An island less than 100 miles off mainland UK has beaches that can easily be mistaken for the Caribbean.
In the age of cheap air travel, it can be very tempting to stick to classic holiday hotspots including Spain and Greece when searching for sun, sea and sand.
For those who like to explore a little while keeping things more local, one of the Channel Islands has some beaches that don't just rival sunny European destinations, but those found in the Caribbean.
Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands and sits in the Bay of St Malo, 14 miles from the French coast and 85 miles south of the English coast.
Thanks to its southerly location sheltered within the bay, the island is usually warmer than England and enjoys lengthy spells of sunshine during the summer, warmed as it is by the Gulf Stream.
While it might be a part of the UK, Jersey shares its latitude with some of France’s famous wine-producing areas and is known as a gardeners paradise where flowers bloom a month earlier than on the mainland.
Unlike most of the UK, red squirrels scamper through valleys and shaded woods, stopping off for a rest beneath semi-tropical plants and flowers that are lush and verdant.
Orchids, lavender, herbs, vineyards and roses are all helped by the mild climate, rich soil and long hours of sunshine
As well as acres of sweet blooms and beautiful gardens, Jersey is perhaps best known for its stunning beaches.
The island has over 50 miles of coastline, but it's St Brelade's Bay that frequently receives comparisons to the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
On Tripadvisor, one reviewer wrote: "Better than the Caribbean. Without any doubt the best beach I’ve been to in years. The sand is so fine and picturesque."
A second, from St Helens, said: "What a beautiful beach, you wouldn't imagine somewhere so beautiful that can rival the beaches in the Caribbean that's within a short flight of Northern England.
"The sand is white and the sea is a beautiful sparkling blue and so clear. You need to visit this beach on your travels to Jersey."
St Brelade's Bay has received awards in recognition of its beauty, with Traveller's Choice naming it as the third-best beach in the UK and Tripadvisor ranking it as the 12th-best in Europe.
Another stunning bit of coastline on Jersey is Portelet, which looks more like something you'd find on a Greek island than a stretch of British seaside.
This beautiful bay on the south coast is saved from the summer crowds by the steep climb down, meaning there's a good chance you'll get to enjoy some peace and tranquillity if you make the journey.
The beach here is sheltered between high cliffs and is south facing making it a sun trap in the summer, all the better to enjoy the golden sands and gently lapping waves.
Portelet’s most recognisable feature is the tower that rises up from the little island just off the beach, which dates back to the 1720s when sea captain Philippe Janvrin was buried there after being exiled with the plague.
The stunning bit of coastline at Beauport Bay is another must visit when in Jersey, partly due to its geology which allows it to soak up almost every minute of the day's sun.
It is one of the most picturesque and easily recognisable beaches on the island due to the roll it has played in Jersey's ad campaigns.
On the other side of the island is the spectacular St. Ouen’s Bay, which spans almost the entire west coast of Jersey.
It is a simple but stunning place, with the rolling waves of the Atlantic Ocean making it a perfect spot for surfing around the island based La Rocco Tower.
If you fancy a trip to Jersey, the good news it that it's well connected to the mainland and a short journey away.
From Southampton the flight takes just 50 minutes, while easyJet has frequent flights to the island from airports including Liverpool's John Lesson which start from £43 return.
There are two ferry routes between the UK mainland and Jersey - from Poole and Portsmouth - which take around four hours.
Holidaymakers can either stay in St. Helier and enjoy its central location and amenities, or venture out into areas like Gorey, Bouley Bay and St Brelade's Bay that are away from the hustle and bustle.
