There’s no shortage of stunning beaches in the UK. From rugged coastlines to sandy shores complete with turquoise waters, some of the country’s beaches even manage to have a tropical feel to them. But they also have quite the reputation for being cold, especially during winter when the average sea temperature hovers around 10C.

Finding a spot to cool off that isn’t freezing cold is an added bonus when it comes to picking a beach to visit, and in fact, they’re not all prone to icy temperatures. With Google searches for ‘beach near me’ soaring +68% in the last week alone in the UK. A new study has identified the warmest seas in the UK to make it easier for Britons to decide which beaches to visit in the upcoming spring and summer months. The study from SIXT analysed temperatures across the UK, with one Cornish “hidden gem” coming out on top.

A small fishing village on the Roseland Peninsula, Portloe in Cornwall, is officially home to the warmest sea in the UK, with an average temperature of 15.9C throughout the year, making it an ideal spot for those in search of slightly milder sea temperatures. 

The small cove looks out onto turquoise waters and is surrounded by rolling green hills. It is part of the Roseland Peninsula, an Area of Outstanding Beauty in Cornwall. The quaint fishing village has a very small sandy beach at low tide that's ideal for a quick dip.

Second on the list of the warmest beaches is Rye in East Sussex, with an average maximum sea temperature of 15.2C. The pretty town with cobblestone streets and Georgian houses is also home to Camber Sands beach, which one TripAdvisor user called Ruth M said: “In my view, possibly the best beach in the UK.”

Known for its dramatic sand dunes, Camber Sands is frequently used in films including the 2014 acclaimed biographical drama detailing the life of famed physicist Stephen Hawking, The Theory of Everything. 

Another East Sussex destination that came in third place is Hastings. A mix of pebbles and sand, the beach looks out over the English Channel, where the sea temperature can reach 15.1C. 

Once a historic fishing town, it’s full of coastal charm and has become a popular destination for weekend trips in recent years, with a number of new hotels, cafes, and restaurants popping up. 

These are the beaches with the warmest sea in the UK:

• Portloe 15.9C
• Rye 15.2C
• Hastings 15.1C 
• Port Isaac 14.6C
• Penzance 14.6C
• Clovelly 14.5C 
• Hunstanton 14.4C
• St. Ives 14.4C
• Newquay 14.4C
• Falmouth 14.4C