As temperatures rise across the UK, a new study has revealed the nation’s best hidden gem beaches, with Warkworth Beach in Northumberland taking the top spot. The research, conducted by outdoor specialists Millets, analysed average sunshine hours, typical temperatures and water quality at beaches with fewer than 500 reviews to identify secluded coastal spots.
Warkworth Beach, located less than a mile from the medieval village of Warkworth, offers over two miles of golden sand beneath the imposing Warkworth Castle. The beach boasts ‘excellent’ water quality and is praised for its unspoilt landscape. Visitors can access free parking and enjoy nearby pubs and cafes, as well as dog-friendly walks across sand dunes and salt marshes.
One Tripadvisor review described it as a “stunning beach” and a “dog walker’s must”, while another called it “seriously stunning, unspoilt, vast and with very few people”. The beach also features rock pools and a food trailer in the car park during peak times.
Second place went to Highcliffe Beach in Dorset, a sand-and-shingle beach framed by cliffs and Highcliffe Castle. It offers paid parking, a café with sea views, and RNLI lifeguard cover in July and August, with visitors praising its coastal walks and swimming opportunities.
East Strand Beach in Portrush, County Antrim, took third place with a score of 8.89/10. Surrounded by sand dunes and the Portrush golf club, it is popular for watersports including surfing, and has lifeguards in summer. One reviewer likened its white sand to the Sahara.
Calum Jones, outdoor enthusiast at Millets, advised beachgoers to wear sun-protective clothing, bring a waterproof jacket, and layer clothing for unpredictable British weather. He emphasised that UV rays can still be harmful even when sea breezes make the air feel cooler.
