The Complete List of Bays in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom’s coastline is a patchwork of cliffs, sandy shores and sheltered inlets shaped by tides and geology, with local communities, wildlife and maritime history tied to each stretch of water. From walkable headlands to remote coves, bays are useful waypoints for understanding the coast.

There are 91 Bays in United Kingdom, ranging from Aberdaron Bay to Woolacombe Bay. For each entry you’ll find below Nation, County / Council (max 15 words), Coordinates (lat, long) — see the list you’ll find below.

How did you decide which places count as a bay for this list?

Entries follow commonly used geographic names and local usage: named coastal indentations, inlets and sheltered coves recognized on maps or by local authorities were included; very small features without an established name were omitted to keep the list practical.

Can I rely on the listed coordinates for visiting or navigation?

Coordinates are provided to help you locate each bay quickly, but they’re meant for general planning; always consult up-to-date nautical charts, local access information and tide tables before navigating or visiting.

Bays in United Kingdom

Images and Descriptions

Mount’s Bay

A magnificent semi-circular bay in Cornwall, dominated by the iconic St Michael’s Mount. Stretching from Land’s End to Lizard Point, it’s a hub for sailing and features the towns of Penzance and Marazion, with long, sandy beaches perfect for families.

Lyme Bay

An expansive bay on the English Channel, encompassing the world-renowned Jurassic Coast. It’s a fossil hunter’s paradise, linking towns like Lyme Regis and Sidmouth, and offers stunning cliffs, coastal walks, and sheltered beaches ideal for holidaymakers and geologists alike.

Morecambe Bay

The largest expanse of intertidal mudflats and sand in the UK. Famous for its fast-moving tides, stunning sunsets over the Lake District fells, and diverse birdlife. Guided cross-bay walks are a popular, unique experience, starting from Arnside or Kents Bank.

Cardigan Bay

The largest bay in Wales, known for its resident population of bottlenose dolphins. The coastline is dotted with sandy coves, picturesque harbour towns like New Quay and Aberaeron, and dramatic cliffs, making it a prime destination for wildlife watching and coastal exploration.

Scapa Flow

A vast natural harbour in the Orkney Islands, famous as the UK’s chief naval base during both World Wars. Today, it’s one of the world’s premier wreck diving sites, containing the scuttled remains of the German High Seas Fleet from 1919.

St Ives Bay

A beautiful crescent-shaped bay on Cornwall’s north coast, known for its golden sands and turquoise waters. It encompasses beaches like Hayle Towans and Porthminster, attracting surfers, artists, and families to the picturesque fishing town of St Ives, famed for its light.

Tor Bay

Often called the ‘English Riviera’, this sheltered bay is home to the towns of Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham. Its mild climate, sandy beaches, and palm trees make it a classic British seaside holiday destination, popular for sailing, fishing, and family fun.

Robin Hood’s Bay

A picturesque bay featuring a historic fishing village clinging to a steep cliffside. Located on the Dinosaur Coast, it’s known for its dramatic scenery, rich smuggling history, and excellent opportunities for fossil hunting on the foreshore at low tide.

St Brides Bay

A large, west-facing bay within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. It’s lined with spectacular sandy beaches like Newgale and Broad Haven, and rugged cliffs. The bay is a hotspot for surfing, coasteering, and spotting marine wildlife, including seals and porpoises.

Luce Bay

A large, shallow bay in southwest Scotland, recognized for its significant conservation value. Its vast sands are exposed at low tide, providing a rich habitat for birdlife. The area is popular for sea angling and walking along its peaceful, unspoiled coastline.

Dundrum Bay

A wide, sandy bay on the County Down coast, stretching for about 13 km. It is backed by the Murlough National Nature Reserve, a fragile dune system, and overlooked by the Mourne Mountains, offering breathtaking views and excellent opportunities for birdwatching and walking.

