Despite the UK’s drab reputation when it comes to seaside villages, this coastal gem is filled with white sandy beaches, idyllic walks, A-list residents, and range of water sports
With stunning beaches, scenic walking routes and the high potential for a celebrity neighbour – there’s no surprise this village has been crowned of the best. While the UK has a reputation for dreary weather and sewage-pumped seas, there are a slew of coastal hotspots that look like they belong on a postcard.
So, if you want to wake up to the sound of waves crashing (and gulls squawking) and spend your evening admiring syrupy sunsets on the sand, you should look no further than The Witterings. Topping the Times’ 2024 list of the top 20 places to live by the sea, this gem is located is located in West Sussex, and aptly consists of East and West Wittering.
The latter is famed for its white sand beach which confidently competes with the likes of the Caribbean or Maldives and is an ideal spot for those wanting to take up surfing or sailing. For those looking for a little more relaxed way of life, these sands don’t judge if you just want to lounge around with a good book (especially whilst snacking on some fish and chips).
“The village itself is idyllic, with daisy-covered lawns and lovely flint houses in a warren of winding lanes and private roads,” the publication wrote. “It’s easy to be discreet here, which is one reason why A-list celebs such as Kate Winslet and Keith Richards have chosen to call it home.”
Moving to the dreamy destination won’t come cheap though, with house prices averaging out at a staggering £954,150 (almost twice the cost of London). However, East Wittering (which is just a 30-minute walk away) boasts some similar properties for around half the price.
“[The East] is much less rarefied and bucolic, but a lot more practical with its friendly pub, fresh fish from the fisherman’s hut on the beach and an old-fashioned selection of independent shops,” The Times added. If you’re working in the big smoke, you can drive from West Wittering in less than three hours, or catch a direct train that only takes one hour and 15 minutes on average.
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The Times’ top 20 UK seaside towns and villages
If the sky-high house prices and A-list clientele aren’t for you, there are plenty of other coastal gems dotted around the country. A cosy cottage in Nairn, one of the driest areas of the Scottish Highlands, will set you back around £200,000 – which is must more affordable compared to settling down in The Witterings.
- The Witterings, West Sussex
- North Berwick, East Lothian
- Shaldon, Devon
- Folkestone, Kent
- Arnside, Cumbria
- Exmouth, Devon
- Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear
- Portobello, Edinburgh
- Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire
- Amble, Northumberland
- Ballycastle, County Antrim
- St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex
- Arisaig, Scottish Highlands
- Waterloo, Merseyside
- Mumbles, Glamorgan
- Penzance, Cornwall
- Southbourne, Dorset
- Sutton on Sea, Lincolnshire
- Cromer, Norfolk
- Nairn, Scottish Highlands
What’s your favourite UK seaside town? Let us know in the comments section below