16-05-2025
The UK's top secret beach bays without the crowds
Tired of jam-packed car parks, overpriced ice creams and never-ending toilet queues at some of the UK's most bustling beaches? Then it's time to ditch the crowds and head to the nation's most secluded bays instead.
As Brits brace for a season of sunny spells and scorching temperatures, walking shoe experts, FitFlop, have shared the ultimate solution to the summer stampede.
By analysing Google search data for 915 beaches across the UK, they've revealed the least searched - and most secluded - bays in Britain and Northern Ireland, perfect for a tranquil escape.
The data highlights just how many Google searches there are each month per beach location, on average, to unveil the beach bays under the radar as the least researched online.
Topping the charts are the likes of Abermawr Bay in Wales and Knockinelder Bay in Northern Ireland - all averaging just ten monthly searches, making them the least-known and most peaceful spots in the UK.
For those seeking a destination with multiple secret spots, then Wales is the best region overall, with four of its bays making the top ten.
Read on to discover the most secluded beaches in the UK that offer a secret, solitary summer escape:
1. Abermawr Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Rated 4.5 on Tripadvisor and nestled on Pembrokeshire's north-west coast, Abermawr Bay is a true gem for beach walkers seeking peace, beauty, and connection with nature.
This secluded shingle beach is framed by lush greenery, rugged cliffs and exposed tree stumps of a drowned forest.
Ideal for reflective walks and birdwatching, its coastal path offers stunning views over St. George's Channel.
Dog-friendly and rarely busy, it's a haven for nature lovers - and there's even a local woollen mill for cake and craft browsing after a long, scenic walk.
2. Kingsand Bay, Cornwall, England
Tucked in Cornwall's 'Forgotten Corner', Kingsand Bay offers a quiet escape with historical charm.
With just 100 Instagram tags and no TripAdvisor reviews, the bay remains blissfully under the radar.
Visitors can wander through narrow lanes, take in traditional Cornish cottages, and enjoy panoramic coastal walks to nearby Cawsand or Rame Head, away from the summer bustle.
3. Knockinelder Bay, County Down, Northern Ireland
Located on the Ards Peninsula, Knockinelder Bay offers golden sands, rock pools, low dunes, and sweeping sea views.
With only 46 Instagram tags, this spacious and generally uncrowded beach is perfect for long beach walks or exploring the surrounding coastal paths.
On clear days, try taking the Coastal Path that links the bay with nearby beaches like Cloughey Bay and Kearny, where the backdrop of the Irish Sea and the distant Mourne Mountains adds a magical touch to the serene stretch of shoreline.
4. Brown's Bay, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Another Northern Irish gem, Brown's Bay sits at the northern tip of Islandmagee.
Shaped like a horseshoe and backed by green headlands, the beach is known for its calm waters and tranquil setting.
Follow coastal paths for elevated sea views or simply enjoy the peaceful sounds of lapping waves and distant seabird calls.
Walkers can enjoy a coastal loop by linking Brown's Bay with nearby Portmuck or follow informal trails over the surrounding headlands, offering elevated views of Larne Lough, Scotland's Mull of Kintyre, and the wide expanse of sea beyond.
5. Mowingword Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Perhaps the most hidden of them all, Mowingword Bay is a secret cove only accessible by a 400-yard low-tide swim from neighbouring Box Bay.
The cove reveals a mix of sand, pebbles, and sea-polished rock formations (including Pinnacle Stack) surrounded by steep, vegetated cliffs and some enormous sea caves - one of which has a blow-hole reaching right to the top of the cliffs.
With no Tripadvisor reviews and just three Instagram tags, this wild beach also offers dramatic cliffs, sea caves, and total isolation.
It's perfect for adventurers ready to explore its raw, untouched beauty.
