A beach with no piers, arcades or rides has been named the best seaside town in the UK, beating other well-known places on the list
A little-known seaside town has been named the best in the UK despite having no arcades or rides.
Big UK seaside towns with entertainment and piers have always been a favourite for Brits looking for a daytrip to the sea or a staycation. But a new spot has now topped the list of the country’s best seaside locations – and this winner isn’t one of the big names most travellers go to on a hot day.
Aldeburgh in Suffolk replaces arcades and rides with rows of pastel homes and a wealth of history. It comes after reports of a small fishing village with some of UK’s best seafood but hardly any tourists.
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The quaint town was once a site where famous ships were built, including Sir Francis Drake’s Golden Hind, and the area has not forgotten its rich past. It also has links to the Tudor period as Henry VIII himself gave the port town borough status.
History and literature buffs can even enjoy the annual Aldeburgh Festival of music and arts if they want a different type of fun to coin machines and whack-a-mole.
The cute town offers a high street full of clothing boutiques, independent shops and antique stores. Foodies can also enjoy the classic seaside fish and chips while also digging into spots rated by the Michelin Guide. The town’s Aldeburgh Fish and Chip Shop has previously won the title of Britain’s best chippie.
Aldeburgh has even been dubbed “London-on-Sea” due to its location between the River Alde and a stretch of English coastline overlooking the North Sea. The main attractions for visitors are the pebble beach, home to colourful 19th-century holiday villas and a historic watchtower.
The town’s beach is recognised as one of the top five shingle beaches in the country, winning several national awards including a prestigious Blue Flag. The beach has no kiosks, but there are traditional fisherman’s huts across the sand where visitors can buy some freshly-caught seafood.
This sweet town offers a whimsical escape from neighbouring areas and has been named the best seaside spot by The Times, which said: “The East Anglian coast often seems stuck in a bit of a time warp, and if anywhere exemplifies this it’s Aldeburgh.”
The review added: “Aldeburgh is a vision of the English seaside of yesteryear: wooden shacks and bathing huts, boats pulled up on the shingle, strolls along the prom with ice cream in hand.”
Other places on the list included Oban in Scotland, Cromer in Norfolk, Grange-over-Sands in Cumbria and Penzance in Cornwall. Some more well-known seaside towns also made the list including Brighton and Margate.
The train from London to Aldeburgh is quick and frequent, but you can also get there easily by car. The drive from the capital to Aldeburgh via the A12 takes less than three hours.