Summer’s balmy evenings and longer-lasting daylight mean many are enjoying after-work beach visits and alfresco dinners in the garden but, what you might not know is that sunset-watching can have a meaningful impact on our brain and mental health.
In fact, research indicates that consistently taking time to experience awe – such as catching a beautiful sunset – can diminish anxiety and depression while boosting memory, creativity, sleep and even altruism(1) – which is why you might want to mark Wednesday 12th August in your diary. This date is when a partial solar eclipse is due to take place, where up to 90% of the sun is covered by the moon. A dramatic event offering a spectacular sunset, it’s also the most coverage seen from the UK and Ireland since the 1999 solar eclipse!(2,3)
To help plan your viewpoint, the comfortable flip flop experts at FitFlop have researched 10 awe-inspiring locations across the UK that are well worth a visit during sundown.
- Neist Point Lighthouse Viewpoint, Scotland | Walk Difficulty: Easy | Length: 1.5 mile return
One of the UK’s most dramatic coastal sunset spots, Neist Point Lighthouse offers uninterrupted views as the sun sinks into the Atlantic beyond Skye’s towering basalt cliffs. Despite attracting just 170 Google searches during July, interest in the remote beauty spot has increased by 320% over the past year.(4) The west-facing Neist Point car park itself has wonderful views for golden hour. Or, you can descend from here down the cliff path towards the Neist Point Lighthouse which takes around 30 minutes to walk (1.5-mile return) and is uphill on the way back. If you get there early, orcas, dolphins and harbour porpoises can sometimes be spotted at sea.(5)
- Ynys Llanddwyn, Anglesey, Wales | Walk Difficulty: Moderate | Length: 3 mile return
A tidal island steeped in legend, Ynys Llanddwyn combines sandy beaches, rolling dunes and a historic lighthouse with stunning views across to the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia). Google searches peak at 22,200 in August, as visitors flock to catch the sunset reflecting across the Menai Strait. A gentle 60-90 minute (3 mile return) walk from the Newborough Forest car park leads through woodland and across the beach to the island.
- Rhossili Bay, Wales | Walk Difficulty: Easy | Length: 1.4 mile return
With three miles of golden sand and one of Britain’s widest west-facing horizons, Rhossili Bay is one of Wales’ finest sunset destinations. Google searches have risen by 22% in the past three months, reaching almost 50,000 in July, highlighting its growing popularity. For sweeping coastal views, visitors can enjoy an easy 20 minute walk from the National Trust Rhossili car park down to Rhossili Bay, following a well-maintained path that descends onto the award-winning beach with sunset views over the Atlantic.
- Seven Sisters & Beachy Head, England | Walk Difficulty: Moderate | Length: 1.4 – 2.8 mile return (route dependent)
The iconic white chalk cliffs of Seven Sisters and neighbouring Beachy Head glow golden as the evening sun drops over the English Channel. Seven Sisters is the most Googled spot – attracting more than 300,000 monthly Google searches during July and August – although Beachy Head searches have risen 22% over the past three months. For a cliff top view, the shortest route for catching the sunset is to park at the Beachy Head West car park and follow the South Downs Way Coastal Path to Beachy Head cliff top (0.7 miles) which takes 15-20 minutes. Or, for a sea-level view of the coast with the cliffs as the backdrop, park at the Seven Sisters car park and follow the path to Cuckmere Haven beach (1.4 miles) which takes 30 minutes.
- Lizard Peninsula Circuit, England | Walk Difficulty: Easy | Length: 0.9 mile return
Britain’s southernmost coastline is renowned for its turquoise coves, rugged granite cliffs and uninterrupted sea views, making it a spectacular place to watch the sun go down. Which is perhaps why Google interest has increased 49% in the past three months as online searches are expected to reach 12,100 during July and August. Walkers can explore sections of the South West Coast Path from Kynance Cove or Lizard Point, with routes suitable for a range of abilities. For Kynance Cove, park at the Kynance Cove car park and follow the South West Coastal Path to Kynance Cove (0.4 miles) which takes 10 minutes. West-facing viewpoints make this one of Cornwall’s best places to experience golden hour.
