Remote UK beach is one of the best in Europe – here’s the full top 30

Charlotte Colombo and Lizzie Thomson

Published April 12, 2024 10:11am Updated April 12, 2024 10:15am

The UK has some of the world’s best beaches right here on our doorstep (Picture: Getty Images)

If you think you have to head to the Maldives or Bali for idyllic world-class beaches, think again.

Four idyllic UK locations are name checked in a Lonely Planet book, which reveals the world’s best beaches on every continent.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, for England, Dorset’s Durdle Door Beach and Cornwall’s Kynance Cove took the top spots. Each year these beauty spots attract droves of tourists who flock to see their rugged rock formations and breathtaking views.

The stunning Rhossili Bay on the Gower took the title for Wales, but it’s a lesser-known destination further north that really has travellers talking.

Rounding out the UK’s accolades in the prestigious list of 100 destinations was the West Beach, on the island of Berneray, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.

Get a taste for each of these winning UK beaches below…

West Beach, Berneray

West Beach was the only beach in Scotland to make the list (Picture: Getty Images)

Pictures of West Beach in Berneray, which boasts three miles of unbroken white sand, are often mistaken as somewhere more exotic.

Lonely Planet wrote: ‘The powdery silver-white sand might feel more Southeast Asia than North Atlantic, but the chilly aqua waves, dramatic wind-lashed setting and beautifully green adjoining machair (grazing land) are pure, wonderful Outer Hebrides.’

The spot actually has been mistaken for a tropical paradise before. In 2009, a travel guide actually accidentally using a picture of the Outer Hebridean island, thinking it was Thailand’s Kai Bae Beach.

This pocket paradise is tucked away on the remote island Berneray in the Sound of Harris, with the landscape also providing a look at the mountains of Harris.

Despite being in a slightly chillier climate (it’s in the Scottish Highlands after all, so there’s no sunbathing to be had here) it’s the perfect habitat for orchids and corncrakes — a species of bird that has rapidly declined in population for the past few years.

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On TikTok, the beach is described as a ‘hidden gem’ and also boasts a four-star rating on the UK Beach Guide. It is also here that travelers left numerous gushing reviews about the island, with one reviewer calling it ‘one of the best’ beaches they’ve ever seen, while another described it as ‘just beautiful.’

‘Totally unspoilt, miles of soft white sand, crystal clear turquoise sea, stunning mountain views in the distance, can’t find a single fault with it,’ the reviewer added. ‘My favourite place in the whole world.’

While there’s no rules against swimming in West Beach, bear in mind that there is no lifeguard present. It’s also considered a dog-friendly beach — because what dog doesn’t love a 5km trail of sand?

The easiest way to access West Beach is from the car park situated past Berneray Village Hall, which is just past the Berneray Shop and Bistro.

It’s impossible to tire of West Beach, but if you do for some reason, there’s plenty of other attractions in the area, including Backhall Village (where you can spot seals), the Clach Mhor Standing Stone, the Giant MacAskill Memorial, and the Berneray Historical Society Museum.

You can also pop on the ferry to Leverburgh, an idyllic village surrounded by water. And there’s a great variety of B&Bs and self-catered cottages in Berneray if you want to savor your time at West Beach for that little bit longer.

Durdle Door, Dorset

The iconic natural landmark (Picture: Getty)

Durdle Door – a natural limestone arch – is one of Dorset’s most photographed and iconic landmarks and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s estimated that it was formed around 10,000 years ago when the waves eroded the limestone rock.

Once you’ve snapped the iconic natural landmark, there are plenty of coastal walking routes nearby to really make the most of the epic scenery.

Kynance Cove, Cornwall

One of the UK’s most popular spots (Picture: Getty)

This Cornish gem, found on the underbelly of the region, boasts stunning white sands, turquoise water and rugged rocks – it’s almost hard to believe you haven’t left the country.

It’s hardly a surprise then that this beach is one of the most Instagrammed in the UK, and boasts the traditional red and green stone, which is found throughout the Lizard Peninsula.

Rhossili Bay, Gower

Rhossili Bay Beach, Gower Peninsula, Wales. (Credits: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Situated at the very end of the Gower peninsula, the small village of Rhossili is an absolute must-visit with three miles of beautiful golden sands on offer.

To get to the multi-award winning beach itself, it’s a very steep walk down, but it’s well-worth the effort.