After visiting more than 600 sandy stretches across Britain and Northern Ireland, Bude Summerleaze took the top spot.
England’s coastline has already been in the headlines this year thanks to the opening of the King Charles III England Coast Path in March.
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If you’re thinking about tackling parts of the 4,300kilometre route, but want to prioritise parts with fantastic beaches nearby, you might just want to take a look at Bude in Cornwall.
That’s because Bude Summerleaze has just been named the best beach in the UK by The Times.
Having spent five weeks driving around Britain and Northern Ireland reviewing 607 beaches, the publication’s chief travel writer Chris Haslam has concluded that it doesn’t get better than this.
The southernmost of two beaches in the town, Haslam says: “Summerleaze, overlooked by the castle, bordered by the River Neet and the canal, and backed by the cafés on the wharf, feels more refined.”
Bude is part of the South West Atlantic Coast section of the path.
Other beaches in the UK’s top 50
As part of the top 50 ranking, The Times has also crowned regional winners up and down the country.
In South England, the title went to Shanklin on the Isle of Wight, a spot once described as “one of the quaintest and loveliest places in the kingdom” by poet Henry Wadsworth.
Elsewhere in England, the best beach in the East is Cromer in Norfolk, which is home to Europe’s last existing end-of-the-pier summer show.
The best sandy stretch in the North? That would be Low Newton-by-the-Sea in Northumberland.
In Scotland, the Outer Hebrides’ Horgabost impressed Haslam, while in Northern Ireland it was Tyrella in County Down that got a top score.
Finally, Broad Haven in South Pembrokeshire was declared the best beach in Wales.