Weymouth Bay

A sheltered, curving bay on the Jurassic Coast, featuring a long, golden sandy beach and the historic resort town of Weymouth. Its calm waters were host to the 2012 Olympic sailing events and remain a popular spot for watersports and family holidays.

Studland Bay

A stunning four-mile stretch of golden, sandy beaches backed by heathland and a dune system. Offering spectacular views of Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Wight, it’s a National Trust site popular for swimming, watersports, and its designated naturist area.

Swansea Bay

A long, sweeping bay on the south coast of Wales, with Swansea at its western end and the seaside town of Mumbles at its head. The promenade is popular for cycling and walking, while the vast sandy beach is perfect for recreation.

Moray Firth

A huge triangular inlet of the North Sea, the largest firth in Scotland. It’s one of the best places in the UK to see bottlenose dolphins and is fringed by dramatic cliffs, fishing villages, and sandy beaches, offering diverse coastal experiences.

Lunan Bay

A stunning mile-long sandy beach on the Angus coast, flanked by low cliffs and backed by sand dunes. Overlooked by the ruins of Red Castle, it is a popular spot for surfing, horse riding, and walking, renowned for its wild, natural beauty.

White Park Bay

A spectacular sweep of golden sand on the Causeway Coastal Route, nestled between two headlands. Managed by the National Trust, this beautiful and often peaceful beach is backed by ancient dunes and is perfect for scenic walks and enjoying the raw coastal landscape.

Carmarthen Bay

A large bay on the south coast of Wales, encompassing the vast sands of Cefn Sidan and Pendine Sands. The bay is fed by several estuaries and is a key area for cockle fishing, coastal walks, and enjoying traditional seaside towns like Tenby.

Watergate Bay

A large, exposed sandy beach on the north Cornwall coast, renowned as a premier destination for surfing and other extreme watersports. Backed by high cliffs, it hosts international surfing competitions and offers a vibrant, energetic beach culture just north of Newquay.

Bridlington Bay

A wide, curving bay on the North Sea coast, sheltered by the Flamborough Headland. It features the traditional seaside resort of Bridlington with its sandy beaches and historic harbour. The bay is popular for fishing, sailing, and family beach holidays.

Rhossili Bay

A breathtaking three-mile stretch of sandy beach on the Gower Peninsula, often voted among the best in the world. Overlooked by Rhossili Down, it features the iconic Worm’s Head tidal island and is a haven for surfers, walkers, and paragliders.

Fistral Bay

The UK’s most famous surfing destination, located in Newquay, Cornwall. This west-facing sandy beach is flanked by cliffs and provides consistent, powerful waves. It hosts major international surfing competitions and is the heart of British surf culture for all abilities.

Kimmeridge Bay

A small, rocky bay on the Jurassic Coast, famous for its accessible marine life and geology. The wave-cut ledges are perfect for rock pooling, and its clear, sheltered waters make it one of the best spots in the UK for snorkelling and diving.

Murlough Bay

A remote and beautiful bay with outstanding views towards Rathlin Island and the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland. Part of the Causeway Coast, its dramatic cliffs, secluded beach, and rich biodiversity make it a hidden gem for walkers and nature lovers.

St Austell Bay

A large, south-facing bay in Cornwall, historically significant for the china clay industry. It’s now a popular holiday area with a string of sandy beaches like Carlyon Bay and Porthpean, and is close to the famous Eden Project and Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Runswick Bay

A picture-perfect sheltered bay with a sandy beach and a charming village of red-roofed cottages tumbling down the cliffside. A former fishing village, it’s now a peaceful destination for fossil hunting, coastal walks, and enjoying the tranquil seaside atmosphere.

Three Cliffs Bay

An iconic Gower Peninsula bay, famous for its three pointed limestone cliffs, salt marsh, and winding stream. Its wild, photogenic beauty makes it a favourite for photographers and walkers, though swimming requires caution due to strong tides.

