TripAdvisor has released its annual Travellers’ Choice Awards list for ‘the elites’ in tourism – hotels, destinations, restaurants, attractions – you name it.
One category that is especially noteworthy to North Easterners is the Top 25 beaches in Europe. Bamburgh beach, just an hour away by car from Newcastle made it to the Top 10, being named the 8th best beach in Europe.
Unsurprisingly, the majority of the list consists of beaches in Southern Europe countries and islands, surrounded by turqoise waters, yet three more beaches in the UK made the cut too. Luskentyre beach, located in Isle of Harris, Scotland, was the 7th, Porthminster in the very South of the country – 11th and Weymouth beach was the 19th.
Nevertheless, Bamburgh beach surpasses others with its unique skyline that is complimented by Bamburgh castle. Just up the hill from the beach, the second most-visited attraction in the village gives visitors a spectacular overview of the beach and horizon of the North Sea.
Located in the Nortumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the sandy seafront is 40 miles in length, connects with other beaches, and is great for long walks, according to travellers’ reviews. As well as being lengthy, the beach is relatively wide too and regular users of TripAdvisor are especially fond of this particular fragment of the coastline – the beach is dog-friendly and great for frolicking around.
Besides endless panorama of the sea, you can also gaze at the Bamburgh dunes – sandy yet filled with all types of flora, these will definitely catch your eye.
Although the sea water doesn’t get very warm even during summer, there are water activities available and Bamburgh beach is known for having consistent waves.
A trip to this village would make a great day-getaway, so if you’ve seen enough of Tynemouth, consider visiting Bamburgh.
Check out the rest of the list to see how many out of Top 10 in Europe you have visited:
1. Spiaggia dei Conigli, Sicily, Italy
2. Praia da Falesia, Olhos de Agua, Portugal
3. Playa de Muro Beach, Majorca, Spain
4. Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa, Cyprus
5. Balos Lagoon, Crete, Greece
6. Kleftiko Beach, Milos, Greece
7. Luskentyre, Isle of Harris, Scotland
8. Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland, United Kingdom
9. Sotavento Beach, Fuerteventura, Spain
10. Spiaggia di Cala Rossa, Isola di Favignana, Italy