- Old Harry Rocks, Dorset, England | Walk Difficulty: Easy | Length: 0.6 – 2.2 mile return (route dependent)
Google searches average around 40,500 during July and August for Old Harry Rocks, making it one of England’s most popular coastal sunset spots with chalk stacks that create one of the Jurassic Coast’s most iconic sunset silhouettes. A straightforward clifftop walk from the National Trust’s South Beach car park at Studland leads to the viewpoint in around 30 minutes (1.1 miles), offering panoramic views across Poole Bay. Alternatively, watch the sunset over Old Harry Rocks from the South Beach (0.3 miles) which takes just 6 minutes to walk from the car park. Visit on a calm evening for the best reflections across the sea.
- The Quiraing, Isle of Skye, Scotland | Walk Difficulty: Easy | Length: 200 meter return
Moving away from coastal vistas, the Quiraing’s dramatic mountainous rock formations and sweeping Highland landscapes take on an almost otherworldly glow as the sun begins to set. The iconic “Quiraing Lookout” is just a five minute walk (100 meters) from the car park along an easy, level path, making it highly accessible for such a fantastic view.. Alternatively, a 15 minute walk takes you to panoramic viewpoints across the iconic Needle, the Trotternish Ridge and Staffin Bay. Whilst best known for sunrise, summer evenings bathe the landscape in soft golden light, creating one of Scotland’s most photogenic sunset locations.
- Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland | Walk Difficulty: Easy | Length: 1 mile return
Basalt cliffs, crashing Atlantic waves and the famous hexagonal stones make the Giant’s Causeway one of the UK’s most unforgettable sunset backdrops with around 165,000 Google searches during July and August.(4) From the Giant’s Causeway car park it’s a short 0.5mile (11 minute) walk, turning left on to the main road and then left again through the cattle gate onto a field where the pedestrian path crosses to the coastal path meeting the Giant’s Causeway Viewpoint.
- St Michael’s Mount & Marazion Beach, England | Walk Difficulty: | Length: 1.4 mile return
The medieval castle of St Michael’s Mount receives more than 200,000 Google searches during July and August and interest has increased 23% in the past three months, cementing its status as one of Cornwall’s must-visit coastal views. (4) As the sun sets behind it, the island becomes a striking silhouette against the evening sky. Visitors can park at the Marazion car park and enjoy the view from Marazion Beach which is just a 2 minute walk away (160 yards) or, if low tide aligns, walk the famous tidal causeway in 20 minutes (0.7 miles).
- Buttermere, England | Walk Difficulty: Easy | Length: 1.2 mile return
For those who prefer mountain reflections to coastal sunsets, Buttermere offers one of the Lake District’s most picturesque evening walks. The closest shore viewpoint of Buttermere Lake is a 0.6 mile flat, easy walk from the main National Trust Buttermere car park where still conditions often create mirror-like reflections of the surrounding fells at golden hour.(6) Google searches reach around 90,500 during July and August, with interest increasing 22% over the past year, making it one of England’s most sought-after sunset walks.(4)
Planning ahead
To help you maximise your next sunset experience, bear in mind that the best time to watch a sunset generally spans from 15 minutes before the sun dips below the horizon to roughly 20-30 minutes after, so allow enough time to reach your viewpoint. Most of these locations do not have street lights along the trails and are weather-dependent, so it’s advisable to go with a walking companion, check the forecast in advance, and pack torches and extra layers as it can get windy. Also important is to ensure you choose supportive, lightweight footwear with a contoured footbed to give natural arch support – and avoid sore soles!
For those who wish to watch from home, the Royal Observatory Greenwich will be live streaming the eclipse on YouTube and Facebook from 6.15pm.(3)
Photo by Tomás Robertson on Unsplash
Research sources:
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20260625-watching-the-sunset-the-free-daily-activity-that-gives-us-a-health-fix
- https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/space-astronomy/how-see-12-august-2026-partial-solar-eclipse
- https://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/online/solar-eclipse-august-2026-uk-live-stream
- https://ads.google.com/aw/keywordplanner/plan/keywords/workspace?
- https://www.glendaleskye.com/neistwalk.php
- https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/assets/website/national/regions/lake-district/places/buttermere-valley/pdf/buttermere-valley-access-statement.pdf
- https://www.google.com/maps
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