The Most Beautiful Coastal Dog Walks in The UK Revealed

The team at WeThrift have compiled this Top 10 list of the most beautiful coastal dog walks in the country ranked by the amount of Instagram hashtags for each beach.

 

Top 10 beautiful coastal dog walks: 

1. Camber Sands, Sussex - 100,611 hashtags 

2. Formby Beach, Lancashire - 54,116 

3. Rhossili Bay, Swansea - 24,232 

4. Seaham, County Durham - 21,370 

5. Flamborough Head, Yorkshire - 20,918 

6. Daymer Bay, Cornwall - 20,243 

7. Runswick Bay, Yorkshire - 19,869 

8. Bracklesham Bay, West Sussex - 19,869

9. Porthmeor Beach, Cornwall - 19,387 

10. Luskentyre, Isle of Harris - 17,233 

 

1. Camber Sands, Sussex - 100,611 hashtags 

Sussex's only sandy beach, Camber Sands comes in at the top spot with over 100,000 Instagram hashtags. The best section of the beach is the western end near where the River Rother empties into the sea. Here it is wall-to-wall sand whilst further along the beach becomes more shingly. It's a big beach too, stretching nearly 5 miles east of the village.

 

2. Formby Beach, Lancashire - 54,116 hashtags

Discover some of Europe's best sand dune habitats, where many rare species including natterjack toads thrive. Rich in history, visitors can catch glimpses of the past from spotting prehistoric footprints and shipwrecks to strolling through what was once acres of asparagus fields with their four-legged friends.

 

3. Rhossili Bay, Swansea - 24,232 hashtags

With a number of awards including The Times nominating it as the UK's most dog-friendly beach, Rhossili Bay is perfect for a long dog walk. With 3 miles of sandy shore, encompassing one of Gower's most famous landmarks, Worms Head; watersports and in particular surfing, benefit from the Atlantic swell, whilst sand-castle builders can enjoy fine golden sand. The views are incomparable and are best enjoyed from one of the many walking routes. 

 

4. Seaham, County Durham - 21,370 hashtags

Seaham Beach is a pleasant sandy spot, with some areas of rock, which stretch on for around half a mile beyond the north of the town and harbour. The beach is backed by a promenade.  Behind the promenade are low-rise cliffs and a grassy area. Towering above the beach is Seaham Hall, where in 1815 Lord Byron married heiress Anne Milebanke. Now, the building operates as a luxury hotel.

 

5. Flamborough Head, Yorkshire - 20,918 hashtags

Marked by a stretch of rugged white cliffs surrounding a small village, Flamborough Head is a dog walker's paradise. The coastline is a great base for bird watching, hiking along windswept paths and sea canoeing around the bay - but only for the experienced outdoor pursuits enthusiast! With a scenic nature reserve and two ancient lighthouses nearby, this Special Area of Conservation is a haven for anyone looking to explore the Yorkshire Coast at it's most wild and untamed.

 

6. Daymer Bay, Cornwall - 20,243 hashtags

A good-sized stretch of sand bordered by dunes and sandhills. It is comparatively off the beaten track compared to its neighbours, Rock and Polzeath which gives it a slightly more secluded feel. The beach is within the mouth of the Camel Estuary so it's pretty sheltered and has a gently sloping beach making it safe for swimming. At the south end of the beach, it is the grassy mound of Brae Hill which is worth a climb for excellent views of the area.

 

7. Runswick Bay, Yorkshire - 19,869 hashtags

Runswick Bay is one of the Yorkshire Coast's prettiest destinations with its sweeping, sheltered bay and charming red roof cottages. The sandy beach, which once provided anchorage for brightly coloured fishing boats, is now a family favourite for rock pooling, fossil hunting and coastal walks, where visitors can admire the breathtakingly stunning sea views. The Times and Sunday Times Travel recently named Runswick Bay Britain's best beach in their top 50 round-up of the country's best beaches.

 

8. Bracklesham Bay, West Sussex - 19,869 hashtags

Bracklesham Bay is a predominantly shingle beach, which becomes sandier towards the water's edge. When the tide is out, a large area of wet sand, interspersed with wooden groynes is exposed. This disappears underwater when the tide comes back in. The beach is backed by the village and overlooks the bay, both of which share its name.  From the beach there are views across to the Isle of Wight in the distance.

 

9. Porthmeor Beach, Cornwall - 19,387 hashtags 

Situated in the shadow of the iconic Tate St Ives gallery, Porthmeor is a sandy, safe beach, popular with surfers, swimmers, and dog-walkers alike. It's in an ideal location just a stone's throw from the centre of St Ives, where you'll find shops, pubs, cafes and lots of art galleries that the town is famous for.

 

10. Luskentyre, Isle of Harris - 17,233 hashtags

Luskentyre sands is found on the west coast of South Harris in the Outer Hebrides. It is one of the largest and most spectacular beaches on Harris. Named one of the UK's best beaches in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards, Luskentyre sands boasts miles of white sand and stunning green-blue water. Scenery includes wonderful sand dunes and the island of Taransay, famous for being the setting of the BBC's Castaway.