Britain's 50 best beaches for 2020 have been revealed

From Red Online

The best beaches in Britain for 2020 have been revealed by The Sunday Times – and Runswick Sands in North Yorkshire has been crowned the winner, thanks to its silky stretch of sand, bottlenose dolphins and swirling rock pools.

Runswick Sands might be a relatively under-the-radar spot, but it is famed for its water quality, affordable car park price, toilets, dog-friendly environment and picture-perfect views.

"It's a beach close to perfection, with safe swimming, fine castle-building, space for ball games, paddleboards and kayaks for hire, and three freshwater streams for damming," the report explains. "The sands stretch for nearly a mile from where an 800-yard scramble over the Hill Stones reef — fabulous for rock-pooling and a top cod-fishing spot on the winter-low neap tide — brings you to the fossil-hunting grounds at Kettleness Sands."

Elsewhere in the annual report, Kearvaig in Sutherland was named the best beach in Scotland, while over in Wales, Marloes Sands in Pembrokeshire took the top spot. Other winners include Spurn Head in East Riding, West Wittering in West Sussex and Carne Beach in Cornwall.

Planning a staycation this year? Take a look at the full list below:

Best beaches in Scotland

1. Kearvaig, Sutherland

2. Seacliff, East Lothian
   

3. Kingsbarns, Fife
   

4. Sands of Forvie, Aberdeenshire
   

5. St Combs, Aberdeenshire
   

6. Brora, Sutherland
   

7. Dunnottar Castle, Aberdeenshire
   

8. Melvich, Sutherland
   

9. Gruinard Bay, Ross and Cromarty
   

10. Camas an Lighe, Argyll

Best beaches in the North

1. Spurn Head, East Riding

2. Fraisthorpe, East Riding

3. Hunmanby Gap, North Yorkshire

4. Marske-by-the-Sea, Redcar and Cleveland

5. Druridge Bay, Northumberland

6. Longhoughton Steel, Northumberland

7. Ross Back Sands, Northumberland

8. Seacote, Cumbria

9. Ainsdale, Merseyside

Best beaches in Wales

1. Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire

2. Traeth Lligwy, Anglesey
   

3. Newborough, Anglesey
   

4. Whitesands, Pembrokeshire
   

5. Porth Neigwl, Gwynedd
   

6. Traeth Bach, Ceredigion
   

7. Aberdyfi, Gwynedd
   

8. Druidston Haven, Pembrokeshire
   

9. Cefn Sidan, Carmarthenshire
   

10. Tor Bay, Swansea
    

Best beaches in the southwest

1. Carne Beach, Cornwall

2. Woody Bay, Devon
   

3. Sandymouth, Cornwall
   

4. Watergate Bay, Cornwall
   

5. Chapel Porth, Cornwall
   

6. Gwynver, Cornwall
   

7. Church Cove, Cornwall
   

8. Putsborough, Devon
   

9. Soar Mill Cove, Devon
   

10. Cogden, Dorset
    

Best beaches in the southeast

1. West Wittering, West Sussex

2. Hurst Point, Hampshire
   

3. Littlehampton West Beach, West Sussex
   

4. Pett Level, East Sussex
   

5. Reculver, Kent
   

6. Southwold Denes, Suffolk
   

7. Aldeburgh, Suffolk
   

8. Overstrand, Norfolk
   

9. Horsey Gap, Norfolk
   

10. Holkham, Norfolk
    

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