There is poll after poll dedicated to the UK’s best beaches, so we counted up the votes to create our ultimate guide to the hottest sand spots in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland based on votes from experts across the UK press.
1/ Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland
This beautiful stretch of wild coast is set against the brooding background of Bamburgh Castle. Golden sands, clear seas and spectacular views across to Lindisfarne and the Farne Islands.
6 votes from Rough Guides, Telegraph, TimeOut, Countryfile, RedOnline, Daily Mail
Picture credit: Visit Northumberland
2/ Porthcurno, Cornwall
This gem of a white sand beach is lapped by turquoise waters and overlooked by the extraordinary Minack Theatre, which is crafted into the granite cliffs that surround the bay.
6 votes from Rough Guides, Telegraph, Metro, Countryfile, RedOnline, Daily Mail
Picture credit: Visit Cornwall
3/ Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire
The pristine sands and crystal clear waters of Barafundle Bay can only be accessed following a 30 minute trek from the car park, ensuring the beach remains hidden and quiet.
5 votes from Rough Guides, CNTraveller, TimeOut, Metro, Daily Mail
Picture credit: Visit Pembrokeshire
4/ Luskentyre, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides
With azure waters, a sparkling white stretch of sand and wild ponies, otters, dolphins and eagles for company, Luskentyre feels like a beach from another world.
5 votes from Telegraph, TripAdvisor, CNTraveller, TimeOut, RedOnline
Picture credit: Andrea Obzerova/Shutterstock
5/ Rhossili Beach, Gower Peninsula
A regular winner of best beach polls, beautiful Rhossili Beach is a favourite of surfers with crashing waves from the Atlantic. The beach can only be accessed by a steep cliff path, which keeps it feeling remote.
5 votes from Rough Guides, TripAdvisor, Telegraph, CNTraveller, Daily Mail
Picture credit: City of Swansea 2014
6/ Studland Bay, Dorset
Pristine sands fall gently into milky-blue waters and everything is set to a backdrop of dunes and heathland on this wonderful stretch of beach. Don’t roam too far though, it includes the UK’s most popular naturist beach.
4 votes from: Rough Guides, Telegraph, RedOnline, Daily Mail
Picture credit: Visit Dorset
7/ Blackpool Sands, Devon
This sheltered crescent of shingle beach is a wonderful spot for families, with calm and clear waters plus sand pits and a bathing raft.
3 votes from Telegraph, CNTraveller, Daily Mail
Picture credit: Visit South Devon
8/ Durdle Door, Dorset
This Jurassic Coast beach is can only be accessed by a climb down several hundred steps, so overcrowding is never an issue. Durdle Door is the name of the limestone arch between two beaches, St Oswald’s Bay and Man O’War Cove.
3 votes from CNTraveller, Metro, Countryfile
Picture credit: Visit Dorset
9/ Pentle Bay, Isles of Scilly
With white sand, emerald waters and brilliant-blue sky, Pentle Bay is an isolated spot with a tropical style.
3 votes from Telegraph, CNTraveller, RedOnline
Picture credit: Visit Isles of Scilly
10/ Sandwood Bay, Highlands
Brave the cold blasts from the North Atlantic to discover the magnificent sands that are also backed by a beautiful freshwater loch.
3 votes from Rough Guides, Telegraph, Countryfile
Picture credit: John A Cameron/Shutterstock
11/ Saunton Sands Beach, Devon
Having one of the UK’s largest sand-dune systems at its back helps to maintain Saunton Sands’ wild streak, although the wide open sands are a firm favourite with families.
3 votes from Telegraph, TripAdvisor, Daily Mail
Picture credit: Visit North Devon
12/ Slapton Sands, Somerset
Don’t be fooled by the name, this is a shingle beach, but the views are wonderful and you’ll find solitude here.
3 votes from TimeOut, TripAdvisor, Daily Mail
Picture credit: Andrew Roland/Shutterstock
13/ Southwold, Suffolk
The iconic colourful beach huts are a reminder that this traditional sand and shingle beach is one of the UK’s most popular.
3 votes from Countryfile, RedOnline, Daily Mail
Picture credit: Visit Suffolk
14/ Watergate Bay, Cornwall
In a region blessed with great surfing beaches, Watergate Bay is one of the very best.
3 votes from Telegraph, RedOnline, Daily Mail
Picture credit: Visit Cornwall
15/ Woolacombe Beach, Devon
One of the best and most popular family beaches in Britain, with three miles of soft golden sands and inviting waters.
3 votes from CNTraveller, TripAdvisor, Daily Mail
Picture credit: Hugh O’Connor / Shutterstock
16/ Compton Bay, Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight’s surf capital, Compton Bay is popular with both watersports fans and bathers.
2 votes from Rough Guides, Telegraph
Picture credit: Visit Isle of Wight
17/ Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Lancashire
The beach with the UK’s most iconic backdrop – piers, the ballroom and giant funfairs give Blackpool beach added edge.
2 votes from Rough Guides, Daily Mail
Picture credit: Aliboni/Shutterstock
See the original best beach lists in full. Follow the links to roundups from Rough Guides, the Telegraph, TimeOut, Countryfile, RedOnline, Daily Mail and TripAdvisor, CN Traveller.