Stays near the best beaches in England
Date published: 7 Apr 2026
Britain’s most beautiful beaches aren’t just about sunbathing – they’re about drama, atmosphere and those unexpected wow moments. From sweeping bays to tucked-away coves, the coastline serves up serious variety, whether you’re chasing surf, scenery or a simple seaside reset.
The best beach towns for families bring more than just sandcastles. Think easy access, plenty of space to roam and that all-important mix of ice cream stops, safe swimming and things to do when the tide rolls in. These spots tick every box without trying too hard.
When it comes to the best UK beaches, it’s not about picking just one style. Wild and rugged, calm and classic, or somewhere in between – this list covers the kind of places you’ll want to return to again and again whatever the season.
Bournemouth Beach, Dorset
Big, bold and unapologetically classic, Bournemouth Beach is the south coast at its most fun. Seven miles of golden sand means there’s room for everyone – deckchairs, ice creams and all. Add a proper pier, buzzy bars and surprisingly clear water, and you’ve got an easy crowd-pleaser that still delivers on looks.
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Check out: Chine Walk
Five minutes from the sands of Alum Chine, this stylish coastal base is made for sociable stays. Think open-plan living with a sleek island kitchen, bi-fold doors spilling onto a private garden, and plenty of space to gather, unwind and do it all again tomorrow. Beach days, sorted.
Woolacombe Beach, Devon
Woolacombe doesn’t just talk the talk – it’s regularly named one of the best beaches in the UK, and for good reason. Three miles of soft, clean sand make it perfect for long, lazy days or wave-chasing sessions. It’s spacious, scenic and just remote enough to feel like a proper escape.
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Check out: Beach Lodge
Front-row seats to Woolacombe’s golden sands, with sea views that steal the show. This laid-back coastal escape pairs a sociable open-plan living space upstairs with three en-suite bedrooms – ideal for groups who like a little privacy. Morning coffee on the balcony, beach in sight, plans made.
Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall
If you didn’t know better, you’d swear you’d landed somewhere Mediterranean. Porthcurno’s vivid turquoise water and white sand are framed by steep cliffs, creating a sheltered, almost secret feel. It’s a little effort to reach, but that’s part of the magic – this is Cornwall at its most jaw-dropping.
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Check out: Rospletha Bungalow
Tucked away near Cornwall’s wild west coast, this characterful bungalow is all about location. Picture coastal walks on your doorstep, sea views from bed and evenings by the fire after a day at nearby coves. Add a suntrap garden for lazy lunches and you’ve got a laid-back base with serious scenery.
Fistral Beach, Newquay
Surf’s up – always. Fistral is the beating heart of the UK’s surf scene, with rolling Atlantic waves and a laid-back, salty-haired energy. Even if you’re not grabbing a board, it’s a great place to watch the action, grab a drink and soak up a beach culture that feels effortlessly cool.
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Check out: 26 Cliff Edge Penthouse, Newquay
This is coastal living dialled all the way up. Perched above Tolcarne Beach, the penthouse serves up sweeping sea views from almost every angle – especially that showstopper terrace. Inside, it’s all sleek design and space to unwind, with three en-suite bedrooms making it perfect for stylish group getaways.
Holkham Beach, Norfolk
Wild, windswept and wonderfully vast, Holkham is less about buckets and spades, more about big skies and even bigger walks. Backed by dunes and pinewoods, it feels gloriously untouched. It’s the kind of place where you’ll lose track of time, then turn around and realise the car is a very long way away.
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Check out: Seawood House, Wells-next-the-Sea
Big on style and even bigger on views, this four-storey hideaway looks out towards Wells’ famous pinewoods and shimmering coastline. Inside, it’s all light-filled spaces, a sociable kitchen and a games room for laid-back evenings. The top-floor suite? Worth it for the view alone.
Whitby Beach, North Yorkshire
This one comes with atmosphere baked in. Set beneath the ruins of Whitby Abbey, the beach mixes classic seaside charm with a slightly gothic edge. Imagine donkey rides and fish and chips, but with dramatic cliffs and a storybook setting that makes it feel a little different from the norm.
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Check out: Abbey View Cottage
Small but seriously charming, this cosy barn conversion is made for slow, scenic escapes. Think morning coffees with views of Whitby Abbey, evenings curled up after coastal walks, and a peaceful setting that feels miles from anywhere. Bonus points for the dog-friendly paddock – tails will be wagging.
Camber Sands, East Sussex
Soft sand and rolling dunes are a rarity in the south east, which is exactly why Camber Sands stands out. It’s open, airy and perfect for windswept walks or flying a kite with serious enthusiasm. On the right day, it feels almost cinematic – all big skies, shifting light and endless space.
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Check out: The Seven Sands
Right on the beachfront in Dymchurch, this stylish apartment is all about easy seaside living. Step outside and you’re on the sand in moments, while inside it’s sleek, sociable and made for relaxed stays. Perfect for beach days, sunset strolls and not straying too far from the sea.
West Wittering Beach, West Sussex
West Wittering is the polished one, with its Blue Flag status, gently shelving sands and views across Chichester Harbour. Clean, calm and effortlessly pretty – it's ideal for easy-going beach days that don’t require much planning. Arrive early in summer, though – its secret is very much out.
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Check out: Coastal Haven
A laid-back little base near Felpham Beach, perfect for slow mornings and easy coastal days. The bright conservatory opens onto a garden made for lounging, while inside it’s all about comfort and simplicity. With seaside strolls and West Sussex gems nearby, this is classic, fuss-free escape territory.
While this is mainly a look at the best beaches in England, we had to include a couple of other standouts from the rest of the UK. You're doing yourself a disservice if you don't consider these!
Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula
Rhossili Bay doesn’t ease you in – it goes straight for the wow factor. A sweeping curve of sand backed by cliffs and heathland, it feels vast, wild and totally untamed. The walk down is part of the experience, and once you’re there, it’s hard not to linger longer than planned.
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Check out: Hawthorns
Tucked into the Gower’s wild beauty, this welcoming retreat is made for group getaways with a love of the outdoors. Expect post-beach evenings by the woodburner, lazy mornings in a wraparound garden and coastal adventures on your doorstep. Spacious, sociable and brilliantly placed – it’s a proper escape.
Luskentyre Beach, Isle of Harris
This is the one that makes people do a double take. Luskentyre’s pale sands and clear, blue-green water look almost tropical – until the Hebridean breeze reminds you otherwise. Remote and utterly beautiful, it’s less about sunbathing and more about standing still and taking it all in.
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Check out: Taigh Marsaili
Two minutes from Luskentyre’s famous sands, this Hebridean hideaway is all about the view – and what a view it is. Think ever-changing skies, sea from your window and total peace. Inside, it’s calm, cosy and effortlessly stylish. Outside, it’s pure, wild Scotland at its most unforgettable.
After all that sea air and horizon-gazing, the only thing left is finding somewhere just as special to stay. Browse our collection of beach holiday cottages and turn a great day by the coast into a full-blown getaway worth lingering over.
Meet the author
Ian LewisIan's worked in travel for over 15 years and has written about destinations across the whole of the UK (and beyond). He loves all kinds of getaways with every member of the family on two legs or four, seeking out the more unique and interesting properties wherever he can.
