Low Newton-by-the-Sea in Northumberland has been crowned the best beach in the North for 2026 by travel experts at The Times and Sunday Times. The accolade highlights the unspoilt stretch of sand, which beat more famous Northumberland beaches such as Bamburgh, Druridge Bay, and Embleton Bay.
Seven North East beaches in top 50
The North East performed strongly in the rankings, with seven beaches making the overall top 50 in the UK. Four of the North's top seven beaches for 2026 are in the region. Alongside Low Newton-by-the-Sea, the other North East beaches recognised are Tynemouth's Longsands, Roker in Sunderland, and Seahouses (North). The remaining three in the top seven are all in North Yorkshire: Boggle Hole, Whitby Sands, and Marske Sands.
Praise from chief travel writer
Chris Haslam, award-winning chief travel writer at The Times and The Sunday Times, described Low Newton-by-the-Sea as an idyllic and underrated beach. He wrote: 'The birders were all of a flutter when I arrived at Low Newton, a field of gold at the top end of Embleton Bay. Four Temmink’s stints en route to Siberia had been spotted treating the beach like a Welcome Break service station.' He added that a rosy starling, an American black tern, and orcas were also seen, drawn by 'the gentle beauty of a Northumbrian beach that offers not only top class wildlife watching but also, in the CAMRA award-winning, folk music-loving Ship Inn, arguably the nation’s best seaside boozer.'
Rigorous assessment criteria
The Times and Sunday Times 50 Best UK Beaches guide assesses each beach against a 12-point checklist, including cleanliness, accessibility, parking, lifeguard provision, condition of toilets and showers, dog-friendliness, and water quality. Low Newton-by-the-Sea scored highly across all criteria, cementing its place as the top northern beach.
