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Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Beautiful UK resort dubbed the 'Queen of seaside towns' during summer
A picturesque British seaside resort has it all - from a stunning bay and pristine beaches to a charming town filled with independent shops, and a history dating back to the Iron Age Boasting a broad bay, shimmering turquoise waters, a rich history tracing back to the Iron Age, and a town brimming with delightful independent shops, this coastal resort has plenty to offer. Nestled on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, Swanage caters to all tastes, whether you fancy sunning yourself on Swanage Beach, trekking along the Jurassic Coast, perusing local art galleries, savouring fresh seafood at quayside cafés, or enjoying a traditional Punch and Judy show right on the beach. Swanage perfectly blends age-old tradition with relaxed coastal allure. Its Victorian pier, heritage railway, and plethora of listed buildings lend the town an unmatched charm, while the bay and beach are undoubtedly among Swanage's most prized assets. It comes after reports of a small fishing village with some of the UK's best seafood but hardly any tourists. In 2024, for the 23rd consecutive year, Swanage Beach was honoured with both the Blue Flag and Seaside Award, a testament to its golden sands, pristine environment, and crystal-clear water, reports the Express. The dramatic chalk formations of Old Harry Rocks, marking the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast, provide awe-inspiring views over the sea. Whether you choose to reach them by hiking the picturesque coastal path from Swanage or embarking on a boat trip from the bay, a visit to Old Harry Rocks is an unforgettable experience and an absolute must for any first-time visitor to the area. Swanage, once a humble port and quarry town, has blossomed into a seaside gem, hailed by The Telegraph as the "queen of seaside resorts". It boasts a plethora of activities, steeped in history and natural allure. One visitor couldn't help but sing Swanage's praises on TripAdvisor, highlighting its "all independent" shops. They commented: "Lovely beach. Nice and clean and a sea to die for. Perfect for everyone as it's a shallow walk into a very clear and calm sea. It's a bit busier near the town where the shops, bars/pubs, cafes and restaurants are." Adding: "The town is super. Spoilt for choice of shops to eat or drink and buy something from. Best bit is it's ALL independent shops, bars and cafes and NO branded names." Another traveller captivated by Swanage's charm, noted: "So many beautiful sites in and around Swanage, historical, thatched villages, the splendid ruins of Corfe Castle, and gorgeous sunsets over the bay." Another TripAdvisor enthusiast also shared their experience of Old Harry Rocks: "Beautiful natural feature that was relatively tourist-free. The one-mile walk from the National Trust car park was very pretty along a cleared footpath through ferns, trees and shrubs." They added: "There's a flowering meadow on the cliffs overlooking Old Harry with views across to Bournemouth. There's a cafe and pub close to the National Trust car park. Loved this walk!!"
Western Telegraph
03-08-2025
- Western Telegraph
Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire named the UK's best beach
Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire topped the list compiled by Holidu, a holiday rental portal, which analysed user review data from Google Maps for over 9,500 beaches. The list features the 25 best UK beaches for 2025, based on their ratings and beauty. Welsh beaches dominated the rankings, appearing nine times. Barafundle Bay, the most loved in the UK, is praised for its 'Caribbean-esque' views, with a green backdrop, turquoise waters, and golden sands. Other highly-rated Welsh beaches are Traeth Mwnt (2nd), Dunraven Bay (4th), and Freshwater West (12th). Barafundle Bay, with a Google Maps rating of 4.9 from 1,668 reviews, is celebrated for its preserved natural beauty. Accessible only by a half-mile walk, the beach has remained relatively wild yet pristine with golden sands and turquoise waters. It has won multiple awards, 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 beautiful natural environment and great water quality. Traeth Mwnt, another Welsh entry, is a hidden cove with a Google Maps rating of 4.9 from 722 reviews. It's known for its golden sands and the iconic Mwnt Church overlooking the bay. Visitors can enjoy dolphin watching, as Mwnt is one of the best places in the UK to see dolphins. For those who prefer hiking, there's a scenic walk to the top of Foel y Mwnt, offering panoramic views of Cardigan Bay. The beach has also won numerous awards, including a Green Coast and Seaside Award. These stunning Welsh beaches offer perfect spots for a getaway without the need to leave the UK. Barafundle Bay, in particular, is expected to attract many visitors due to its natural beauty and the experience it offers, similar to the Caribbean. These beaches not only provide relaxation but also a range of activities such as dolphin watching and hiking, making them ideal for family outings. In total, nine Welsh beaches made it to the top 25 list, highlighting the variety and quality of coastal experiences available in Wales.
