Proof that the UK’s most beautiful beaches look even better from above

Amazing coasts from a bird’s-eye view

There's nowhere better to be than by the seaside, especially when the sun is shining. Even if you're far from the coast right now, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with stunning aerial photographs for a dose of 'vitamin sea' wherever you are.

Read on to see the UK's most beautiful beaches from the sky, from rugged rocky coves to stretches of pristine white sand...

Luskentyre Sands, Harris, Outer Hebrides, Scotland

With its swirls of milky white sand met by crisp, ice-cold seas, Luskentyre Sands on Harris in the Outer Hebrides is breathtakingly beautiful. Frequently ranked as one of the UK’s best beaches, the remote Scottish gem was also near the filming location of the early-2000s BBC TV series Castaway, which was set on the nearby island of Taransay.

Lulworth Cove, Dorset, England

Located on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, Lulworth Cove is an almost impeccably circular bay, surrounded by smooth sand and grassy headlands. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its unique geology with bands of rock running parallel to the shoreline, while the cove’s narrow entrance causes waves to bend into an arced shape.

Hunstanton, Norfolk, England

Starting out as a purpose-built seaside resort in the 1840s, Hunstanton, on England's east coast, has plenty to offer visitors today. The town is well-known for its unique striped cliffs but also its westerly-facing position that affords truly spectacular sunsets.

It's the candy floss stalls, fish and chip shops, kite flying, as well as the beach itself – with a mix of fine sand and shingle – that make Hunstanton such a beloved British seaside spot. 

Watergate Bay, Newquay, Cornwall, England

Watergate Bay comprises two miles (3.2km) of golden sand sheltered by rugged cliffs on the north coast of Cornwall. Located about three miles (4.8km) from Newquay, the beach is popular with surfers as the open bay sees strong waves from the Atlantic, and it typically hosts regular sporting events throughout the summer.

Portstewart Strand, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Known for its rolling dunes and two-mile (3.2km) expanse of pristine golden sand, Portstewart Strand in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland faces the North Atlantic Ocean and is as picture-perfect as they come. It’s packed with history, too, with Neolithic, Bronze Age and Roman artefacts uncovered here.

Bamburgh Beach and Castle, Bamburgh, Northumberland, England

Set in an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) on the coast of Northumberland, Bamburgh Beach, and its neighbor Bamburgh Castle, which has stood in some form for 1,400 years, are both sights to behold. This stunning shot shows the majestic fortress, sweeping dunes and smooth expanse of sand in all their glory. 

Flimston Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Pembrokeshire has no shortage of gorgeous beaches and Flimston Bay, with its unique rock stacks and atmospheric steep cliffs, is one of its finest. It’s something of a suntrap, too, with its south-facing position and nearby Castlemartin cliffs providing shelter from the British weather.

Botany Bay, Margate, Kent, England

With cliffs so sharp they look as if they’ve been carved with a knife, Botany Bay, located just two miles (3.2km) from the lively town of Margate, is a striking stretch of coastline. It has a rich history and was a well-known smugglers' stomping ground during the 18th century, with the bootleggers’ dens carved into the cliffs above the bay still visible today. 

Birling Gap, East Sussex, England

Lying between the towns of Seaford and Eastbourne in East Sussex, the Seven Sisters are a series of distinctive cliffs that form an impressive backdrop to Birling Gap, an enclosed pebble beach. The chalk cliffs owe their pristine white color to the fast rate of erosion. 

In some parts, the coastline is disappearing at a rate of three feet (0.9m) each year and during one particularly stormy winter in 2014, 16.4 feet (5m) of cliff were washed away. 

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Porthcurno, Penzance, Cornwall, England

Beautiful beaches aren’t hard to come by in Cornwall and Porthcurno is among the prettiest. The award-winning beach, located about three miles (5km) east of Land’s End on the southwest coast of Cornwall, is flanked by impressive granite cliffs that protrude into the sea on both sides, providing a sheltered bay.

Up on the cliffs is the renowned Minack Theatre, an open-air venue built in the 1930s that shows a number of prestigious plays each year. 

Pedn Vounder, Penzance, Cornwall, England

Just east of Porthcurno is another stunning beach, Pedn Vounder, and when the tide's low it's possible to walk between the two. Smaller and more rugged than its western cousin, it’s surrounded by the steep cliffs of Treryn Dinas, at the top of which is the famous Logan Rock – a 65-tonne naturally balanced granite rock around 100 feet (30m) above the sea.

Pagham Spit, Pagham, West Sussex, England

Seen from above, Pagham Spit resembles a mesmerizing swirl of sand and sea. Located around four miles (6.4km) west of Bognor Regis on the South Coast of England, it was created when sea levels rose around 5,000 years ago and flooded a former river mouth, followed by the creation of sand and shingle deposits as waves pushed sediment along the coastline.

