England is full of beautiful hidden gems, from small, unspoilt coves in Cornwall to stunning woodland walks in Lancashire. One beach in the north of the country has been named the best free hidden gem in the country. Embleton Bay, in Northumberland, has topped the list, with this unspoilt and dramatic beach proving popular with visitors from all over.
The outdoor enthusiasts at Millets compiled a list of England’s top free hidden gems, based on ratings on TripAdvisor and Google, with this beautiful beach coming out on top. In second place was Porth Joke in Cornwall, another stunning and unspoilt beach, while third place went to Gloucestershire’s Forest of Dean.
Embleton Bay is a beautifully unspoilt stretch of the coast backed by low dunes and watched over by the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. It is also just minutes from the historic town of Embleton, which is home to the UK’s largest village hall.
Dunstanburgh Castle, whose ruins can be seen from the beach, was built in the 1300s by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, the cousin and enemy of Edward II. By the late 1800s, the castle had fallen into ruin, and the Dunstanburgh ruins became a popular subject for artists and poets.
And it’s not just the outdoor experts at Millets who sing the praises of Embleton. Taking to TripAdvisor, one visitor wrote: “Beautiful, quiet dog friendly beach with great views. A castle at one end of the bay and a pub at the far end up at Low Newton By The Sea.
“Embleton Beach is pretty amazing. We were lucky enough to be staying in a cottage overlooking the bay and walked the dog on the sands every morning, often with nobody else in sight!”
While another added: “Embleton bay is a hidden gem on the Northumberland coast. The beach is powdery white sand and the sea is clear and safe for bathing. Dunstanburgh castle makes a dramatic backdrop and it is a pleasant walk along the coast to Craster.”
And a third wrote: “Beautiful beach and coastline. Water very clear, and looked clean. Great views of Dunstanburgh Castle, sandy and rocks, great for dogs and children.”
A fourth commented: “This is a delightful and peaceful beach with wonderful views of the nearby castle. Wonderful to watch the birdlife. It is very peaceful and calming, but unfortunately that depends on how many dogs are around at the time.”
Sharing the results of their research into England’s best free hidden gems, Millets blog author Sam Chadwick said: “The UK is full of beautiful locations, and in recent years, more people have discovered the benefits of spending time outdoors.
“We have collated our ultimate hidden gems list, revealing the highest rated hidden gems that are completely free to enjoy.”
England’s best free hidden gems
- Embleton Bay, Northumberland
- Porth Joke, Cornwall
- Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
- Kingley Vale, West Sussex
- Portheras Cove, Cornwall
- Barricane Beach, Devon
- Norsey Wood, Essex
- Lantic Bay, Cornwall
- Forest of Bowland, Lancashire
- Warburg Nature Reserve, Oxfordshire
- Covehithe Beach, Suffolk
- Cardinham Woods, Cornwall
- Box Hill, Surrey
- Heartwood Forest, Hertfordshire