Condé Nast Traveller announce the best beaches in the UK including Whitley Bay - see full list

Luxury travel magazine, Condé Nast Traveller, has announced the top 49 best beaches in the UK, and has included one that is right on the doorstep of those living in South Shields The list features beaches from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Conde Nast Traveller has rounded up the best UK beaches to visit - with one right in the heart of the north east. Whitley Bay in Tyneside has been named the 27th best beach in the UK.

Speaking about the beach, Visit North Tyneside says it’s “a golden sand Blue Flag award-winning beach, stretches from Whitley Bay North towards St Mary’s Lighthouse. It is a popular place for recreation and is regularly used by walkers. The promenade and The Links have wonderful walks with the beach as a magnificent backdrop.”

Condé Nast Traveller says: “This stunning beach front was originally a famous Victorian holiday resort, complete with a traditional funfair and bathing area. Now, it is still a popular holiday destination for locals, who come here to swim in the clean, safe waters.”

If the weather isn’t on your side, there’s still plenty to do in Tyneside. You could visit the Angle of the North, or even visit Newcastle castle. You can also get in touch with your artistic side, and go to the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.

49 best beaches in the UK - full list

England

1. Blackpool Sands, Devon 
2. Seven Sisters, Sussex
3. Sennen Cove, Cornwall
4. Walberswick Beach, Suffolk
5. Pentle Bay, Scilly Isles
6. Holkham Beach, Norfolk
7. Durdle Door, Jurassic Coast, Dorset
8. Dunwich Beach, Suffolk
9. Pedn Vounder Beach, Cornwall
10. Hunstanton, Norfolk
11. Shell Bay, Studland, Dorset
12. Southwold, Suffolk
13. Mudeford Sandbank, Dorset
14. Cuckmere Haven, Seaford, East Sussex
15. Whitstable beach, Kent
16. Aldeburgh, Suffolk
17. Branchester Beach, Norfolk
18. Dungeness, Romney Marsh, Kent
19. Polzeath, Cornwall
20. Bantham Beach, South Devon
21. Filey Brigg, North Yorkshire
22. West Wittering, West Sussex
23. Sandbanks, Dorset
24. St. Bees, Cumbria
25. Woolacombe Sands, Devon
26. Cromer Beach, North Norfolk
27. Whitley Bay, Tyneside
28. Sheringham beach, North Norfolk
29. South Bay, Scarborough, Yorkshire
30. Ventnor, Isle of Wight

Scotland

1. Scarista Beach, Lewis & Harris
2. Achmelvich Beach, North-west 
3. Machir Bay, Islay
4. Uig beach, Isle of Lewis
5. St Cyrus, Aberdeenshire
6. Luskentyre, Outer Hebrides

Wales

1. Three Cliffs Bay
2. Aberfforest Beach
3. Llanddwyn, Anglesey
4. Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire
5. Rhossili Bay, Gower Coast
6. Harlech Gwynedd
7. Penbryn Ceredigion
8. Whitesands Beach, Pembrokeshire

Northern Ireland

1. Benone, Ulster
2. Mill Bay, Rathlin Island
3. Magilligan Point, Ulster
4. Whiterocks, Portrush
5. Whitepark Bay, Antrim