Town furthest east in the UK has 'pristine waters' and is perfect for families
Labelled 'the most unsung location in Suffolk', the coastal gem of Lowestoft boasts the easternmost point in England. Not only does it feature a classic pier, sand dunes and even a zoo nearby, it's an unmissable spot.
Frequently gracing rankings for top seaside destinations, Lowestoft's breathtaking sunrises might just be one of its standout lures. The award-winning South Beach, also known as Victoria Beach, has repeatedly earned the Blue Flag for its outstanding environmental quality and pristine waters.
Railway enthusiasts can delve into history at the East Anglia Transport Museum or broaden their maritime knowledge at the Lowestoft & East Suffolk Maritime Museum.
With a plethora of sights and activities, Lowestoft is a family favourite – whether you tire of the stunning seafront views and venture to Pleasurewood Hills theme park or enjoy an evening with the esteemed Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the local theatre.
Why not savor a pint of the region's Adnams beer at the highly regarded Jolly Sailors or Spring Tide pubs? The accolades are abundant, with both pubs amassing approximately 2,000 reviews celebrating their hearty fare and vibrant vibes, reports the Express.
Tourists often express their fondness for the town, enjoying strolls along the pier, observing the boats, and exploring the promenade.
Nonetheless, not every visitor has been equally enthralled. One disappointed tourist described their experience as 'Shocking. Dirty. Grim', highlighting the prevalence of youngsters on the streets and inebriated individuals occupying doorways.
Alas, it seems that Lowestoft isn't immune to the less favourable stereotypes typically associated with port towns. Like numerous town centres, Lowestoft has seen better days, with shop closures and a dip in social buzz leaving it feeling somewhat neglected.
The term "ghost town" has been bandied about by some, yet they still commend its stunning beachfront.
There's a consensus that the area holds promise as an attractive spot, and fingers are crossed that ongoing refurbishments will breathe new life into it.
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Telegraph
3 days ago
- Telegraph
The best beaches in Suffolk
Suffolk doesn't receive the same attention as its close cousin Norfolk when it comes to beaches, but the coast is one of the county's highlights, and its beaches offer more variety than you might think. Aldeburgh and Southwold offer coastal chic in bucketloads, while places like Covehithe and Shingle Street are as far off the beaten track as you ever get in England. Plus, there's a dash of kiss-me-quick charm in some of the places you would least expect it, like Felixstowe and Lowestoft. The great thing is, nowhere is close to a main road or major transport route, so wherever you go, you feel a little bit away from things. Lowestoft Lowestoft doesn't spring to mind when you think of beaches, but it is both England's most easterly beach and also one of its best; a long ribbon of fine sand, backed by a classically English mixture of beach huts, pristinely manicured gardens and Edwardian terraces. Getting there: Trains run from Norwich on the so-called Wherry Line from Norwich to Lowestoft's train station, which is handily placed near the seafront, just across the bridge from the pier and the main beach. By car, there are several car parks along the beach promenade. Insider tip: Lowestoft is also the southern tip of the Broads National Park, so you can also enjoy freshwater adventures a little way inland at Oulton Broad, where you can rent your own boat for the day or take a river cruise. You can reach it by train in two minutes. Covehithe This unique spot, a slender strip of sand backed by low bracken-topped cliffs, is reachable via a footpath from Covehithe's ruined church. If you prefer your beaches empty, this is the one for you. Getting there: Follow the signs to Covehithe off the main A12 from nearby Wrentham. Park your car by the ruined church of St Andrew and walk the rest of the way. Insider tip: The church is very atmospheric, and there's a five-mile circular walk you can do just inland from here, north around Benacre Broad and back down the coast to the beach. Southwold Genteel Southwold has a lot going for it – a handsome town centre crammed with pubs, restaurants and cafés, an iconic lighthouse and brewery and one of Suffolk's best sandy beaches, famously backed by some of the most expensive beach huts in the country. Getting there: The closest car park to the beach is the one just to the north of the pier, but there's another within easy walking distance, just the other side of the high street on York Road. Insider tip: Southwold Pier is delightfully low-key, with a restaurant that's a cut above the usual seaside pier offerings, and attractions like the wacky Under the Pier Show. Walberswick Its annual crabbing festival was stopped a few years ago due to overwhelming popularity, but Walberswick remains the crabbing capital of the east coast. But that's not the only reason to come here: its beach (a mixture of sand and shingle depending on the tides) is lovely – not too crowded and backed by grassy dunes. Getting there: The nicest way to reach Walberswick is on the quaint foot ferry across the river from Southwold's harbour, but it's also easy to