drift in from the coastline. It is also considered among the finest locations for beachcombing across the UK.
Boasting 1,944 reviews on Tripadvisor, seaside enthusiasts heap praise upon this dog-welcoming stretch of sand in East Sussex. One visitor described it as “beautiful stunning sandy beach” whilst another remarked: “Great beach near historic Rye.”
This beach at Camber is particularly popular with families with one five-star review saying: “Lovely, spacious and sandy beach. Really good for families, as the water is shallow for a long stretch of the coast. Food places and toilets are available.”
Another added: “In my view, possibly the best beach in the UK. Miles and miles of gorgeous sandy beaches, with dunes and rocks for those who like these things.”
One visitor was less impressed with the area in general, saying: “Visited here and the beach is extensive and charming, however the surrounding area is run down and dated.”
The coastal resort in East Sussex lies close to the border with Kent, offering visitors plenty to see all year round. Church View in Rye is a stunning listed cottage just a short drive down the road from the sands at Camber, offering cosy accommodation for four.
For those who prefer to be right on the waters edge, The Boathouse offers modern apartments within easy access of Rye and Camber Sands.
Alternatively, The Beach House is a beachside cottage with modern interiors and The Troubadour is a bright and colourful beach house perfect for a family break.
Brighton Beach
The trendy seaside resort of Brighton Beach took third place in the rankings, spurred on by visitors looking to combine fun-filled beach days with action-packed entertainment.
Pull up a deckchair and unwind by the sea, taking in the seaside chic of this cool East Sussex coastal town. If you’re feeling active, Brighton Beach offers plenty of activities, from watersports like kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding to classic beach games like volleyball and Frisbee.
The location also features the famous Brighton Pier, complete with its helter-skelter and gaming arcades, alongside the seafront arches and the Artists Quarter.
Brighton has long remained a beloved coastal retreat and with 4,730 reviews on Tripadvisor it appears as cherished as ever. One visitor said: “It’s beautiful to escape London, and Brighton is a lovely place for the day” whilst another noted: “great vibe down at Brighton beach.”
As one of the UK’s busiest beaches it can very overcrowded. One visitor discovered this for themselves, saying: “Brighton has a hectic atmosphere & it certainly has character. It tends to be where the majority of tourists end up & it gets extremely crowded in high season. This also means it’s gets dirtier which puts me off.”
Another visitor love it though, adding: “Always fabulous on a sunny day with the fantastic pier to stroll on as well. A stoney beach. Deck chairs available to hire.”
Brighton is home to some of the most iconic seaside hotels in the UK, including the Grand Hotel. Elsewhere, The Hideaway is a grand five-bedroom Georgian home that sleeps up to 10 people, while Newstead Farmhouse is a stunning country cottage nestled away on the South Downs.
For something a little cosier, The Nest is a cheerful apartment with views out across Brighton, while families can enjoy a sunny stay in The Art House close to the beach at Saltdean.
Weymouth Beach
Weymouth Beach is an award-winning sandy beach situated at the heart of the Jurassic Coast. The sheltered bay, with its gradually sloping seabed and clean waters, is perfect for swimming and water sports, making it an ideal destination for families and visitors of all ages. The beach also hosts regular events, including festivals and fireworks displays.
Just a short stroll from the seafront lies the historic harbour, lined with quaint restaurants, cafes, craft shops, and pastel-coloured houses, which adds to the charm.
With over 6,000 reviews on Tripadvisor, one five-star review summed it up perfectly and called it a “glorious English beach.” A second added: “What a beautiful place. Surrounded by the world heritage coastline and beautiful blue sparkling water.”
Some where less impressed however, with one return visitor saying: “We have been to Weymouth beach a lot over the years. Think Weymouth is losing it edge a bit, lots of rubbish laying around.”
Overall, Weymouth has been praised for how nice it is, with another five-star beach saying: “A lovely , beautiful beach . Not one piece of litter anywhere . Sea was very clean . Lots of rides to go on and ice cream shops . Towards the dog only area on the beach there is a beautiful sand sculptures.”
For places to stay, there is plenty of choice in the Weymouth area. Smugglers Cottage is a cosy coastal bolthole with room for four. Elsewhere, Admirals Quarter offers modern flats near the beach.
For something completely different, the Standby Generator Bunker is a former WWII bunker that has been transformed into a stylish retreat, blending nostalgia with modern comfort.
The best of the rest according to Trip Advisor:
6. Fistral Beach in Cornwall.
7. Woolacombe Beach in Devon.
8. Filey Beach in Yorkshire
9. Horsey Beach in Norfolk.
10. Sandbanks Beach in Dorset.