Luckily there are also plenty of lesser-known coastal areas where you can while away an afternoon without being bothered by crowds. These are 25 of the best hidden beaches in the UK - from Cornwall to the Scottish Highlands.
9. Ross Back Sands, Bamburgh, Northumberland
Ross Back Sands is a beautiful beach, which offers views of Holy Island and Bamburgh Castle. It’s great for picnics or just a stroll, and is also dog friendly (Photo: Shutterstock) Photo: Shutterstock
10. Horden Beach, County Durham
The long beach is composed mainly of shingle and pebble, and is backed by grasslands and cliffs. It’s located in Horden, which is a former mining community on the North Sea coast (Photo: Shutterstock) Photo: Shutterstock
11. Dunwich Beach, Suffolk
Dunwich Heath and Beach is situated on the Suffolk coast, and is owned by the National Trust. The beach is set in a break between the cliff, and the local area is teeming with wildlife (Photo: Shutterstock) Photo: Shutterstock
12. Steephill Cove, Isle of Wight
Located on the Isle of Wight, Steephill Cove is situated just south of the Victorian seaside town of Ventnor. Steephill is a traditional, unspoilt fishing cove with a sandy beach. The cove is nestled between rocky cliffs and smugglers' coves (Photo: Shutterstock) Photo: Shutterstock