New research has compared several of the most popular UK summer destinations, totting up the cost of deckchair hire, a ’99’ ice cream, and a fish and chips meal
A classic day out or a longer stay at one UK seaside spot could leave you significantly out of pocket, according to new research.
The study compared several of the most popular UK summer destinations, calculating the cost of deckchair hire, a ’99’ ice cream, and a fish and chips meal – and one city emerged as the ‘most expensive’.
The research revealed £100 in this seaside destination will ‘only last just over 2 days’, according to figures from the new UK Seaside Affordability Index. The data highlighted vast differences around the coast when it comes to splashing your cash.
When considering everything you need for an ideal beach day out, all the basic items amount to £38.20 per day in this particular city.
The fresh research from NoDepositRewards.org compares the price of a traditional day out at the beach for destinations across the UK.
The data examined all-day parking (based on current local council rates), average cost of a ’99’ ice cream, a large fish and chips meal (local chippy prices) and deckchair hire (full-day rate), reports the Express.
The research aimed to determine how long £100 would stretch for a trip to the seaside.
Brighton was revealed to be the priciest seaside spot in the country, according to the study. All-day parking amounted to a hefty £18, while a classic ice cream was priced at £2.70.
In contrast, in the cheapest place, Swansea, parking for the day is a mere £3 and an ice cream costs just £1.65.
A fish and chips meal in Brighton will cost you a hefty £11.50, but it’s not the most expensive place for this British takeaway classic – that honour goes to Bamburgh in Northumberland where a fish and chip supper will set you back £14.88.
Hiring a deckchair in Brighton will likely cost you £6 for the day – so the total ‘seaside basket’ cost for a day at this beach resort is a staggering £38.20 for all the typical sunny day essentials.
The Cornish town of St Ives was named as the ‘second priciest seaside destination in the UK’, coming in just behind Brighton. Visitors to St Ives can expect to spend an average of £25.30 per day.
In St Ives, parking for the day will set you back around £10, a large fish and chips costs £12.50, and an ice cream will add just over £2.50 to your bill.
Swansea was crowned the least expensive seaside spot, with the same items costing approximately £16.71 per day.
Mason Jones, a data expert at NoDepositRewards.org, said: “Families are budgeting harder than ever for summer 2025.
“Our Seaside Index shows you can triple the number of beach days simply by choosing a different stretch of coast.
“With parking now topping local cost charts, the North and Wales clearly win on value.”
