Runswick Bay, North Yorkshire
A jumble of red-roofed cottages open on to a wide stretch of beach at Runswick, an under-the-radar gem. Rock pools, fossil hunting and acres of sand make it a great choice for families, and walkers can follow the Cleveland Way National Trail to Saltburn. Summer visitors should seek out the pop-up Runswick Bay Tea Garden (2 Ellerby Lane), while Runswick Bay Cottages (runswickbaycottages.co.uk) has the pick of self-catering properties.
Branscombe, Devon
âA stream leads you through picnic-perfect meadows to a working watermill and then to the seaâ: Branscombe, Devon. Photograph: Mike Henton/National Trust
Tucked into a glorious valley on the Jurassic Coast, Branscombe is a picturesque village with thatched cottages and a stream leading you through picnic-perfect meadows to a working watermill and then to the sea. Like the forge, and much of the countryside, the mill is owned by the National Trust. The shingle beach at Branscombe Mouth, dotted
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Britain s 20 greatest beaches
The weather is beginning to warm up and a day at the seaside is sounds all the more tempting
Learn to surf at Watergate Bay in Cornwall
Credit: John Harper/Moment RF
Britain is home to some exemplary beaches. As restriction continue to ease, embrace life and make a dash to the seaside this weekend.
To help you pick the best stretch of sand, we asked our experts to recommend their favourite beaches around the country. Some of the nominations are deservedly popular spots along the south and western coast of Britain, while others are of the wild and unspoilt variety, where even at the height of summer you can find a secluded spot beneath cliffs or among dunes. If you are looking for more suggestions for wild, out of the way places, see our guide to Britain s best secret and remote beaches.