The 9 ‘best’ UK beaches to visit this summer – three in one county alone

With beach weather making its return, knowing which UK beaches are best to visit will certainly come in handy. A new study has revealed the nation’s most loved seaside spots by investigating through Google reviews – and three out of nine are located in one county alone.

From sandy locations to rocky shores, natural stone experts Britannia Stone set out to discover which beaches Brits love most. They used Google star ratings and the number of reviews to come to a final conclusion. Here are the UK’s best-loved beach spots.

With 4.9 stars across 776 reviews, Achmelvich Bay in Scotland is listed as the most popular beach in the UK.

The seaside offers a white-sand bay with stunning turquoise water. The location is perfect for a swim and spotting local wildlife like seals and porpoises.

One TripAdvisor reviewer said: “Lovely to walk along the cliffs and take in this beautiful bay.”

Also achieving 4.9 stars but across 759 reviews, Luskentyre in Scotland offers visitors a pale-sand beach with a mountain backdrop – ideal for photos and a stroll by the sea.

Top activities include walking or cycling along the vast, white-sand shores and spotting local wildlife like Highland cows and wild ponies.

Bamburgh Beach, located in Northumberland reached an average of 4.9 stars across 459 reviews. The sandy beach can be found just beneath the famous Bamburgh Castle.

The spot is especially ideal for dog owners who can take their furry friends to Bamburgh Beach for a walk or shallow and safe paddle.

Rhossili Bay, found in Wales, offers golden sand and clifftop views. The location is perfect for surfing, dog walks and sunsets and got a successful average of 4.9 stars across 419 reviews.

One TripAdvisor reviewer said: “Beautiful beach! The sand is beautifully soft and golden and even on a busy day the beach don’t seem overcrowded.”

This seaside is located in the very popular Cornwall and offers visitors rock pools, caves and even a beach pub. The golden sand goes on for a 3-mile stretch, creating an incredibly photogenic scene.

The seaside spot received an average of 4.8 stars across 5,537 reviews.

In the sixth spot was the stunning Woolacombe beach in Devon. With surfing, dog zones and gorgeous sand, the beach is ideal for anyone looking for some sun this summer.

The spot received 4.8 stars across 3,378 reviews and is described as “family owned & family run with families in mind” on TripAdvisor.

Another one of Cornwall’s beaches, Porthcurno Beach, is on the list, achieving 4.8 stars across 2,185 reviews. Golden sand and turquoise water below the Minack Theatre; swimming and seal-spotting.

The beach has golden sand and turquoise water and is located just below the Minack Theatre. Visitors can swim and seal-spot when they visit.

In eight place is Barafundle Bay, located in Pembrokeshire, Wales. At 4.8 stars across 1,752 reviews, the beach still ranks highly.

The spot is perceived as sheltered and unspoilt as the beach is inaccessible by car. To get to Barafundle Bay, visitors have to walk along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

However, the outcome is worth it with the beach’s crystal-clear waters and gorgeous sand.

With an average total of 4.8 stars across 1,183 reviews is Kynance Cove, the third on the list in Cornwall. The dramatic cove features white sand at low tide and a steep path down. The spot is ideal for the more adventurous and those who make the trip can enjoy the beach’s incredible rock formations and turquoise waters.

One TripAdvisor reviewer said: “Probably the most beautiful beach in the UK - but get there early! We arrived about 9.30am, it was fairly quiet, parking was easy (parking is cash or Ringo).”

A spokesperson for Britannia Stone said: “It is no surprise the highest-rated beaches are almost all soft, sandy spots. People consistently rate a clean stretch of golden or white sand more highly than a shingle or pebble beach, because it is comfortable to walk on, easy to sit on and perfect for families.

“As stone experts we love a dramatic pebble cove or rocky shoreline, but when it comes to a relaxing day by the sea, fine sand wins every time, and the reviews prove it.”