reach by car and there's plenty of parking close to the river and beach. Insider tip: Walberswick is home to two excellent pubs – the cosy Bell, closest to the beach, and the slightly better-known Anchor, on the main road into the village. Both have rooms and serve food, with The Anchor in particular a destination pub for dining. Aldeburgh Benjamin Britten used to gaze out over Aldeburgh's beach from his seaside cottage before he moved to the Red House on the other side of town, and he'd still recognise the view today; a lumpy pebble and shingle strand dotted with fishing boats that stretches the length of the town and is backed by huts selling the freshest fish and seafood. How to get there: Aldeburgh is a 10-minute drive from the main A12 coast road. There's parking on the high street, which runs parallel to the beach, and car parks at either end of the town, right by the beach in both cases. Insider tip: Take a stroll up the beach in the direction of Thorpeness to Maggi Hambling's impressive Scallop shell sculpture, inscribed with words from the George Herbert poem that inspired Britten's opera, Peter Grimes. Shingle Street Shingle Street is perhaps the most unique of Suffolk's beaches, and indeed one of its most remote spots, at the end of a minor road that leads across the marshes south of Woodbridge. The name is a bit of a misnomer, since there are no streets here whatsoever, just a line of holiday homes and seaside shacks behind a wide stretch of shingle that looks onto a lagoon. Shingle Street never quite recovered after a World War II evacuation, and it remains an eerie and rather atmospheric spot, one more suited for contemplation than sun-worshipping. Getting there: It's easy to get here by car – the road leads here and nowhere else. There are a couple of parking areas, but nothing official. Insider tip: The beach is more of a nature reserve than somewhere for swimming, with seals basking on the shingle around the lagoon. Felixstowe Felixstowe is another Suffolk town that doesn't spring to mind when thinking of beaches, but it actually has a pretty good one – a four-mile stretch of Blue Flag sand and shingle with all the traditional trappings of a seaside resort – beach huts, a pier and a garden promenade. How to get there: You can reach Felixstowe on the train from Ipswich, and the station is just a 10-minute walk from the seafront. Coming by car, there are car parks near the pier and leisure centre and at the other end near Arwela Road. Insider tip: The Alex is a popular café, bar and restaurant that's open all day every day, and is right on the seafront road, not far from the pier and leisure centre. How we choose Every beach in this curated list has been expertly chosen by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of areas and styles, from popular city beaches to lesser known corners – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations. About our expert Martin Dunford Dividing my time between East Anglia and London, I've always been a big fan of the Suffolk Coast and the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, and am never happier than when following old footpaths between medieval churches and ancient pubs.
North Wales Live
6 days ago
- North Wales Live
10 best beaches in UK named — the top two are both in Wales
The top 10 UK beaches for 2025 have been revealed, as families across Wales continue their quest for the ideal summer staycation. Holiday lettings company Holidu has conducted a study to identify the highest-rated beaches in the UK. To pinpoint the best locations, travel experts analysed Google Maps user data for over 9,500 beaches, considering both ratings and reviews. The findings suggest that staying in Wales could be a great idea for those craving a seaside holiday, with the top two beaches on the list located in this naturally beautiful part of the UK. In fact, Barafundle Bay beach in Pembrokeshire clinched the top spot, its high ratings supported by numerous accolades, including the cleanest beach in the UK award (2024), the Seaside Award (2019) for its exceptional cleanliness and facilities, and the Green Coast Award (2019). Its breathtaking beauty, pristine golden sands and turquoise waters earned it the Blue Flag status, partly due to its secluded location, accessible only via a half-mile walk. Close by, Traeth Mwnt in neighbouring Ceredigion secured second place, thanks to its beautiful setting as a hidden cove with golden sands and potential for dolphin sightings, reports the Express. This Green Coast Award recipient also offers a scenic walk to the summit of Foel y Mwnt and the iconic Mwnt church overlooking the bay, providing unparalleled views. This year, Woolacombe Beach in Devon has been crowned the top beach in England, boasting rockpools, soft sands and excellent surfing conditions - a combination that earned it the title of World Surfing Reserve in 2022. Dunraven Bay, located in the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales, secured fourth place. Its cliffs and rugged coastline are a magnet for visitors with an interest in geology and fossil hunting. The rock formations, rich in fossils embedded within the shoreline rocks, date back millions of years. Trebarwith Beach on the Devon coast clinched the fifth spot. Its standout feature is Gull Rock, a large offshore rock formation, making it a favourite among photographers and