TripAdvisor has named the winners of its second annual Travellers’ Choice Beach Destinations awards.

Bournemouth was crowned the UK’s best beach destination and was the only UK finalist in the European top 10, where it took fourth place, beating every beach destination in Italy, France, Portugal and more.

Jersey’s St Brelades was named the UK’s second best beach destination while Devon’s Woolacombe took third place.

“These awards recognise the UK’s and Europe’s best beach destinations, according to those that really matter – travellers themselves,” said Emma Shaw, TripAdvisor spokesperson.

“Bournemouth has long been a popular seaside resort and recent investment in the area has clearly paid off – not only has it been named the UK’s best beach destination, up from third place last year, but it’s also ranked ahead of almost every Mediterranean beach destination.”

Following its third-place finish in 2011, Bournemouth rose through the ranks to be named the UK’s best beach destination this year. It was joined by two other Dorset destinations: Weymouth in eighth place and Swanage in ninth.

Bournemouth is currently undergoing significant improvement with some £11m recently injected into the seafront at Boscombe.

The area has seen the addition of new designer beach ‘pods’, water sports academies, and new bars and restaurants sitting alongside a newly refurbished pier.