The 10 best sandy beaches in the UK to visit this weekend… including THIS hidden gem

With temperatures rising this weekend, there’s only one place to be: the beach.

Fortunately, the UK’s coastline is dotted with an array of beautiful sandy beaches that are perfect for relaxing days of sandcastle building and sun worshipping.

Here’s our guide to 10 of the best, from a hidden gem in Wales to a Scottish beach compared to the sunkissed shores of the Maldives.

All you need to do is pack your sunscreen and a towel.

1. TRAETH LLANDDWYN, ANGLESEY, WALES

A beach to lay your towel on this summer is Traeth Llanddwyn, a Blue Flag beach supported by the Newborough National Nature Reserve on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales. It is described by the tourist Office as an ‘ideal picnic spot in good weather’ and overlooks Llanddwyn Island, a tidal island crowned by the Twr Mawr Lighthouse.

That’s its charm a video of the beach’s golden sands recently went viral on TikTok. Posted by user ‘Heykeyt’it has been viewed over 1.4 million times to date.

In the comments below the clip, user Sophie James wrote: ‘The UK has incredible beaches.’ another user, ‘olive’weighed in: ‘Wales are underrated.’

2. TRAILH MHEILEIN BEACH ON THE ISLAND OF HARRIS, SCOTLAND

Hidden from the crowds, this picture-perfect beach is accessed via a roughly half hour walk starting from Huisinis Beach on the Isle of Harris.

A video of the beach recently went viral on TikTok when a few bloggers declared it to be the “equivalent of the Maldives in Scotland.” They told MailOnline Travel: ‘The white sand and crystal clear waters are not often seen in the UK. We have been lucky enough to visit the Maldives twice, once for our honeymoon and then we returned two years later because we fell in love with it. [Traigh Mheilein] beach reminded us of the beautiful waters there.’

3. PEDN VOUNDER BEACH, NEAR LAND’S END IN CORNWALL

Pedn Vounder Beach, surrounded by cliffs and reached by a steep path, is described by the local beach guide Cornall Beaches as one of Cornwall’s ‘most beautiful beaches’.

It says to expect ‘crystal clear turquoise water’ and ‘beautiful white sand’ during your visit. Those who dislike tan lines are in luck – the website states that it is an ‘unofficial naturist beach’.

4. GREEN PORTH ON TRESCO ISLAND, THE SCILLY ISLANDS

Green Porth on the east coast of Tresco in the Isles of Scilly looks as pretty as a picture.

The Cornwall beaches guide reveals: ‘The beach is bounded on one side by Old Grimsby Quay and overlooked on the other by the old fort on Tommy’s Hill.’ It adds that there are low dunes at the back of the beach, which provide shelter for swimmers and sunbathers on windy days.

It is one of the many beaches worth visiting in the archipelago, such as the local tourist office comments: ‘With their turquoise waters and pale, fine sand, the beaches of Scilly are simply breathtaking – beautiful enough to rival any beach in the world.’

5 and 6. SALCOMBE NORTH SANDS & SOUTH SANDS BEACH – DEVON

Salcombe North Sands, within walking distance of Salcombe town, is ideal for those planning a day out in the sun with the family.

Visit South Devon describes it as a ‘large sandy beach ideal for families, with great swimming due to the safe cove, and rock pools nearby to explore’.

If you fancy, spend the morning building sandcastles on Salcombe North Sands and then spend the afternoon sunbathing on nearby South Sands Beach, described by the tourist board as ‘one of the most unspoilt beaches in South Africa’. Devon’.

7. LUSKENTYRE BEACH, HARRIS ISLAND, SCOTLAND

‘Forget the Caribbean and [the] Indian Ocean, this is the most beautiful wild ocean beach in the world.’

So says a TripAdvisor reviewer ‘BK1958’ from Luskentyre Beach, which lies on the west coast of the Isle of Harris in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides.

Last year this sand strip was given a name the best beach in the UK according to Tripadvisor, ranked as the 7th best beach in all of Europe.

8. BROAD HARBOR SOUTH IN PEMBROKESHIRE, WALES

“Broad Haven South can be a good place for swimming, surfing, fishing and a great place to get out the cricket set or Frisbee.”

So says the coast of Pembrokeshire website of this lovely stretch of sand, which is located near the village of Bosherston.

The site adds, “There is an intriguing limestone stack known as Church Rock just offshore.”

9. BAMBURGH BEACH, NORTHUMBERLAND

Enjoy views of the grand, Grade II listed Bamburgh Castle as you sunbathe on this beautiful stretch of Northumberland coastline.

The local tourist office says of Bamburgh Beach: ‘The vast, unspoilt coastline is tranquil and backed by fantastic sand dunes… it also offers sea views as far as Lindisfarne, Holy Island and Farne Islands.’

To make a trip to the beach all the more appealing, the village of Bamburgh was recently voted the country’s most loved coastal destination in a Which? survey, as we reported.

10. CRANTOCK BEACH NEAR NEWQUAY, CORNWALL

Located at the mouth of the estuary of the River Gannel, Crantock Beach is a vast expanse of sand managed by the National Trust that would be ideal for sand castles and surfing.

“Big Green Surf School in Crantock offers surf and stand-up paddleboard lessons and hire,” says the National Trust reveals, adding that birds such as petrels and jackdaws can be observed around the beach.

After a recent visit, TripAdvisor reviewer Andrew D praised the ‘beautiful’ sandy beach and ‘crystal clear’ sea, writing: ‘It never disappoints. It felt like we were in another country.’