Two Norfolk beaches named among best in UK by Sunday Times

The Times and Sunday Times annual best beach guide for 2025 has recognised two of the UK’s top 50 beaches as being in Norfolk.

Judging criteria include water quality, cleanliness, accessibility, car-parking facilities, lifeguard presence, hygiene levels at restrooms and showers, and dog-friendliness.

Brancaster, renowned for its golden sands, was the first beach named. The publication has previously praised the seaside spot as having a “yoga-like effect” on the mind.

Brancaster beach is known for its golden sands.  (Image: Newsquest) Sea Palling, also ranked among the best of the best beaches in the country.

The Sunday Times has previously called the coastal spot “a spotlessly clean beach of golden sand”, complimenting its “nine gorgeously sheltered bays”.

Sea Palling has previously been described as a “spotlessly clean” beach by the publication. (Image: Mark Bullimore) Overall, Skegness, in Lincolnshire, was named as the best beach in the East of England.

Chris Haslam, chief travel writer at The Times and The Sunday Times, said:  “While many of our once-buzzing seaside resorts are slowly fading, Skegness seems to be going the other way.

“Unapologetically cheap and cheerful, with a magnificent beach and all the traditional ingredients, Skeggy’s got what it takes in buckets and spades.”