A special corner of North Yorkshire has been brought to national attention by being named among the jewels of the British seaside.
Sandsend has been crowned the best beach in the North of England by a guide published today (Monday).
The village only a bracing walk away from busy Whitby has taken the honour in the latest edition of The Times’ UK’s 50 best beaches for 2025.
Sandsend beach
Chief travel writer of The Times Chris Haslam has compiled the guide after visiting 756 beaches around our islands’ coastline.
He selected the top 50 based on a 11-point inspection. The criteria are bathing water quality; accessibility; beach cleanliness; lifeguards, loos, car parking; café, shops for essentials, dog-friendliness, water sports and the vibe.
Chris revealed why Sandsend had made his list – after becoming disillusioned with Whitby.
“Whitby’s charm has been its downfall — depressingly, even the once-fabulous fish and chips have gone downhill — so I’m off three miles up the A174 to Sandsend.
“It may not prove to be far enough as its neighbour reaches saturation point but for the time being its unadorned beach, bisected by East Row Beck, gives space to sit, stare and breathe in the beauty of the Yorkshire coast.
“And the crab and chips at the Fish Cottage beats anything in Whitby.”
Reighton Gap
Also making the top 50 beaches is Reighton Gap, near Filey.
Chris describes it as a “wonderful beach where the black clay cliffs meet the white chalk of Flamborough Head and the sands are studded with Second World War concrete pillboxes.”
He suggests parking at the end of Sands Road and taking the path to the beach.
You can read the full guide here.
