Explore the best of east coast beaches in the UK

The Georgian and Victorian town of Broadstairs is home to a number of beaches, any one of which could be considered among the best beaches east coast UK has to offer. Forming part of the Viking Coast Trail, it’s possible to walk from any beach in Broadstairs to another, provided the tide is low. To the north of Broadstairs at Joss Bay, you can discover one of the southeast’s top surfing sites. Families tend to stick to Viking Bay thanks to its access to the town centre, children’s rides and beach amenities. Head north of the main beach to Kingsgate Bay, to discover sea caves and the bay's iconic rocky arch and on to Botany Bay where a series of dramatic chalk stacks dominate the landscape.

This shingle beach is a great place for collecting Suffolk hag stones (stones with holes that ward off witches) and is also popular with surfers. The most incredible thing about the beach however, is to delve into the story of a once lively port town, now buried beneath the sea. The dramatic cliff edge is a testament to the storms and erosion that occurred over the 13th and 14th centuries. What does remain is a large fish and chip restaurant, purported to be the ‘best in the world’ and a fascinating museum, both a stone’s throw from the beach. Local legend has it that when the tide is right, you can hear the old church bells beneath the waves.

It’s a common misconception that beaches of this stature can only be found in far-flung, tropical places and in fact, Scotland is home to countless incredible coastal areas. Of the many beaches east coast Scotland has to offer, Embo has it all. The vast swatches of rippled sand will make you feel a million miles away from the rest of the world. The perfect habitat for many species, the beach is backed by tall dunes and a series of mudflats, which means butterfly watchers will not be disappointed. Rockpools offer even more sanctuaries for marine life. From the sand, views of Ben Bhraggie mountain and the Dornoch Firth add to the overall rugged majesty of Embo Beach.