The most incredible beaches in England, Scotland and Wales

It turns out the Caribbean doesn't have the monopoly on beautiful beaches. Here are the best beaches in Blighty from the wild and rugged in Scotland to the pure sands of South Wales
Is that the Caribbean? Porthcurno Beach in Cornwall
David Pearson/REX
Kate Lough7 July 2016

PORTHCURNO, CORNWALL

Just three miles shy of Land's End in the far west of Cornwall, Porthcurno is blessed with soft white sand and turquoise water that wouldn't look out of place in Barbados. On the cliffs above it you'll find the Miack Theatre, which puts on stunning alfresco performances. Dogs are not allowed during the summer months.

STUDLAND BAY, DORSET

Studland has four miles of golden beach with shallow waters that idea for bathing , beach huts, sand dunes, an abundance of wildlife - and views across to the Isle of White on a good day. Be warned, it's a naturist beach.

WEST WITTERING, WEST SUSSEX

View of Chichester Harbour and the South Downs make the West Witterings a very special place - and wildly popular with families. If picnicking isn't hardcore enough for you, it's also a great spot for wind and kite surfing. Take a boat round to swim off East Head beach for a real treat.

Britain's best beaches - in pictures

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HOLKHAM BEACH, NORFOLK

The subject of many a painting and star of a fair few films (Shakespeare in Love for one), Holkham is part of a National Nature Reserve and known for its huge expanse of fine sand, particularly at low tide and its bordering sand dunes and pine woodlands. Its beach huts go for a small fortune.

Norfolk broads: Holkham Beach
Jon Gibbs/Robert Harding/REX

DURDLE DOOR, DORSET

Part of the glorious Jurassic Coast, the Instagrammable Durdle Door takes its name from the impressive limestone arch between St Oswald's Bay and Man O'War Cove. Since it's a bit of a challenge to get to - you have to climb down several hundred steps in the cliff - it's rarely overcrowded. The water is superbly clear, but also superbly cold.

RHOSSILI BAY, WALES

Stretching languorously along the Gower Peninsular in South Wales, the dog-friendly Rhossili Bay features a magic combination of rugged coves and large expanses of golden sand. Described as 'the supermodel of British beaches', Rhossili is not just three miles of pretty face, it's also provides the ideal conditions for surfing - especially on the quieter northern stretch. Take one of the walking routes to see it from above.

WATERGATE BAY, CORNWALL

Set on the north Cornwall coast not far from Newquay, enormous Atlantic waves make it a surfing mecca as well as a sand-castle and rockpooling building hotspot. If you're into horses, don't miss the annual Polo on the Beach in late June. Foodies can book into Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Cornwall restaurant which overlooks the bay.

Jewel of South Wales: Rhossili Bay

SCARISTA BEACH, LEWIS & HARRIS, OUTER HEBRIDES

If a stunning Scottish wilderness is what you're after, then head to the Hebridean Isle of Harris for its lunar landscape and lush moorlands. Scarista Beach on the south side of the island is an immense stretch of pale gold sand and not particularly Scottish turquoise shallows backed by dunes. Seal and eagle spotting very likely.

TASLISKER BAY, SKYE

One for budding photographers rather than sun worshippers, Talisker sits on the West Coast of Skyne near where the famous 'Taslisker' whisky is distilled. Go at low tide to see the grey sandy beach, which is covered in rounded grey rocks and surrounded by high cliffs and a huge waterfall - or in the evening to catch it at its most photogenic.

Photogenic: Taslisker Bay in Scotland
Patrick Dieudonne/REX

BAMBURGH BAY, NORTHUMBERLAND

Sixteen miles of golden sand dunes and a castle is what you get in the village of Bamburgh, which nestles nicely in Northumberland's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Remember it's the North Sea you'll be swimming in...

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