Calgary Bay

A stunning bay on the Isle of Mull with a broad, beautiful beach of silver sand and clear turquoise water. Backed by machair and low hills, it’s a tranquil and picturesque spot for a walk, a picnic, and enjoying the wild Hebridean scenery.

Porthcurno Bay

A breathtakingly beautiful bay in west Cornwall, renowned for its fine white sand, turquoise sea, and high granite cliffs. Home to the Minack Theatre carved into the cliffside, it was also the historic landing point for international submarine telegraph cables.

Ballycastle Bay

A scenic bay at the heart of the Causeway Coast, where the Glens of Antrim meet the sea. The town of Ballycastle has a sandy beach and provides ferry access to Rathlin Island. The bay is popular for its views, marina, and seaside atmosphere.

Filey Bay

A large, crescent-shaped bay with a five-mile stretch of glorious sandy beach, running from Filey Brigg in the north to Flamborough Head. It is a traditional family resort, perfect for walking, kite-flying, and enjoying classic seaside fun away from the crowds.

Barafundle Bay

A secluded, pristine beach often voted one of the best in Britain. Accessible only by a scenic cliff-top walk, this golden-sanded cove is backed by dunes and pine trees, giving it an unspoiled, almost Mediterranean feel. A true Pembrokeshire gem.

Sinclair’s Bay

Known locally as Reiss Sands, this is a vast, white sandy beach on the northeast coast of Scotland. It’s a beautiful, sweeping bay framed by two 16th-century castles, Ackergill Tower and Keiss Castle, offering stunning, remote coastal scenery.

Croyde Bay

A world-class surfing beach nestled between two headlands on the North Devon coast. Its golden sands, consistent waves, and charming village make it a magnet for surfers and families. The bay is backed by sand dunes and offers beautiful coastal walks.

Fishguard Bay

A deep, sheltered bay on the north Pembrokeshire coast, home to the ferry port connecting Wales with Ireland. The bay is flanked by the historic Lower Town harbour and the main town above, offering dramatic views and a gateway to coastal exploration.

St Andrews Bay

A wide, shallow bay on the east coast of Scotland, famous for the historic university town and ‘Home of Golf’ that sits on its shore. Its long sandy beaches, including the iconic West Sands, are popular for walking, running, and land yachting.

Botany Bay

A stunningly beautiful bay in Broadstairs, famous for its magnificent white chalk stacks and cliffs. It’s a quieter, picturesque spot perfect for fossil hunting, rock pooling, and photography, offering a more natural alternative to the main resort beaches nearby.

Freshwater West

A wide, sandy, and windswept beach backed by a fragile dune system. It’s one of Wales’s top surfing spots, known for its strong waves and currents. The beach has also gained fame as a filming location, notably for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Gruinard Bay

A large, scenic bay in the North West Highlands with several beautiful sandy beaches and spectacular mountain views. It is known for Gruinard Island, which was used for anthrax testing in WWII but was decontaminated in 1990. A wild and beautiful spot.

Woolacombe Bay

A huge, three-mile-long stretch of golden sand, regularly voted as one of Britain’s best beaches. It’s a major draw for surfers and families, offering excellent water quality, great facilities, and stunning views across the Atlantic towards Lundy Island.

Newport Bay

A scenic, sheltered bay at the mouth of the River Nevern, overlooked by the charming town of Newport. Its large sandy estuary beach is popular for sailing, kayaking, and walking, with stunning views of the coast and Carningli (Angel Mountain) inland.

Druridge Bay

A glorious seven-mile-long sweep of golden sand, backed by a country park with dunes, woods, and a freshwater lake. It’s a haven for wildlife, particularly birds, and a peaceful spot for walking, watersports, and escaping the crowds on the Northumberland coast.

Red Wharf Bay

A vast and beautiful bay on the east coast of Anglesey. At low tide, an immense area of sand is revealed, stretching for nearly 10 square miles. The bay is popular with walkers and birdwatchers and features the charming Ship Inn pub right on the shoreline.

