Since the pandemic, the cat has been well and truly let out of the bag when it comes to the quality of beaches that we have up here in the North East.
Bamburgh Beach has picked up a stream of recommendations from travel publications across the world and it seems like every other week our stunning coastline is hailed for its beauty - and in some cases even peace and tranquillity. And another North East beach has picked up an outstanding accolade, this time winning the Sunday Times Beach of the Year.
A list drawn up by The Times chief travel writer Chris Haslam has revealed the 50 best beaches in the UK, with him picking those from 800 that he'd visited over the last year. And it's the long stretch of golden sand at Sandhaven in South Shields that's beat off stiff competition from all over the country to be crowned number one.
Read more: The North East beaches you can easily reach by rail from Newcastle
The Blue Flag beach is a great family day out, with old favourites such as making sandcastles, paddling in the sea, and exploring rockpools all on the cards. Depending on the weather, you can also try paddle boarding and surfing, while volleyball nets are in place on the beach during the summer.
A promenade stretches behind the beach and through the dunes, linking to a clifftop path which provides spectacular views of Sandhaven and the mouth of the Tyne should you look back. You've also got the award-winning Colman's Seafood Temple nearby for some of the region's most popular fish and chips, and Ocean Beach Pleasure Park for a fun family day out.
Add in that Sandhaven is easily accessible on public transport from Newcastle, and it's a winner for both residents and tourists. But it wasn't just this South Shields gem that made it onto the list.
Three Northumberland beaches were also included: Howdiemont Sands, Newton Steads and Football Hole and St. Aidan's Dunes. The news may not be welcomed by residents living nearby, as a couple of these are relatively unheard of compared with the likes of Bamburgh and Blyth.
The secluded Howdiemont Sands lie between Boulmer and Howick, and the greenish-blue waters of Football Hole are just north of High Newton-by-the-Sea, with no direct road access. St Aidan's Dunes are found to the north of Seahouses, between the fishing village and the larger and better-known Bamburgh Beach and Castle.
Chris Haslam, Sunday Times Chief Travel Writer, said: "This has been the 15th circumnavigation of the British coast for me, and the second for my Jack Russell assistant Dave T. Dog. Over eight weeks we've seen sunrises and sunsets, sand and shingle, surfed with dolphins and kayaked with seals.
We've navigated canyon-like lanes to empty coves, queued to get onto urban hotspots, and, in one case, swam through a tunnel to reach an otherwise inaccessible bay. This is the most comprehensive and detailed beach guide available and it proves that, when the sun is shining, our beaches are the most beautiful on earth."
It's not the first time that the London-based newspaper has been effusive in its praise of the North East. In January, it named Beadnell in Northumberland one of the coolest postcodes to move to, while in April it listed Tynemouth and Morpeth among the best places to live in the UK.
What's your favourite beach in the North East? Let us know!
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