Which? has extensively rated and compared two popular seaside counties popular with British staycationers to see which one offers the best holiday
Two UK counties have been pit against one another to determine which makes for the best UK beach holiday destination. Ranking best scones to prettiest beaches, both counties have a wealth to offer travellers but one might have a slight edge.
The UK consumer champion Which has done an extensive breakdown of the merits of both Devon and Cornwall. Both counties are beloved destinations for both Brits and international travellers for their impressive beaches promising the perfect British seaside holiday.
Both Devon and Cornwall have more than 400 miles of shore, but according to Which, Devon stands out for having two distinct coasts. The north shores of both counties is where you will find the wildest waters – and thus, the most daring surfers – and the south is generally more serene.
But which of the two counties has the prettiest beach? According to Which, Devon takes the prize with Bantham Beach. While Cornwall’s Kyanance Cove is home to stunning cliffs and caves that travellers will recognise from the Game of Thrones, Devon has its own enchanting gem.
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Bantham Beach in Devon is “an archetypal English beach, full of space, sand and salt breezes” according to Which. The south Devon beach takes on the shape of a horseshoe and is where the River Avon unravels into the English Channel.
While Devon may have the prettiest beach, Cornwall takes the prize for the best wild beach. Soar Mill Cove in Devon is a secret paradise between Salcombe and Hope Cove that is defined by green cliffs.
While Soar Mill Cove is a true gem, Lantic Bay in Cornwall wins for best wild beach with its wildflower-filled sea cliffs and the thick hedgerows that provide privacy and an atmosphere of tranquility. There are no shops, toilets or lifeguards on the shores, but that again adds to its wild and rare charm.
Has Devon won the contest?
But Devon and Cornwall are more than their beaches, to determine the best seaside county Which also took the villages into consideration. To determine the county with the best small village beaches, Which put Cornwall’s Mawgan Porth Beach head-to-head with Combesgate Beach in Devon.
Devon won the final round, with Which calling Combesgate Beach “possibly the loveliest village in north Devon” where “it feels as though clock hands have stood still”. Both Combesgate Beach and Mawgan Porth Beach in Cornwall are incredible surfer beaches, but Combesgate wins out with its serene beauty and maze of rock pools. With that, Devon wins the title of best UK beach holiday destination.
According to Which: “Devon – the only English county to claim two separate coastlines – wins for the diversity of its beaches. There are riches in the south: pebbly beaches near the Dorset border ideal for fossil hunters, plus the little coves of the South Hams for picnics and the red sands of Paignton, poised beside a pier and fairground rides.”
Devon also beat Cornwall in Which’s ranking of the best seaside towns, with Dartmouth, scoring 79%, beating Cornwall’s highest-placed beach town of St Mawes. And just a little outside of Dartmouth, you’ll find Blackpool Sands, a secluded private corner of the coast.
Dartmouth stands out for its breath-taking scenery and it was described by blogger Sarah Hagan – known online as sarahkhagan – as the “most beautiful town in the UK” in a viral video.