Secluded pebble beach that’s one of the quietest in the UK named a ‘hidden gem’

A SECLUDED beach that's said to be one of the quietest in the country has been described as a "hidden gem" by experts.

Staycations are becoming increasingly popular as holiday costs continue to rise, meaning the UK's beaches are also getting busier.

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Weymouth is no exception, with thousands of people seen crowding on its shores, particularly on warmer days.

However, just a bit further up the coast, is Portland, which some people have praised for its "stunning" views and "beauty".

The island is home to some small secluded beaches like Church Ope Cove, which has been described as a "hidden gem" by .

They wrote: "Discover one of Portland’s hidden gems on the island’s sheltered east coast."

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The beach is a favourite of those who live nearby and like to escape the crowds of beach-goers on busier summer's days.

Sitting in the shadows of Rufus Castle, a "bow and arrow" settlement on Portland that has looked out from the headland over the top of the cove since the 15^th century.

The beach is popular with swimmers and snorkelers who make the most of the cliffs that provide shelter from winds on three different sides.

Divers are also fans of the beach too, with the cove providing them with good access to numerous shipwrecks in the surrounding waters.

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To reach the beach, visitors will need to climb down a series of steep steps for around 10-minutes.

There are limited facilities at the beach, so beach-goers will need to bring their supplies with them.

It's also said to be a good spot for wildlife watching, with claiming that dolphins are also sometimes spotted by fortunate visitors.

They wrote: "The beach is surrounded by cliffs on three sides which provide shelter from the often strong breeze in the area. As the beach faces south, it is also something of a sun trap throughout the day.

"Wildlife highlights here include a range of species of birds and if you are lucky you may even spot a passing dolphin in these waters."

There's more fascinating history to be seen near the beach too, with smugglers using it to bring items like alcohol, tobacco and coffee into the country.

There's even rumours that the ruins of the church nearby from where the cove gets its name is home to a pirate's grave.

A stone tomb can be found with a Jolly Roger-style skull and crossbones on the end of it among the old graveyard.

However, the  claims that local historians have long-since disproved the tale.

That doesn't make the area any less inviting, though, with plenty of people still recommending it as a quiet place to enjoy a summer's day.

Visitors can also explore the Weares, a unique rocky landscape created through landslides and quarrying.

There are a series of paths visitors can follow, including the South West Coast Path and a circular walk from the Portland Museum that's home to a collection of fossils.

Even though there are not many facilities at the beach, there are toilets for beach-goers to use.

There are no lifeguards at the beach and dogs are welcome all year.

The beach consists of soft limestone pebbles.

Church Ope Cove has an overall rating of 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor, where it has been described as "stunning" and "beautiful" among other words.

One wrote: "I can’t get over just how beautiful this place was I’m totally in love.

"Not only stunning views but the hidden ruins of an old 13th century church and its graveyard with so called 'pirate graves'."

Another said: "The pebbly beach is beautifully remote, the beach huts add a touch of beauty."

A third added: "A lovely secluded cove that never seems to get too busy."

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Worbarrow Bay in Dorset is also rather secluded, being a 20 minute journey you can only make by foot.

And here's a hidden cove in Dartmouth that only locals know about

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