England isn’t the first place that springs to mind when thinking of the best beaches in the world, but it’s home to many hidden gems.
From the south-west coast spanning Devon, Dorset and Cornwall, the country has many other worthy contenders on its best beaches.
Thanks to its diverse coastline, England’s offering of idyllic shoreline means there’s something for everyone – from sand-tufted dunes and mossy headlands to rugged cliff edges.
Express.co.uk has rounded up 10 of the best sandy beaches in the country.
How many of them have you visited?
1. Pedn Vounder, Cornwall
As one of Cornwall’s most remote shorelines, its astounding views and unbelievably clear water are well worth a trip to the north coast of the Penwith Peninsula. Pedn Vounder is a quiet Cornish cove reachable only by boat, or a 15-minute walk from Treen village.
Loved for its hidden location, one of its many quirks is that the cove is completely cut off from neighbouring beaches at high tide. It’s popular with those willing to make the journey down to the sandy shoreline, and naturists who favour the tucked-away landscape.
(Image: Getty)
3. Durdle Door, Dorset
A pillar of Dorset’s Jurassic coastline, Durdle Door is famous for its limestone arch which separates two beaches; St Oswald’s Bay and Man O’War Cove. The picturesque setting is the perfect spot for a beach day and captures the most impressive views of sunrise and sunset – you just have to time it right.
Unlike many Dorset beaches, Durdle Door is less susceptible to crowds as it takes several hundred steps to reach the shorelines. That said, it’s well-sheltered from the wind and close to Lulworth Cove; a busier, built-up destination with family-friendly facilities.
(Image: Getty)
4. Blackpool Sands, Devon
Despite its misleading name, this stretch of South Devon’s unbeatable coastline is nothing like Blackpool. Reachable through a cluster of pine trees that resemble the Amalfi coast, the golden sand and transparent water are hard to resist. The award-winning beach is made up of millions of the smoothest little pebbles, which are to thank for the clear ocean.
Despite its remote feel, this Devon gem is home to a small beach shack and even has a floating pontoon.
(Image: Getty)
