ALUM Chine Beach, one of Bournemouth's Blue Flag award winning coastlines, has been ranked as one of the top ten beaches in the UK, a new survey finds.

In a recent survey, holidaycottages.co.uk revealed that whilst 75 per cent of UK residents were likely to visit the coast at home, a staggering 98 per cent were either likely or very likely to visit the coast for their holidays, which just shows how much we Brits do love to be beside the sea.

In light of this, holidaycottages.co.uk has created a user-friendly beach index to help locals and visitors to find the best beaches across the UK to meet their needs.

The index was created by collating data on over 400 beaches across England, Scotland and Wales, and ranking them on various criteria including the availability of parking, toilets and whether the beach is dog friendly.

Bournemouth Echo:

Alum Chine beach was found to have come seventh in the rankings, Saltburn Beach in Yorkshire taking the crown of the UK’s best beach due to an array of facilities and Blue Flag water quality.

It is closely followed by Fistral Beach in Cornwall, and Hemsby Beach in Norfolk.

Digital PR Manager at holidaycottages.co.uk Shannon Keary said: “With so many eager to get out and make the most of the Great British coast this year, we’re really excited to reveal this new tool which should help people to find the seaside locations that best meet their needs.

“The beaches highlighted as the best in the UK not only offer stunning scenery, but an array of facilities that can be essential for many wishing to spend an entire day on the sand with their children and dogs, or in the sea.

“Being able to filter down to beaches with lifeguards, the highest water quality, the availability of water sports and other factors should really help people to make their decision on where best to enjoy their break by the sea.”