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Every 5-star beach in the UK revealed
The coastal towns that scored top marks for their beaches in our survey
Jo is an award-winning travel journalist and hiking holiday enthusiast. Her specialisms include sustainable travel and money-saving advice.
You don’t need to fly overseas for pristine, sandy beaches.
Every year we crown the UK’s best seaside towns, rating everything from the scenery to the serenity, and even the quality of the food and drink available.
But in 2026, only eight seaside towns clinched the full five stars for their beaches.
The good news is that these top picks span the length of the British coastline, from the southern tip of England right up to Fife in Scotland.
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Every five-star beach in the UK
| Seaside town | Destination score | Average hotel price | Beach | Seafront / pier | Food and drink | Tourist attractions | Scenery | Shopping | Peace and quiet | Parking | Value for money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign up to unlock for free Get instant access to these results, plus more reviews and advice by Which? experts, when you sign up for a free account Unlock tableAlready have an account? | 84% | £140 | |||||||||
| 81% | £145 | ||||||||||
| 80% | £94 | ||||||||||
| 77% | £85 | ||||||||||
| 76% | £125 | ||||||||||
| 75% | £100 | ||||||||||
| 73% | £203 | ||||||||||
| 71% | £122 |
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Bamburgh, Northumberland
Bamburgh’s five-star beach is a rugged beauty. This wide expanse of soft golden sand is backed by dunes and sits in the shadow of the majestic Bamburgh Castle. On a clear day, you can see Holy Island and the Farne Islands on the horizon. Best of all, its location on the frigid North Sea is enough to keep the crowds at bay: despite six years at the top of our survey, Bamburgh still scores an impressive four stars for peace and quiet. One visitor told us: 'The North East coastline is undervalued, I suspect, because of lower temperatures caused by the North Sea breeze. It is an absolute gem.’
St Andrews, Fife
There are three beaches to choose from in the university town of St Andrews, visitors’ favourite seaside town in Scotland. The most famous is West Sands, a two-mile stretch of white sand which was the backdrop for the opening scene of Chariots of Fire. Secluded Castle Sands sits beneath the ruins of St Andrews Castle in a sheltered cove with plenty of rock pools to explore. Family-favourite East Sands is protected by the harbour wall, meaning calmer waters for swimming. All of this beauty makes St Andrews a magnet for tourists, explaining why it mustered just two stars for peace and quiet, and parking.
Portstewart, Londonderry/Derry
Northern Ireland also has five-star beaches. Portstewart Strand is a spectacular two-mile expanse of golden sand fringed by cliffs and ancient grassy dunes. You may spot a seal pop its head above the waves or - if you’re lucky - even a dolphin, whale or basking shark. Several of you recommended stopping at Morelli’s for an ice cream sundae: there’s a 10-scoop special for families to share. Portstewart is also the starting point of the 33-mile-long Causeway Coast Way, a hiking trail which takes in the Giant's Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge among other iconic sites. Portrush, with its dramatic limestone cliffs, was also awarded five stars for its beach and is just three miles north along the trail.