Beautiful beaches near you

A day at the seaside is hard to beat. From the aquamarine waters of Barafundle Bay to the rugged mountainous landscape of the Murlough National Nature Reserve, we care for 780 miles of spectacular coastline around England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Here's a selection of some of the best spots to sink your feet into the sand, watch the sun melt into the sea and take a refreshing dip at a coastal place of beauty that's local to you.

We're gradually and safely reopening the places you love so you can explore the landscapes and nature we've all missed.​ We recommend that you check the web page of the place you'd like to visit before you set off to see if they're open​.

We’ve opened more than 200 coast and countryside car parks in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. We're following government advice closely and will reopen more places as soon as we can. If you're thinking about visiting the coast or a sandy beach, please stay local where possible. We’ll keep the website up to date with the latest opening information so please keep checking.

Brancaster Beach

Beautiful beaches in the East of England 

We care for 117 miles of coastline in the East of England from the beautiful sands of Brancaster Beach to the heather-clad slopes of Dunwich Heath. Build sand castles, take a refreshing shoreline walk, collect shells and enjoy a lungful of sea air.

Discover the perfect beach in the East of England
Sunset over the water and sand at Compton Bay, Isle of Wight

Breathtaking beaches in the Isle of Wight 

Sink your feet into soft golden sand, walk along luscious downland buzzing with wildlife and watch the skies turn pink as the sun sinks into the sea. We look after a third of the Isle of Wight’s spectacular coastline. Here are some of our favourite spots.

Explore beaches on the Isle of Wight
Paddling on the beach at Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire

Pristine beaches in the North of England 

Walk along pristine beaches and explore dunes full of wild flowers. Look for birds nesting in jagged cliff faces or listen to the waves lapping at the shore of a sheltered bay. Discover miles of spectacular coastline in the North of England.

Explore the best beaches in the North of England
Picture shows a large rock close to the shoreline

Spectacular beaches in Northern Ireland 

From the Murlough National Reserve with its 6,000-year-old dune system and views of the Mourne Mountains to the secluded beaches of Whitepark Bay we look after miles of magical coastline in Northern Ireland. Here are some beautiful beaches to escape to.

Escape to a magical beach in Northern Ireland
A view of Studland Beach

Beautiful beaches in the South West 

Try out exhilarating water sports, explore rock pools crawling with wildlife, enjoy a peaceful swim in the sparkling waters of a sheltered bay or take a stroll around historic fishing villages. Find your piece of paradise on the South West coast.

Reinvigorate your senses at a beach in the South West

Keeping our coastline clean

Marine litter on a beach

Look after the coast

Litter has always been a big problem on beaches and in the countryside and is hugely damaging to the wildlife and environment. As one of the largest conservation charities in Europe the National Trust relies on public support to help care for special places. Please take your litter home with you. 

Beach clean at Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire

Clean up seas and rivers for wildlife and people 

The coastal places we love are being damaged by raging storms, shifting shores and plastic pollution. Why not pitch in with a beach clean? You could even use a guppy in your clothes wash to grab microfibres or try using all-natural cleaning products.