Award-winning UK beach hailed as a ‘hidden gem’ ranks among Europe’s top travel hotspots
- UK Hidden Gems
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
An award-winning British beach has been named one of Europe’s top holiday destinations, with visitors praising its golden sands and stunning sea views.
This hidden gem, just south of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, has earned the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best award.
The much-loved seaside spot now appears alongside destinations in Greece and Spain and ranks among the top two beaches in the UK.
The ‘Best of the Best’ award is given to places that receive an exceptional number of positive reviews on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period.
Out of 8 million listings, fewer than 1% achieve this honour, making Gorleston-on-Sea an impressive standout on the UK’s coast.
The beach offers visitors sweeping views of grassy cliffs, plus a range of activities including mini golf, bowling greens, tennis and basketball courts, and a children’s play area.
There’s also ramp access to the beach, along with a model yacht pond and a fun splash pad for kids.
One of the biggest perks is the free parking and well-kept public toilets, including accessible facilities.
The beach is also a favourite with surfers and bodyboarders, thanks to its great waves and open shoreline.
Just a five-minute walk from the town centre, visitors can find cafes, shops and amusements nearby. Gorleston is also home to an Edwardian theatre that hosts seaside performances throughout the year.
For walkers, there’s a scenic cliff-top trail offering breathtaking views of the beach and harbour below.
One TripAdvisor reviewer wrote: “A lovely place to visit. Lots of space and never too busy. The clifftop play park was great, and we had it to ourselves even in the school holidays.
There are a few cafes and good toilet facilities. It’s such a clean and well-kept area.” Another described it as having “old-fashioned charm” and “miles of sandy beach,” while a third said they loved the “beautiful beach and peaceful atmosphere.”
Another visitor commented: “Beautiful beach – so clean, so long and so relaxing. There are sandy and stony areas, lots of lovely views, and everything you need close by, including public loos.”
Someone else added: “This beach has everything for a perfect family day out – drinks, ice cream, and amazing fish and chips. Plus, there’s plenty of free parking. Definitely recommend!”
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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