Seaside named ‘best in the UK’ with beach & music festival likened to the Med

A SEASIDE in the UK has been named one of the best in the country – and it even has its own music festival.

Blackpool Sands in Devon was listed as the best in the UK by Conde Nast Traveller.

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Despite its name, the private beach is actually found in the south of the country.

Being likened to the Amalfi Coast, the Blue Flag beach is made up of tiny pebbles so pack some sandals.

It has won awards over the years for its cleanliness, with the beach cleaned daily and has some of the clearest water.

Just make sure to leave the dog at home – they are banned from April 1 to September 30 – while drones and open fires are also banned.

However, there are lifeguards during the summer season, with water sports equipment available to rent too for kayaking and paddleboarding.

And even though it’s shingle, there are sandpits for kids to build their sandcastles in.

If you feel hungry, there is also the Blackpool Sands Beach Shack which serves snacks and drinks, and there are toilets and showers nearby.

The beach also has its own events, including the annual music festival Tunes on the Sands.

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Running from 8-10th July this year, acts include the Hoosiers, Scouting for Girls and The Wailers.

There is also a silent disco, as well as stand-up paddleboarding and a “wellbeing area”.

You can go for the day, where tickets start from £35, or book a weekend camping ticket from £85.

Other events include the Dartmouth Triathlon in June, as well as Rockpool Ramble in August, where you can find crabs and clingfish.

If you really fall in love with the beach, you can even get married on it, while there are holiday cabins nearby you can book to stay overnight.

Head to the nearby villages of Stoke Fleming or Strete if you fancy a B&B instead.

People who have visited have praised the beach for its beauty and cleanliness.

One wrote on TripAdvisor: “Really outstanding scenery and beautiful water. You could be abroad easily.”

Another agreed: “One of the best beaches on the coast, felt I was abroad, clean and tidy, water was clear, good for swimming.”

A third added: “This is the most beautiful beach I have been to in the UK! The sea looked blue like the Mediterranean!”

If you fancy the other Blackpool, it was recently named the cheapest UK seaside town for a staycation in 2023.

Here is another amazing seaside town which has award-winning beaches.

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