I visit a UK beach named one of the world's best every year — it ticks every box

There are many things Londoners are known for, and not venturing too far from our beloved city is arguably one of them. As a born and bred Londoner, I think it’s fair to say we have quite the reputation for turning our noses up at anything that falls more than 45 minutes away from the River Thames.

Why leave when there’s already so much to do here? Plus, if you fancy a holiday, there are plenty of airports nearby to jet off for a serene getaway complete with golden sands and turquoise waters. Indeed, Londoners are often guilty of wincing at the thought of swapping sandy Greek shores for the likes of rugged Cornish bays. I used to be one of these Londoners until a few years ago. On a trip to visit family who live in Cornwall, I was taken to a beach that I’ve since found out is frequently named one of the world’s best every year, and I’ve been converted to a fan of the British countryside ever since.

Just three miles from the pretty town of Padstow is Harlyn Bay, a horseshoe-shaped stretch of beach that surfers from around the world frequently travel to, and local families spend weekends wandering along.

Finding a beach that feels like it ticks all of the boxes for what a beach should have is certainly rare, and I definitely didn’t think it was possible to find this in the UK. But I’ve been lucky enough to visit a number of tropical beaches, and few compete with the serenity I feel walking along Harlyn Bay.

On a sunny morning visit last November, the blue sky looked as though it had almost disappeared into the sea, and the longer I stood there, I began to wonder why I even live in London when mornings could look like this instead of a crammed tube carriage. But of course, as a typical Londoner, I can’t drive, so I’ll likely be staying somewhere with access to public transport for the foreseeable.

Cornwall is by no means a hidden gem, and in recent years, growing numbers of tourists have posed a long list of problems for locals, but this beach manages to maintain a sense of calm away from any crazy crowds.

My favourite thing about this Cornish gem, however, isn’t how beautiful it looks on a sunny day; it’s how picturesque it remains throughout every season. I frequently visit over winter, and have stopped by on Christmas Day a few times, and it’s still as pretty as ever.

In fact, while it’s certainly too cold for a dip, the sand dunes offer some respite from wind and rain, and the mossy stones and rock pools often look even more beautiful in the height of winter.

As a Londoner, I’ve realised I actually enjoy a bit of peace and quiet away from the city, and Harlyn Bay offers that sort of respite that makes it worth leaving the Big Smoke for. While there are plenty of stunning beaches in Spain, Greece and Italy, having one a bit closer to home is ideal.