Summerleaze Beach in Bude, Cornwall, has been named Britain’s best beach for 2026 by The Times after chief travel writer Chris Haslam visited and assessed 607 beaches across Britain and Northern Ireland. The recognition places the popular Cornish beach at the top of the newspaper’s annual ranking, highlighting its mix of natural scenery, visitor facilities and outdoor activities.
The beach sits close to the centre of Bude and is also located on the newly opened King Charles III England Coast Path, giving visitors easy access to both the coastline and the town. Its combination of surfing, safe swimming, family friendly amenities and coastal walking helped it secure the top position in this year’s guide.
Chris Haslam spent five weeks travelling around Britain and Northern Ireland to review beaches before selecting Summerleaze as the overall winner. He praised the beach for its refined atmosphere, describing how the castle overlooking the bay, the River Neet, nearby canal and waterfront cafés create a setting that stands apart from many traditional seaside resorts.
Summerleaze Beach is one of two beaches in Bude and has long been one of Cornwall’s best known coastal attractions. Its broad stretch of golden sand changes dramatically with the tide. At high tide, waves reach the sea wall, while at low tide the sand extends to neighbouring Crooklets Beach, creating a wide area for walking, games and family visits.
Sea pool and surfing add to its appeal
One of the beach’s most distinctive attractions is the Bude Sea Pool, a semi natural tidal swimming pool carved into the rocks in the 1930s. The free seawater pool provides a safer place to swim throughout the year and remains one of Cornwall’s most photographed coastal landmarks.
Summerleaze is also a popular destination for surfers. Depending on tides and sandbank conditions, the beach can produce quality waves, particularly around mid tide. Local surf schools, including Big Blue and Bude Surfing Experience, provide lessons for beginners, while experienced surfers and bodyboarders make use of the central sandbanks.
Stand up paddleboarding and kayaking are also popular during calm conditions, although visitors are advised to stay clear of the harbour entrance and designated bathing areas where tidal currents can become dangerous as the water retreats.
Facilities attract families and walkers
The beach combines its natural setting with facilities that make it accessible to a wide range of visitors. Summerleaze holds Blue Flag status, has seasonal RNLI lifeguard cover, a large car park and accessible features including a Changing Places toilet and a beach wheelchair.
Its location just a short walk from Bude’s shops, cafés and restaurants means visitors can easily combine a beach day with the town’s independent food and retail scene. If the main beach car park is full during busy periods, additional parking is available near Crooklets Beach, while bus route 128 also serves the area.
The beach has gained further prominence this year because it sits along the South West Atlantic Coast section of the King Charles III England Coast Path, which officially opened in March. Stretching for more than 4,300 km around England’s coastline, the trail is expected to encourage more walkers to discover destinations such as Bude alongside traditional beach holidays.
The recognition from The Times reflects more than scenery alone. Summerleaze combines clean bathing waters, outdoor recreation, accessibility and a strong local community with one of Cornwall’s most attractive coastal settings. For travellers planning a UK seaside escape in 2026, the beach now carries the distinction of being Britain’s highest ranked stretch of sand.
Photo Credit: PJ photography / Shutterstock.com
