The UK’s Best Hidden Gem Beaches

Summer is well and truly here. Temperatures are set to hit 38°C in parts of the UK, and thousands of Brits are expected to head to the beach.

To help beachgoers avoid large crowds, the outdoor experts here at Millets have analysed average sunshine hours, average temperatures and water quality of UK beaches with fewer than 500 reviews to reveal the best ‘hidden gem’ beaches. 

The UK’s best ‘hidden gem’ beaches

Warkworth Beach is the UK’s best ‘hidden gem’ beach.

Located in Northumberland, the beach stretches over 2 miles and is overlooked by Warkworth Castle. The beach has ‘excellent’ quality water, and is celebrated for its ‘unspoilt’ landscape. Visitors can visit nearby pubs and cafes, which are just a short walk away from the beach’s free car park. 

In second place is Highcliffe Beach, located in Dorset.

The sand-and-shingle beach is located near the Hampshire border and is overlooked by dramatic cliffs and Highcliffe Castle. The beach has paid parking, as well as a cafe overlooking the sea, and is RNLI lifeguarded in July and August. Highcliffe beach is highly rated, and visitors celebrate its coastal walking routes, as well as swimming and bodyboarding opportunities. 

Rounding off the top three is East Strand Beach, which scores 8.89/10.

Located in Port Rush, the beach is backed by rolling dunes and the famous Port Rush golf club. It is popular for year-round watersports, including surfing, and has operational RNLI lifeguards throughout the summer months. Visitors celebrate the beautiful white sand, with one review likening it to the Sahara: “A glorious stretch of sand so long and golden it could make the Sahara blush.” 

Top Tips On How to Enjoy Your Summer Beach Visit

Summer is the perfect time to explore the stunning coastlines across the UK, from Achmelvich Beach in the Scottish Highlands to Broadstairs in Kent. There are breathtaking beaches to be found across the UK.

When planning your summer beach trip, it is important to remember sun-protective clothing. The sea breeze can often make the air feel cooler, but UV rays can still be harmful.  Apply a generous layer of suncream before you head out, and don’t forget a cap and sunglasses to shield yourself from the sun.

You should also keep in mind that British weather can still be unpredictable. Bring a waterproof jacket to stay dry in case of sudden showers, choose supportive, waterproof footwear for any slippery sand or rocks, and layer your clothing so you can easily adjust to changing temperatures.

Visitors should always leave beaches in the condition they found them. Make sure you take any rubbish, clothing or equipment home with you to keep UK beaches as clean as possible.

Methodology

We created a seed list of UK beaches with between 50 and 500 reviews on TripAdvisor and ranked them on the following factors: 

1. Average temperature (°C)

en.climate-data.org/  

2. Average daily sunshine hours during summer (June, July, August)

en.climate-data.org/  

3. Average user review score (accurate as of 17.06.2026)

www.tripadvisor.co.uk

4. TripAdvsor review volume (accurate as of 17.06.2026)

www.tripadvisor.co.uk

5. Water quality

We used the latest official bathing water classification for each beach, using the relevant national environmental body:

England: https://environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/data.html

Scotland: https://bathingwaters.sepa.org.uk/locations-and-results/

Wales: https://cdn.cyfoethnaturiol.cymru/zqhhp3rf/wales-bathing-water-report-2025.pdf

Northern Ireland: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/bathing-water-quality-dashboard

We scored each beach as:

Excellent: 10

Good: 7.5

Sufficient: 5

Poor: 0

*Weather and water quality data was collected for the nearest available town, coastal location, or beach to each of our hidden gem beaches.