Glorious stretches of sand and glittering seas await millions of Brits who will inevitably flock to the coast this summer as the heatwave ramps up a notch.
After a relatively flat start to July, the summery weather has now begun in proper, turning the temperature up to 25C in parts of the country.
By the end of the week it is anticipated that the mercury will breach the 30C mark - perfect weather to brave the sometimes chilly waters off our shores.
After a stifling week at work or at school, competition to dive into the UK's water ways, lakes, pools and seas will be fierce.
Research carried out by Premier Inn has highlighted the 15 beaches that are currently trending the most in the UK, according to Pinterest and Google search data.
Depending on what you are after, those at the top of the list are either the best of the best and must be visited, or likely to be packed full of one-too-many fellow sun-worshiper this weekend.
Rank |
Beach |
Area |
1 |
West Wittering |
Sussex |
2 |
Whitley Bay Beach |
Tyneside |
3 |
Mill Bay Beach |
Devon |
4 |
Whitesands Beach |
Wales |
5 |
Durdle Door |
Dorset |
6 |
Sennen Cove |
Cornwall |
7 |
Whitstable Beach |
Kent |
8 |
Whiterocks Beach |
Northern Ireland |
9 |
Bantham Beach |
Devon |
10 |
Gyllyngvase Beach |
Cornwall |
11 |
Three Cliffs Bay |
Wales |
12 |
Holkham Beach |
Norfolk |
13 |
Achmelvich Beach |
Scotland |
14 |
Harlech |
Wales |
15 |
Whitsand Bay |
Cornwall |
West Wittering Beach in Chichester was named as the top trending beach destination.
Hidden halfway between Portsmouth and Bognor Regis on the famously sunny south coast of England, West Wittering is a small beach with a lot going for it.
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.
Mill Bay Beach, just below East Portlemouth village, in the South Hams, was named as the third-most trending beach in the UK - higher than any other beach in Devon or Cornwall.
The beach, located just over the water from Salcombe, lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Whitesands Beach in Pembrokeshire is another sandy shore well worth having on your staycation radar, with its Blue Flag status meaning that it's ideal for swimmers and surfers.
Then there are the breathtaking clifftop walks in the area, the friendly locals and plethora of cafes and bars for a post-walk drink or snack.
Another favourite that also made the list is Sennen Cove in Cornwall.
As well as being a place of rare beauty and tranquillity, the beach often plays host to a pod of playful dolphins.
Several years ago surfers were treated to a surprise visit by the aquatic mammals who joined them to catch a few waves and leap high in the air.
