Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire
It seems invidious to choose only one south-west Wales beach – Barafundle, Whitesands and Mwnt, are all hard to resist – but Marloes is very special. The half-mile cliff walk puts the crowds off, and there are no facilities at all. Yet you have a mile of broad sweeping sand dotted with towering rocks that stand in large low-tide pools flickering with tiny fish and shrimps. The firm, flat sand is perfect for beach games or galloping horses (Snow White and the Huntsman was filmed there in 2011). There’s plenty here to keep the whole family amused, assuming they don’t regard amusement as something that comes in arcades. The south-facing aspect bodes well in summer, but check the tides and wind.
• West Hook Farm campsite charges £14 for a tent and two adults, plus £5.50 teenager, £3 child, westhookfarm-camping.co.uk
- This entry was amended on 15 February 2016. It originally stated Barafundle, Whitesands and Mwnt were all in Pembrokeshire. Mwnt is in Ceredigion. This has been corrected.
Runswick Bay, North Yorkshire
East and North Yorkshire have some tremendous coves and beaches, but Runswick, near Whitby, gives a concentrated dose of all that is on offer: superb views from the cliffs, then a sharp walk down via a tangle of cottages to a mile of beach that is mixed sand and shingle, with good cafes. Look out for fossils and jet, the two treasures of these parts, but if venturing beyond the beach under the cliffs, check the tide times. The Cleveland Way coastal path passes along the beach. As for the water temperature, locals say it’s fine, “once you’ve numbed up.”
• Cliffemount Hotel overlooking the bay has doubles from £120 B&B
Mellon Udrigle, Highland
Up a little cul-de-sac road from the A832 coastal road, this delightful sheltered sandy beach has great views across Gruinard Bay. The regulars have been keeping this place quiet for half a century, a task made easier by the croft campsite’s determination to remain simple – don’t expect hot showers, shops or any facilities. It’s a friendly, tranquil location perfect for a few days under canvas. There are other beaches to explore nearby, plus the renowned Inverewe Gardens, but the real pleasure is just to play on the beach or fish from the rocks either side.
• For camping (£4 a night) call Ian McIver on 01445 713665 or 07776 238650
Bamburgh, Northumberland
Northumberland has several gorgeous expanses of sand backed by wonderful play areas, also known as dunes, but Bamburgh is the pick of the lot. Brooding over it is one of England’s finest castles, an impressive ring of towers and crenellations around a Norman keep. It’s a handy back-up for days when the weather turns nasty. Nearby are the Farne Islands, accessible via boat trips from Seahouses, a three-mile walk south, mostly along the sands. Surfers love the place, as do dog walkers, horse riders, anglers and kite fliers. There is so much space that one thing you will never find is crowds.
• Springhill Farm (springhill-farm.co.uk) has accommodation from camping (pitch for two from £20 in summer) to wooden wigwams and cottages (from £78 a night in summer)
Pedn Vounder, Cornwall
The far west of Cornwall is a land of stone circles and tiny coves. Superb tidal sands reach from Logan Rock to Porthcurno and form a vast sand bar that traps and warms seawater in shallow lagoons. There are rocks to dive from and you can wade or swim to several smaller coves. The beach is semi-naturist, and a tricky final descent over rocks keeps it wild and special. There is a tiny cafe in Treen village serving breakfast and local breads. On wet evenings you can hole up in the ancient Logan Rock Inn.
• Five minutes from the beach, on a clifftop strewn with pink thrift and yellow gorse, Treen Farm Campsite charges £16 a night for two adults and small tent
