‘One of a kind’ UK beach named world’s third best – even topping Hawaii

With around 11,000 miles of coastline, the UK has countless beaches, perfect for a bracing walks and cold-water swimming.

But just outside Northumberland, overlooking the North Sea, is a beach like no other.

With pristine grassy dunes, sprawling sand, and a historic castle backdrop, Bamburgh Beach has been named in a list of ‘One Of A Kind’ beaches around the world.

The ranking, from TripAdvisor, placed the northern spot third, after Isola Bella, Italy, and Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil.

‘Framed by the iconic silhouette of Bamburgh Castle, this beach boasts miles of soft white sand, and a dramatic coastal backdrop,’ says TripAdvisor.

‘The dog‑friendly stretch is close to the charming Bamburgh village, making it a standout choice for unforgettable family escapes and romantic coastal breaks.’

Still need convincing? Here’s why you should add Bamburgh Beach to your travel bucket list this year.

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Best things to do on Bamburgh Beach

The simple pleasures of Bamburgh Beach start the moment you arrive.

Visitors will find a small free car park, before being greeted by a little truck which sells hot drinks for a long walk ahead.

You can then wander down through the sand dunes (which can be a little steep) which lead to a sprawling stretch of soft, white sand.

Ideal for a dog walk whatever the weather, in the summer it’s a great place to sit and build sandcastles with the kids.

Make sure you admire the iconic Bamburgh Castle too, one of the largest inhabited castles in the UK.

Once a Norman stronghold dating back more than 1,400 years, both Henry IV and James I walked through its hallways. It’s also believed to be the inspiration for Sir Lancelot’s fictional castle, Joyous Garde.

And, if you look out to sea, you might even spot dolphins just a few metres from shore — sightings generally peak during the summer months.

The beach has also been voted one of the best surf spots in the North East, but if you don’t fancy braving the waves there’s other activities to keep you occupied, from kite surfing and boarding boarding, to horse riding.

Is this the best place in the UK to watch the sunset?

Whether you’re down on the dunes or perched on a bench looking down from the Castle, you’ll be able to experience some breathtaking sunsets on this beach.

And if you want to get even closer to the action, you can’t go wrong with boarding a sunset cruise.

One of the most ‘magical’ and ‘romantic’ ways to see Bamburgh castle and beach from the water is by taking one of Billy Shiel’s boat trips around Farne Islands.

And if you’re able to drag your eyes away from the sky, you might also see some incredible wildlife.

As well as the dolphins, during May, June, and July, voyagers get the opportunity to see thousands of nesting birds at the Islands which include Puffins, Guillemots, Terns, Kittiwakes, Shags and Cormorants.

There are also an estimated three to four thousand Grey Seals at the Farne Islands and large numbers can be counted basking on the rocks, especially at low water when more of the Islands are exposed.

The cruise lasts two hours and costs £25 per person, running from the start of May to mid September.

Top things to do in Bamburgh village

Now let’s not forget about the village of Bamburgh itself. With a population of just a few thousand, this sleepy coastal retreat is the peaceful spot for any staycationer looking for stunning walks and the taste of a ‘quintessential British village’.

Not only is Bamburgh beautiful, it has impressive staying power — having been voted the best seaside destination in the UK five years in a row.

Thousands of Which? members were surveyed to find their favourite place, being asked to rank destinations on their beach, seafront, scenery, tourist attractions, and peace and quiet to give them an overall score.

Bamburgh secured some top reviews, scoring five out of five in all five of the categories and an impressive 86% overall, ultimately knocking out more than 120 other towns to take the top spot.

How is it this unassuming village has stolen the hearts of so many?

Of course, the aforementioned Bamburgh Castle is popular among visitors. You can tour the entire castle, looking at the state rooms, King’s Hall, the armoury and the keep.

Adult entry costs £19.95 while children (five to 16) are charged £10. Kids under the age of four go free, or you can buy a family ticket for two adults and up to three children for £58.50. There are activities to do for children while you visit.

