Best beaches for a weekend break

17 destinations picked for this guide.

Britain has some of the best beaches in Europe, from the golden sands of Cornwall and the Gower to the wide empty bays of Norfolk and Northumberland. These are the best places for a weekend by the sea, with long beaches, good facilities and plenty to do nearby.

HunstantonNorfolk · Budget-friendly

Striped cliffs and the only west-facing beach on the east coast

 Saltburn-by-the-SeaNorth Yorkshire · Budget-friendly

A Victorian seaside town with a pier and a water-powered cliff tramway

 ScarboroughNorth Yorkshire · Budget-friendly

Britain's oldest seaside resort, with two bays and a castle

 BudeCornwall · Mid-range

Surf beaches, a tidal sea pool and a canal on the north Cornwall coast

 CromerNorfolk · Mid-range

A Victorian seaside town with a pier theatre and the best crab in England

 Gower PeninsulaSwansea · Mid-range

Britain's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with golden bays and cliff walks

 NorthumberlandNorthumberland · Mid-range

Castles, empty beaches, dark skies and Hadrian's Wall

 Outer HebridesWestern Isles · Mid-range

White beaches, standing stones and Gaelic culture at the edge of Europe

 PembrokeshireWales · Mid-range

A rugged coast of golden beaches, seabirds and a famous coast path

 TenbyPembrokeshire · Mid-range

A colourful walled harbour town with sandy beaches

 Isle of SkyeHighland · Higher-priced

Jagged mountains, fairy pools and wild Atlantic coast

 Isles of ScillyCornwall · Higher-priced

Subtropical gardens and empty white beaches 28 miles off Cornwall

 Jurassic Coast (Lyme Regis)Dorset · Higher-priced

A World Heritage coast of cliffs, fossils and natural arches

 NewquayCornwall · Higher-priced

Cornwall's surf capital, with long golden beaches

 Norfolk coastNorfolk · Higher-priced

Wide sandy beaches, salt marshes and seal trips

 St IvesCornwall · Higher-priced

Golden beaches, art galleries and a pretty Cornish harbour

 PadstowCornwall · Premium

A Cornish fishing harbour famous for seafood and the Camel Trail

Frequently asked questions

What is the best beach in Britain?

Rhossili on the Gower, Holkham in Norfolk and Luskentyre in the Outer Hebrides are all regularly voted among the best.

When is the best time for a beach weekend?

June to September is warmest, but spring and autumn are quieter and cheaper.

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More guides

Best weekend breaks from Manchester and the North WestBest weekend breaks from LondonBest weekend breaks from Birmingham and the MidlandsBest weekend breaks in Yorkshire and the North EastBest weekend breaks in ScotlandBest weekend breaks in Wales

Last reviewed October 2026. Prices and journey times are estimates, so check before you book. Report an error or share a tip.