UK

UK’s best and worst seaside towns revealed – voted by visitors

April 28, 2023
UK's best and worst seaside towns revealed - voted by visitors

A tiny village of just 400 people on the Northumberland coast has been ranked Britain’s favourite seaside resort for the third consecutive year.

Bamburgh – steeped in history and renowned for its stunning sandy shoreline backed by the imposing ruins of an ancient castle – came first out of 118 destinations in a survey by Which? of more than 3,000 people.

It received the maximum of five stars for its beaches, seafront, accommodation, peace and quiet, scenery and value for money – with an overall score of 88%.

One beachgoer described it as having “super-soft sand that stretches as far as the eye can see, and there is plenty of space, so the beach never feels crowded”.

Dartmouth, situated on the banks of the picturesque River Dart in Devon, was runner-up with a score of 85%.

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Dartmouth, Devon

It also secured a perfect five-star rating for scenery and accommodation, and was awarded four stars for shopping, its seafront, food and drink options and tourist attractions.

One visitor praised its “atmosphere and vibrance” which they said is “not found in many coastal towns”.

In third place was Portstewart in County Londonderry/Derry, Northern Ireland, which has among its features broad sandy beaches, an attractive harbour and promenade, as well as a championship golf course. It scored 84% in the survey.

Portstewart, Co. Derry, Northern Ireland. View of prom and harbour from the headland, early summer evening landscape picture
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Portstewart, Co Londonderry/Derry, Northern Ireland

The once go-to destinations of Skegness in Lincolnshire and Clacton-on-Sea in Essex were tied for last place – both scoring 48%.

However, despite their low rankings, several visitors said they enjoyed Clacton’s “lovely” seafront gardens and its “fantastic” annual air show, while Skegness drew plaudits for its “old-fashioned charm”.

(EDITORS NOTE: Image taken with drone) Aerial view of the Seafront and amusement park in Skegness, Lincolnshire. Skegness is a tourist destination in the UK which has also become a destination for housing migrants. Four hotels along the seafront have been let out to migrants and there are fears this will have a negative impact on the local economy.
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The seafront and amusement park in Skegness, Lincolnshire
The sea defences at Clacton on Sea under going maintenance and repair.
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The sea defences at Clacton-on-Sea undergoing maintenance and repair in 2021

They were closely followed by Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset and Bangor in County Down, Northern Ireland, which both scored 49%.

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Rory Boland, editor of magazine Which? Travel, said: “Few countries can be home to such a diversity of brilliant seaside breaks.

“Whether you want world-class beaches and utter wilderness, or the bright lights and bucket and spade atmosphere of a resort, the UK has a seaside break made for you.

“What our survey shows is that it’s rarely the most famous destinations that visitors enjoy most.

“Try somewhere new this year and our survey shows you should find fewer crowds and better value.”

Top 10 seaside destinations:

• Bamburgh, Northumberland
• Dartmouth, Devon
• Portstewart, Co. Londonderry/Derry
• Portmeirion, Gwynedd
• St Andrews, Fife
• Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear
• Southwold, Suffolk
• Aldeburgh, Suffolk
• St Davids, Pembrokeshire
• Tobermory, Isle of Mull