The UK and Ireland's best winter beach destinations

A bracing, blustery winter walk along a British beach is always an adventure, and the post-stroll fish and chips always taste better! There’s plenty to be said about winter beach holidays, so we’ve featured our favourite winter beaches from across the UK.

Holiday cottages for winter

Best winter beaches in Scotland

We’ll start our adventure around the UK’s best winter beaches in Scotland, which does both winter and beaches spectacularly well.

St Andrews West Sands

2 miles of glorious, dune-backed beach extends from the coastal city of St Andrews. The medieval streets harbour cosy pubs and cafes, while the famous St Andrews golf courses run along the beach’s edge.

Ayr Beach

Beautiful Ayr Beach offers plenty of room for dogs and children to play, with golden sand perfect for sandcastle building. The long esplanade beckons winter strolls; there are plenty of children’s play areas, and the town’s amenities are at your feet.

Best winter beaches in England

The varied coastline of England takes on a new majesty in winter, when beautiful beaches lay empty and exposed. It’s an exciting time to explore …

Robin Hood’s Bay

A quaint enclave at the foot of a steep hill running through Robin Hood’s Bay, this picturesque spot is perfect for a Yorkshire coast stroll. At low tide, the beach offers space for dogs to run wild and plenty of rock pools to explore.

Southwold

Two beaches in Southwold are perfect for winter beach walks. Southwold Pier Beach is a more traditional affair, with a pier and flat promenade, while Southwold Denes Beach is more wild and rugged. There are also plenty of places to eat in Southwold.

Clevedon Beach

The Victorian seaside resort of Clevedon boasts a long pebble beach, with a pleasant seafront and a selection of cafes. The promenade is perfect for a bracing winter stroll, and if you’re feeling brave, take a dip in the Marine Lake!

Dungeness

Dungeness is romantic and wild, and one of our favourite beaches in Kent. The beach is punctuated by shacks, lighthouses and the Dungeness nuclear power station. Providing a unique habitat for multifarious wildlife, it is an interesting spot to explore in winter.

Sandown Beach

A bustling Isle of Wight seaside town, Sandown’s pubs stay open all year, making it one of the best winter beaches in the UK for a walk followed by lunch. The beach offers miles of golden sand, while Sandown Pier beckons with its attractions.

Mudeford

Mudeford Sandbank Beach protrudes from Hengistbury Head, creating a natural harbour where the river meets the sea at Christchurch. This sandy spit in Mudeford is an interesting backdrop for a winter walk – you’ll first have to walk across Hengistbury Head before circling back around.

Woolacombe

As popular with surfers as it is with families, this North Devon beach charms with its 3-mile stretch of soft sand. Why not combine a visit with a walk along the South West Coast Path? Afterwards, warm up with lunch in Woolacombe’s many eateries.

Bigbury-on-Sea

Bigbury-on-Sea, in Devon's South Hams, is rugged and breathtaking in winter, offering stunning views of the iconic Burgh Island – connected to the beach by a sandy causeway at low tide. In winter, expect plenty of opportunities for water sports.

St Ives Harbour Beach

Nestled in buzzing St Ives, sandy Harbour Beach is ideal for coffee-in-hand strolls and watching the fishing boats bob up and down. For more sandy options, discover six other St Ives beaches nearby, all with their own unique charm.

Best winter beaches in Wales

From captivating Pembrokeshire to the wild coast of Anglesey, Wales is spoilt for beaches to visit in winter.

Harlech Beach

This gorgeous North Wales beach in Harlech is almost otherworldly. It’s a designated national nature reserve backed by dunes; in winter you might catch a glimpse of the snowcapped mountains of Snowdonia. Make the most of having this space practically to yourself!

Rhossili Bay

Looking for winter beaches in South Wales? The village of Rhossili’s enormous stretch of sand tops the list. Access is via a steep path from the clifftops, but efforts are rewarded by the views. Wrap up and look forward to a pint at the clifftop pub afterwards.

Best winter beaches in Ireland

Ireland's coast comes alive in winter, and while this blog is about the UK, we couldn't help but include a couple of beautiful Irish beaches.

Portstewart Strand

Northern Ireland’s Portstewart Strand offers a backdrop of dramatic cliffs and gorgeous sands. Here, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and notice the Inishowen Headland rising in the distance. Enjoy exploring the 6,000-year-old dunes, to the east of which lies Portstewart Golf Club.

Inch Beach

Concluding our winter beaches blog is Ireland’s very own Inch Beach, a 4-mile finger of sand backed by golden dunes. If you’re planning a long, winter beach walk, you’d be hard-pressed to find somewhere as spectacular!

Take a winter break

Stay in one of our cottages for winter, and beautiful beaches and unspoilt countryside will become your playground. Click the button below to explore our property collection and find romantic boltholes, dog-welcoming abodes, family-friendly homes and much more.

Holiday cottages for winter