It’s no secret that the UK has some of the most beautiful coastal spots in the world – and Rough Guides compiled a list of the country’s 30 best towns by the sea
In a surprising twist, a UK county has emerged as the top destination for seaside towns – and it’s not one of the usual suspects like Cornwall, Devon or Dorset.
A list of the country’s 30 best coastal spots compiled by Rough Guides in 2 reveals that one county dominates the rankings, with three of its seaside towns making the cut, accounting for 10 per cent of the total. Located in southeast England, Kent boasts a unique position, overlooking the River Thames estuary to the north and the English Channel to the south, making it the closest county to continental Europe.
Kent’s trio of seaside towns – Whitstable, Folkestone, and Margate – all feature on Rough Guides’ list. Whitstable is described as a “bohemian seaside escape” for Londoners, who flock to the town in the summer months.
READ MORE: Outdoors fans ‘highly recommend’ cheap headtorch that lights up the trails
Whitstable’s atmosphere is characterized as “defiantly bohemian atmosphere” with a vibrant High Street and colorful, Instagram-worthy beach huts. The town is famous for its local oysters, which have been prized since Roman times, and celebrates its seafood heritage with an annual Oyster Festival, reports the Express.
Folkestone, on the other hand, has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from “shabby” to chic. According to Rough Guides, the town has “reinvented itself” with a thriving creative quarter, featuring artists’ workshops, galleries, and shops.
The town also hosts an annual art exhibition, where street corners, community centres, and beaches are transformed into vibrant installations. Margate, unlike many traditional British seaside towns, eschews the typical “chocolate-box seaside resort” or “twee” image, instead earning the accolade of being “pretty darn cool” from Rough Guides. The Old Town has recently undergone a revamp, with its narrow lanes now brimming with independent shops and cafes.
The Dreamland Amusement Park has also flung open its doors again for some good old-fashioned fairground fun. It’s a hit with day-trippers from London, perfect for those “seeking the seaside with a hipster edge”, but still offering plenty of traditional beachside fun to stir up nostalgia.
Also making the cut in the list of the 30 best beaches in the UK were Devon’s seaside resorts of Ilfracombe and Salcombe, while Dorset’s Bournemouth and Weymouth also secured spots within the top 30.
In Cornwall, the picturesque towns of Padstow and St Ives ranked 10th and 29th respectively. But with three entries on the list, is Kent the best country in the UK for seaside towns?