The sandy spit that breaks up the blues is now a nature reserve.

Filey Beach, North Yorkshire, England

Filey is a small seaside resort situated on the North Yorkshire coast, with a five-mile (8km) sandy beach extending from Filey Brigg to the start of Flamborough Head. It frequently ranks among Britain’s best beaches and it’s not hard to see why: with a spine of chalk cliffs snaking around a wide expanse of sand, it offers stunning views as far as the eye can see. 

Achmelvich Beach, Lochinver, Scotland

A remote beach located three miles from Lochinver on Scotland's northwest coast, Achmelvich beach can only be accessed via a narrow single-track road and remains a fairly well-kept secret. With a unique morphology of igneous rock cliffs, parts of which were formed up to 3,000 million years ago, this isolated coastal spot certainly has an otherworldly feel about it.

Traigh Iar, Harris, Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Another Outer Hebridean gem with all the picture-perfect sweeping dunes and rocky pools you could ever wish for, Traigh Iar is nestled in a secluded spot on the Isle of Harris. It’s known for wildlife and wildflowers, as well as being a popular area for walkers – and with views like this, it’s not hard to see why. 

Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, England

When you think of beaches in Lincolnshire, it's likely that one name springs to mind: Skegness. However, the county is blessed with many more sandy stretches including the golden beach at Mablethorpe.

It's long been popular with sea-seekers, including the poet Lord Tennyson, who visited in the early 19th century. While the main section near the town is busy thanks to the gentle tides and safe swimming, the northern end towards Theddlethorpe is often the most tranquil. 

Chesil Beach, Dorset, England

Arguably one of the most iconic and recognizable beaches in our roundup, this 18-mile (29km) long shingle barrier beach stretches from West Bay to Portland on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. The formation, which is technically known as a tombolo – a spit connecting an island to the mainland – separates a large saline lake known as Fleet Lagoon to the east, and the English Channel to the west.

Uig Beach, Outer Hebrides, Scotland

On the western coast of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, the stark landscape dotted with former Viking settlements meets gently sloping dunes and wide swathes of sand. This is Uig Beach – a name derived from the Norse word 'vik', meaning bay.

It’s also known as the location of the Lewis Chessmen, a set of carved ivory chess pieces dating from the Middle Ages, discovered in 1831. 

Rhossili Bay, Gower Coast, Wales

A sweeping three-mile (5km) stretch of golden sand backed by the verdant headlands of the Gower Peninsula, Rhossili Bay offers panoramic views as far as the eye can see. The beach can only be accessed by a steep path, meaning it retains a sense of being cut off from the rest of the world. 

Cuckmere Haven, Seaford, East Sussex, England

Just at the feet of the Seven Sisters in East Sussex lies on a floodplain which opens out onto a shingle beach, known as Cuckmere Haven. Seen from above, the dramatic erosion of the chalky cliffs is evident, as several houses perch precariously on the grassy headland and fallen boulders litter the beach.

Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire, Wales

With jagged shale and sandstone cliffs inching out into the sea, Marloes Sands on the southwestern tip of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park offers heaps of rugged charm. So, no wonder it was talent-spotted by a Hollywood director – it was the set for the movie Snow White and the Huntsman, starring Charlize Theron and Kristen Stewart, released in 2012.

Tenby South, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Pretty-as-a-picture Tenby in southwest Wales has two main beaches, North and South, which are separated by a harbor and headland. Tenby South is a two-mile (3.2km) length of flawless golden sand, between Penally in the west and Castle beach – a tiny, 492-feet (150m) wide third beach – to the east.

In this stunning aerial shot, the pristine milky-hued sand and azure sea wouldn't look out of place in the Mediterranean. 

Croyde Bay, Croyde, Devon, England

A hot spot for surfers thanks to its prime location on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and Bristol Channel, Croyde Bay is a small, enclosed sandy beach on the north Devon coast. Lined by sand dunes and backed by stunning Devon countryside, there’s no shortage of natural beauty here.

Marazion Beach, Marazion, Cornwall, England

Not only does this west Cornish gem offer fine golden sand, plentiful rockpools and rolling dunes, it’s also a prime spot for gazing at St Michael’s Mount. Attached to the mainland by a cobbled stone causeway which is only passable at mid and low tide, the tidal island is home to a medieval castle that dates back to the 12th century.

Tynemouth Longsands, Tyne & Wear, England

One of northeast England’s best beaches, Longsands has a reputation as a great surfing spot and has staged the national championships. The mile-long (1.6km) sandy beach became a popular destination in Victorian times, when visitors would flock here to use the sea bathing machines.

These days the draw is the impeccably clean sands, with the beach regularly a Blue Flag award winner.

Newborough Beach, Llanddwyn, Wales

In this awe-inspiring aerial shot, Newborough Beach, sitting at the base of a rocky finger of land known as Llandwyn Island, certainly looks cut off from the world. The sandy stretch, lined with rolling dunes, sprawling rocks and flanked by plentiful footpaths, also offers spectacular views of Snowdonia National Park.

