The UK’s best winter beach walks have been named just in time for a bracing festive stroll – with the Isle of Wight’s Compton Bay included.
The list has been put together by Boundless, the events and experiences club for public sector workers, which also named Britain’s 50 Greatest Drives and Britain’s Top Steam Train Trips earlier this year.
Robin Hood’s Bay, with stunning views of the North Yorkshire coastline along the Cleveland Way, proved to be Britain’s favourite.
Compton Bay off Military Road near Freshwater has been ranked 8th, beating Bamburgh in Northumberland and Bournemouth Beach in Dorset.
Boundless spokesperson Darren Milton said:
“Britain is famous for its incredible beaches and this list shows they aren’t just for summer!
“Taking a bracing winter walk is a big tradition for many families at this time of year, and all the beaches in our top 10 would make a great day out over the Christmas holidays. It would burn off some of those turkey calories as well!”
The list is also published just in time for The Ramblers’ annual Festival of Winter Walks, traditionally held between Christmas and New Year. This year the festival, described as a ‘Winter Wanderland’ begins on 20th December and runs until 5th January.
The UK’s Top Winter Beach Walks
1 – Robin Hood’s Bay, Yorkshire
2 – Three Cliffs Bay, Swansea
3 – Rhossili Beach, South Wales
4 – Charmouth Beach, Dorset
5 – Embleton Bay, Northumberland
6 – Sennen Beach / Whitesands Bay, Cornwall
7 – Mudeford and Highcliffe beaches, Dorset
8 – Compton Bay, Isle of Wight
9 – Bamburgh, Northumberland
10 – Bournemouth Beach, Dorset
Appley in Ryde is good, so long you pick your way over the dog doo, drunk chavs in Summer, with Dereck Sandy ‘adding’ to the experience.