'Best' seaside village with a beach so beautiful tourists can't believe they're in the UK

Voted the "best" seaside destination in the UK for an impressive four years running, the village of Bamburgh in Northumberland is super quiet compared to the likes of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. Boasting a stately castle and the "breathtaking" Bamburgh Beach, along with sand dunes and a budding coastline, visitors have taken to TripAdvisor to express their excitement over the increasingly popular Northumberland town - with many finding it hard to believe they're still in the British Isles when they arrive there.

Reviewers have praised the "miles of beautiful sand", with "rock pools to explore" and "a vast expanse of clean water". Visitors particularly enjoy the dog-friendly nature of the beach, with many having taken their furry friends along for the day trip, too. One review even mentions the possibility of seeing dolphins out at sea in the area, which is yet another appeal of this picturesque spot in the north east of England.

The beach enjoys surrounding views of Holy Island and Farne Island, and can be accessed via Seahouses or Wyndenwell Path, with a small car park at the Castle. The imposing backdrop of the castle seems to be a selling point for visitors too, with tourists gushing over the "panoramic views" visible from the sand dunes.

Other attractions in this quaint village include the RNLI Grace Darling Museum, the Northumberland Coast Path, and an array of food and drink on offer, both on and around the beach. Reviewers mention teas, coffees, hot filled rolls and baked goods readily available, so no need to pack a picnic for this one if you'd rather shop local.

A few more honourable destinations include Portmeirion in Wales, taking second spot in the rankings this year. St Davids and Llandudno also battled their way into the top 10, making up a strong group of Welsh contenders in the running.

However, it is Bamburgh that consistently comes out on top. With tourists calling it "one of the finest in the entire kingdom", it’s no wonder people continue to flock to this beautiful spot. With the sunny weather we are on track for in the coming months, there’s a few good excuses to go and see what all the fuss is about.

One person from Witham who visited Bamburgh Beach wrote on TripAdvisor: "Just wow. Parked down Wynding Road and walked straight out on this incredible beach. It stretches for miles with virtually no one on the beach. The sand and dunes are stunning and so lovely to walk on. No real facilities but that perhaps keeps a few away. So great."

A second added: "This beach is absolutely breathtaking. I honestly did not think I was in the UK! White sand, blue sea, castle in the background and so clean. There was nothing I did not like! A must visit!"

A third, from nearby Newcastle, chimed in: "This beach is absolutely breathtaking. I honestly did not think I was in the UK! White sand, blue sea, castle in the background and so clean. There was nothing I did not like! A must visit!"