The 'World's Most Sustainable Beach' Is An Iconic United Kingdom Haven With Soft Sands And Crystal-Clear Waters

Soft sand and crystal clear water might not be the first things you associate with a vacation to the United Kingdom, but perhaps they should be. While the U.K. is better known for the Royal Family, football, and London's vibrant pub scene, its beaches are often overlooked in favor of the warmer coastline of Southern Europe. While that's likely due to the country's famously unpredictable weather, for those who are willing to explore, the U.K. has a coastline worth bragging about. Sandbanks Beach in Poole, Dorset, is one of Great Britain's most iconic seaside destinations. Not only is it visually stunning, but it has also earned itself the title of the "world's most sustainable beach," according to Tripadvisor.

Currently making up one third of the globe's coastline, sandy beaches are vital, not just for the ecosystems they support, but also for tourism. As climate change worsens and sea levels rise, these beaches are slowly eroding. A study backed by the European Commission estimates that nearly half of the world's sandy beaches could disappear in the next 80 years.

Sandbanks earned its sustainable title based on four factors: environmental management, environmental education, water quality, and safety. These were assessed through a combination of visitor reviews and data collected by BeCause and the Blue Flag program. In fact, the European Commission has praised Sandbanks for maintaining a consistently high standard of cleanliness. Sandbanks has waved the metaphorical Blue Flag for over 30 years as a sign of its environmental efforts. Sustainability isn't the only thing the beach does well. It's also impressively accessible. Accessible parking spaces, wheelchair-friendly toilets, ramps, and mats to reach the sand, and even beach wheelchairs available on a first-come-first-served basis, make it a beach everyone can enjoy.

Set on Dorset's south coast, between Poole and Bournemouth, Sandbanks Beach stretches across a narrow peninsula that forms a natural harbor wall at the mouth of Poole Harbour — Europe's largest natural harbor. The homes lining the peninsula are among the most expensive real estate in the U.K., and it's easy to see why. With fine golden sand and clear, shallow water, the beach is ideal for a relaxed, family-friendly day out. Amenities are well thought out. A beach office offers clean toilets, fresh water showers, and rentals for umbrellas and loungers. Visitors can also enjoy beach volleyball, table tennis, mini golf, and a children's play area. Barbecues are permitted after 6 p.m., and there's a designated dog section.

Sandbanks lies along the 60 Harbour Breezer bus route, which takes 30 minutes to travel from central Poole to the Sandbanks Pavilion. Driving is slightly quicker, with the 5-mile journey taking 20 minutes. From Bournemouth, located 5 miles northeast, the drive is similar in duration. The easiest public transport option is the number 50 Purbeck Breezer, which runs from Landsdowne to the Pavilion in approximately 36 minutes.

Sandbanks offers 532 parking spaces at the Sandbanks Surface Car Park, and an additional 72 on Shore Road, including 23 designated disabled bays. One hour of parking costs about a few dollars from 15th March to the end of October. Out of season, you can park all day for about the same price as one hour during the peak season. You can also find Sandbanks on The Beach Check App, allowing you to check the traffic and how busy the beach is before going. You might also want to research the best time to visit England for optimal weather, especially if you are planning to spend a lot of time at the beach.