Make arrangements to spend some time resting on the Costa del United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This town is at its finest when it has the nicest beaches in the UK. Beautiful beaches abound in Britain, from family-friendly crowd-pleasers in Devon to quiet hideaways in untamed Wales. Sure, you'll have to share some room with gulls, but that's part of the appeal. Just don't attempt to eat your chips when they're around.
1. Barafundle Bay, Pembrikeshire, Wales.
Another award-winning beach in Wales, Barafundle Bay, drew international recognition when it was rated one of the greatest in the world. Visitors will reach a picture-perfect beach after walking the scenic half-mile journey from Stackpole Quay, where little turquoise waves lap on a crescent of sand. The secluded cove is ideal for swimming, and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path provides additional paths for the intrepid wanderer. Visit the tea room at Stackpole Walled Gardens for refreshments with a feel-good aspect (a ten-minute drive away). People with learning difficulties can gain job experience and training at this communal garden and farm.
2. Pentel Bay, Tresco, Isles of Scilly.
This next beach will require some effort to access, but it will be well worth it. Pentle Bay is an isolated length of dazzling white sand lapped by glassy-blue waves on the Isles of Scilly, an unspoiled archipelago off the coast of Cornwall. The magnificence of this shoreline has not gone unnoticed, as the Wall Street Journal named it one of the best four under-the-radar beaches in the world. Despite this, it's still rather peaceful — perhaps it's the cool water.
3. Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall.
This little but wonderfully shaped turquoise bay is the stuff that dreams are made of. At least, that's what the 'Poldark' site scouts believed when they chose this gorgeous beach on Cornwall's western coast for a dream scene in series two. Dolphins and basking sharks are occasionally observed in the calm seas, so it's not only actors who prefer to hang out here. This beach is extremely popular with families due to its smooth, white-shell sand and a freshwater stream. The iconic Minack Theatre, probably the most picturesque open-air theatre in the UK, may also be found on the granite cliffs above.
4. Rhossili Bay, Gower, Wales.
Rhossili Bay is remote but not unnoticed, with titles like 'best beach in Europe' and 'top ten beaches in the world' among its laurels. The steep, twisting walk down to the shore from Rhossili hamlet is breathtaking, with panoramic views across three miles of golden beach and, on clear days, to the coastline of North Devon. The beach is all about unspoiled nature, but there are services nearby: visit the National Trust shop and tourist centre in the town, or stop by the Bay Bistro for handmade soups and sandwiches if you've forgotten your packed lunch.
5. Morecambe Beach, Lancashire.
Although Blackpool gets all the attention in these parts, the length of beach around this attractive though little faded Lancashire coastal resort is the UK's longest expanse of intertidal sand flats (with a whopping five miles of sandy and shingle coastline). Stroll down the promenade to see the TERN Project, an award-winning sculpture trail with steel gannets, cormorants, and razorbills strewn along the coast.
