Our 10 best beach getaways in the UK for the perfect coastal escape this summer

Salcombe is a pretty, upmarket town clinging to the hills above a narrow bay. There are some lovely walks from town, with plenty of cafés and pubs to start from or finish up at. If you have a spare kayak handy (and you will if you base yourself at our next suggested spot) there are little scraps of sand here and there where you can picnic in peace. 

Base yourself at: Carswell Beach Hut 

If you live for a coastal getaway, then this one is for you. Not only are you a short drive from Salcombe, your beach hut it also sat on its own private beach. Wake up to waves lapping at the shore in your private cove and spend the afternoon alternating fresh between dips in the sea, napping on a beach towel, and washing the sand away under the outdoor shower.

In one short stretch of northern coastline sit several of Devon’s most famous beaches, each with their own vibe. Woolacombe and Saunton are massive sandy expanses where you can always find a spot to set up camp. Croyde has a slightly smaller, deeper bay, and all of them offer a solid surf.  

Base yourself at: Pickwell Manor

Three incredible creations of curved wood and chic design, the Den, Loft and Hideaway treehouses at Pickwell Manor are a stone’s throw from Woolacombe and both have hot tubs to sink into on the balconies. These wooden beauties offer a dreamy end to a sun and surf-filled day.

While this might seem like just a surf beach, with its flat rocks and tendency to disappear completely at high tide, there’s more to Trebarwith than fast barrels. It’s a whole coastal experience. The approach down the valley from the nearby village of Treknow is something to behold, and you can also make the two-mile hike to Tintagel to wander the ruins or pass time in the café if you’re waiting for the tide to go down.  

Base yourself at: Trebus

This ex-mobile library continues to transport people to another world, with beautiful interiors, an outdoor shower to revel in – all non-fiction.

This might not be a beach as you’d normally think of it, but the winding waterway that leads down past Mersea Island to the coast is as good as anywhere for getting that hit of salty fresh air and fun. If you’ve brought the kayak along, you can explore down the banks, but there’s a simple joy to be had in sitting and birdwatching on the thriving wetlands.

Base yourself at: Samphire

A clean, crisp cabin that’s watched the marshes from its spot on the sea wall for over 35 years. It’s completely isolated, with fabulous views of the estuary from the big outdoor sofa.

Sitting just outside Burton Bradstock, Hive Beach is where golden cliffs meet endless sand. It’s a truly spectacular spot on the Jurassic Coast. This is beach walking heaven, with a vast stretch of sand heading off toward Weymouth and the South West Coast Path passing right by. 

Base yourself at: Hive Beach House 

Hive Beach House is so close to the water you’ll get salt spray on your skin just stepping outside. And with Hive Beach Café mere seconds away, even coffee is covered.

A sweeping arc of golden sand backed by dunes and overlooked by a medieval castle, Manorbier Beach is the very definition of drama meets tranquillity. It’s perfect for bodyboarding, castle picnics, or simply soaking in the Pembrokeshire coast’s wild beauty.   

Base yourself at: The Sea Shed
Tucked at the bottom of the garden at Willow House, The Sea Shed is just a 15-minute stroll from the beach. It’s private, peaceful, and perfectly placed to explore not just Manorbier but nearby gems too.

With soft sands, swells for surfers, and a big open sky that stretches on forever, Beadnell Beach is a northern beauty with space for everyone. Catch a sunrise, a seal, or even the Northern Lights if you’re lucky enough to visit on the clearest nights.   

Base yourself at: Willow at Tughall 

At Trees at Tughall, Willow Cabin is a KOTO-designed retreat just a 3-minute drive from Beadnell Beach. This modern sanctuary features a veranda for yoga and views over one of the UK’s darkest sky reserves. Whether you're barefoot in the surf or curled up with a book, the peace here runs deep.

So private it doesn’t even show on most maps, Pamflete Beach is an unspoiled stretch of golden sand set within a secluded South Devon estuary. Access is only on foot – or if you’re lucky enough to be staying nearby. 

Base yourself at: Pointy 

Just 5-minutes from this secret beach lies Pointy, part of 5000 glorious acres in the South Devon AONB. Between the wood-fired outdoor bath and the giant picture window inside, you might forget to head to the beach, but you shouldn’t. The estuary’s perfect for wild swimming and paddleboarding, and when the salt’s washed off in the outdoor shower, wrap up in a blanket and star gaze from your hammock in the trees.

Scrambling down the steps to Porthcurno might not be the easiest way to arrive at a beach, but it’s totally worth it. The tiny cove is sliced into the far south of Cornwall and as well as being beautiful, it’s also a place of culture and history.

The nearby Telegraph museum tells how Porthcurno was once the cente for transatlantic communication and the open-air Minac theatre sits in the cliffs above. It’s also a nudist beach, but it’s entirely optional.

Base yourself at: Halzephron Cabin

A homely, cost cabin, around the coast a little from Porthcurno, but with lovely sea views from the sloping, cliffside garden.

For being so near a capital city, this is an incredible wilderness playground. There’s the beach, the nearby forest, the riding school that can take you on dramatic gallops through the surf, and boat trips to one of David Attenborough’s favourite wildlife spots – Bass Rock, famed for its gannet colony. All less than an hour from Edinburgh castle, if you really want to mix up your weekend. 

Base yourself at: Stilt House

Stroll through the orchard, wild swim in the pond, grill on the Kadai firebowl and sleep in luxury among the trees.