The Which? rankings for the fifth year in a row found that Bamburgh in Northumberland took the top spot – but it was not enough to stop Beer in Devon from becoming a new favourite
A charming fishing village in Devon has made its debut as one of the UK’s top coastal destinations, but it couldn’t dethrone Bamburgh in Northumberland, which has retained its top spot for an impressive fifth consecutive year.
According to Which’s annual seaside survey, the South West of England, particularly Devon, has seen a surge in popularity thanks to the acclaimed film The Salt Path. The North East and Wales also boast some of the highest-rated coastal spots.
However, some traditional seaside resorts like Blackpool and Southend have fallen in favour, while Bognor Regis received the lowest score from visitors.
The survey polled over 3,800 people about their experiences at UK seaside destinations over the past year, evaluating aspects such as beach quality, scenery, food and drink options, accommodation, tourist attractions, and value for money.
What do you think of the results? Let us know in the comments below or email webtravel@reachplc.com
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Bamburgh in Northumberland claimed the top spot in the survey for the fifth year in a row, with an overall score of 84 per cent. It earned five-star ratings for its beach, seafront, scenery, and peaceful atmosphere.
One visitor raved: “It’s a gem. The beaches are sandy, clean and stretch for miles. There are walks galore, the food on offer is top notch, the feel is of a time gone by and there’s enough history to delve into to last several holidays.” An average night’s stay in Bamburgh costs £130.
The idyllic village of Beer, nestled on the Jurassic Coast, has been voted into second place this year, a significant leap from 18th the previous year. Framed by striking white chalk cliffs, its pebbly beach is adorned with traditional fishing boats. A visitor enthused, “Beer is charming, with beautiful coastal scenery and is full of history.”
Beer garnered five stars for its picturesque views and four stars for both value for money and tranquillity.
Portmeirion in Gwynedd, North Wales, famed for its vibrant Italianate architecture and association with the iconic TV series ‘The Prisoner’, also impressed with a 79 per cent satisfaction score. It received top marks for its stunning scenery and seafront, with one visitor remarking: “The place is superb in every way. It’s a beautiful setting with wonderful food and accommodation – perfect for a special occasion.” The average hotel stay in Portmeirion comes in at £134 a night.
St Davids in Pembrokeshire, another Welsh gem, wowed visitors according to the survey, earning itself a 79 per cent destination score. The UK’s smallest city was lauded by a tourist who appreciated its “excellent facilities, lovely seafront, nice walks and excellent hotels.”
Another top Devon hotspot, less than 10 miles from Beer on the Jurassic Coast, is Sidmouth. Famed for its Jacob’s Ladder beach, Sidmouth also boasts a Royal connection, having hosted Queen Victoria as an infant for a month.
Visitors awarded it five stars for its food and drink, breathtaking scenery, and excellent accommodation options. An overnight stay in Sidmouth averages at £160, with one survey participant describing it as “a thoroughly charming, thriving English seaside town”.
The survey also referenced hotel pricing data from Kayak.com. For a wallet-friendly trip, the consumer advocate recommends booking in areas within reach of more sought-after spots. For instance, staying in Whitstable costs around £136 per night, but nearby towns offer better bargains, with Margate at £96, Ramsgate at £99, and Herne Bay at £106.
Bognor Regis, known as one of the sunniest spots in mainland Britain, languishes at the bottom of the table with a dismal destination score of 36 per cent, earning just one star in most categories. A visitor disparagingly described it as “‘a run-down seaside town”.
Yet, some glimmers of positivity emerged as a visitor expressed their admiration for the ‘lights along the pier at night’, and certain survey participants believed that with proper investment, Bognor could see a resurgence of its halcyon days. There’s a buzz of hope with plans for an £8m rejuvenation of The Arcade shopping centre in the pipeline.
Trailing slightly above Bognor, Bangor in Gwynedd garnered a mere 38 per cent satisfaction rating. A guest labelled it “shabby”.
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In contrast, another was quick to laud Bangor for its “stunning views across the Menai Straits” and being an excellent gateway to North Wales and Anglesey. Though Bangor lacks an authentic beach, its historic Victorian pier stands proud, virtually unchanged since Lord Penrhyn inaugurated it in 1896.
Not immune to criticism, several of the UK’s renowned coastal towns such as Skegness (54%), Great Yarmouth (50%), Blackpool (48%), Southend-on-Sea (43%) and Clacton-on-Sea (42%) found themselves on the lower end of the scoring spectrum.
Top 20
Bamburgh: 84%
Beer: 80%
Portmeirion: 79%
Saint David’s: 79%
Sidmouth: 79%
Tynemouth: 79%
Dungeness: 78%
Tenby: 78%
Aldeburgh: 77%
Wells-Next-The-Sea: 77%
Whitby: 77%
Lynmouth: 76%
Nairn: 76%
Saint Andrews: 76%
St Mawes: 76%
Swanage: 76%
Broadstairs: 75%
Bude: 75%
Lyme Regis: 75%
Robin Hood’s Bay: 75%
Bottom 20
Ilfracombe: 55%
Littlehampton: 54%
Mablethorpe: 54%
Ramsgate: 54%
Skegness: 54%
Fishguard: 53%
Barton on sea: 52%
Cleethorpes: 52%
Lowestoft: 52%
New Brighton: 52%
Ayr: 51%
Great Yarmouth: 50%
Weston-super-Mare: 49%
Blackpool: 48%
Burnham-on-Sea: 46%
Fleetwood: 46%
Southend-on-Sea: 43%
Clacton-on-Sea: 42%
Bangor: 38%
Bognor Regis: 36%
