Brits looking for a well deserved summer holidays need not look any further than ten of the country's most beautiful beaches.
Perhaps unsurprisingly for a country which has more than 30,000km of coastline, the British Isles are filled with natural wonder and vast expanses of beautiful beaches.
Now that the summer months are upon us and the mercury is creeping upwards, it is the perfect time to organise a staycation.
We have picked out ten of the best but less-known beaches in the UK that are ideal places to visit on a hot, sunny day.
They have everything from white sand beaches and turquoise water to plunge pools and undulating sand dunes.
Kynance Cove, Cornwall
To get the Kynance Cove you should travel to Lizard Point on the south coast of Cornwall and then head north-west for two miles.
The cove has a white sand beach speckled with rocky outcrops that lies beneath tall, colourful cliffs that rise up behind it.
What really sets this beach apart is the dramatic turquoise colour of the sea which can make a visitor feel like they're bobbing around in the Mediterranean if they squint and the weather is good.
In fact, it's one of our top picks of Caribbean-worthy UK beaches!
Porthdinllaen, North Wales
Head to the Dwyfor section of the Llŷn Peninsula and you will find Porthdinllaen, a rare piece of sandy, secluded bliss.
The cove provides shelter from the North Wales wind and a quiet spot to enjoy the stunning scenary.
Those few who make the walk to the natural harbour can treat themselves to a pint from the Tŷ Coch Inn, which was once named among the ten best beach bars in the world.
West Wittering, Sussex
Hidden halfway between Portsmouth and Bognor Regis on the famously sunny south coast of England is a small beach which escapes the attention of most appeal.
This Blue Flag beach is known in certain circles for its clean waters and sands, as well the the 20-acre expanse of grasses and waterbeds which sits behind it.
Nature enthusiasts can see all manner of beautiful butterflies and birds resting in and and flying between the wetlands' plants, while also taking a minute to rest on the dramatic sand dunes.
All of this lies against the stunning backdrop of the South Downs.
Man O’War Beach, Dorset
Another beach favoured by those interested in the varied landscape of the south coast, the Man O'War Beach has an intriguing array of limestone-carved arches and amazing views.
It is rare in Dorset - a county known for its beaches - in that it is often quiet and free from crowds of sun worshippers.
The waters are clean and shallow and the beach a mix of sand and fine, feet friendly pebbles.
Runswick Bay, Yorkshire
Head nine miles north of famous goth town Whitby and you'll find Runswick Bay, a beach that sits completely out of view until you arrive at it.
Ninety small cottages sit at the top of the bay, sheltering underneath cliffs that rise dramatically behind it.
On the beach itself there is plenty to wile away an afternoon, including rock pools, a stone staircase carved into the cliffs and 180 million year old fossils.
Aberlady Bay, Scotland
As much as the typical Scottish beach connoisseur likes to opine about the dramatic beauty of the West Coast, there is much to be said for many of the beaches in the south east of the country.
Travel 18 miles east of Edinburgh and you'll find Aberlady Bay, a charming stretch of golden sands.
Look back towards the Capital and you'll see the iconic Arthur's Seat on the skyline, or focus your attentions on the wreck of a submarine which has been allowed to sit and decay on the sea front.
Gun Hill and Scolt Head Island, Norfolk
Scolt Head Island is an uninhabited nature reserve and England’s only desert island.
Lying opposite it are Gun Hill dunes with marram grass and pure white sand, a beautiful place to spend an afternoon.
The island is reached by ferry at high tide, but the mainland can be reached over muddy creeks when the water is low.
Traeth Llyfn, West Wales
Traeth Llfyn is famous in Wales for the kind of sweeping sands and wild seas that have made Pembrokeshire a UK destination in recent years.
Those with an adventurous spirit can make the short walk to the Blue Lagoon, a quarry flooded with bright turquoise water.
Ridges carved into the quarry wall act as a staircase for tombstoners who launch themselves off diving platforms into the deep water below.
Continue on up the coast and you'll reach the old ruins above Porthgain and the well regarded Sloop Inn.Best secret UK beaches for Brits to visit this summer.
Frensham Pond, Surrey
The 'hidden beach' at Frensham Pond has clean, golden sand and ideal paddling conditions.
It is the only beach in Surrey, which is not surprising given that its a landlocked county.
The inland beach is right on the edge of the Frensham Ponds lake, and has some handy facilities such as a car park and a bar serving up some tasty snacks and a wide array of drinks.
One winning quality of the beach is that its just a short drive away from London.
Hayburn Wyke, Yorkshire
Hayburn Wyke is a place to visit for a less typical but equally stunning slice of British countryside.
It is wide bay hidden beneath a wooded valley and a double waterfall, with bracken and mistletoe covering the slopes above.
When the sea is calm the beach is a beautiful place for a swim.
Where's your favourite UK beach? Let us know in the comments below.
