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Thursday 21 February 2013

Swansea’s Rhossili Bay crowned the UK’s best beach and third best in Europe


TripAdvisor reveals the UK’s, Europe’s and the world’s best beaches

Awards season is upon us, the Brits and Oscars are just around the corner and today we at TripAdvisor announce the winners of the coveted TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Beaches Awards. 

Rhossili Bay in Swansea has been crowned the UK’s number one beach and third best in Europe beating almost every other beach in Spain, Greece and Italy. The Welsh beach even placed in the world’s top 10 above those in Hawaii, the Caribbean and more exotic locations.

Woolacombe Beach in Devon was named the UK’s second best beach while Cornwall’s Porthminster Beach took third place.

“These awards recognise the best beaches in the UK and beyond, according to those that really matter – travellers that have visited these beaches and given them the highest levels of praise,” commented Emma Shaw, TripAdvisor spokesperson. “Huge congratulations to Swansea’s Rhossili Bay for beating many of the most exotic beaches across the globe.”

Swansea beats Sardinia in the seaside stakes

Swansea’s Rhossili Bay is officially the UK’s number one beach, and, taking third place in Europe and 10th in the world just goes to prove that you don’t have to travel thousands of miles for a great beach.  

Rhossili Bay is the largest expanse of white sand on the Gower Peninsula and stretches for three miles. The beach’s vast stretch of sand and towering cliffs make it popular with surfers, paragliders and ramblers. The village of Rhossili is steeped in history and the wreck of the Helvetia, which ran aground on Rhossili Bay in November 1887 can still be seen on the beach today.

Councillor David Phillips, Leader of the City and County of Swansea said, “We are delighted, but not surprised, that Rhossili Bay has been acknowledged by the world’s leading consumer travel website. We hope that many more visitors continue to enjoy its outstanding natural beauty.”
 
Triple win for Dorset

In a triple celebration for Dorset, the county is home to three of the UK’s top 10 beaches: Hengistbury Head in fifth place, Weymouth Beach in seventh and Sandbanks in eighth.

Sicily celebrates world win

Italy’s Rabbit Beach in Sicily has been crowned the number one beach in the world. Situated on the small island of Lampedusa, it is a totally unspoiled nature reserve that can only be accessed by boat and is one of the few rare places in the Mediterranean where loggerhead sea turtles go to lay their eggs. Grace Bay in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos takes the runner up spot.
 
 
 
Click here for the full list of winners http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/TravellersChoice-Beaches

 
For more information please contact Hayley Coleman: 077 398 27951 / hcoleman@tripadvisor.com