Forget Barbados or Bondi! The British beach has been named the best beach to visit in winter by Lonely Planet

A relaxing winter’s day doesn’t have to be limited to the armchair in front of the fireplace.

Even in freezing temperatures, a British beach has been voted the best in the world from December to February, meaning you no longer have to fly around the world and back to enjoy a beach day during these months.

The British coastal jewel beat off stiff competition for the top spot from Lonely Planet author Christina Webb with spectacular offers in Iceland, New Zealand and South Korea.

None of them can compete with Charmouth Beach on England’s famous Jurassic Coast, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking views in every direction while also having the opportunity to unleash your inner archaeologist and go fossil hunting in a place so prolific as most other prehistoric sites find.

And the Dorset coast has something for everyone: the rocky stretch is complemented by a stretch of sand right next door – on the other side of the River Char where it flows into the English Channel.

Both rocky and sandy surfaces make it suitable for all, with the former making it a hotspot for fossil hunting

Charmouth is situated on England’s famous Jurassic Coast – hence the concentration of prehistoric finds

Wherever you are, you will always see majestic rock walls towering above you, giving the beach a sense of seclusion and privacy if you visit on a calm day – even more likely in winter.

Charmouth Beach’s closest competitor for the top spot was Reynisfjara Beach near Vik, Iceland.

This is another coastline that is different from the white sand beaches that you can enjoy in the summer.

Black rocks beneath your feet give the area a unique atmosphere as you look at gigantic rock formations that legend says are the result of trolls caught in daylight.

If you’re still looking for a sandy beach in winter but don’t want to venture too far from the UK, Plage de la Conche des Baleines on the Ile de Ré, just off the west coast of France, is a great option.

Pictured: Rock formations in the distance of Reynisfjara beach in Iceland

Lonely Planet’s recommended locations include Kvalvika Beach in Lofoten, Norway (above).

It’s a great option all year round, but since there are no tourist crowds in the summer, the drop in temperature might be worth it, as you can still enjoy both the coast and the island’s beautiful towns, with their terracotta -architecture typical of the region.

Another relatively close option for Brits lies on the south coast of Ireland in the form of Inchydoney Beach, which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean from a stretch of sand.

The list also included options beyond: Hot Water Beach in New Zealand, Cannon Beach in the US, Cox Bay Beach in Canada and Haeundae Beach in South Korea.

The beach Kvalvika on the Lofoten Islands in Norway completed a top nine.