Daily Record
02-08-2025
- Daily Record
Scotland's best beaches for summer 2025 named as 'special' spot tops list
Seven bays around the country were singled out. Scotland's best beaches for 2025 have been named, with a Scottish Borders bay described as "special" topping the list. Holiday experts at Big 7 Travel recently shared a roundup of the "most stunning Scottish beaches". A total of seven picturesque bays up and down the country were singled out. Topping the experts' list is Coldingham Bay near the town of Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders. The bay is an inlet in the North Sea coast. Coldingham Bay is a sheltered sandy beach found at the mouth of the Buskin Burn, within the St Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve. The reserve is famed for its wealth and diversity of marine life, as well as for being the first voluntary marine reserve in Scotland. The beach itself features sand dunes and crystal clear waters, and offers opportunities for rock pooling. It has previously been recognised with a Seaside Award by Keep Scotland Beautiful and recommended by the Marine Conservation Society for its cleanliness, water quality, and management. Big 7 Travel wrote: "Quietly nestled along the Berwickshire coast, Coldingham Bay has something special about it. It's only one kilometre long, but the beach has a familial, rural feel that has a cosy warmth to it." The experts added: "Keep walking and you'll come across a 30-metre-high cliff—Yellow Craig. There are also some pretty dunes just behind the beach—they're particularly lovely in summer, when the butterflies and wildflowers come out to play." The second most beautiful beach in Scotland according to the experts is Achmelvich Bay in Sutherland. The beach is located along the country's northwest coast, three miles northwest of Lochinver and 40 miles north of Ullapool. Achmelvich Bay is among Scotland's most renowned beaches, and is a popular stopping point on the North Coast 500 scenic driving route. It was praised by Big 7 Travel for its hiking opportunities, and was described as a top swimming spot. The experts stated: "Tucked away on the rural west coast, Achmelvich Bay is undoubtedly one of the best beaches in Scotland. The sugary white sand is flanked by granite outcrops, creating a paradisiacal cove that's the perfect summer sun trap. "The sea is crystal clear and calm—perfect for swimming. As well as soaking up the supremely refreshing breeze and enjoying the view—you can see the Isles of Harris and Lewis on a clear day—there are tonnes of activities to do. "Fishing enthusiasts will love it here, there are plenty of fishing boats in the bay catching cod, haddock, whiting, and more. And it's perfect for hikers, too. The craggy, rocky landscape makes Achmelvich a fun climbing spot—make your way up to An Farad Bheag and take in the stunning views." Meanwhile, Big 7 Travel named Camusdarach Beach in Morar at number three on their list. The beach is situated just south of the estuary of River Morar, with views out over to the isles of Skye, Rum, and Eigg. The experts praised Camusdarach Beach as a top swimming destination, as well as kayaking and paddling. They suggested that visitors head to the bay on a clear day to make the most of the views. Rounding out the top five "most stunning Scottish beaches" are Oldshoremore Beach in Sutherland and West Bay in the East Lothian town of North Berwick. Oldshoremore Beach was noted for its soft sand and glistening turquoise water, while West Bay earned acclaim for its birdwatching and picnicking opportunities. Elsewhere, completing the list of seven are Gullane Beach in East Lothian and Luskentyre Beach on the Isle of Harris. The former is located a short distance from Edinburgh and was described as "a great day out for families", and the latter was compared to beaches found in Australia. The most stunning Scottish beaches Coldingham Bay, Eyemouth Achmelvich Bay, Sutherland Camusdarach Beach, Morar Oldshoremore Beach, Sutherland West Bay (North Berwick), East Lothian Gullane Beach, East Lothian Luskentyre Beach, Isle of Harris
North Wales Live
30-07-2025
- North Wales Live
10 best beaches in UK named — the top two are both in Wales
The top 10 UK beaches for 2025 have been revealed, as families across Wales continue their quest for the ideal summer staycation. Holiday lettings company Holidu has conducted a study to identify the highest-rated beaches in the UK. 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.
