7 of Britain's best hidden beaches

Jessica Baldwin

Jessica Baldwin

As diverse as it is captivating, the great British coast is a salt-slapped cavalcade of ancient caves, glacial gorges, thriving marshes and fossil-speckled cliffs.

The nation's busy Blue Flag beaches and bustling Victorian seaside resorts may well steal the limelight, but hidden along Britain's secretive estuaries and scenic coastal paths are barely trodden shores, perfect for picnicking in peace.

These beaches remain the close-guarded secrets of savvy locals. Often only appearing at low tide and usually only accessible on foot, getting to these secluded spots requires a little more effort, but those prepared to lace up their hiking boots could end up with a great British beach all to themselves.

The best bit? Lots of the beaches listed make the ultimate launch pad for bigger coastal adventures, with sub-tropical valleys, nature reserves and mighty medieval fortresses just an amble away.

So, whether you want to hunker down in silent, sun-drenched dunes or lose the crowds in a clandestine Cornish cove, we have the perfect secret beach for you.

Find your perfect place to stay: browse the latest online offers on stays at Parkdean Resorts across Great Britain*.

Waxham Beach, Norfolk

Fringed by some of England's finest beaches, Norfolk's dynamic coastline offers 90 miles of sand, shingle and salt marshes.

But despite boasting a dizzying number of Blue Flag beaches, tourists are often crammed into a handful of holiday hotspots; crabbing on Cromer pier, posing beside Wells-next-the-Sea's colourful beach huts or watching the King's cavalry gallop along Holkham's pine-backed beach.

Skip the region's packed promenades and head further south, to lesser-known spots, like family-friendly Waxham. Battle your way through its tufty marram-grass-covered dunes (the perfect suntrap on breezy days) to the powdery golden beach, its far-reaching views giving it an edge-of-the-abyss vibe.

Visit in winter and you'll find the beach covered in grey seals, basking with their newborn pups. Hungry? Head to Waxham's splendid 16th-century barn and sample the local crab at Dunes Café.

Warkworth Beach, Northumberland

With wind-whipped ramparts and magnificent castles overlooking miles of unspoilt sandy beaches, Northumberland*'s dramatic, low-lying coastline is seriously overlooked when it comes to seaside staycations.

It has the long sandy beaches and big, moody skies you'll find in Norfolk, but without the maddening crowds. In upmarket Warkworth, the mighty medieval hilltop fortress proves so captivating that most visitors to the village remain completely unaware of the spectacular beach just a short stroll away.

Stretching two miles, those lucky enough to lollop on its sandy shores can gaze across seal-dotted waters, towards Coquet Island.

Although you cannot set foot on this lighthouse-crowned isle, a summertime boat trip from nearby Amble Harbour lets you observe its 30,000 nesting puffins from your bobbing vessel.

Covehithe Beach, Suffolk

Suffolk's Coast & Heaths National Landscape sees ancient woodland and wild meadows thrive alongside creeks, estuaries and mudflats.

Draped around this glorious hunk of countryside, like a fine pearl necklace, are a string of big-name beaches; from arty Aldeburgh to sandy Southwold. But alongside the showy seaside towns are hidden gems, like Covehithe.

Perched upon crumbling cliffs, a solitary track takes you from the village's magnificent medieval ruin of a church, through woodland, dunes and fields of cattle to Covehithe's hauntingly beautiful beach.

Sitting within the Benacre National Nature Reserve, this untamed sandy shoreline, littered with sea-worn tree trunks torn from the clifftops by Mother Nature, is surrounded by thriving wetlands, making it a twitcher's paradise.

Grebe Beach, Cornwall

Boasting the nation's longest coastline, Cornwall*'s rugged shores are home to some of the nation's most well-known (and busiest) beaches. However, spots like Grebe Beach mean it's still possible to paddle in peace.

Tucked-away along the Helford River, a short walk from National Trust Bosveal* (or sweet Durgan Village), this dog-friendly cove has a welcome whiff of the Famous Five about it.

Book-ended by glittering rockpools and offering a front-row seat to one of the area's best sunsets, its shingly shores attract a steady trickle of awe-struck artists and photographers.