St Magnus Bay

A very large bay on the west coast of the Shetland mainland, characterized by its dramatic, fjord-like coastline and numerous islands. It offers some of Shetland’s most spectacular coastal scenery, with high cliffs, sea stacks like the ‘Drongs’, and abundant wildlife.

Kynance Cove

While called a cove, it functions as a small bay and is one of Cornwall’s most famous beauty spots. Located on the Lizard Peninsula, it’s known for its brilliant turquoise water, white sand, and serpentine rock stacks, revealed as the tide goes out.

Sandwood Bay

One of Britain’s most remote and beautiful beaches, accessible only by a four-mile walk. This mile-long stretch of pinkish sand is backed by dunes and a loch, and features the impressive sea stack, Am Buachaille. A truly wild and magical place.

Tenby Bay

A picturesque bay featuring the colourful Georgian town of Tenby, with its medieval walls and harbour. The bay contains two main sandy beaches, North and South Beach, and offers stunning views of Caldey Island, making it a classic Welsh seaside destination.

Broad Bay

A very large, sweeping bay on the east coast of Lewis, just north of Stornoway. Its long, sandy beach, known as Tràigh Mhòr, is so firm and flat that it is used as the runway for Barra Airport’s scheduled flights at low tide.

Kentra Bay

A shallow, tidal sea loch on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. At low tide, it reveals a vast expanse of sand, creating a unique and beautiful landscape. It is a designated Special Area of Conservation, important for its saltmarsh and otter populations.

Hope Cove

A charming old fishing village set in a sheltered bay in South Devon. It comprises two sandy beaches, Mouthwell Sands and Harbour Beach, which are popular with families for their safe swimming and rock pools. The cove is on the South West Coast Path.

Bull Bay

A small, rocky bay on the north coast of Anglesey, near Amlwch. It’s a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, known for its dramatic coastal scenery and geology. The bay is popular for kayaking, fishing, and exploring the Anglesey Coastal Path.

Embleton Bay

A magnificent sandy bay offering one of the UK’s most iconic coastal views, with the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle at its southern end. This unspoiled beach is perfect for walking, birdwatching, and enjoying the vast, open scenery of the Northumberland coast.

Bigbury Bay

A large, sandy bay in South Devon, famous for Burgh Island, which is accessible at low tide via a sandy causeway or by a unique sea tractor at high tide. The bay is popular for watersports, particularly windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Manorbier Bay

A beautiful sandy cove backed by dunes and dominated by the magnificent, well-preserved Manorbier Castle. A popular spot for surfers and families, it offers rock pools to explore and stunning views from the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, which runs alongside it.

Coldingham Bay

A sheltered, sandy beach on the Berwickshire coast, popular with surfers, kayakers, and families. It is known for its colourful beach huts and is part of a voluntary marine reserve, offering interesting rock pools and opportunities for diving in the clear waters.

Start Bay

A 15-mile stretch of coastline in South Devon, from the Mew Stone to Start Point. It is characterized by a series of gravel beaches, such as Slapton Sands, and historic fishing villages. The area played a key role in preparations for the D-Day landings.

Oxwich Bay

A large, sandy, crescent-shaped bay on the Gower Peninsula, backed by sand dunes, salt marshes, and woodland. It’s a popular spot for watersports, including sailing and waterskiing, and offers safe swimming and plenty of space for beachgoers.

Pegwell Bay

A large nature reserve forming the northern part of Sandwich Bay. It’s a complex of intertidal mudflats, saltmarsh, and sand dunes, making it a crucial site for migrating waders and wildfowl. It’s a peaceful spot for birdwatching and walking.

Conwy Bay

A wide bay at the mouth of the River Conwy, stretching from the Great Orme at Llandudno to the eastern tip of Anglesey. It offers stunning views of Snowdonia, Puffin Island, and the coast, with a mix of sandy and shingle beaches.

