Barafundle Bay caught the globe’s attention when it was named among the best in the world. After walking the pretty half-mile route from Stackpole Quay, visitors will find a picture-perfect beach, where small turquoise waves lap on a crescent of sand. The sheltered cove is the perfect swimming spot, while the Pembrokeshire Coast Path offers more routes for the keen rambler. For refreshments with an added feel-good factor, visit the tea room at the Stackpole Walled Gardens.

Small but perfectly formed, this little turquoise bay is the stuff that dreams are made of. At least that’s what the ’Poldark’ location scouts thought: they used this beautiful beach on the western foot of Cornwall as the location for a dream sequence in series two. But it’s not just actors that like to hang out here: dolphins and basking sharks are sometimes spotted in the calm waters, too. The soft, white-shell sand and freshwater stream also makes this a popular beach with families.

Easily one of the best-looking beaches in the UK, Holkham would be flooded with visitors if it were just that little bit closer to London. The beach – which makes you feel a million miles from civilisation – has deservedly starred in many a film and pop video. An enormous sandy stretch is backed by a verdant nature reserve with a warren of well-signposted walking trails within it; trek through the pinewoods and saltmarshes to see orchids, sea lavender and rare birds.

One of north Devon’s best-loved hangouts, Woolacombe is a beast of a beach with miles of uninterrupted golden sand – get into epic sandcastle building and play hide and seek at the dunes. A favourite with surfers and families, this beautiful bay also has rock pools for kids to explore. Grab some grub from the seaside cafés, or head to nearby Ilfracombe for a more substantial bite to eat.

It can get chilly on the northeastern coast of England, which probably explains why its long stretches of gorgeous coastline have been criminally overlooked by holiday-goers. Bamburgh’s pristine 1.5-mile long white sand beach is one of the area’s best, and sits beneath a mighty eleventh-century castle. The area is also ideal for boat trips to the Farne Islands just off the coast – where you can spot seals, puffins and maybe even dolphins, while the pretty medieval village is worth a visit too.

Blackpool might get all the glory in these parts, but the stretch of beach around this picturesque if slightly faded Lancashire seaside town is the largest expanse of intertidal sand flats in the UK (with a whopping five miles of sandy and shingle coastline). Amble along the promenade to take in the TERN Project, an award-winning sculpture trail celebrating local wildlife, with steel gannets, cormorants and razorbills dotted along the seafront.

Just a few minutes walk from the idyllic former fishing town of Whitby, Whitby Sands is a perfect British seaside setting, with bright beach huts, sandcastles in the sand and miles of the big blue. The battered cod is so good at Magpie Cafe there are often queues snaking down the street. And if you haven’t been to Fortune’s Kippers, have you even been to Whitby? These fish fans have been smoking scales for more than 139 years, and a bloody good job they do too.

The small entry fee for Blackpool Sands is worth it for a spotlessly clean coastline, while families will appreciate the modern and well-equipped facilities. The wide pebble beach is one of the cleanest in Devon and is sheltered by pine trees and evergreens, while rocks at the far corners provide shade. Brave visitors can hire kayaks for £18 per hour, while less brave visitors can explore the menu at the Venus Beach Cafe, which serves amazing breakfasts and cakes with a view to boot!

Rolling grassy slopes, a long promenade, pretty beach huts, and of course, the sea: Tankerton Beach has the perfect combo, with the added bonus of Whitstable – one of the UK’s buzziest seaside towns – just a 20-minute walk away. When you’re all splashed out on the pebble beach, head into the lively town to refuel. Feast on fresh seafood at the rustic and reputable Whitstable Oyster Company, or share a bottle and mezze at the popular seafront bar JoJo’s.

The distant peaks of the Yr Eifl (Rival Mountains) form a stunning backdrop to this beach on the remote North Coast of the Llŷn Peninsula. Sheltered by low cliffs, the sandy beach is a great sun trap, has beautifully clear waters and is dotted with excellent rock pools. The historic Coch Inn is part of a small cluster of buildings at the head of the beach and does classic pub grub.