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The UK’s best beach has been named, and it’s not in Devon or Cornwall.
The endless stretches of golden coastlines and lapping waves found in Devon and Cornwall have long been favoured among the best in the UK, attracting thousands of visitors during the summer holidays. However, they’ve now been outshone by another picture-perfect part of the British coastline.
Thanks to its crystal-clear blue waters, award-winning Blue Flag beaches and famed ‘millionaires row’, Sandbanks Beach in Dorset has been named as the best beach in the UK. And it’s a haven for a day out this summer, with another heatwave set to engulf the UK later this month.
Sandbanks beach is lined with million-pound mansions and soft, golden sand (Image: Getty Images)
Sandbanks topped the ranking in Skyscanner’s The Paradise Guide, based on data analysing beaches across the UK for factors such as average air and sea temperatures and reviews. It was praised for its ‘high standards of water quality’, sweeping golden beach and one of the easiest UK shores to reach, which saw it receive an overall rating of 4.6.
In the ranking, Skyscanner commented: “Sandbanks Beach is a favourite on Dorset’s coastline, with a long, gently sloping stretch of sand that’s ideal for families, swimming and watersports. Overlooking Poole Bay, it has held Blue Flag status for many years thanks to its high standards of water quality and facilities. Sandbanks is also one of the easiest beaches to reach in the UK, situated just 25 minutes from Bournemouth Airport.
“With an average peak-season temperature of 20.8°C and a Tripadvisor rating of 4.6, it’s easy to see why this beach tops the list. Whether you’re building sandcastles or taking a stroll along the shore, Sandbanks is an easy spot to spend a day by the sea.”
Impressively, Sandbanks has held its prestigious Blue Flag award for a whopping 35 consecutive years, the longest run of any beach in the UK. Its stretches of unspoilt, golden-sandy shores are certainly a standout, with cleanliness and safety at its core, in addition to its crystal-clear shallow waters.
The beach has crystal-clear blue waters and a long-standing Blue Flag award (Image: Getty Images)
Situated on an exclusive peninsula, just four miles west of Bournemouth and 2.5 miles southeast of Poole town centre, Sandbanks has earned the nickname ‘millionaires’ row’, due to its luxurious seafront properties that line the shore. Dominated by multi-million-pound mansions, apartments and private gated abodes, it’s even been dubbed ‘Britain’s Palm Beach’.
Thanks to its exclusivity, the area has drawn in celebrities looking for that quieter coastal retreat, including the likes of Liam Gallagher, Harry Redknapp, Celia Sawyer and Karl Pilkington. It’s certaintly a more lavish part of the Dorset coastline than its bustling neighbour, Bournemouth, and is a popular watersports hub for paddleboarding, windsurfing, and sailing.
One visitor hailed Sandbanks beach as “absolutely beautiful” on TripAdvisor, while another said, “It has got to be one of the nicest beaches.” They noted that the “water was a nice temperature”, which goes from shallow to a bit deeper to shallow for a short while out to sea.
However declared: “One of the best beaches on the Dorset coast. The fine gold sand is clean, and the shallow, tranquil waters are ideal for enjoying a relaxing dip. When the weather is warm and sunny, the beach is a match for any beach the Mediterranean has to offer. Facilities are first-class, though parking gets busy quickly. A beautiful spot for families and walkers alike. Definitely recommended for a day out by the sea!”