"I was so impressed with the 'world best' beach in the UK I considered moving there"
City life isn't for everyone. Yes it offers numerous advantages like a vibrant nightlife, an array of restaurants and convenient access to public transport. But the hustle and bustle can be too much for some who prefer a quieter, more quaint lifestyle, especially if you are bringing up a family.
There's one area that offers the best of both worlds and that's Cornwall. Home to one of the best beaches in the world, Cornwall has been branded a truly unique corner of the UK. Known for its picturesque sandy stretches, coastlines and Cornish pasties, the county has so much more to offer local and visitors.
Stunning Harlyn Bay, which is just three miles from the charming town of Padstow, was recently voted one of the world's best beaches - and it's easy to see why.
The horseshoe-shaped beach that is frequented by surfers worldwide and is where local families enjoy leisurely weekend strolls.
Writer Sydney Evans from London fell in love with the area after visiting family members. Admitting she's not usually a fan of leaving her home city, Sydney said the stunning scenery on offer made her question her where she lives, reports the Mirror.
She said: "During a visit to relatives residing in Cornwall, I was introduced to a beach that I later discovered is frequently ranked among the world's best each year, and since then, I've become an ardent admirer of the British countryside.
"Finding a beach that ticks all the boxes of what a beach should offer is indeed rare, and I certainly didn't think such a place existed in the UK.
"However, having been fortunate enough to visit several tropical beaches, few can rival the tranquillity I experience while ambling along Harlyn Bay.
"During a sunny morning visit last November, the blue sky seemed to merge with the sea, and I found myself questioning why I reside in London when mornings could be as serene as this instead of being stuck in a packed tube carriage.
"However, as a typical Londoner who can't drive, I'll likely remain somewhere with public transport access for the foreseeable future.
"Cornwall is far from undiscovered, and the increasing influx of tourists in recent years has caused numerous issues for locals, yet this beach manages to retain a tranquil atmosphere, away from bustling crowds.
"What I love most about this Cornish treasure isn't its beauty on a sunny day; it's how picturesque it remains throughout all seasons. I often visit during winter, even stopping by on Christmas Day occasionally, and it remains as charming as ever.
"Indeed, while it's too chilly for a swim, the sand dunes provide some shelter from wind and rain, and the moss-covered stones and rock pools often appear even more stunning in the depths of winter.
"As a Londoner, I've discovered that I actually appreciate some peace and quiet away from the city, and Harlyn Bay offers that kind of respite that makes it worth escaping the Big Smoke for.
"While there are plenty of breathtaking beaches in Spain, Greece and Italy, having one a bit closer to home is ideal."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'Best campsite in England' has heated pool, spa and sandy beach nearby
VisitEngland has named the Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year, and with its thanks to its luxury facilities, it's not hard to see why There's arguably no finer way to embrace the British summer and enjoy the great outdoors than embarking on a camping trip. Many of us may remember childhood camping trips involving pitching our own tents, enduring cold showers, and relying on thin sleeping bags for warmth. However, with the right location, camping can feel like a truly relaxing holiday. Indeed, there are some truly remarkable campsites in England that could easily rival a holiday resort rather than just offering a patch of grass for your tent. One such site has recently been crowned the best in the country. Set near St Ives in Cornwall, Polmanter Touring Park has officially been named the Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year by VisitEngland. This accolade is part of the tourism agency's annual Awards for Excellence, which honour businesses providing top experiences for tourists nationwide. As a Gold Award Winner, Polmanter Touring Park has demonstrated the highest standards of guest experiences and excellence across its operations. The park is situated in a picturesque corner of Cornwall known as Penwith, reports the Express. However, it wasn't just the breathtaking location that clinched this year's award for the campsite, but also its state-of-the-art facilities that make it feel more like a retreat than a traditional campsite. With a heated 20-metre swimming pool and a spa offering a range of luxurious treatments from full body scrubs to scalp massages, it's a world away from the shaky tents and chilly showers you might associate with some campsites. Kids won't be bored here, with both indoor and outdoor play areas, a kitted-out games room, and two tennis courts where rackets can be hired on the spot. Forget about roughing it in the great outdoors – there's no need to forage for wood or start a campfire when you can grab freshly-baked pizzas from the on-site restaurant. For those keen to venture out, the site offers two footpaths leading directly to St Ives, or if you're not up for the walk, a handy shuttle service is ready to whisk you off to town. One satisfied Tripadvisor user described their visit as: "Our experience exceeded all expectations and truly felt like a five-star stay. As first-time campers, we approached the adventure with a mix of curiosity and hesitation, but we were pleasantly surprised by how wonderful the site was." Praise also came from another guest who shared: "Polmanter is incredible. It's super clean, the food is great, the park is immaculate. The kids play areas are well maintained, as are the toilet blocks. They have thought of everything!" With a selection of pitches to suit every type of camper, whether you roll up in a campervan or pitch a traditional tent, many come complete with electricity, water, and even a TV socket, though they can also accommodate those seeking a tech-free zone. Whether you opt for a luxury flat or cottage, rest assured, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the Cornish coastline wherever you choose to stay.
Glasgow Times
4 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow travellers face chaos at popular holiday spots
Strikes have been confirmed for 180,000 hospitality workers throughout July on multiple Spanish islands. The Sun reported that hotels, restaurants, and clubs on the Balearic Islands will be hit by the walkouts, which are expected to cause chaos for thousands of British holidaymakers. The islands of Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca will be affected by the strike action. Walkouts were confirmed on June 26 after union bosses marched out of a meeting about pay and working conditions, calling hospitality bosses' offer of an 11 per cent pay rise 'insufficient'. READ MORE: Glasgow travellers heading to South America warned of muggings READ MORE: Glasgow travellers face summer chaos amid strikes in Spain It is understood that talks about reducing the working week to 35 hours were also shut down when employers said they 'categorically' rejected the proposal. Jose Garcia Relucio, UGT Union spokesman, said the offer was 'more crumbs' and claimed hotel bosses were expecting staff to live on tips. He told The Sun: 'We'd come here to negotiate to improve the conditions of service industry workers, not to worsen them.' Strikes will go ahead on the islands, unless a deal is struck, from July 10, with further walkouts taking place on July 18, 19, 25, and 31. Following the pay talks, Javier Vich, President of the Hotel Business Federation of Mallorca, blamed union bosses for failing to reach a compromise. He claimed employers were making an effort to 'reach a fair' agreement for workers.
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Enough of the Bognor bashing – I think the seaside town is one of the UK's best
And the new Butlin's attractions and Premier Inn coming to town BOG OFF Enough of the Bognor bashing – I think the seaside town is one of the UK's best Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BASKING in the sunshine on Bognor's pebbly beach, watching my boys skim stones into the sea, I found myself wondering if there could be a more picture-perfect snapshot of a trip to the British seaside. I've been visiting this south coast resort since I was tiny and now my boys love heading to the Sussex seaside just as much as I do. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 I love Bognor Regis - and am sick of all the hating on it Credit: Alamy 6 I've been visiting Bognor since I was a kid 6 Its now a place I take all my kids on holiday So I couldn't believe my eyes when Bognor was named the worst seaside town in this year's Which? survey, with some visitors branding it dirty and rundown. It only scored 36 per cent overall, with visitors rating its beach two stars out of five. Its seafront, food and drink, tourist attractions, scenery, shopping, parking, peace and quiet and value for money only received one star each. Despite this depressing result, it's nonsense to suggest that Bognor is bottom of British beach breaks, as far as I'm concerned. There's a reason why it's been a family favourite for generations and why British holiday institution Butlin's has had a presence in the town for almost a century, despite closing lots of other locations around the country. For a start, the Met Office records show that Bognor averages around 1900 hours of sunshine a year, making it a good choice if you want to turn your great British staycay into a raycay. Maybe the shingle shoreline isn't everyone's cup of tea, but paddling on pebbles does mean you're not finding sand in all your nooks and crannies for weeks after your trip to the coast. We usually stay at Butlin's and it's just a short walk along the prom to get to the town, passing the pier and the greenery of Waterloo Square before heading further on to Marine Park Gardens. Or you can catch the little land train that ferries visitors along the shoreline, costing £1.50 for adults and £1 for children. We like to stroll along, admiring the seaside architecture glinting white in the sunlight as we go. I tried the new Gladiators event at Butlin's with some of the TV stars… and my kids were obsessed And there's the Play on the Beach playground for little visitors on this stretch of the esplanade too. Another highlight of any trip to Bognor is a visit to Hotham Park, where I remember taking a trip on the miniature railway as a child. It's still a lovely place to visit and now my boys can take a turn around the tracks while I get nostalgic about childhood summers and fun in the sun. For me, I love going back to the town to see what has stayed the same and what is new and exciting. I can't wait for the £15million transformation of the Alexandra Theatre when it is unveiled next year. And there's a new £13million Premier Inn due to open nearby later this year. Butlin's has also had plenty of investment in recent times, with a £40million pool opening in 2019 and the £15million Playxperience offering digital versions of family favourites like darts and crazy golf. 6 It has so many exciting new investments 6 A new Playxperience attraction opened at Butlin's Bognor Regis Credit: Butlin's Even better, you can just pop in for the day if you're staying elsewhere in Bognor, with day passes from as little as £1 for children during term-time. With all this money being spent on accommodation and attractions, it would be a mistake to write off this seaside spot as not worth a visit when it feels like it's on the up and being brought bang into the 21st century with all these new openings. Every year, when Which? releases the results from surveying its 4000 members on seaside trips they've taken the previous summer, I shake my head with a wry smile at whichever much-loved traditional seaside resort has ended up being named and shamed this time. It's been Skegness, Clacton, Mablethorpe and Bangor in recent years, but none of those deserved to be bottom either. You can't really compare a resort that focuses on family fun and lots of laughs, with arcades, pubs, chippies and ice cream stalls aplenty, with somewhere like Bamburgh in Northumberland, which consistently comes top of the list. Its amazing castle and unspoilt beach are definitely a winning combination, but you can't beat the bustle of Bognor or Bangor for offering budget-friendly best-of-British breaks with something to keep all ages happy. It's almost 100 years since King George V visited Bognor to convalesce and gave it the royal seal of approval by allowing the town to add Regis to its name. As far as I'm concerned, it's still a jewel in the crown of the South Coast, sparkling in the sunlight for all to see. It should be basking in its title of sunniest seaside spot, instead of being bashed for its beach or buildings.
