Crescent-shaped Par Beach on the Isles of Scilly stretches for half a mile and has now been dubbed the 'greatest beach' in the UK.
Light sandy dunes and panoramic views of the uninhabited Eastern Isles are part of the charm of Par Beach, according to the Daily Telegraph. Popular with families and dog walkers, the beach has plenty of activities to offer including kayaking, diving, snorkelling, fishing and sailing. As well as the more traditional bathing and swimming.
"I tripped over it [the beach] during the pandemic, in that time when we were all meant to be discovering our own country," said Chris Leadbeater, travel correspondent at The Telegraph. "And it did feel like a discovery, as I approached by water – and found myself staring besotted at this largely unadorned crescent, with its little jetty and handful of rowing boats."
Par Beach is the 'greatest beach' in the UK, according to The Telegraph's travel experts (Fiona Graham/REX/Shutterstock)Located on St Martin's Island, there are many places to stay within a short distance of the beach itself. The closest accommodation is the shepherd huts at St Martin's Vineyard and Winery. Each hut is hand-built and located on the vineyard, equipped with a kitchen and a shower room. These aren't the run-down, poor water pressure, cold sheds that people often associated shepherd huts with. Instead, the huts contain mains water pressure showers and have been made wider than usual huts to ensure couples don't have to clamber over each other in the night.
To make you feel better about the beautiful environment around you, all of the power for the hut comes from solar panels and battery storage on the farm or through its renewables-only energy provider. The huts cost £820 per week, but guests can bag themselves a bargain in February, March and November when the price drops to £670 for two adults per week.
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Alternative accommodation can be found at Carron Farm and Scilly Farm Holidays or if a yurt is your fancy, Scilly Organics has one you can book for from £450, for a week.
St Martin's Vineyard and Winery are a stone's throw from the beach itself (Fiona Graham/REX/Shutterstock)For fans of wildlife, Seal Snorkelling Adventures offers 2.5-hour trips where guests can get up close and personal with Atlantic grey seals. Wetsuits, snorkels, masks and the boat trip are all included in the price, which is £65 per person.
For those who prefer not to dip into the cold ocean water, there are also numerous cafes on the island. Open between Easter and October, The Island Bakery produces handmade bakes using local and Cornish ingredients. Local Polreath Guest House also has its own tea room, which dates back to the 1950s and has been family-run for the past 21 years.
Further inland visitors will find The Seven Stones Inn, a quirky-cum-rustic family-run pub with magnificent views across the island. All produce at the pub is sourced locally as much as possible.
Par Beach offers the perfect staycation, especially for those who don't like to venture far from their accommodation and would rather immerse themselves in the community.
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