Beautiful UK beach so well rated by tourists it keeps being named world best
Located on the southwestern tip of the Gower Peninsula, Rhossili Bay is not only one of the finest beaches in the UK, but also the world.
Stretching for three miles, its vast expanses of golden sand, dramatic cliffs and unbroken views make it a must-see seaside stopover. Rhossili Bay's setting is breathtaking, with the beach curving in a gentle arc, backed by sand dunes and overlooked by the rugged Rhossili Down — the highest point on the peninsula. The area is part of the UK's first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, ensuring its untamed charm will be preserved for generations to come.
At one end of the bay lies the striking tidal island of Worm's Head, accessible by foot at low tide, offering adventurous visitors the chance to spot grey seals and enjoy panoramic sea views. The bay is steeped in history, with visible remnants such as the wreck of the Helvetia, a ship that ran aground in 1887, still present on its sands.
Access to the beach involves a walk down a steep path, but visitors are rewarded with spectacular views and a sense of tranquillity that makes the effort worthwhile. Facilities include a National Trust visitor centre and café, as well as handy accommodation, including the much-loved Old Rectory cottage. Dogs are welcome year-round, making it a popular spot for pet owners.
The surrounding area is rich in archaeological features, including Neolithic burial chambers, Bronze Age cairns and Iron Age forts, making it a fascinating destination for history enthusiasts.
Rhossili Bay is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts — surfers are drawn to its Atlantic swells, while walkers and ramblers enjoy the network of scenic trails along the surrounding cliffsides. Paragliders are often seen soaring above the bay, taking advantage of the updrafts from Rhossili Down.
Despite its well-deserved popularity, the sheer size of the beach ensures it rarely feels crowded, even at peak times.
Rhossili Bay's reputation is not just local — it has quite rightly received international acclaim. In 2013, TripAdvisor crowned it the UK's best beach and the third best in Europe, as well as ranking it among the top 10 beaches in the world, even surpassing celebrated locations in Hawaii, the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
It is also a remarkable spot for witnessing the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis — a rare phenomenon in Wales. Although more commonly seen further north in places like Scotland, strong solar activity combined with clear, dark skies can make the lights visible from Rhossili Bay, especially during the autumn and winter months when nights are longest and skies are clearest — making the majestic beauty of the area truly magical.
The bay has also featured widely in popular culture, including the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, as well as episodes of Doctor Who and Torchwood, further boosting its profile.
Rhossili Bay's unmissable combination of natural splendour, historical intrigue and outdoor adventure have firmly established it as one of the greatest beaches in the world.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Live
18 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Nerve-shredding activity at 126ft aqueduct rated among world's best Tripadvisor experiences
A nerve-shredding paddle across the world's highest canal aqueduct has been named among the world's best 'experiences'. Based on its reviews, travel platform Tripadvisor placed the Froncysyllte canoe excursions above trips to Stonehenge and Edinburgh's Harry Potter tours. The Llangollen Canal excursions are organised for paddlers who often have little experience of canoes. The highlight of the half-day trips is a journey across the 220-year-old Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which towers 126ft above the River Dee in on the Wrexham - Denbighshire border. Part of the Llangollen Canal World Heritage site, the iconic 'Stream in the Sky' has become a hugely popular destination for sightseeers and walkers in recent years. Crossing it in other ways – in canoes, kayaks and canalboats – is also booming. It's even been navigated by car. Organised by Llangollen -based Bearded Men Adventures, the canoe experiences are billed as a 'fun-filled activity' that is 'perfect for a stag or hen weekend, a great day-out with your friends or a unique family day-out'. As well as praised for offering value for money, the Bearded Men guides – some of whom are female – are universally saluted by reviewers for their friendliness and local knowledge. 'Bloody fantastic!' enthused a London woman on Tripadvisor. 'From start to finish it was amazing experience.' Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now The Bearded Men canoe trips were announced as among the winners of Tripadvisor's 2025 Travellers' Choice Awards in its 'Best of the Best Things To Do' category. The awards highlight the highest-rated attractions and experiences around the world. Based on reviews, the canoe aqueduct tours were cited as the world's third best Water Sports experience – eight places above its next best UK rival, high-speed boat trip on the River Thames in London. Another Bearded Men activity, whitewater rafting in Llangollen, was in 23rd place on the global water sports list. In terms of all-round experiences, aqueduct paddling was considered the UK's fourth-best. Recommended by 99% of people, 1,679 of 1,720 users have so far given the canoe tours five-star reviews. Though people clearly loved the experience, a few sighed about the waits that are sometimes necessary on the aqueduct. Canal boats get priority and any canoe failing to observe this rule will certainly come off second best. Topping the pile, for UK experiences, were tours of London's historical pubs. This activity was also named the world's third best 'Cultural & Historic Experience'. Guided tours of Edinburgh Castle were acclaimed by Tripadvisor as the UK's second best experience. In third spot was The Manchester City Stadium Tour. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Top experiences in the UK
Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
The UK beach with stretches of golden sand dunes loved by Kate and William for family day out
With the summer holidays in full swing, there's a beloved UK beach that is well worth a visit, with unspoilt sand dunes and nearby pinewoods - a spot adored by Princess Kate and Prince William A beach nestled on the Norfolk coast makes the perfect day out for the kids during the summer holidays, and it's even loved by royalty. Prince William and Kate Middleton are known to love Holkham beach in Norfolk and regularly visit the sprawling sandy dunes with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, over the school holidays. The idyllic spot offers miles and miles of unspoilt golden sand, with nearby pinewoods offering a refreshing respite from the heat. Holkham beach has even been the backdrop to Kate's photographs of the children and her husband over the years when they've marked significant occasions, including the couple's 10th anniversary. It is also said to have been the location they chose when sharing the news that Kate had completed her chemotherapy treatment. National Trust launches its Summer of Play events for the kids' school holidays Prince George's hidden detail in 12th birthday snap hints at secret family tradition The beach is part of the grand Holkham Estate, which spans 25,000 acres of undulating parkland, houses a splendid Palladian Hall, and includes the globally significant Holkham National Nature Reserve. It's an ideal beach for families, with stretches of smooth sand for the kids to run about on or to pick up a bat to play cricket or rounders. Unlike many other beaches, Holkham Beach welcomes horses. During the summer months, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR) regularly conducts ride-outs onto the beach, which is a truly extraordinary spectacle. Dogs are also welcome, although visitors are advised to steer clear of areas cordoned off for nesting birds. It's a haven for wintering birds and an important breeding site for Little Terns, Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher. These ground-nesting birds are vulnerable to high tides and disturbances from humans and dogs. During the winter, large flocks of shorebirds can be spotted along the shore edge and on the developing salt marsh in Holkham Bay. It's no wonder that Holkham Beach has been featured in several films and TV series, including the Oscar-winning 'Shakespeare in Love' and the 2018 Netflix film 'Annihilation'. In 2018, BBC Countryfile even named Holkham Beach as Beach of the Year. It has also been listed among the best beaches in the UK by TimeOut, one of The Telegraph's favourite white sand beaches, and a top beach for walking dogs by Canine Cottages. In addition to this, it has been named the Best British Beach in the Coast Awards for three years and has also bagged a Travellers' Choice Award. The stunning beach is just a 35-minute drive from William and Kate's Norfolk holiday home, Amner Hall, where they retreat to during some school holidays and weekends for some quality family time away from the spotlight. And it seems the locals go out of their way to respect their royal residents. Royal expert Katie Nicholl previously told OK!"The locals are incredibly protective of them, you don't often see people get out their camera phones and record them. They are left to just get on with a family occasion." "If you speak to anyone from North Norfolk, they're incredibly proud that William and Kate are continuing a love affair with Norfolk that goes back generations. Kate and William tend to go to the same places and these are places where they are known and have a good relationship with the landlord or landlady." She added: "They've been going to these places for a long time, so it's not unusual and it's not difficult for them to go and relax. Norfolk is one of the few places they can just enjoy ordinary, everyday experiences as a family. William and Kate often go out on date nights and you don't hear about it." One local also said: "They've been spotted on a yacht just off Holkham Beach, it's the perfect way for them to be able to enjoy the beach but be away from the crowds. Holkham is amazing - it's the beach from Shakespeare in Love - huge white sand with sand dunes, and although it's very popular it never feels busy, as it's so big. "But even still, it would be hard for the royal family to come down and enjoy it during peak summer season. Being on a boat gives them privacy and security but they still get to enjoy their local beach."
Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
The top 15 UK attractions for 2025 revealed…including six which are totally FREE for the summer holidays
Plus, the full list of the top UK experiences according to Tripadvisor GET OUT The top 15 UK attractions for 2025 revealed…including six which are totally FREE for the summer holidays Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TRIPADVISOR has revealed the winners of its annual 2025 Travellers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things To Do awards and it's UK 15 top UK attractions could surprise. With so many attractions across the country, let alone the rest of the world, it can be hard to know what to choose to do for a day out. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 Tripadvisor has named the top attractions to visit in the UK Credit: Getty Now, Tripadvisor has rounded up the top 15 attractions across the UK based on visitor reviews including a dark city cemetery with famous graves and a number of free places to explore. 1. Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh The Royal Yacht Britannia has been named as the number one tourist attraction in the UK, according to Tripadvisor. This historical vessel allows visitors to see behind the scenes of the luxury liner used by the British royal family for their travels. Tripadvisor said: "Queen Elizabeth II's former floating palace, now docked in the capital's Leith harbour district, boasts over 18,000 five star reviews." Tickets cost from £20 per person. 2. Bodleian Library, Oxford First opened in 1602, the Bodleian Library is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and houses more than 13million printed items. The Weston Library is free to enter, however if you want to see the Old Library or Radcliffe Camera - Britain's first circular library - you will need to book onto a guided tour. Tours of the library costs from £10 per person. 3. Highgate Cemetery, London Third on the list is a rather unusual choice for a day out, but still fascinating to explore. I'm a mum and here's '10/10' free day out near Glasgow I swear by for summer hols Highgate Cemetery in North London is a burial site for around 170,000 people. Many travellers head to the Grade I listed cemetery to explore the unique architecture by Stephen Geary but for most it is the famous names laid to rest that are the reason for a visit. Historic figures buried in the cemetery include philosopher and father of modern communism, Karl Marx, as well as the founder of Crufts dog show Charles Cruft. Also buried in elaborate graves are the wife of author Charles Dickens, Catherine Dickens and novelist George Eliot. It is also the last resting place for the legendary singer-songwriter George Michael. Tickets to visit Highgate Cemetery cost £10 per adult and £5 per child. 10 Highgate Cemetery was named third and is home to many famous graves Credit: Alamy 4. The British Museum, London Another free spot on the list is the British Museum in London. The museum is home to a permanent collection of eight million works - making it the largest in the world. Across the entire museum, it tells the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present. The museum also hosts many free additional exhibitions and events throughout the year. 5. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Up in Scotland again, Edinburgh Castle makes up the final spot in the top five UK attractions. Edinburgh Castle sits high above the city, with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. And even the rock it stands on has a grand history. 10 In Scotland, Edinburgh Castle features panoramic views across the city Credit: Alamy Castle Rock dates back to the Iron Age and there has been a castle on the rock since the reign of Malcolm III in the 11th century. It then continued to be a royal residence until 1633. Tickets to the castle cost from £21.50 per adult and £13 per child. 6. Tower Bridge, London One of the capital's iconic landmarks also makes the list - Tower Bridge. Spanning the River Thames in the centre of London, travellers can wander across the bridge for free. But for a sky high view, climb the North Tower to stroll across the high-level walkways 137ft above the Thames or brave the glass floor that allows a thrilling view of the traffic passing on the bridge below. Tickets to Tower Bridge, including access to climb the towers, discover the Victorian Engine Rooms and cross the glass floors cost from £16 per adult and £8 per child. 7. The Roman Baths, Bath Heading to Somerset, the Roman Baths are home to "one of the great religious spas of the ancient world", according to Tripadvisor. 10 The Roman Baths in Somerset are home to natural thermal springs used by people of Roman Britain Credit: Alamy The baths feature natural thermal springs which were used by the people of Roman Britain to worship the goddess Sulis Minerva. Tickets cost from £28 per adult and £21 per child. 8. National Maritime Museum, London Back in the capital, the National Maritime Museum is the largest museum of its kind in the world. Across different galleries and displays, visitors can discover ships and boats, relics from the Titanic and even the uniform Nelson was wearing when he was shot at the Battle of Trafalgar. Running until January is also a great exhibition for kids who love pirates. The Pirates exhibition explores piracy in popular cultures including fictional characters such as Captain Hook and Captain Jack Sparrow to real pirates from historical events. Admission to the museum is free, but if you want to head to the Pirates exhibition it will cost £15 per adult and £7.50 per child. 