Sure, those "sceptered isles" are not always sunny, but when the clouds finally break at the height of the summer you'll find many Brits escaping the heat - at their favorite beaches and resorts that dot the UK's 19,000 miles of coastline.

The most world famous of them is Brighton Beach, a one-hour train ride south of London, and perhaps more notable for its restaurants and social scene than its pebbley beach.

Elsewhere in England, experienced travelers and British beach goers usually head southwest for the coasts of Dorset (with Bournemouth a major tourist base), Cornwall, and Devon to find the country's best beach and surfing spots.

On Wales' "Gold Coast" peninsula, Swansea is a major hub for visiting Gower region beaches, famed for both its bays and coves as well as its long stretches of gold sand beaches.

On the Web, discover more about the surprising variety of summer fun to be had all around the British Isles, with expert travel tips, maps and photos and top picks by visitors and travel writers in guides to the UK's best beaches....