The British public has decided that Bamburgh in Northumberland is the best coastal spot the country has to offer, winning the crown in the Which? survey for a fourth year in a row
The country’s favourite and least favourite seaside towns have been unveiled.
The British public has decided that Bamburgh in Northumberland is the best coastal spot the country has to offer, winning the crown in the Which? survey for a fourth year in a row. At the other end of the table is, Bangor, Gwynedd, which has been panned for “barren” and in “very poor order”.
More than 4,700 people were asked for their opinion on a whole range of crucial coastal criteria including the quality of the beaches, food and drink offerings, tourist attractions and value for money.
The survey results spotlight coastal gems from all four nations, with Bamburgh, Northumberland taking the top spot, Portmeirion, Gwynedd in second place, St Andrews, Fife in third place and Portstewart, Derry, the favourite Northern Irish resort, also featuring in the top 20.
This year’s survey once again saw many lesser known destinations beat their more popular counterparts to the top of the table. Beloved by visitors for its ‘wild’ and ‘beautiful’ beach backed by its imposing castle, Bamburgh took first place for the fourth consecutive year.
Visitors were awed by the “magnificent” and “totally unspoiled” beach, as well as by the “dramatic” views of the castle, which one visitor enthused “is probably the most impressive in the British Isles”, and awarded Bamburgh a full five stars for its beach, seafront, scenery, tourist attractions and peace and quiet. Visitors also enjoyed exploring the village, which though small, boasts a handful of well-regarded pubs, restaurants and cafes.
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Taking second place was Italianate Welsh village Portmeirion. The village received a full five star rating for its “idyllic” scenery, seafront, tourist attractions, and parking and four stars for its beaches. Those looking to extend their trip to the “beautiful” town can choose from a range of accommodation options including self-catering cottages and even a castle-style hotel.
In third place was St Andrews, which was praised as being “wonderfully scenic” and scored highly in categories including tourist attractions, seafront, beaches and scenery.
In fourth place was Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear, which achieved an impressive run of five star ratings for its beaches and scenery, as well as four stars for food and drink. Respondents loved their visits to the “characterful” and “lively” town, singling out the castle, priory and weekend market among their recommendations.
St Davids, Pembrokeshire, completes the top five, with survey respondents praising its “beautiful ”scenery, “magnificent” ancient cathedral and the gothic ruins of the Bishop’s Palace. Summing up its attractions, one respondent enthused “it has spectacular scenery, great walks, some ancient buildings, and fantastic character. There are also some good beaches nearby which are often practically empty!”
Although they received lower scores than their competitors, travellers nonetheless found plenty to recommend in these seaside resorts. Multiple visitors remarked on Bangor’s “wonderful pier” and noted that while the town has suffered from shop closures in the town centre, it has some “really good restaurants” and “excellent amenities”. They also recommended it as a base for exploring the local area, including Snowdonia National Park
Online others have been left kind about the Welsh seaside spot, critiquing its seafront for being “in really poor order” and arguing the once vibrant has lost its spark. One unhappy person writing on Student Crowd argued: “Shopping is non-existent, they are no well known clothes shops. Only Matalan which is hard to reach. Nights out are poor, the clubs are really cheesy.”
Others argued that the city’s strengths come from the fact it is relatively remote and quiet. “If you are more into nature and the countryside I can’t imagine a better place. Right on the edge of Snowdonia, loads of gorgeous spots nearby. On the coast too, some great beaches nearby, especially on Anglesey. Cost of living is fairly cheap. And of course the university itself, it rates very highly for student satisfaction!” one local wrote on Reddit.
A full breakdown of the results can be found on the Which? website.
Britain’s seaside town – best to worst
- Bamburgh
- Portmeirion
- Saint Andrews
- Tynemouth
- Saint David’s
- Dartmouth
- Rye
- Southwold
- Llandudno
- Swanage
- Aldeburgh
- Crail
- Lyme Regis
- Whitby
- Blakeney
- Criccieth
- Portstewart
- Sidmouth
- Ballycastle
- Frinton-on-sea
- Nairn
- Sheringham
- St Mawes
- Aberaeron
- Beaumaris
- Bude
- Conwy
- Deal
- Lytham St Annes
- North Berwick
- Robin Hood’s Bay
- Amble
- Beer
- Cromer
- Dungeness
- Falmouth
- Lymington
- Lynmouth
- Tenby
- Whitley Bay
- Fowey
- Pittenweem
- Saltburn-by-the-Sea
- Weymouth
- Aberdovey
- Broadstairs
- Oban
- Portpatrick
- Seahouses
- Stonehaven
- Tobermory
- Wells-Next-The-Sea
- Exmouth
- Filey
- Mevagissey
- Looe
- Penarth
- Saundersfoot
- Ullapool
- Ventnor
- Berwick-upon-Tweed
- Budleigh Salterton
- Clevedon
- Whitstable
- Eastbourne
- Grange over sands
- Shanklin
- Southsea
- St Ives
- Teignmouth
- Barmouth
- Brixham
- Portrush
- West Bay
- Dunbar
- Felixstowe
- Largs
- Appledore
- Bournemouth
- Padstow
- Plymouth
- Salcombe
- Abersoch
- Brighton
- Hunstanton
- Porthmadog
- Torquay
- Poole
- Scarborough
- Worthing
- Aberystwyth
- Folkestone
- Porthcawl
- Swansea
- Bridlington
- Minehead
- Penzance
- Barry Island
- Barton on sea
- Colwyn Bay
- Weston-super-Mare
- Ayr
- Dawlish
- Morecambe
- New Brighton
- Newquay
- Seaton
- Fishguard
- Herne Bay
- Ramsgate
- Ilfracombe
- Littlehampton
- Southport
- Cleethorpes
- Lowestoft
- Margate
- Southend-on-Sea
- Fleetwood
- Great Yarmouth
- Blackpool
- Clacton-on-Sea
- Skegness
- Bognor Regis
- Burnham-on-Sea
- Mablethorpe
- Bangor
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