It's easy to make a day of it here, with Trebah Garden's private beach and Glendurgan Garden's jungle-like valleys both just a short stroll away.

Mattiscombe Sands, Devon

The only English county with two separate coastlines to explore, Devon* is heaven-sent for beach-lovers. In the north, lofty clifftop paths pass above miles of uninterrupted golden beaches and in the south, the craggy, crevice-ridden coastline conceals sandy sun traps and sweet shingly coves.

Stretching from the historic naval town of Plymouth to fishy Brixham, the South Devon National Landscape alone boasts almost 70 beaches.

Accessed on foot from Start Point Car Park, the short (but steep) walk to secluded Mattiscombe Sands ensures this under-the-radar spot remains refreshingly crowd-free, even on the balmiest of days.

Studded with eye-catching rock formations, the shingle shoreline is perfect for seal-spotting, with low tide revealing a thick crescent of brilliant blonde sand on which to lay your towel. Fancy a bird's-eye view? Climb nearby Start Point Lighthouse.

Priory Bay, Isle of Wight

From Shanklin's olde-worlde promenade to Compton's fossil-peppered sands, you're never far from a top-notch beach on the Isle of Wight*.

With half of the island designated a National Landscape, the coastline which fringes this tiny diamond-shaped isle is bursting with natural wonders; from kaleidoscopic cliffs and jungle-like chines (plummeting coastal gorges) to its famous chalky pinnacles, The Needles.

Yet, despite its modest size, it's still possible to find a sandy slice of this spectacular island for oneself. Idyllic Steephill Cove may have gained popularity in recent years, but many tourists have yet to discover Priory Bay.

Accessed via a short walk at low tide from neighbouring Seagrove, this private sandy beach, backed by National Trust woodland, remains one of the island's best-kept secrets.

Swanlake Bay, Pembrokeshire

With spellbinding scenery, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path snakes its way through 186 miles of volcanic headlands, glacial gorges and imposing limestone cliffs in Wales*.

Blessed with everything from rocky arches and soaring sea stacks to mind-boggling blowholes, it's become a magnet for adrenaline-fuelled coasteering groups.

Thankfully, for those after a more relaxing affair, it's also home to a smattering of secret beaches, like whimsically named Swanlake Bay.

Only accessible on foot from the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, this remote spot is rarely busy, with most people parking at nearby Manorbier Castle and embracing the scenic coastal hike.

Plan to arrive at low tide and you'll be greeted by a vast, sandy beach. What it lacks in swans and lakes, it more than makes up for in sand, sea and caves.

Climate in Great Britain

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °F
45°F maximum daytime temperature in January in London45
45°F maximum daytime temperature in February in London45
50°F maximum daytime temperature in March in London50
55°F maximum daytime temperature in April in London55
63°F maximum daytime temperature in May in London63
68°F maximum daytime temperature in June in London68
72°F maximum daytime temperature in July in London72
72°F maximum daytime temperature in August in London72
66°F maximum daytime temperature in September in London66
59°F maximum daytime temperature in October in London59
50°F maximum daytime temperature in November in London50
46°F maximum daytime temperature in December in London46
Hours of sunshine (daily)
Days with some rainfall
16 days with some rainfall in January in London16
12 days with some rainfall in February in London12
14 days with some rainfall in March in London14
14 days with some rainfall in April in London14
13 days with some rainfall in May in London13
11 days with some rainfall in June in London11
10 days with some rainfall in July in London10
12 days with some rainfall in August in London12
11 days with some rainfall in September in London11
13 days with some rainfall in October in London13
15 days with some rainfall in November in London15
14 days with some rainfall in December in London14

The above guide shows the climate in London. Find out more about conditions in coastal towns across the nations in our complete guide to the climate in Great Britain.

Ready to hunt down these beaches? Find your affordable home-away-from-home with Parkdean Resorts, which has multiple holiday parks for family fun.

More about Iceland

Iceland by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Jessica Baldwin

Jessica Baldwin

Posted in: Beach Nature UK

Back to top

Explore holidays in the sun for less

More holidays

Airport parking

More parking

Airport lounges

More lounges

Related posts

Back to Travel inspiration Top ^