Herne Bay

A classic English seaside resort town fronted by a long shingle beach. The bay is known for its 80-foot Victorian clock tower, colourful beach huts, and the remains of a historic pier. It’s a popular destination for families, sailing, and coastal walks.

Machrihanish Bay

A stunning, three-mile-long sandy beach on the Kintyre Peninsula, renowned for its powerful Atlantic waves, making it a top surfing destination. The bay is also home to the famous Machrihanish Golf Club, with its legendary opening hole requiring a drive across the beach.

Colwyn Bay

A popular seaside resort on the north coast of Wales, with a long sandy beach and a wide promenade. The bay has undergone significant coastal regeneration, creating a high-quality beachfront that is ideal for watersports, walking, cycling, and family recreation.

Lamlash Bay

A beautiful, sheltered bay on the Isle of Arran, with the spiritual Holy Isle at its centre. It’s Scotland’s first No Take Zone, protecting marine life and making it an excellent spot for diving, kayaking, and wildlife watching.

Porlock Bay

A wide bay on the Exmoor coast, characterized by a long shingle ridge that protects the salt marshes behind it. The bay offers dramatic scenery where the moors meet the sea, popular for walking and birdwatching, with the charming village of Porlock Weir nearby.

Weston Bay

A large, curving bay on the Bristol Channel, famous for the classic seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare and its Grand Pier. The bay has one of the highest tidal ranges in the world, revealing a vast expanse of mudflats at low tide.

Saundersfoot Bay

A lovely bay with a wide, sandy beach centered on the popular village of Saundersfoot. Its sheltered position makes it ideal for families and watersports. The bay connects to Coppet Hall and Wiseman’s Bridge beaches at low tide, providing a great walk.

Talisker Bay

A dramatic and beautiful bay on the west coast of Skye, with a beach of grey sand and large pebbles. Flanked by towering cliffs and a waterfall, it’s a wonderfully atmospheric spot, particularly at sunset. A short walk from the road makes it accessible.

Chapman’s Pool

A beautiful, secluded, and almost circular bay carved into the Purbeck cliffs. Accessible via a steep path, this quiet spot is popular with walkers and fossil hunters. Its raw, natural beauty offers a peaceful escape from the more crowded coastal areas.

Perran Bay

A huge bay on the north Cornwall coast encompassing the three-mile-long Perranporth beach and Penhale Sands. It’s a major hub for surfing and family holidays, with a lively beach town and a vast expanse of sand backed by extensive dunes.

Cushendun Bay

A picturesque, sheltered bay at the foot of Glendun, one of the nine Glens of Antrim. The village, with its unique Cornish-style cottages, was designed by Clough Williams-Ellis. The sandy beach and harbour offer a tranquil spot on the Causeway Coastal Route.

Ayr Bay

A large bay on the Firth of Clyde, with a long sandy beach stretching for miles. It encompasses the towns of Ayr, Prestwick, and Troon, offering classic seaside resort amenities and fantastic views across to the Isle of Arran on clear days.

New Quay Bay

A picturesque, sheltered, and sandy harbour bay on the Ceredigion coast. It is one of the best places in the UK to spot bottlenose dolphins, with regular boat trips running from the harbour. It’s famously associated with the writer Dylan Thomas.

Whitstable Bay

A bay on the north Kent coast, famous for its oysters, which have been harvested since Roman times. The shingle beach is lined with fishing boats, weatherboard cottages, and seafood restaurants, offering a charming and traditional seaside experience.

Quendale Bay

A beautiful, south-facing sandy bay at the southern tip of the Shetland mainland. It’s a fantastic spot for birdwatching, particularly for migrating birds, and for spotting seals. The area is also of historical interest, with several archaeological sites nearby.

Broad Haven South

A stunningly beautiful, wide sandy beach backed by dunes and soft cliffs. It is best known for the iconic Church Rock, which protrudes from the sea. The beach is popular with families and is easily accessible from the nearby Bosherston Lily Ponds.

