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If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn moreBeach bags will be packed, picnic menus discussed and the car topped up, as the UK prepares for a balmy heatwave weekend.The Met Office has issued an amber heat warning for parts of the UK, notably in southern and eastern England and south Wales.Temperatures over the coming days are set to reach as high as 35C - overtaking European sun spots such as Ibiza, Crete and Rhodes.If you're planning a beach dash, then you're not alone - some of the UK's most popular coastlines will be full to the brim.Brighton Beach was packed out with Brits on the recent bank holiday, while Fistral Beach in Newquay and Margate's golden sands are likely to see the madding crowds descending once more.If you fancy a shoreside spot without jostling for space, venture further afield to some of the nation's quieter beaches - that the locals don't want you to discover.Here, the Daily Mail reveals some of the hidden gems and serene swimming spots you can enjoy (relatively) crowd-free... Seaham Beach, County Durham First up on the Daily Mail list is Seaham Beach in County DurhamSeaham Beach in County Durham is known, above all, for one thing: it has multi-coloured sea glass along its shores.It's also a hidden cove - so much so that it only has seven reviews on Tripadvisor.But visitors, despite being few and far between, adore the beach, with one summarising: 'Even though it was school holidays the beach wasn’t crowded and it is a lovely place for children and families. Thoroughly enjoyed our time spent on it.'Another added: 'Treasure trove of sea glass across the entire beach, all within a stunning setting. Easy access from the carpark at the top of the cliff with stairs leading down to the beach. Decent cafe with facilities located in the car park.'Where to stay: Doubles at four-star Seaham Hall, from £305 per night.Studland Bay, Dorset The next underrated beach is Studland Bay, described as a 'hidden paradise'England's Jurassic Coast is known for its dramatic scenery and popular seaside destinations, drawing millions of visitors every year.While crowds gravitate towards the sands at Bournemouth, one Dorset location has remained largely under the radar.Studland Bay is often described as a 'hidden paradise', with four miles of white and golden sand, protected waters and stretches of purple heathland, all surrounded by striking dunes and chalk cliffs.The area even inspired celebrated children's author Enid Blyton, who used it to help fashion Toyland in her Noddy books after holidaying there.The bay is made up of four beaches managed by the National Trust - Knoll Beach, Middle Beach, Shell Bay and South Beach.Where to stay: Doubles at THE PIG-on the beach, from £205 per night.Alnmouth, Northumberland In Alnmouth, Northumberland, you'll find quiet villages and gorgeous viewsThis scenic Northumberland village boasts wide sandy shores and peaceful coastal walks - ideal for avoiding the bank holiday crowds.The half-hour walk from the station is a surprising bonus, as the route winds through open countryside and along the estuary before reaching colourful cottages and an unspoilt beach.It's a simple, low-cost day out centred on fresh air and nature, topped off with a hearty pub lunch at nearby spots like the Red Lion Inn and The Whittling House.Where to stay: Doubles at St Valery Boutique Bed + Breakfast, from £180 per night.St Martin's, Isles of Scilly Head to the island of St Martins, Isles of Scilly for a tropical UK staycationFancy a spot of the Caribbean... near Cornwall?Well, you'd be in luck if so - St Martin's, the third largest of the Scilly islands, has drawn comparisons to the tropical region and offers many of the factors that make it appealing: blazing sun, white sandy beaches and clear water.Plenty of the good handful of beaches remain off-the-radar with hardly another human in sight, making this the perfect spot for those seeking a quiet, tourist-free break.Where to stay: Doubles at Karma St. Martin's, from £296 per night.Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland Bamburgh Castle and its beach in Northumberland should be added to your bucket listThe beach in front of Bamburgh Castle feels so vast that overcrowding rarely happens - you can walk along it for miles without having to share your path.If you're visiting, the Castle itself is well worth a look, and the scenery looks like something out of a movie - and indeed, it has starred on the big screen more than once, including in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in 2023.'Absolutely fabulous beach with the most stunning back drop. Picture soft golden sand, grand castle in the background, islands in the foreground, quiet and peaceful', is how one reviewer on Tripadvisor described the coastal stretch.Where to stay: Doubles at The Lord Crewe, from £250 per night.Hayle, Cornwall Hayle in Cornwall makes for a great alternative to more overcrowded nearby beachesJust down the coast from St Ives but a world away from the tourist throng, Hayle is the ultimate Cornish destination for a laid-back beach getaway.The town sits at the end of a three-mile stretch of sandy beaches. Swimmers should head to nearby Hayle Beach or to the far end of the bay at Godrevy for calmer conditions.Surfers, meanwhile, should stick to the central beaches – Gwithian and the Towans – where there are surf schools offering tuition and equipment hire.Visitors describe Hayle as 'often quiet', especially in comparison to nearby St Ives.Where to stay: Doubles at the Carbis Bay Hotel & Estate, from £450 per night. Church Ope Cove, Dorset Next up on the list is Church Ope Cove in Portland, DorsetDorset is a beachy haven - and Church Ope Cove is an underrated gem.Visit Dorset says: 'Climb down steps to enjoy this secretive cove or explore the Weares, a unique rocky landscape created through landslips and quarrying. Wind your way along pathways and enjoy butterflies in spring and summer or colourful scrub berries and leaves in autumn.'You can follow the South West Coast Path to join the old railway that runs along the base of the cliffs, with views and scenery to die for. Check out the Portland Museum while you're here, too. Where to stay: Doubles at Pennsylvania Castle Estate, price available on request, (thepennestate.co.uk). The Maze, Isle of Tiree, Scotland The Maze on the Isle of Tiree, Argyll and Bute also does a fine impression of the CaribbeanWith its tropical beaches, crystal-clear water and sunshine, Hawaii is a pretty dreamy holiday destination. Sadly, it also comes with a steep price tag.But don't worry. There's an island right here in the UK that's so beautiful it's earned itself the impressive nickname, 'Hawaii of the North'.The Isle of Tiree in Scotland's Inner Hebrides has white sand beaches, dazzling seas and some of the British Isles' highest levels of sunshine to match.At just 12 miles long and three miles wide, the island is 'relatively small', explains Visit Scotland.Where to stay: Doubles at the Taigh-òsta Riof/Reef-Inn, from £175 per night.Walberswick Beach, Suffolk Walberswick Beach in Suffolk is dog-friendly and more popular with walkers than sunbathersQuiet Walberswick Beach in Suffolk, close to a nature reserve, maintains a natural atmosphere with its combination of sand and shingle dunes.The dog-friendly beach is popular among walkers and hikers, as well as those interested in crabbing.Those who have paid the beach a visit have raved about it, with one saying: 'There's something about this area I just love. It's peaceful, uncomplicated and clean. Very, very British traditional. I love the place.'Where to stay: Doubles at Salthouse Harbour Hotel and Spa, from £168 per night.
As the heatwave hits, here's the best secret beaches to visit
The mercury is soaring...and thousands of us will head for the coast this weekend. How to find a quieter stretch of sand though?