If you walk north on the beach you’ll reach Stags Rocks (because of the white stag literally painted on the rocks). This is a great patch for rock-pooling with younger kids, and you’ll be sure to find all manner of crabs and little fish.

If you’re looking for something more educational, near the top of the main street in the village is the RNLI Grace Darling Museum, which is free to visit.

It follows the story of local heroine Grace Darling, who risked her life to rescue nine survivors from the wrecked SS Forfarshire.

If you’re a golfer, then Bamburgh Castle Golf Club is a great scenic course, boasting views of Lindisfarne, where the vikings raided. There’s also the nearby 18-hole Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course too.

If you want a good bite to eat The Potted Lobster is a family favourite, with portion sizes that are way too large, but taste almost too good. The chefs have even been asked before why they make the plates of food so big, they simply said they won’t be changing their ways.

So if you want a lovely meal that’s value for money, you’ll be very satisfied. It offers locally sourced fresh seafood like haddock, prawns, mussels, trout, and of course lobster.

If fish isn’t your thing, then don’t stress. A local favourite is the sirlion steak or the butternut squash and sweet potato curry – although you probably won’t be able to finish it.

Where to stay in Bamburgh

With such a small population, the village relies on tourism, which means there are plenty of places for you to stay.

There are many independent holiday homes for families small and large, with many situated down The Wynding – a road just off the main street, right next to the beach.

You’ll want to do a food shop before coming to stay in the village though. While there’s a wonderful butchers and village shop, if you like branded snacks and supplies, then you’ll want to stock your own fridge.

If a hotel is more your speed then there’s the Victoria Hotel or The Lord Crewe.

The Victoria, a three-star hotel, is dog friendly but only for pets with ‘very well behaved owners’.

The hotel also has a cluster of self-service holiday cottages, known as the Point Cottages, which are just 40 yards from the beach (and right next to the golf course).

Busy almost all year round, you’ll need to book both the hotel or the cottages very far in advance to ensure you aren’t disappointed.

The Lord Crewe has a five-star AA rating but has very limited rooms – seven, to be exact. If you get in early you may just bag yourself one of the lovely unique bedrooms, then you can wander down to the delightful restaurant below, which serves oyster, lobster and steak (as well as scrumptious cocktails).

How to get to Bamburgh

Driving to Bamburgh is your best option. There’s free parking everywhere so you needn’t worry about costs.

If you would prefer to get there by train, it’s a bit of a trek. Chathill is the nearest station to Bamburgh but there’s only a very early morning train or a late evening train.

It’s likely you’ll need to get the train to Berwick or Alnmouth. An LNER train from London, Peterborough, Doncaster, York, Newcastle and Scotland will call at both stations.

There’s no uber, so you’ll have to rely on there being a taxi at the station and it can sometimes be a bit of a wait.

Or you can catch the Arriva X18 bus to Bamburgh from Berwick, or the Arriva X20 and then the northbound X18 or X15, if you’re arriving into Alnmouth.

The perfect day trip from Bamburgh

If you want to do any of the numerous day trips from Bamburgh, you’ll need a car.

One fan-favourite is but a 30 minute drive from the village. Holy Island, or The Holy Island of Lindisfarne.

You’ll need a car to drive over the causeway, as the tide comes in at certain times, completely cutting off the island. The crossing times can be found here, but always allow at least half an hour leeway for safety.

The island itself is wonderful, with the stunning ruins of Lindisfarne priory and Lindisfarne castle.

It’s rich with history. In 635AD Saint Aidan travelled from Iona and founded his monastery on the island, making it a centre point for Anglo-Saxon Christianity.

The saint is buried here, and there’s a museum which will tell you all about the history of the priory.

Following the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII, the Castle was built in the 1550’s using stones from the demolished Priory.

Sandham Bay and Coves Haven are two of the beaches which you can indulge in, and there’s a wealth of pubs and food spots for you to enjoy. Although they do get busy.

When walking on Bamburgh beach you’ll be able to see the Inner Farne Islands from the shore!

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