10 best beaches in UK named — the top two are both in Wales
To pinpoint the best locations, travel experts analysed Google Maps user data for over 9,500 beaches, considering both ratings and reviews.
The findings suggest that staying in Wales could be a great idea for those craving a seaside holiday, with the top two beaches on the list located in this naturally beautiful part of the UK.
In fact, Barafundle Bay beach in Pembrokeshire clinched the top spot, its high ratings supported by numerous accolades, including the cleanest beach in the UK award (2024), the Seaside Award (2019) for its exceptional cleanliness and facilities, and the Green Coast Award (2019).
Its breathtaking beauty, pristine golden sands and turquoise waters earned it the Blue Flag status, partly due to its secluded location, accessible only via a half-mile walk.
Close by, Traeth Mwnt in neighbouring Ceredigion secured second place, thanks to its beautiful setting as a hidden cove with golden sands and potential for dolphin sightings, reports the Express.
This Green Coast Award recipient also offers a scenic walk to the summit of Foel y Mwnt and the iconic Mwnt church overlooking the bay, providing unparalleled views.
This year, Woolacombe Beach in Devon has been crowned the top beach in England, boasting rockpools, soft sands and excellent surfing conditions - a combination that earned it the title of World Surfing Reserve in 2022.
Dunraven Bay, located in the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales, secured fourth place. Its cliffs and rugged coastline are a magnet for visitors with an interest in geology and fossil hunting.
The rock formations, rich in fossils embedded within the shoreline rocks, date back millions of years.
Trebarwith Beach on the Devon coast clinched the fifth spot. Its standout feature is Gull Rock, a large offshore rock formation, making it a favourite among photographers and surfers.
The top 10 best beaches in the UK (2025)
Barafundle Bay Beach – Pembrokeshire, Wales
Traeth Mwnt – Ceredigion, Wales
Woolacombe Beach – Devon, England
Dunraven Bay – Glamorgan, Wales
Trebarwith Beach – Devon, England
Cuckmere Haven – East Sussex, England
Man O'War Beach – Dorset, England
Bigbury Beach – Devon, England
Gullane Beach – East Lothian, Scotland
Benone Beach – County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
What the researchers said about the top 5
1. Barafundle Bay Beach, Pembrokeshire
Google Maps Rating: 4.9
Number of Reviews: 1,668
"Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire, Wales, is one of the UK's most lauded beaches due to its unspoilt natural beauty. Owing to its access via a half-mile walk, the beach has remained relatively wild yet immaculate, featuring golden sands and turquoise waters.
"As such, it's often hailed for offering 'Caribbean-esque' vistas. This Blue Flag beach has bagged multiple accolades, including the cleanest beach in the UK (2024), the Seaside Award (2019) for its high standards of cleanliness and facilities, and the Green Coast Award (2019) for its stunning natural environment and superior water quality. Barafundle Bay is indeed a family favourite!".
2. Traeth Mwnt, Ceredigion
Google Maps Rating: 4.9
Number of Reviews: 722
Another gem from Wales, Traeth Mwnt is a delightful secluded cove famed for its golden beaches and the iconic Mwnt Church that overlooks the bay. Visitors can unwind in this sheltered cove or indulge in dolphin spotting - Mwnt is actually one of the top spots to see dolphins in the UK!
For those who enjoy a good hike, a scenic walk to the summit of Foel y Mwnt offers panoramic views of Cardigan Bay. The beach has also bagged numerous accolades, including a Green Coast and Seaside Award.
3. Woolacombe Beach, Devon
Google Maps Rating: 4.8
Number of Reviews: 32,006
Woolacombe Beach in Devon is England's highest-rated beach for 2025. With the quaint village of Woolacombe serving as a backdrop, this picturesque beach is celebrated for its cleanliness and family-friendly vibe.
The beach boasts Blue Flag status and a stunning 3-mile stretch of coastline.
Woolacombe beach is ideal for children to explore with its rock pools, soft sands, and regular lifeguard patrols. It's also a hot spot for surfing - its consistent waves earned it recognition as a World Surfing Reserve in 2022.
4. Dunraven Bay, Vale of Glamorgan
Google Maps Rating: 4.8
Number of Reviews: 18,412
Dunraven Bay, situated in Glamorgan, is a paradise for fossil enthusiasts and photographers due to its distinctive geology and dramatic cliffs. Nestled on the Jurassic coast of South Wales, renowned for its limestone cliffs, this stunning bay boasts a wealth of fossils and intriguing rock pools to discover.
Walkers can also savour the spectacular coastal views from paths above the bay that lead to the remnants of Dunraven Castle, a Grade II listed manor house that was torn down in 1963.
5. Trebarwith Strand Beach, Devon
Google Maps Rating: 4.8
Number of Reviews: 1,666
Trebarwith Strand Beach, located in Devon, is a beautifully untamed beach characterised by unique rock formations. Although entirely covered at high tide, the beach morphs into a sandy sanctuary at low tide, with the ebbing tides unveiling vast stretches of golden sand, numerous rock pools, and fascinating caves to explore.
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