With The Sunday Times recently revealing its list of the 50 of the best beaches in the UK, we took a closer look at the North East beaches that made the list.
The Times said that more than 800 beaches were visited to compile the list, with chief travel writer Chris Haslam naming Sandhaven in South Shields as the beach of the year for 2022.
Read more: This North East village has been named in UK's top ten for a peaceful getaway
Only eight Northern beaches made the top 50, with Blackpool in Lancashire making it into the rankings alongside three in North Yorkshire, three in Northumberland and Sandhaven.
We've already focused on Sandhaven, so here's a closer look are the other six North East beaches beaches deemed good enough to make The Sunday Times top 50.
Whitby West, North Yorkshire
Whitby is a much-loved jewel in North Yorkshire's tourism crown and attracts thousands of visitors from far and wide.
Its west side makes the Sunday Times list rather than the town centre itself.
The West Cliff is famed for its whale bone arch is the bronze statue of Captain James Cook, standing over 6 feet tall, in homage to the explorer's links to the fishing town.
Whitby is of course famous for being the inspiration behind Bram Stoker's Dracula novel after the author spent time in the town.
The gothic abbey on top of the south cliff is an iconic part of the Whitby landscape and has long been a favourite destination for goths and literary lovers.
Cornelian Bay, North Yorkshire
Cornelian Bay is a bay of the North Sea near Scarborough, North Yorkshire.
It is located between the headlands of White Nab and Knipe Point, just north of Cayton Bay.
Geographical features of note include two Second World War pillboxes and the Cleveland Way walking trail skirts the clifftop for the length of the bay.
Redcar Coatham, North Yorkshire
Coatham is an area of Redcar in the borough of Redcar and Cleveland and the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire.
There is reputed to be an entry in the Doomsday book – the first recorded reference to Coatham as "there is a Hamlet of Cotes (one-roomed cottages or shacks) on the beach where the people collect coal from boats from Hartlepool, to carry by pack animal to the Abbey at Guisborough for the heating for the monks there".
The majority of modern Coatham is Victorian housing, most notably at its northern tip by the Coatham Hotel built in 1860.
A small boating lake, leisure centre, arcade complex and caravan park now occupies the remainder of Coatham's coast.
Howdiemont Sands, Northumberland
This wide, sandy beach sits between Boulmer and Howick and is reached on foot from either locations or by road from Longhoughton.
Like the nearby Sugar Sands, it is a secluded but popular beach, enjoyed by walkers and those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of busy seaside resorts.
Newton Steads and Football Hole, Northumberland
This is another small, secluded beach that boasts pale sands and rocky areas great for a spot of rockpooling.
The beach is accessed via a National Trust walking route between Beadnell and Low Newton.
Because it's a moderate walk and there is no parking at the beach itself, it remains a quiet peaceful place to visit.
St Aidan’s Dunes, Northumberland
This beach is walkable from Seahouses and the dunes are a perfect example of Northumberland dune habitat.
They are home to a multitude of nesting birds, small mammals and hundreds of insects attracted by the grasses and wildflowers.
The beach offers offers lovely views of the Inner Farne Islands and St Aidan's Dunes are a hit with reviewers on the popular TripAdvisor travel website - currently boasting a five-star rating from visitors.
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