Porthcawl Bay

A bay on the south coast of Wales, home to the popular resort town of Porthcawl. It features several beaches, including the sandy Trecco Bay and the surfing hotspot of Rest Bay, making it a versatile destination for family holidays and watersports.

Southwold Bay

A wide bay on the Suffolk coast, home to the quintessential English seaside town of Southwold. It is known for its sandy beach, iconic pier, colourful beach huts, and historic lighthouse, offering a charming and traditional coastal experience.

Beadnell Bay

A wide, sandy, horse-shoe-shaped bay on the Northumberland coast. Its sheltered waters make it a hub for a huge range of watersports, including surfing, kitesurfing, sailing, and diving. The beach is perfect for families and is backed by a large dune system.

Loch Ewe

A sea loch in the North West Highlands that served as a crucial convoy gathering point in WWII. Today, it’s a scenic and peaceful area, home to the world-famous Inverewe Garden and offering opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and wildlife spotting.

Constantine Bay

A beautiful, wide sandy beach on the north Cornwall coast, popular with both families and experienced surfers for its excellent waves. Backed by sand dunes, it connects to its neighbour, Booby’s Bay, at low tide, providing a huge expanse of sand to explore.

Carnlough Bay

A picturesque bay with a sheltered harbour in the heart of the Glens of Antrim. The village of Carnlough and its bay offer a tranquil stop on the Causeway Coastal Route, with a lovely shingle beach and historic harbour buildings, including a distinctive limestone bridge.

Aberlady Bay

Britain’s first local nature reserve, this is a vast area of saltmarsh, mudflats, and sand on the Firth of Forth. It is a paradise for birdwatchers, attracting huge numbers of wading birds and wintering geese. It also features the wrecks of two midget submarines.

Cemaes Bay

The most northerly village in Wales, set in a scenic, sheltered bay with a sandy beach and a picturesque harbour. It’s a great family-friendly beach, ideal for swimming and exploring rock pools, with beautiful walks along the Anglesey Coastal Path on either side.

Whitesand Bay

A stunning, long stretch of golden sand near Land’s End, exposed to the full force of the Atlantic. It’s a popular surfing beach with spectacular scenery and dramatic cliffs. The beach is great for long walks, especially at low tide when it connects with Sennen Cove.

Harlyn Bay

A spacious and safe, crescent-shaped sandy beach on the north Cornwall coast near Padstow. It’s very popular with families for its safe swimming and with novice surfers due to its sheltered position. It also has a surf school and historical artifacts have been found nearby.

Brodick Bay

The largest bay on the Isle of Arran, with the island’s main village and ferry terminal on its shore. The bay has a long sandy beach and offers spectacular views of the island’s highest peak, Goat Fell, and the magnificent Brodick Castle.

Saunton Sands

A magnificent three-mile stretch of straight, golden sand backed by the vast Braunton Burrows dune system, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The long, slow-breaking waves make it a perfect spot for beginner and longboard surfers, as well as for families and dog walkers.

Cushendall Bay

A wide bay at the meeting point of three of the Glens of Antrim. The village of Cushendall, a designated Conservation Area, sits on its shore. The bay has a sandy and shingle beach, a marina, and is a great base for exploring the glens.

Minehead Bay

A wide bay on the Bristol Channel, home to the traditional seaside resort of Minehead. It features a long sandy and shingle beach, a historic harbour, and marks the starting point of the 630-mile South West Coast Path national trail.

Aberdaron Bay

A beautiful, curving, sandy beach at the western tip of the Llŷn Peninsula. The former fishing village of Aberdaron sits at its centre. The bay offers stunning views towards Bardsey Island and is a popular spot for boating, kayaking, and coastal walking.

Rothesay Bay

A wide, sheltered bay on the Isle of Bute, home to the island’s main town and Victorian resort of Rothesay. The bay has a long esplanade and offers lovely views across the Firth of Clyde, with Rothesay Castle located just inland from the shoreline.

Bays in Other Locations