A beach in Ceredigion has been named among the best in Britain.

From some of the more familiar beaches in Cornwall, Devon and Sussex, to others a little further off the beaten track in the Highlands and Hebrides, the travel experts at The Telegraph have rounded up the best beaches from across the country.

Introducing the list, the media outlet said: "Britain’s relationship with its beaches might easily be described as “complicated”.

"There are days when the rain arrows in sideways, and that excursion to the seaside is reduced to huddling in fish-and-chip shops and Victorian bandstands.

"There are days when everyone has the same idea – or, as was the case in the two pandemic summers, no other option – and you can barely see the sand for damp picnic blankets, grouchy children, yapping dogs and giant beady-eyed seagulls.

Tivyside Advertiser: See the full list of Britain's best beaches below.See the full list of Britain's best beaches below. (Image: Getty Images)

"Then there are days when the sun shines at the right temperature and the ideal angle, the shoreline looks like a tropical postcard, and you briefly wonder why, for all the glorious places dotted round the globe, you would ever go anywhere else.

"With the weather finally starting to play ball, we can focus on that third scenario – and the best that this country and its 7,723 miles of coast can offer.

"For there will be plenty of days during the upcoming months when the perimeters of Wales, Scotland and England – and yes, their surrounding islands – are holiday heaven, and you will not be able to stop yourself unlocking your phone, and clicking the camera."

Britain’s best beaches

The top 20 best beaches in Britain, according to The Telegraph, are:

  1. Par, Isles of Scilly
  2. Pedn Vounder, Cornwall
  3. Polzeath, Cornwall
  4. East Portlemouth, Devon
  5. Saunton Sands, Devon
  6. Seatown, Dorset
  7. Clevedon, Somerset
  8. Totland Bay, Isle of Wight
  9. Rottingdean, East Sussex
  10. St Margaret’s Bay, Kent
  11. Walberswick, Suffolk
  12. Brancaster, Norfolk
  13. Morecambe North, Lancashire
  14. Runswick Bay, North Yorkshire
  15. Cocklawburn and Cheswick, Northumberland
  16. Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire
  17. Penbryn, Ceredigion
  18. Elie Harbour, Fife
  19. Silver Sands of Morar, Highland
  20. Scarista Beach, Isle of Harris

You can see the full list and more details on each beach on The Telegraph website.

Ceredigion beach named among Britain's best

Ceredigion's Penbryn was one of only two Welsh beaches to feature on The Telegraph's list, along with Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire.

Describing Penbryn beach, the news outlet said: "If you’ve never heard of Penbryn, it’s most likely because locals whisper quietly about this sublime, cliff-clasped bay on the Ceredigion coast.

"Living in the Cambrian Mountains, Penbryn is one of my nearest beaches and its wild beauty pulls me back time and again.

"The magic is all in the approach: pootling along narrow country lanes that dip gently to the sea, parking at the National Trust car park, then walking in quiet wonder through a fern-flecked, waterfall-wisped beech forest until rock eventually becomes sand.

"In spring the woods are dusted with bluebells.

"And my, my what a beach: here rugged cliffs roll down to butterscotch sands and booming surf, where you might spot dolphins and seals early or late in the day.

"Go for a gaspingly cold swim, or ramble north along gorse-clad cliffs on the coast path to Traeth Bach, the castaway cove of childhood fantasies."

Penbryn recommendations 

If you are planning a trip to visit Penbryn and looking for somewhere to stay, The Telegraph recommends glamping in the rustic-cool style of a log cabin or geodesic dome at Fforest Coast (four nights self-catering for two in a dome from £910).

If you are looking for somewhere to eat or a coffee, the Plwmp Tart is your place.

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The Telegraph said: "In a dinky converted cart house, the Plwmp Tart (01239 758100) does fabulous coffee, cakes and ice cream.

"Organic homegrown ingredients go into lunches like pea and wild garlic soup and sweet potato falafel."

If the weather isn't playing ball and you are looking for a "rainy day activity", The Telegraph suggests a visit to In the Welsh Wind distillery just five minutes down the road from Penbryn. 

The distillery has won multiple awards for its gins infused with local botanicals and offers tours, tastings and gin-making workshops.