Daily Mirror
30-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Top 10 beaches in UK revealed — numbers 1 and 2 are in same corner of country (not Devon or Cornwall)
The top-rated beaches in the UK have been ranked, as British holidaymakers and sunseekers on the hunt for the perfect staycation spot. The top 10 UK beaches for 2025 have been named, as many Brits search for a last-minute staycation. The study was conducted by holiday rental service Holidu, which analysed Google Maps user data for over 9,500 beaches, considering both ratings and reviews. The findings suggest that Wales could be an ideal choice for a seaside getaway, with the top two spots on the list located in this picturesque part of the UK. 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). This stunning beach is known for its pristine, golden sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters, earning its Blue Flag status partly due to its secluded location, accessible only by a half-mile walk. Close by, Traeth Mwnt (Mwnt beach) in neighbouring Ceredigion secured second place, thanks to its breathtaking location as a hidden cove boasting golden sands and potential dolphin sightings. 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, reports the Express. Woolacombe Beach in Devon has claimed the title of England's top-rated beach this year, boasting rockpools, pristine sands, and excellent surfing conditions - credentials that secured its designation as a World Surfing Reserve in 2022. Dunraven Bay in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, secured fourth place, with its dramatic cliffs and wild coastline drawing visitors fascinated by geology and fossil hunting. The stone formations, featuring fossil-laden layers embedded within the coastal rocks, stretch back millions of years. Trebarwith Beach on the Devon shoreline nabbed fifth spot. Its standout feature is Gull Rock, an imposing rock structure positioned just off the coast, making it a magnet for photographers and surfers alike. But not a single beach in Cornwall made the top 10, with the likes of Pedn Vounder and Porthcurno missing out. 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 celebrated beaches due to its preserved natural beauty. Thanks to the fact it can only be accessed by a half-mile walk, the beach has remained relatively wild yet pristine, boasting golden sands and turquoise waters. "As a result, it's often praised as offering 'Caribbean-esque' views. This Blue Flag beach has won multiple awards, such as 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 beautiful natural environment and great water quality. Barafundle Bay is truly a family favourite!" 2. Traeth Mwnt, Ceredigion Google Maps Rating: 4.9 Number of Reviews: 722 Traeth Mwnt in Wales is a delightful hidden gem, famed for its golden sands and the iconic Mwnt Church that overlooks the bay. Visitors can unwind in this secluded cove or indulge in some dolphin spotting - Mwnt is actually one of the top spots to see dolphins in the UK! For those who enjoy a good hike, there's a picturesque trail leading to the summit of Foel y Mwnt, offering 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. Nestled against the backdrop of the village of Woolacombe, this scenic beach is celebrated for its cleanliness and family-friendly vibe. The beach boasts Blue Flag status and a 3-mile stretch of breathtaking coastline. With its rock pools, soft sands, and regular lifeguard patrols, Woolacombe beach is an ideal playground for children. It's also a hot spot for surfers - 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, nestled in Glamorgan, is a paradise for fossil enthusiasts and photographers due to its distinctive geology and striking cliffs. Situated 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 awe-inspiring coastal strolls above the bay that guide them to the remnants of Dunraven Castle, a Grade II listed manor 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 with unique rock formations. Although entirely covered during high tide, the beach morphs into a sandy sanctuary at low tide, with the ebbing tides unveiling extensive stretches of golden sand, numerous rock pools, and fascinating caves to explore. The beach also welcomes dogs throughout the year, making it a favourite spot for dog walkers. In fact, Trebarwith Strand Beach is so picturesque that it's featured in several films - from Saving Grace (2002) and Oscar and Lucinda (1997), to Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (1996).
