Yahoo News 'Best UK beach' named after famous seaside town - but it's 300 miles away
Blackpool Sands in Devon, not to be confused with its namesake town up north, has been named the UK's best beach by Conde Nast Traveller.
Despite being a good 300 miles from the iconic Blackpool Tower and Winter Gardens, this gem of a beach owes its name to a local village nearby.
Selected as number one out of 54, the travel magazine hailed it as a "wonderful surprise" and compared the scenic drive through pine trees to that of Italy's famed Amalfi Coast. The sea adjacent to Blackpool Sands' impressive stretch of beach received accolades for its "astonishingly clear" waters, attributed to the pebbly beach.
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The Blackpool Sands Cafe, Lounge and Restaurant offers dining options right on the beachfront, serving up everything from locally sourced crab to hearty breakfasts. There's also a selection of drinks available, including roasted coffee and cocktails, not forgetting ales and a children's menu.
For those looking to get active, there are paddle boards and kayaks for hire, along with guided tours along Devon's breath-taking coastline, reports the Mirror. For visitors seeking a more laid-back experience, the beach features a sauna. CN Traveller recommends staying at the Dart Marina Hotel, a "smart harbour-side stay" with its own spa and restaurant, as reported by the Express.
In the vicinity is Salcombe, where you can find Gara Rock with its "staggering" clifftop views and the Harbour Beach Club, which is mere seconds from the water's edge.
Blackpool Sands, a favourite amongst beach-goers, is just a stone's throw away from Dartmouth, nestled between Stoke Fleming and Strete on the A379. For those arriving by car, there's plenty of parking adjacent to the beach.
For bus travellers, hop on the No. 93 from Dartmouth to Kingsbridge, then take a picturesque stroll along The South Devon Coast Path to reach the sandy shores.
