15 beaches you wouldn't believe are in the UK to visit this bank holiday (because who needs Bondi when you can go to Barafundle?)

Tresco, Isles of Scilly

This family-owned island, 28 miles off the Cornish Coast, is accessible via helicopter, plane or boat. As well as the gorgeous beach, there is also an island spa, an abbey garden and an art gallery showcasing pieces by some of Cornwall's most established artists. If it's good enough for the Royal Family...

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Barricane Beach, Devon

Just next door to Woolacombe, Barricane often looks like it's in the Bahamas. The inlet on the North Devon coast is a great spot for rock-pooling and shell collecting. Head up the stairs for a surprise; a little shack cafe serving excellent Sri Lankan food.

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Dungeness, Kent

There's nowhere better than Dungeness for other-worldly landscapes. A towering lighthouse, imposing nuclear power station, wooden cabins and remote vibe will make you feel like you've accidentally found yourself on another planet. There's a haunting beauty to its barren shingle beach, stretching out as far as the eye can see. Grab some freshly caught and prepared seafood at the Dungeness Snack Shack (Weds-Sun, 11am-3pm) and let yourself sink into the desolate environment.

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Oxwhich, Wales

Beautiful Oxwhich Beach in the Gower Peninsula is a stretch of fine sand and calm waters. Ideal for paddling, further out in the sea jet-skis and speedboats zoom past. Activities on offer include kayaking, diving and surfing.

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Crawley Beach, Gower Peninsula, Wales

Small and secluded, Crawley beach is popular with kayakers, canoers and surfers. It's in a remote location so be prepared for a bit of a walk.

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Holkham Beach, Norfolk

Part of the Holkham Nature Reserve, Holkham's golden sands seem to stretch for miles. With windswept dunes, salt marshes and a pine forest the beach was most famously featured in the closing scenes of Shakespeare in Love.

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Talisker Beach, Isle of Skye, Inverness

Rugged and dramatic, this is the beach for romantics in search of thundering waves, moody skies and impressive cliffs. No white sands here but a grey expanse greeting your eye instead. Stop off at the village of Carbost where the famous Talisker whisky is distilled.

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Luskentyre, Outer Hebrides

Last year this remote haven was voted one of the top 25 beaches in the world and it's easy to see why. With aquamarine waters, and panoramic views, the beach is located at the end of a single-track road and its breath-taking expanse makes for some dramatic sunsets.

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Porthcurno, Cornwall

Three miles east of Land's End, Porthcuno is accessed via a wide footpath from the carpark 200 yards above it. High cliffs on both sides of it provide perfect shelter from the winds and the soft white sand makes great sandcastle-building material. The beach was featured in the first series of Poldark.

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Winterton Beach, Norfolk

A charming oasis on the east coast of Norfolk, Winterton has acres of golden sands. Formerly a fishing village, the unspoilt beach is backed by dunes and if you're lucky you can catch sight of seals bobbing in the water.

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Langamull Beach, Isle of Mull, Scotland

Known as Bagh Chrossapol in Gaelic, this secluded spot takes a bit of walking to get to from the car park (around 50 minutes in all). But it's well worth the trek as you'll be rewarded with an expanse of white sand, sandy inlets and clear waters.

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Woolacombe, Devon

This three-mile stretch of golden sand is around five hours drive from London. Popular with families, as well as kite-surfers and paddle boarders, the beach is backed by one of the longest and deepest dune systems in the country, so there are lots of nooks and crannies to explore.

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Lulworth Cove, Dorset

This horseshoe-shaped cove on the Jurassic coast in Dorset has a distinctly Mediterranean feel to it with its sand and shingle beach and teal-blue waters.

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Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire

Backed by dunes and pine trees, Barafundle is often compared to Carribbean beaches and for good reason with it's crystal-clear waters and golden grains. It's worth noting that this unspoilt beach can only be accessed via coastal paths and has no facilities.

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South Sands, Salcombe, Devon

Staying in Devon, South Sands in Salcombe is an idyllic inlet popular with water sports enthusiasts who come for the canoeing, windsurfing and sailing. The soft sand is perfect for castle-building is you're seeking a more leisurely vacay.

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