A BEACH in the UK that was once named one of the best in the world has been compared to places like the Caribbean and South East Asia, due to its white sand and clear blue seas.
Brits often associate tropical beaches with more exotic locations than their own country, but there are plenty of stretches of shoreline that look like they belong overseas.
One of the most popular is Pedn Vounder in Cornwall, which was named ahead of popular beach destinations like Thailand, Jamaica and Mauritius in a list of the world’s best beaches published last year.
Ranking it 25th in the world, Big 7 wrote: “Cornwall has long been a summer getaway destination for local families, but its gorgeous coastline has caught the eye of international travellers.
“Combining crystal clear blue water and white sand, it’s proof that you don’t need to hotfoot to the Caribbean for a tropical island-inspired getaway.”
What makes Pedn Vounder even more appealing is that it’s harder to get to than others, with Explore Cornwall labelling it as “remote”.
There are two nearby car parks, but both require a walk, while the coast path to the beach “involves a technical and steep climb” according to The Great Cornish Outdoors.
However, they said it was worth the tricky hike.
They added: ” Lying deep below vertical cliffs, that remind me of a prettier version of Kong Island, lies one of the most stunning beaches Cornwall has to offer.
“Pedn Vounder beach shows off a colour palette usually reserved for more exotic and far flung locations. It’s definitely somewhere to explore in the summer.”
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This scramble down from the cliffs means that fewer people go there than some of the more accessible beaches in the area.
This ensures a more peaceful day out at the seaside without having to battle people for sunbathing space.
Holidaymakers can therefore switch off and enjoy their surroundings while pretending they’re somewhere else.
In fact, the beach’s natural beauty has been known to trick people into thinking it’s abroad when they first see images of it.
Nearly three quarters (73 per cent) thought it was not in the UK, according to a survey carried out by Gordon’s Gin in 2021.
Among them are Tiktok users, who have even dubbed it the Bali of the UK, according to Cornwall Live.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches
The World’s Best Beaches consulted more than 750 judges including travel journalists, influencers, and beach ambassadors to rank the beaches.
- Lucky Bay, Australia
- Source D’Argent, Seychelles
- Hidden, Philippines
- Whitehaven, Australia
- One Foot, Cook Islands
- Trunk, US Virgin Islands
- Honopu, Hawaii
- Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland
- Navagio Beach, Greece
- Balandra, Mexico
- Cala Goloritze, Italy
- Pipe Creek, Bahamas
- Pink, Indonesia
- Grace, Turks & Caicos
- Gardner, Ecuador
- Mcway, California
- Turquoise, Australia
- Le Morne, Mauritius
- Sancho, Brazil
- Seven Mile, Cayman Islands
- Lanikai, Hawaii
- Maya, Thailand
- Moro, Spain
- Kelingking, Indonesia
- Meads, Anguilla
- Flamenco, Puerto Rico
- Arena, Dominican Republic
- Little Hellfire, Australia
- Lazio, Seychelles
- Vaeroy, Norway
- Horseshoe, Bermuda
- Myrtos, Greece
- Hidden, Mexico
- Grand Anse, Grenada
- Xpu Ha, Mexico
- San Josef, Canada
- Matira, French Polynesia
- Capriccioli, Italy
- Pasjaca, Croatia
- Boulders, South Africa
- Salines, Martinique
- Champagne, Vanuatu
- Marinha, Portugal
- Balos, Greece
- Achmelvich, Scotland
- Kaputas, Turkey
- Radhangar, India
- Varadero, Cuba
- Piha, New Zealand
- Pink Sand, Bahamas
There are a couple of things people ought to know before heading to Pedn Vounder, however.
It is a nudist-friendly beach, with some of its visitors choosing to eschew clothing.
The tide does also come right up to the rocks, so it’s always worth checking what time the tide will be in before visiting.
However, those things aside, it still gets plenty of praise.
One Google reviewer added: “The best and most amazing beach you can find in the UK.This place made us think we were in the Caribbean.”
Meanwhile, this beach in the UK has been compared to a Greek Island.
And this turquoise lake an hour from London has clear turquoise waters.