Britain's best BEACHES

White sands, turquoise waters and beautiful coastlines – it’s all here, right on your doorstep

- LAURA MILLAR

BEST FOR Water sports

Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall

It’s no secret that Newquay is a surfers’ paradise, but it’s also popular for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, jet-skiing and swimming. Fistral, one of the town’s 12 beaches, plays host to many of these activities, thanks to two headlands that create powerful waves, but sheltering sand dunes means it’s also an ideal spot to soak up the sun. Other draws include sterling seafood restaurants (one is owned by Rick Stein), the Lappa Valley steam railway, and the island of St Michael’s Mount, just off St Ives (a 90-minute drive from Fistral).

STAY Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa is adults-only and overlooks the beach. Bag a spot at the Dune Restaurant, with its huge glass windows framing the ocean, for one of the best views in town. Rooms from £50 per night; fistralbeachhotel.co.uk

Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire