1. The Strangles, Cornwall
The Strangles is hauntingly beautiful, the very beach on which Thomas Hardy walked with Emma Gifford almost a century ago. Secluded even in high summer, due to the steep, slippery footpath dropping 500ft from the car park and the lack of facilities, the intrepid will be rewarded with glorious sands and stunning views of the towering cliffs and sea arches.
Where to stay
The Old Rectory, near Boscastle. Now a family-run B&B, the Old Rectory, a gorgeous period property in three acres of gardens, was where Hardy stayed as a young architect and met and fell in love with Emma. The Hardy room costs £28pp per night including breakfast (01840 250225; www.stjuliot.fsnet.co.uk).
2. Rushy Bay, Bryher, Isles of Scilly
The last beach before America, Rushy Bay is a perfectly formed white cove, framed by sand dunes with wonderful views of the dozens of small islands scattered across the bay that make up the Norrard Rocks. The pellucid water is warmed by the Gulf Stream and the archipelago's microclimate gives it a third more sun than London.
Where to stay
The stunning, world-famous Hell Bay Hotel, from £130pp per night half-board (01720 422947; www.hellbay.co.uk).
3. Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire
One of the most delightful beaches in the UK, with rock pools, cliff walks and no vehicular access to ensure it stays serene. The clean, golden sand and clear water in this isolated hideaway give it a Robinson Crusoe feeling. Barafundle can only be accessed by the cliff path from Stackpole Quay, followed by steep walk down to the beach through grassy dunes and woodland. The surrounding area is a nature reserve.
Where to stay
Portclew House, a Grade II-listed Georgian country guest house in Pembrokeshire National Park a mile from the sea. Rooms from £34pp per night, including breakfast (01646 672800; www. portclewhouse.co.uk).
4. Scarista Beach, Isle of Harris
Another British beach caressed by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream and possibly the best sunsets you'll ever see. Three-mile-long Scarista beach is remote, empty and has views of heather-clad hills and the Isle of Taransay, one-time home of the BBC's Castaway . It's as close as you'll get to wilderness without leaving the country.
Where to stay
The beautiful Scarista House hotel is a Georgian former manse 200 yards from the beach and has doubles from £65pp per night and cottages from £275 a week (01859 550238; www.scaristahouse.com
5. Whitepark Bay, County Antrim
One of the most photographed and painted places in Northern Ireland, the beach, backed by ancient dunes and sandwiched between two headlands on the north Antrim coast, is renowned for its Bronze Age burial sites. Its remoteness gives it a certain melancholy, and the 'singing sands', so-called because the shape of the grains means they squeak as you walk over them, provide a suitably elegiac soundtrack.
Where to stay
The 18th-century Whitepark House has pretty doubles for £30pp per night (based on two sharing), including full Irish breakfast (028 207 31482; www.whiteparkhouse.com).
6. Ross Beach, Northumberland
Having to haul yourself and assorted beach essentials for over a mile from the car park is a small price to pay for the glory that is Ross Beach. The exertion needed to reach this gem will mean that not only are you in need of a sit down, but that you'll have plenty of space to do it. The views of Lindisfarne castle to the north, Bamburgh castle to the south and the stacks of the Farne islands out to sea, make Ross one of Britain's truly magical coastal spots.
Where to stay
Ross Farm Cottages (01668 213336; www.rosscottages.co.uk) has old coastguard cottages 800 metres from the beach from £248 per week.
7. Botany Bay, Kent
It may be a while since Broadstairs was the tranquil seaside town that tempted Dickens to write in residence here but nearby Botany Bay still ticks all the boxes when it comes to pleasing beach serenity. And it's a real find for families too - the chalk reef, sea caves and rock pools should keep the kids busy for most of the day. And if you don't know your limpets from your jellyfish, hook up with someone who does on the monthly Rock Doc tour (for details call 01843 577672).
Where to stay
The East Horndon Hotel (01843 868306; www.easthorndonhotel.com) on the town's eastern esplanade looks directly out to the Channel and is 300 metres from Charles Dickens' former residence, Bleak House. Double/twin room from £26.
8. Holkham Bay, Norfolk
It's now quite famous, making it all the more surprising that there never seems to be a soul on the beach. But then there is a lot of space to spread out. When the tide is low, glittering sands seem to stretch for miles out to sea (it's actually half a mile), making this a candidate for the most spectacular coastal spot in Europe. Sit among the pines on the dunes and look out for the warblers and the redstarts.
Where to stay
Victoria Hotel, Park Road, Holkham (01328 711008; www.holkham.co.uk/victoria), on the nearby Holkham estate, is known for its good food.
9. Silloth-on-Solway, Cumbria
Turner couldn't resist Silloth's deeply pleasing sun sets and sea views and immortalised them on canvas. But the Victorian resort, which has kept hold of its cobbled streets and grand 36-acre seafront green, still retains its unspoilt feel. Ensconced on the shores of the Solway Firth and noted for its mild climate, the wild-flower covered dunes that face the hills of southern Galloway are a gorgeous getaway from the crowds. Wildlife enthusiasts will be richly rewarded too as the salt marshes are teaming with life.
Where to stay
The Skinburness Hotel, North Lakes, Silloth (016973 32332) sits in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and offers a sauna and pool for relaxing after a hard day's sandcastling.
10. Silver Sands, Aberdour, Fife
One of the gems on the Fife coast, this stretch of sandy beach looks out to the islands of Inchmickery and Inchcolm, with its ancient abbey. The bay is part of the Fife coastal path and is regularly commended for its cleanliness. Abseilers and climbers make good use of the cliffs between Silver Sands and Aberdour harbour but that doesn't spoil the tranquillity around your deckchair.
Where to stay
The Forth View Hotel, Hawkcraig Point, Aberdour (01393 860262) commands stunning views across the River Forth to Edinburgh and if you're lucky from your window you'll spot the seals playing.
What makes a perfect beach
The perfect beach is completely deserted, preferably on an uninhabited Hebridean island, with very fine white shell sand.
Beaches with castles above them are also rather special, such as Bamburgh in Northumberland.
Spending a gorgeously sunny day on an empty beach in your own country is amazing, considering we live on such a small, overpopulated island.
I have found quite a few fantastic beaches in the Outer Hebrides where I take my children camping. We run around and swim, and I gaze into the big open space above the sea, doing nothing.
I grew up in Norfolk and spent my childhood on its beaches. You can swim with seals at Horsey Gap, which you must walk to to reach so it's always empty.
Nicholas Crane is a geographer and adventurer and is currently presenting the BBC1 series 'Coast'.
Search for the perfect wave
My idea of a perfect beach is different to those at the forefront of the bruised office mind. It's not white sand, it's not palm trees, it's not turquoise waters and it's not factor 30. My favourite beach has to have only one thing. That doesn't sound overly demanding, surely?
Though the thing I crave is so delicate, so fragile, that it's borne away with the tide. I search coastlines with the same fanaticism as a Sudoku player hunting for numbers. I'm a surfer. And all I seek is a sandbar. A sandbar of such fine definition that the merest ripple of a swell will reel and curl its way to the beach ... and I shall dance and play ...whichever beach that is.
My search is neverending, for maybe quintessence lies in the next cove.
Robyn Davies is Britain's top female surfer
