6 Off The Beaten Track Beaches in the UK

With 7,723 Miles of coastline here in the UK we aren’t exactly short of beaches. But where are the best beaches? How do you find the hidden gems, the secret coves and those long stretches of white sand bliss?

It still surprises us how relatively under-explored our coastlines are. Low cost air travel has meant that people have traditionally jumped on a plane in search of beautiful beaches, however looking closer to home may well surprise you.

A little sense of adventure will take you off the beaten track, away from the crowds and land you on some spectacular and surprisingly empty beaches.

Here are our 6 favourite beaches from across the UK. From the wild white sand Islands of Scotland to vast dune of Norfolk, our list has something for everyone.

Kilvickeon Beach, The Isle of Mull.

Swim in tropical waters

Scotland’s Isle of Mull is not short of spectacular beaches, in fact we had a pretty tough time picking our favourite. However, due to its vast white sand, turquoise waters and dramatic positioning we have gone with Kilvickeon. Situated on the far South-West coast of Mull, Kilvickeon is breathtaking, so much so that when you first set eyes on it you would be forgiven for thinking you were in the Carribean. There’s a catch though, getting there isn’t exactly easy and requires a sense of adventure and determination, however persevere and you will be rewarded handsomely. And what's more, due to it’s remote positioning you may well find yourself there all alone, with this vast Scottish playground all to yourself.

For instructions on how to find Kilvickeon, follow our Adventure Guide.

Porth Coleman, North Wales

Watch the sunset.

Located on the Llyn Peninsula, in north-west Wales, Porth Coleman is a gem of a beach hidden away from the crowds. Extending 50km into the Irish Sea and home to dozens of stunning beaches, the peninsula is perhaps Wale’s best kept secret. And for us, Porth Coleman is the pick of the bunch when it comes to its stretches of sand. The perfect stop on road trip it is hidden down a series of narrow country lanes and takes a bit of perseverance to reach. Once there you will discover a long stretch of sand, peppered with large boulders and even has a waterfall dropping in from the fields above.

As with most beaches it is best to visit at low tide as you may well find you have it to yourself and its West facing slant make it perfect for sunset.

Holkham Beach, North Norfolk.

Perfect for a beach hike.

This was a beach that really took us by surprise, only a couple of hours from London, Norfolk’s Holkham beach knocked our socks off. Wild wetlands run into large sand dunes and forest, before spilling onto a beach so vast it hardly ever seems full.

Although, due to its beauty, Holkham is becoming increasingly well known and most people still head to the main car park, only exploring the immediate stretch of beach there. We, however suggest parking further north up the coast and walking through the beautiful wetlands, which lead to a gorgeous beach bordered by a large network of sand dunes. Take a picnic and if you find yourselves there at the end of the day find a good spot up in the dunes to watch the sunset from an incredible vantage point.

Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland.

Sunrise from the sand dunes.

Most famous for its beach-side castle, Bamburgh is a small town in Northumberland, North East England. And although the 1500 year old Anglo Saxon structure does undoubtedly punctuate the landscape, it was not the main attraction for us. We were most compelled by the sheer size of the beach, a 2.5km stretch of sand, lined by a set of wild and really quite beautiful sand dunes stretching almost its entire length.

We recommend, should the forecast be good, setting your alarms early and arriving for sunrise, walking down the beach and sitting up in the dunes with a thermos of tea to take in the views back over the dunes at the castle and out to sea where the famous Farne Islands sit in amongst the ocean.

Sango Sands, Northern Scotland.

Remote and wild wave watching.

Sat right up on Scotland’s most northern tip, Sango Sands is just about as remote as you can get on mainland Britain. After miles of driving through largely untouched Scottish scenery you eventually arrive at this golden sand cove, neatly nestled between large, sharp rock formations.

The ocean is powerful here and the waves crash up against the rocks causing a spectacle and reminding you that nature is the boss in this part of the world. The beach is also a short walk from the mesmerising Smoo Cave, the largest cave in Scotland.

A trip to Sango, will not be forgotten in a hurry.