WEYMOUTH beach has been named one of the top rated beaches in Europe and in the UK.

The golden sands and Victorian seafront have been named among the best rated in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for beaches.

Click here to see our gallery or why we love Weymouth beach - Including old postcards, the Tall Ships, 2012 London Games, Carnival, Beach motocross, Chase the Pudding and much more.

Weymouth came second in the top ten beaches in the UK behind Woolacombe Beach in Devon and was also named eighth best rated beach in Europe.

One TripAdvisor reviewer who recently visited the resort said: “It’s a lovely beach with a wonderful coastline. There are lots of hotels, large and small nearby. The town was within easy walking distance with some wonderful old pubs. One of the nicest harbours I have seen in Great Britain.”

Two more Dorset beaches also reached the top ten in the UK - Hengistbury Head in Bournemouth came ninth and in tenth was Sandbanks in Poole.

Rachel Rogers, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s spokesman for tourism and culture said: “We are thrilled that the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards have named Weymouth's beach not only as one of the best beaches in the UK but also as the eighth best beach in Europe.

“We are incredibly lucky to have a beach such as Weymouth’s on our doorstep and I am delighted that visitors think so highly of it.

“I'd like to offer our thanks to all the people who have visited our beach and been impressed by it and who have helped it achieve such a high ranking in these prestigious awards.”

Chairman of Hoteliers Association, Dave Price, said the best thing about Weymouth beach was that the waters were shallow so it was perfect for families teaching young ones to swim as it was safe.

He said: “We know the beach is clean and safe for families and children, so it’s good to get national and international recognition for the beach.”

James Kay from TripAdvisor said: “In its third year, these awards recognise the best beaches in the UK and worldwide, based on the reviews and ratings from travellers around the globe.

“What we may lack in all year round sun, the UK more than makes up for in gorgeous coastline scenery. The glowing reviews that Weymouth Beach has received on TripAdvisor this year is further proof of that.”

Top 10 beaches in the UK

1. Woolacombe Beach, Woolacombe, Devon

2. Weymouth Beach, Weymouth, Dorset

3. Rhossili Bay, Rhossili, Swansea

4. St. Brelade's Bay Beach, St. Brelade, Jersey

5. Porthminster Beach, St Ives, Cornwall

6. Perranporth Beach, Perranporth, Cornwall

7. Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall

8. Luskentyre, Isle of Harris

9. Hengistbury Head, Bournemouth, Dorset

10. Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset

Top 10 beaches in Europe

1. Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa, Italy

2. Playa de Ses Illetes, Formentera, Spain

3. Elafonissi Beach, Elafonissi, Greece

4. Woolacombe Beach, Woolacombe, Devon, United Kingdom

5. Iztuzu Beach, Dalyan, Turkey

6. Fig Tree Bay, Protaras, Cyprus

7. Cala Rossa, Favignana, Italy

8. Weymouth Beach, Weymouth, Dorset, United Kingdom

9. Eggremni Beach, Lefkada Greece

10. Playa de Bolonia, Tarifa, Spain