10 There are also a number of free museums to visit on the list, including the National Maritime Museum Credit: Alamy 9. Natural History Museum, London Another of London's free museums to feature on the list is the Natural History Museum. in South Kensington. Hope the blue whale soars over mighty dinosaur skeletons and Darwin's personal collection. See priceless gems, ancient meteorites, and the first bird fossil, revealing Earth's incredible history. Right now, the museum is hosting 'Our Story with David Attenborough' - a 360-degree cinematic experience. Tickets to the experience cost from £20 per adult and The Sun recently visited to see if it is worth the money. 10. National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Jumping back to Edinburgh again, this time to a free museum with the National Museum of Scotland securing the tenth spot on the list. 10 One free spot that featured in Edinburgh is the National Museum of Scotland Credit: Alamy The museum documents Scottish history and culture with thousands of objects across numerous galleries. The unique architecture of the museum is just as fascinating, make sure to check out the expansive hall at its heart with a glass ceiling. 11. Stonehenge, Wiltshire Heading to Wiltshire, Stonehenge is one of the world's most famous places, according to Historic England. The mysterious stone circle is believed to have been created thousands of years ago by prehistoric people. At the site, there is also a Neolithic village to explore with houses and historical information on the area. Tickets cost from £30.90 per adult and from £20 per child. 10 Heading to Wiltshire, Stonehenge is known worldwide and is thousands of years old Credit: Alamy 12. York Minster, York York Minster in York is a masterpiece of medieval Gothic architecture and stunning stained glass. The cathedral dates back to 627 and features an ornately decorated Gothic nave and The Great East Window is the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world. One of the largest cathedrals of its kind in Northern Europe, the Central Tower soars up 325ft and visitors who climb the 275 steps to the top are rewarded with fabulous views across the city. Children under 17 are free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets for adults cost £20. 10 York Minster is one of the largest cathedrals of its kind in the UK Credit: Alamy 13. National Railway Museum, York Also in York is the National Railway Museum which celebrates its 50th birthday this year - and the 200th anniversary of the railway. Completely free to enter, visitors can marvel at record-breaking locomotive legends like Mallard and Japan's Bullet Train. Explore opulent royal carriages and Stephenson's Rocket, a working replica of the 1829 loco that set the template for steam engines. For children, there are also a number of interactive exhibits to discover bringing the science and stories of the railway to life. 14. Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth Soaring over the coastal city of Portsmouth, the Spinnaker Tower is a 170metre architectural marvel close to the harbour. The tower has three viewing decks, including a glass Sky Walk, with panoramic views. 10 In the seaside city of Portsmouth, travellers can access three viewing decks at the Spinnaker Tower Credit: Getty There are also a number of interactive displays and a cafe. Tickets cost from £18.95 per adult and £14.95 per child. 15. Eden Project, Cornwall Securing the final spot on the list is the Eden Project in Cornwall. Set in a reclaimed china clay pit, this spectacular global garden features two giant domes housing the world's largest indoor rain forest and a fragrant Mediterranean landscape with thousands of plants. Tickets cost from £38 per adult and £12 per child. Full list of top UK experiences according to Tripadvisor THE top UK experiences have been named by Tripadvisor, including walking and taxi tours. London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket The Manchester City Stadium Tour Canoe Aqueduct tours Llangollen Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh : Guided Tour Air Raid Shelter and St. Nicholas Market Walking Tour in Bristol Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath Day Trip from London The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh Chelsea FC Stadium Tours and Museum Full-Day Trip: Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands from Edinburgh Tennent's Brewery Tours Ticket in Glasgow Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Tour from Inverness The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour Guided Celtic Park Stadium Tour, Scotland Cab Tours Belfast Famous Black Taxi Tours London Jack The Ripper Guided Walking Tour Loch Ness Cruise, Outlander & Urquhart Castle Tour from Inverness The Deathly Dark Tour of York A History of Terror - Belfast City Centre Walking Tour Tripadvisor has also revealed the top UK experience - and it is a pub crawl. Plus, The Sun's Alice Penwill tried out the new Race Across the World experience – fans of the BBC TV show will love it.
