Accolades for England's south-west coast

To visit England's best beach, travellers will need to leave the mainland and travel for 28 miles to the south-west of Lands End.

The beach in question is Par Beach on the island of St Martin's, part of the Isles of Scilly, which has just been given the accolade by the Rough Guide to England.

The Isles of Scilly comprise five inhabited islands that make up the most south-westerly point of the UK, and can be accessed both by air and sea (see www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk for more information).

Travellers will not need to go so far to see England's top coastal beauty spot, but they still need to head to the south-west to enjoy the raging seas that surround Lizard Point in Cornwall.

And while there they can also enjoy Zennor Head in Cornwall, Hartland Point and Start Point in Devon and Lulworth Cove in Dorset, which make up the rest of a south-west dominated top five.

The south-west also dominates the top beaches category, with Porthcurno - famed for its open air theatre - and Polzeath, both in Cornwall, and Woolacombe and Blackpool Sands in Devon completing the top five.

However, the latest edition of the Rough Guide to England is less complimentary about some other aspects of the country, describing its inhabitants as a nation of "overweight, sex-and-celebrity-obsessed TV addicts".

The 1,100 page guide also says "England is a country where accent and vocabulary can stamp a person's identity like a brand".

But it is more positive about some aspects of the national character like "animal loving, tea-drinking, charity donors thriving on irony and Radio 4".

The Rough Guide to England's top beaches

Par Beach, St Martin’s, Isles of Scilly - Hugely scenic and usually empty, despite the perfect sands.

Porthcurno, West Cornwall - Surrounded by cliffs, with an open-air theatre nearby.

Polzeath, Cornwall - A favourite with surfers, families and fashionable beach bums.

Woolacombe, North Devon - West-facing, a surfer’s delight, but also familyfriendly.

Blackpool Sands, South Devon - Can get very crowded, but come out of season
and you’ll be seduced by this crescent of coarse white sand sheltered by pines.

Studland Bay, Dorset - Three miles of sheltered beach on the Isle of Purbeck, with full facilities in season.

Holkham, Norfolk - Beyond the pines and dunes lie three miles of pancake-flat sands.

Bamburgh, Northumberland - Sky, sea, dunes and acres of sand, with the dramatic backdrop of Bamburgh Castle.

Blackpool, Lancashire - England’s biggest resort has its most extensive sands – seven miles of clean beach, plus donkeys, trams and amusements.

Whitby, North Yorkshire - Acres of beach, rock pools, lighthouse, piers and prom add up to Yorkshire’s best family beach.

The Rough Guide to England's top coastal beauty spots

Lizard Point, Cornwall - Raging seas surround this rocky promontory.

Zennor Head, Cornwall - Rugged and deserted, with steep walks around.

Hartland Point, Devon - Fantastic slate cliffs give this remote place an otherworldly feel.

Start Point, Devon - This dizzy headland is a haven for raucous birdlife.

Lulworth Cove, Dorset - Profoundly peaceful spot amidst high chalk cliffs, though it can get crowded.

The Needles, Isle of Wight - Spectacular pinnacles of rock thrust up from the sea.

Blakeney, North Norfolk - Picturesque retreat, with creeks, channels and sand banks to explore.

Robin Hood’s Bay, Yorkshire - Honeycombed cliffs and rocky reefs set the scene here.

Holy Island, Northumberland - A castle, priory ruins and abandoned hulks of boats add to the brooding character of this ancient spot.

Calf of Man, Isle of Man - Take the boat across to this remote bird sanctuary for its high cliffs and grassy meadows. XXX