The UK has some of the best beaches

A decade ago, UK beaches were in a shameful state. In 1989 only 76 per cent of bathing water met EC safety levels.

After a clean-up, the figure has soared to 94 per cent. This year the Marine Conservation Society's Good Beach Guide recommends a record 275 beaches. With the newfound trendiness of traditional coastal towns such as Padstow and St Ives, the seaside is back with a vengeance. Wherever you live, you are no further than 200km from the sea. Here's where to pitch your windbreak.

1. Pembrokeshire A quick sprint from London is the Pembrokeshire coast on the western tip of Wales. From St David's Head to Carmarthen Bay stretches 80km of stunning coastline. There are about ten sandy bays, all pointing in different directions, so you will always find somewhere protected from the Atlantic wind. Drive from London: 2.5 hours

2. Trebarwith Strand There are so many great beaches in Cornwall it would be quicker to tell you the ones to avoid. Trebarwith is wondrous. When the tide is in, the bay disappears and you'll wonder what the fuss is about. At low tide, however, it stretchesnorth for 1km, revealing rock pools of turquoise, pink and gold. Drive from London: 5 hours

3. Kimmeridge Bay Beautiful secluded beaches close to London are generally a thing of the past. But Kimmeridge, between Bournemouth and Weybridge, is a jewel. Nicknamed 'Kay Bay' after South Africa's legendary 'Jay Bay', Kimmeridge Bay is a favourite of divers, snorkellers, surfers, windsurfers and fossil spotters. Drive from London: 2 hours

4. St Andrews Not just the birthplace of golf, but a fairly beautiful beach in a blustery, barren way. Three championship-standard golf courses look out over this impressive expanse and across the sea. The five-star Old Course Hotel is close by. Drive from London: 9 hours

5. Sennen Cove Land's End has over one million visitors a year and does not have a beach, yet two miles north is beautiful Sennen Cove. A sprawling sandy bay with water so clear that on sunny days you can see huge, but harmless, basking sharks. Drive from London: 6 hours

6. Inner Hebrides If you like your beaches remote, then the Hebridean Isles of Eigg, Rhum, Canna and Muck should fit the bill. Rhum is a reserve for golden eagles and red deer; you need permission from the conservancy to stay there. Canna and Muck are two farms surrounded by beautiful sandy shores, while Eigg is a teeming metropolis by Hebridean standards, with a population of between 80 to 90. Drive from London: allow a day

7. Embleton Bay Northumberland doesn't roll off the tongue like Malibu, but Embleton Bay puts Malibu to shame. It may be a mile walk from the car park across dunes and golf links but the bay over which the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle reside is magnificent. Drive from London: 6 hours

8. Dingle Peninsula This rugged peninsula on the south-western tip of Ireland, is where 90 per cent of the world's four-wheel drive adverts are shot. The battle between the surging rock platters and the sea has formed some of the most amazing coves and bays you will see anywhere. Drive from Dublin: 3 hours

9. Llanddwyn Bay Possibly the most beautiful beach in Europe, Llanddwyn stretches four miles along the southern coast of Anglesey in North Wales. So beautiful in fact, St Dwynwen, the patron saint of lovers, founded her convent on this very spot. Drive from London: 6 hours

10. St Ouen's Bay St Ouen's stretches along the west coast with a gentle gradient that puts the waterline out of sight at low tide. A popular destination for water-sports enthusiasts (Jersey was the first water authority to install a UV sewage treatment system). Drive from St Helier: 1 hour