Exmouth Beach in Devon has been crowned the UK's best beach by the AA, offering a two-mile stretch of golden sands and a lively promenade, all within a three-hour drive from Birmingham. The beach serves as a gateway to the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and features traditional fairground rides, amusement arcades, waterfront cafes, pubs, and ice-cream kiosks.
AA Rankings and Criteria
The AA analysed over 220 Blue Flag beaches, ranking them based on sunshine hours, water quality, lifeguard presence, and visitor reviews. Exmouth scored top marks for water quality, an average Google review score of 4.7, and has its own RNLI lifeboat station with lifeguard patrols during summer months.
Activities and Amenities
Visitors can enjoy kite surfing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, and rock pooling against the stunning backdrop of the coastline and Exe Estuary. The beach also has designated dog-friendly areas year-round, though seasonal restrictions apply on the main beach. Parking is available at several seafront car parks with short- and long-stay options.
Regional Best Beaches
For the Midlands region, Mablethorpe Beach in Lincolnshire was named the best, also nearly three hours from Birmingham but in the opposite direction to Exmouth. The AA spokesman noted that Exmouth offers plenty of space for families, with a dinosaur-themed playground and easy access to watersports centres.
