Whitley Bay in North Tyneside has the best beach in the UK, according to a new survey by car leasing company Nationwide Vehicle Contracts. Whitley Bay scored highly partly because of the 11 car parks in its vicinity.
St Andrews East is one of the most accessible beaches in the area, and it has a range of facilities.
Located near the harbour and sailing club, it is a very popular beach with both locals and tourists.
Blackrock is popular with surfers, but families will enjoy exploring the rock pools at low tide.
The entire beach is dog friendly, making it the perfect spot for a sandy walk.
The Bay in Kent comes at number four.
The Bay, Margate Sands, won the Blue Flag Award in 2018.
DON’T MISS
The only Northern Ireland beach to make the list is White Park Bay in County Antrim, which takes the number five spot.
White Park Bay is a wild sandy expanse, and while it’s an attractive beach, it’s unsafe for swimming due to dangerous rip currents.
The beach has been a hit on social media due to its cows.
Some of the most photographed cows in Northern Ireland wander the beach and end up in many visitors’ pictures.
Musselwick Sands is the only Welsh beach on the list.
It comes at number 13, below St Bee (Seacote) in Cumbria but above Blackpool Beach in Lancashire and Fistral Beach in Cornwall.
Despite Wales having many wonderful beaches, Musselwick Sands was the only one featured.
The beach is relatively unknown.
One of the reasons for its under the radar status is its difficult access, with a 10-minute walk required and a steep descent via steps cut into the cliffside, reports WalesOnline.
The best beaches to drive to in the UK
1 Whitley Bay, North Tyneside
2 St Andrews East, Fife
3 Blackrock, Cornwall
4 The Bay, Kent
5 White Park Bay, County Antrim
6 Skegness Beach, Lincolnshire
7 Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire
8 Embo Beach, Highlands
9 Cullercoats, Tyne & Wear
10 New Brighton, Merseyside
11 Cromer Beach, Norfolk
12 St Bee (Seacote), Cumbria
13 Musselwick Sands, Pembrokeshire
14 Blackpool Beach, Lancashire
15 Fistral Beach, Cornwall
16 Hunstanton, Norfolk
17 St Leonards, East Essex
18 Robin Hoods Bay, Yorkshire
19 Scarborough Beach, Yorkshire
20 Holkham Beach, Norfolk
