The UK’s top winter beach walks named – just in time for a Christmas stroll

Best places to get moving in a Winter Wanderland 

The UK’s best winter beach walks have been named just in time for a bracing festive stroll - with Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire taking top spot.

The list was put together by Boundless, the events and experiences club for public sector workers, which also named Britain’s 50 Greatest Drives and Britain’s Top Steam Train Trips earlier this year.

Robin Hood’s Bay, with stunning views of the North Yorkshire coastline along the Cleveland Way, proved to be Britain’s favourite.

The quaint fishing and smuggling village, with its atmospheric alleys and sweeping bay, is stunning in the winter and offers an array of potential walks.

Wainwright’s famous Coast to Coast Walk ends its journey there, having started at St Bees in Cumbria, while Whitby is a seven-mile stroll along the coastal path.

Boundless spokesperson Darren Milton said: “Britain is famous for its incredible beaches and this list shows they aren’t just for summer!

“Taking a bracing winter walk is a big tradition for many families at this time of year, and all the beaches in our top 10 would make a great day out over the Christmas holidays. It would burn off some of those turkey calories as well!”

Other beaches to feature highly include Three Cliffs Bay and Rhossili Beach in Wales, Charmouth Beach in Dorset, Embleton Bay in Northumberland and Sennen Beach in Cornwall.

The list is also published just in time for The Ramblers’ annual Festival of Winter Walks, traditionally held between Christmas and New Year. 

This year the festival, described as a ‘Winter Wanderland’ begins on December 20 and runs until January 5. Groups across the country offer an array of free led festive walks for walkers of all standards.

The programme includes a 2.6-mile trek from YHA Boggle Hole to Robin Hood’s Bay, following the old Scarborough and Whitby Railway line on the way there – and returning along the Cleveland Way coastal path.

The UK’s Top Winter Beach Walks

1 Robin Hood’s Bay, Yorkshire

2 Three Cliffs Bay, Swansea 

3 Rhossili Beach, South Wales 

4 Charmouth Beach, Dorset

5 Embleton Bay, Northumberland 

6 Sennen Beach / Whitesands Bay, Cornwall 

7 Mudeford and Highcliffe beaches, Dorset

8 Compton Bay, Isle of Wight

9 Bamburgh, Northumberland 

10 Bournemouth Beach, Dorset

Ends

Editors notes

Boundless is a membership club for civil service and public sector workers who are looking for inspiration on getting the most out of their free time. With a heritage and expertise dating back more than 90 years, Boundless offers its 230,000 members deals on hundreds of unique experiences, events, volunteer activities and things to do. It’s also mutual, so all profits go straight back into the club to benefit members.