The 10 best seaside towns you might not have heard of

As an island nation, Britain has plenty of brilliant and beautiful seaside towns and villages. Planning a holiday by the sea can be a daunting task, especially if you want to escape the main resorts. We have narrowed down the choice with our pick of the best seaside towns, many of which you might not have heard of.

England

1 Mousehole

This tranquil fishing village of Mousehole is an unspoilt Cornish dream for holiday makers. It is quaint and picturesque, with a sweet harbour and sheltered sandy beach. Dylan Thomas described Mousehole as ‘the loveliest village in England’ and with good reason.

2 Rock

Also in Cornwall, the upmarket village of Rock is often referred to as the Saint-Tropez of Britain. The scenery is fantastic, there are lovely sandy beaches and the Camel Estuary is ideal for those who want to try yachting, canoeing or rowing. The village is also known for fine dining and there is a wonderful selection of restaurants, shops and delis.

3 Christchurch

With a pretty town centre, a tranquil church and a relaxing harbour, it’s no wonder Christchurch is considered one of Dorset’s best seaside towns. It’s perfect for those who want to visit the New Forest, as it’s only a short distance away. Those looking for another hidden gem should head to nearby Highcliffe. The town is pleasant, but the star here is Highcliffe castle and its adjoining beach which are rare and beautiful.

4 Winterton-on-Sea

The lovely and friendly village of Winterton-on-Sea in Norfolk is surrounded by fantastic sandy beaches backed by dunes that stretch for miles. The village pub gets rave reviews and there is a good chippy and an excellent café. There is plenty of wildlife to be found with some nice walks in the area, or you can do some seal spotting while relaxing on the beach.

Wales

5 Tenby

Situated on the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast, the wonderful and colourful town of Tenby boasts four fantastic beaches. This is a great holiday destination, you can explore the town’s narrow cobbled streets, relax on the beach, and there is plenty to do nearby. At low tide you can also walk out to St Catherine’s Island – just be careful the tide doesn’t leave you stranded!

6 Mumbles

Occupying an absolutely stunning position in the Swansea Bay, the town of Mumbles is a great place to visit. Take a wander around the many independent shops, head into one of the local art galleries, and refuel at one of the many good cafes or restaurants. The coast here is beautiful and there are good places to surf and relax.

7 Rhyl & Prestatyn

The beach towns of Rhyl and Prestatyn on the north coast of Wales offer excellent entertainment perfect for families who wish to be kept busy. There’s a massive choice of things to do: watersports , donkey rides, castles to visit, a fairground to run round and, of course, the sea to paddle in. This is the perfect combination of traditional seaside town, stunning beaches and plenty of local attractions.

Scotland

8 Lerwick

The Shetland Islands’ only town, Lerwick is a busy harbour with a variety of places to eat, drink and be merry. It’s also a great place to use as a base for visiting more remote areas of Shetland - regular boat tours run from here and there are some good local walking routes. Apart from the stunning scenery and landscapes to explore, this town has some real charm and interesting heritage.

9 Port Ellen

The island of Islay off the West coast of Scotland is known for one thing… whisky! Port Ellen is a large village with a lighthouse, and it offers picturesque views to the Oa Peninsula and Kilnaughton Bay. There are some very interesting archaeological sites near the town. You can also visit Port Ellen Maltings – a former distillery which now provides malts to the other distilleries on the island.

10 Pittenweem, Anstruther and Crail

A string of 3 Scottish harbour villages, Pittenweem, Anstruther and Crail are picturesque, historical and secluded. Those fond of walking may be interested in taking the walking route from Pittenweem to Crail, which is approximately 8 miles long. Other than the magnificent coast, Pittemweem has a great arts festival, Anstruther boasts an award winning fish bar, and Crail has some beautiful old buildings including a 13th century church and a 16th century harbour.

The UK has such a rich coastline and it is hard to pick the best seaside towns. We hope that by choosing 10 of the lesser known coastal villages we have helped you get inspired for your holiday.