Woolacombe Beach is one of the UK’s and southwest England’s beaches of the year, according to the Times and Sunday Times annual best beaches guide.

The 16th edition of the guide is the definitive and most comprehensive list of the UK’s 50 best beaches.

Chris Haslam, the award-winning chief travel writer at The Times and Sunday Times, personally visited and inspected all 50 beaches included in the guide in the past eight weeks.

The guide showcases the unrivalled beauty of the UK seaside, evaluated through a rigorous 11-point inspection checklist. Criteria include water quality, cleanliness, accessibility, car-parking facilities, lifeguard presence, hygiene levels at restrooms and showers, and dog-friendliness. 

The 2024 guide only features beaches which are rated as ‘excellent’ for water quality by the national environment agencies. And as always, this guide covers only mainland beaches.

Best beaches in the southwest

• Beach Of The Year: The Towans, Hayle, Cornwall
• Woolacombe, Devon
• Summerleaze, Bude, Cornwall
• Porthcurno, Cornwall
• Kynance Cove, Cornwall
• Mothecombe, Devon
• Soar Mill Cove, Devon
• Mattiscombe Sands, Devon
• Budleigh Salterton, Devon
• Branscombe, Devon

Chris Haslam said: “My Jack Russell, Dave T Dog, and I have journeyed 5,583 miles and explored 543 beaches. The 50 beaches that made our list are graced with outstanding natural beauty, superb infrastructure, and a clear sense of pride from those who live, work, and play there.

“I’m still in awe of the beauty of the UK coast. From Kynance to Caithness, and Brancaster to Benone, the beaches of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are the most magnificent on earth.”