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National
Daniel Hall

Bamburgh Beach named Europe's eighth best according to TripAdvisor awards

Italy, Portugal, Spain and now, Northumberland.

Thinking of the best beaches in Europe, most people's minds will head straight for the sun-kissed Mediterranean, but travellers seem to have a soft spot for the North East of England too.

Just weeks after being named one of the best beaches in the world by luxury travel company Kuoni, Bamburgh Beach has got itself another accolade - this time from the world's largest travel platform.

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It's been named among the eighth best beach in Europe on the Best of the Best Beaches list at the second annual Tripadvisor Traveller's Choice Awards for 2022 . Europe's top 10 consisted of eight in the Mediterranean, one on the West Coast of Scotland, and our very own Bamburgh.

Sandcastles at Bamburgh Beach (Tracey Laing - UGC TNE)

It's not one that immediately springs to mind for laying down a towel and sunbathing (though there's nothing to stop you from doing that in summer), instead being more popular with walkers and locals exercising their dogs.

Overall, it has a score of 5.0 on the site - with 205 of its 233 reviews ranked excellent, 26 very good, and one apiece for average and terrible, though the terrible review was more to do with parking issues than the beach itself.

One reviewer said: "This is what comes to mind when you think of Northumberland beaches. The sea is clean and rough and the wind lets you know its there.

"There were many walkers when we were there and many dogs. What a great way to spend a couple of hours."

Another said: "Cannot think of a better beach - but I have been to some where there is more sunshine."

While a third remarked: "A wonderful long sandy beach backed by dunes and with the imposing Bamburgh castle in view. You can see why this beach is popular with people enjoying their walks. Would certainly return again if in Northumberland."

Christine Maguire, VP of Global Media Business at Tripadvisor, said: "We know a perfect day at the beach looks different from one person to the next. Some love classic soft white sand and sunbathing, while others love exploring rocky coves.

"This list has something for everyone, because it was determined by the millions of different travellers all over the world reviewing their favourite beaches on Tripadvisor throughout 2021. Although last year was still far from ‘normal,’ these are the beaches travellers visited and loved more than any others."

Only one UK beach was ranked higher than Bamburgh - Luskentyre on the Isle of Harris which was placed in 7th. Porthminster Beach in St Ives, Cornwall came 11th, while Dorset's Weymouth Beach was placed 19th. The overall top-ranking beach in Europe is Spiaggia dei Congli (Rabbit Beach) on the Island of Lampedusa.

Spiaggia dei Conigli in Lampedusa, Italy (Publicity Picture)

The Best of the Best Beaches list was complied by analysing the quality and quantity of reviews and ratings from Tripadvisor travellers for beaches, gathered between January 1 to December 31. Globally, the best beach in the world was named as Grace Bay Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Top 10 Beaches in Europe for 2022 are:

1. Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa, Italy

2. Praia da Falesia, Olhos de Agua, Portugal

3. Playa de Muro Beach, Majorca, Spain

4. Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa, Cyprus

5. Balos Lagoon, Crete, Greece

6. Kleftiko Beach, Milos, Greece

7. Luskentyre, Isle of Harris, Scotland

8. Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland, United Kingdom

9. Sotavento Beach, Fuerteventura, Spain

10. Spiaggia di Cala Rossa, Isola di Favignana, Italy

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