Kynance Cove, Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall, England

Flanked by dark red and green serpentine rocks, sea stacks and islets, Kynance Cove offers everything you could wish for in a rugged coastal retreat. Located on the western side of the Lizard, the southernmost point of the UK mainland, its unique rock formations have a whole host of quirky names such as Asparagus Island, The Parlour and The Drawing Room. 

Whiterocks Beach, Portrush, Northern Ireland

Nestled beneath the verdant coastlines and limestone cliffs of the Causeway Coast, Whiterocks Beach, stretching from Curran Strand to Dunluce Castle, is one of Northern Ireland’s finest beaches. It’s popular with walkers and watersports enthusiasts, as well as having numerous intriguing caves and arches carved into the cliffs.

Mwnt Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Mwnt Beach – the “w” is pronounced like a “u” – takes its name from Foel y Mwnt, the cone-shaped hill that rises above it. The small yet perfectly formed beach is teeming with wildlife and is known locally as the best spot for dolphin watching.

Plus, there are several historical points of interest in the area, such as the 14th-century Church of the Holy Cross.

Camber Sands, Camber, East Sussex, England

Camber Sands in the village of Camber, East Sussex is home to the county’s only sand dune system, which was used by the army for training purposes during World War II. The vast sandy beach, captured here by drone, stretches nearly five miles (8km), with an even larger expanse revealed at low tide.

Bantham Beach, Bantham, Devon, England

Nestled on a swirl of lush green South Devon coast at the mouth of the River Avon, Bantham Beach ticks all the boxes. This seaside spot is known for its soft, fine sand, shallow waves and plentiful rock pools, offset by a stunning backdrop of the rolling South Hams hills. 

Ladram Bay, Otterton, Devon, England

Nestled between the towns of Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth on the south coast of Devon, Ladram Bay is known for its towering cliffs and sea stacks made from striking red sandstone. Owing its unique color to the fact it was likely formed in a desert, this aerial image captures the burnt-red cliffs in striking contrast to the clear azure seas.

Harbour Beach, St Ives, Cornwall, England

As quaint seaside towns go, St Ives, located on the northwest coast of Cornwall, is one of the most iconic. Visitors are spoiled for choice when it comes to beaches, as St Ives is on a small peninsula with several beaches facing in different directions. Harbour Beach on the north shore is a stone’s throw from the town’s bustling center, while enjoying a sheltered location. 

Nairn Beach, Nairn, Scotland

This bird's-eye-view of Nairn beach, located in the seaside town of Nairn on northeast Scotland’s Moray coast, is nothing short of mesmerizing with its generous sandy stretches met by verdant coastline. One of Scotland’s driest and sunniest locations, the town of Nairn was once coined “Brighton of the North” for its popularity as a seaside destination during the Victorian times. 

St Bees Beach, St Bees, Cumbria, England

Located on Cumbria’s most westerly point, the village of St Bees has been a popular seaside resort for more than 150 years. With a mile-long (1.6km) sandy beach and promenade backed by the dramatic, towering red sandstone bluff of St Bees Head, the spot is perfect for taking in panoramic views.

It's also the start of the Coast to Coast Walk that traverses Britain from Cumbria to Robin Hood's Bay in North Yorkshire. 

Robin Hood’s Bay, Whitby, Yorkshire, England

Speaking of which, on the opposite coast you'll find Robin Hood’s Bay, a striking shoreline with all the rugged charm and brooding atmosphere you’d expect from a beach in the North York Moors. Located six miles (10km) south of Whitby on the North Yorkshire shore, the bay is nestled in a fissure between two steep sandstone cliffs and known as a great fossil-hunting spot.

Formby Beach, Formby, Merseyside, England

Offering swathes of silky sand and dramatic high dunes set against a backdrop of coastal pinewoods, Formby Beach on the Merseyside coast, 14 miles (23km) from Liverpool, has a surprisingly remote feel to it. The coastal gem is ideally located for providing sweeping views across the Irish Sea and you can even see Cumbria's mountains on clear days. 

Pentle Bay, Tresco, Isles of Scilly, England

You could be forgiven for thinking that this immaculate sandy beach, surrounded by dazzlingly clear waters, belongs to a far more tropical climate. In fact, Pentle Bay is located on the sheltered island of Tresco, the second largest of the Isles of Scilly, just off the Cornish coast.

With its wide expanse of sand and gentle waters, it’s the ultimate tranquil spot.

Durdle Door, Dorset, England

Durdle Door is a stunning natural rock arch that stretches into the sea, created when waves eroded through the limestone cliffs around 10,000 years ago. The world-famous beach, located on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, is popular with families, walkers, watersports enthusiasts and fossil fanatics alike.

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