The UK’s “best beach“, which is just a four-hour train ride from the capital and bears a striking resemblance to Italy, can be found at Blackpool Sands, Devon.
The top-rated beach, as per Conde Nast Traveller magazine, is nestled in a sheltered bay surrounded by cliffs in South Devon.
It’s a popular spot for swimmers, sunbathers, and families, boasting tiny pebbles and crystal-clear blue waters. The beach also attracts kayaking and paddleboarding enthusiasts and offers amenities like showers, changing rooms, and a beachside cafe.
Described by travel bible Conde Nast Traveller as “almost reminiscent of the Amalfi Coast”, this beach will soon house a fully refurbished takeaway with indoor seating set to open in early April, according to MyLondon.
In the meantime, visitors can enjoy locally roasted coffee, cakes, pies, and pasties from the Blackpool Sands Beach Shack.
Surrounded by lush woods and rolling hills, this destination is a natural beauty spot perfect for hiking and exploring.
Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the nearby nature reserve or embark on a journey along the South West Coast Path, offering breathtaking views of the coastline.
The South Devon beach, nestled in a tranquil bay near Dartmouth, has been lauded for its breathtaking sand and shingle shores, despite its name suggesting it’s located on the other side of the country.
It’s frequently hailed as one of the best beaches in the UK, reports the Mirror.
Last year, Conde Nast Traveller placed this beach at the top of its list of dozens of British beaches spanning England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Visit South Devon praised the privately-owned beach as “a holiday abroad in South Devon” and likened it to the Mediterranean.
The beach boasts azure waters that gently lap onto white sands and pebbly shores, all framed by low cliffs adorned with lush greenery, lending the area a sense of serene seclusion.
Nestled in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the beach’s rough golden sands are set within a sheltered bay surrounded by evergreens and pines, offering a fantastic spot for an adventure if you fancy a break from sunbathing or frolicking in the waves.
To get to Blackpool Sands, visitors could catch a Great Western Rail service from London Paddington station to Totnes.
The journey to Totnes takes approximately four hours, followed by a bus ride to Townstal Crescent, and then another bus to Blackpool Sands.
Alternatively, you could drive from London in just over four hours, taking the M4 to Bath and then the M5 straight to the location.