surfers. The top 10 best beaches in the UK (2025) Barafundle Bay Beach – Pembrokeshire, Wales Traeth Mwnt – Ceredigion, Wales Woolacombe Beach – Devon, England Dunraven Bay – Glamorgan, Wales Trebarwith Beach – Devon, England Cuckmere Haven – East Sussex, England Man O'War Beach – Dorset, England Bigbury Beach – Devon, England Gullane Beach – East Lothian, Scotland Benone Beach – County Londonderry, Northern Ireland What the researchers said about the top 5 1. Barafundle Bay Beach, Pembrokeshire Google Maps Rating: 4.9 Number of Reviews: 1,668 "Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire, Wales, is one of the UK's most lauded beaches due to its unspoilt natural beauty. Owing to its access via a half-mile walk, the beach has remained relatively wild yet immaculate, featuring golden sands and turquoise waters. "As such, it's often hailed for offering 'Caribbean-esque' vistas. This Blue Flag beach has bagged multiple accolades, including the cleanest beach in the UK (2024), the Seaside Award (2019) for its high standards of cleanliness and facilities, and the Green Coast Award (2019) for its stunning natural environment and superior water quality. Barafundle Bay is indeed a family favourite!". 2. Traeth Mwnt, Ceredigion Google Maps Rating: 4.9 Number of Reviews: 722 Another gem from Wales, Traeth Mwnt is a delightful secluded cove famed for its golden beaches and the iconic Mwnt Church that overlooks the bay. Visitors can unwind in this sheltered cove or indulge in dolphin spotting - Mwnt is actually one of the top spots to see dolphins in the UK! For those who enjoy a good hike, a scenic walk to the summit of Foel y Mwnt offers panoramic views of Cardigan Bay. The beach has also bagged numerous accolades, including a Green Coast and Seaside Award. 3. Woolacombe Beach, Devon Google Maps Rating: 4.8 Number of Reviews: 32,006 Woolacombe Beach in Devon is England's highest-rated beach for 2025. With the quaint village of Woolacombe serving as a backdrop, this picturesque beach is celebrated for its cleanliness and family-friendly vibe. The beach boasts Blue Flag status and a stunning 3-mile stretch of coastline. Woolacombe beach is ideal for children to explore with its rock pools, soft sands, and regular lifeguard patrols. It's also a hot spot for surfing - its consistent waves earned it recognition as a World Surfing Reserve in 2022. 4. Dunraven Bay, Vale of Glamorgan Google Maps Rating: 4.8 Number of Reviews: 18,412 Dunraven Bay, situated in Glamorgan, is a paradise for fossil enthusiasts and photographers due to its distinctive geology and dramatic cliffs. Nestled on the Jurassic coast of South Wales, renowned for its limestone cliffs, this stunning bay boasts a wealth of fossils and intriguing rock pools to discover. Walkers can also savour the spectacular coastal views from paths above the bay that lead to the remnants of Dunraven Castle, a Grade II listed manor house that was torn down in 1963. 5. Trebarwith Strand Beach, Devon Google Maps Rating: 4.8 Number of Reviews: 1,666 Trebarwith Strand Beach, located in Devon, is a beautifully untamed beach characterised by unique rock formations. Although entirely covered at high tide, the beach morphs into a sandy sanctuary at low tide, with the ebbing tides unveiling vast stretches of golden sand, numerous rock pools, and fascinating caves to explore.
Western Telegraph
28-07-2025
- Western Telegraph
Beach of the week: Saundersfoot Beach, Pembrokeshire
Nestled along the picturesque Pembrokeshire coast, Saundersfoot Beach is a haven for families and beachgoers. The wide, sandy beach is popular for its safe, gently sloping sands that make swimming a joy. A lifeguard service is present, further ensuring the safety of visitors. The beach is not only people-friendly but also welcomes dogs, except on the southern half between May and September, where they are banned. During these months, dogs must also be leashed around the harbour. Saundersfoot Beach offers a wealth of activities, including sailing, swimming, surfing, and windsurfing. Fishing enthusiasts will also find it a good spot to cast their lines. The beach is supported by a range of facilities, including a cafe, restaurant, and a first aid point. Toilets, including disabled facilities, are available, and shops are conveniently located nearby. The beach area is accessible, with over 100 pay parking spots, including disabled spaces, and free roadside parking opposite the beach. However, visitors should note that it gets very busy in the summer. The water quality has been rated three stars. Saundersfoot Beach is also a great starting point to explore the surrounding area. A short walk to the north along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path leads to the hamlet of Wisemans Bridge, linked to Saundersfoot by a cliff tunnel. The beach is a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll or a more adventurous exploration along the old dramway inland through the woods to Stepaside, where the remains of the old ironworks can be explored. The beach's Blue Flag status, awarded for its high environmental and quality standards, makes it a proud feature of the Pembrokeshire coast. The beach's wide expanse of sand at low tide is perfect for a splash in the sea. The beach's popularity and its wide range of activities and facilities make it a perfect family beach and a worthy beach of the week.
