Using Digital Colour Analysis, the travel experts at Dog Friendly Cottages have been able to determine, once and for all, the UK beaches with the whitest sand - and two of them are in Pembrokeshire! 

Researchers at Dog Friendly Cottages used Satellite images from Google Maps and a digital dropper tool to work out the RGB code for the sand. They then calculated which beaches boasted sand with a colour closest to the RGB number for white.

Using this criteria, it turns out that the UK’s whitest beach by a country mile is Holkham Beach -  less than three hours from London on the North Norfolk coast. 

In second place is Devon’s Woolacombe Beach, followed in third place by Pembrokeshire's beautiful Barafundle Bay.

Holkham beach is the jewel in the crown of the North Norfolk Coast, the beach stretches for miles and miles at low tide. 

This dreamy coastal landscape was the backdrop for the closing scenes of Shakespeare in Love when Gwyneth Paltrow’s character strolls across the seemingly never-ending sands after her love affair with Joseph Fiennes’ Shakespeare comes to an end. 

Dogs are welcome on the beach all year round, but required to be on leads during the warmer months to protect endangered seabirds. 

Nestled along the North Devon coast, this sprawling 3-mile expanse of sandy shore is favourite with both surfers and families seeking a quintessential day at the seaside.

The beach is steeped in history. Woolacombe Beach once served  a vital role during WW2 as a training ground for the US Army ahead of the Normandy Landings. Keep an eye out for the stone memorial plaque. Dogs are welcome on Woolacombe beach all year round. 

This hidden gem of a bay is surrounded by dunes and pine trees, and accessible only by a half-mile stroll from the car park.

This expansive stretch of white sand and crystal-clear waters is frequently voted among the best beaches in both Britain and the world. 

The bay offers a secluded escape, making it perfect for long dog walks, and dogs are welcome year round, do consult tide times before visiting though. 

Bamburgh Castle Beach offers an idyllic setting for a long walk along the shore, although the water remains cool even in the height of summer. It’s still a popular place to splash around in though. Dogs are allowed on the beach year round with no restrictions. 

The beach sits in the shadow of Bamburgh Castle, which dominates the skyline behind the shore; the castle's oldest sections were erected in the 12th century and it is well worth a visit. 

Tenby North Beach can be recognised by the iconic Goscar Rock rising from the sand, making it one of the most photographed landscapes in Wales.

North beach can be found between Harbour Beach and the North Cliffs, this beloved stretch of coastline faces east so basks in sunlight all day long. Dogs are welcome between October and March.

Known for its powdery white sands, well sheltered Porthcurno Beach enjoys its own microclimate. While the summertime typically offers calm warm conditions, the off-season southwest swells are famous with surfers and bodyboarders. 

Dogs are welcome across the whole site however there are restrictions in July and August. 

Camber Sands as the name might suggest, is a sandy rarity in Sussex. Unlike the other shingle-lined beaches of the Sussex coast, Camber Sands boasts a vast expanse of fine white sand. 

It's a picturesque stretch of uninterrupted coast, spanning 5 miles eastward from the village gradually transitioning to shingle further along the coast.

As the tide recedes, the huge beach reveals miles of wet sand ideal for building sandcastles. Dogs are welcome year round.

Rhossili Bay is one of the UK's most popular beaches and has been called 'the UK's No.1 dog-friendly beach' by The Times.

Rhossili Bay offers expansive white sands during low tide, allowing for leisurely walks to Llangennith. As well as being popular with dog walkers, surfers flock to its waters, and birdwatchers head down to spot rare seabirds nesting along the cliffs. Dog friendly year round, as you would expect.

Fistral Beach has risen to fame over the years as the home of British surfing, boasting perfect sands and untamed crashing waves. Its rugged beauty is accentuated by high cliffs and wild sand dunes. 

It frequently serves as a venue for major international surfing competitions, and even has its own surf museum. Dogs are welcome year round. 

Bournemouth’s main beach has been one of the country’s favourite days out since the Victorian era, and is still much loved today. The beach features the historic Bournemouth Pier constructed in 1880, keeping the Victorian seaside charm alive. 

During the summer months the beach can be extremely busy, so arrive early to secure a spot. Bournemouth beach has year round dog friendly zones, check the Bournemouth council website for more details.