We in the UK could have some of the best beaches in the world if only we had the weather. This statement will likely incur much incredulity from anyone outside of the UK, but we do have a point – and today we come bearing official proof that you don’t need to cross the Channel to have a glorious beach holiday.
TripAdvisor has named two British beaches in a 2024 roundup of the best beaches in the world – well, sort of. We didn’t make the cut for the actual ‘best beaches in the world’ list but we did find our way onto the ranking of the ‘most sustainable beaches’. Still very impressive, if you ask us.
Sandbanks in Dorset claimed first place in TripAdvisor’s list, with Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire coming not far behind in third. That’s right, the best and third-best (sustainable) beaches in the world are right here in the UK!
According to TripAdvisor: ‘Winners stand out for their commitments to sustainability including sustainable transport options, waste disposal and water quality.’
The travel company also took into account user reviews over the course of a year. Both British entires have at least 4.5 stars on the platform.
One review for Sandbanks hailed it as ‘unexpectedly good’, which is really all a beach this far from the equator can ask for. Similarly, visitors seemed generally positive about Saundersfoot, although multiple people mentioned that parking was tricky, so be aware of that if you stop by on a road trip.
So if you compare by shallow, superficial metrics like beauty or amount of sun, we in the UK may not come out on top. But if you dig deeper, on our beaches you’ll just find sand, instead of micro plastics and pollutants. You call it a consolation prize, we call it ensuring the planet has a future. It’s fine. Heroes aren’t always recognised in their time.
You can check out TripAdvisor’s full ranking here.
Looking for some cracking beaches?
Home or away, we’ve got you covered at Time Out. Here’s our roundup of the best beaches in the UK, and our list of the best beaches in the world if you're looking for sandier shores. We’ve also got a guide for places in the UK that don’t look like the UK, if you want excitement on a budget.
Did you see that locals have just lost their battle to stop the controversial Stonehenge tunnel?
Plus: Britain’s rainiest seaside towns have been revealed.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.