The 10 most popular seaside resorts in the UK

The UK has some spectacular seaside resorts which we flock to as soon as the sun comes out to relax on the beaches, play in the sea, stroll along the promenade, and eat fish and chips on the pier. Here are your 10 favourite seaside resorts in the UK…

1. Brighton

Brighton is a lively hive of colour, creativity and traditional seaside fun with a healthy dose of hedonism. The city attracts more than 8 million visitors a year to its pebbled shores because there is so much on offer for all types of people. While kids will enjoy the arcades, rides and donuts on Brighton pier, adults can kick back on Brighton beach, wander around the city’s vintage shops and art galleries or enjoy the excellent nightlife.

2. Whitby

Overlooked by a ruined abbey, the lively fishing town of Whitby has avoided the usual pitfalls of seaside resorts and retained its interesting character. It’s a charming place to visit: the coast here is very beautiful, there is a lot of culture and history to explore, and it offers everything you would expect of a traditional seaside resort.

3. Blackpool

Blackpool needs no introduction. It’s loud, brash and tons of fun. Famous for its tower and light illuminations, the town offers a huge amount of family entertainment and activities, from theme parks and zoos to cabaret shows and comedy. And that’s not forgetting its long sandy beach complete with 3 piers and all the fish and chips and ice cream you could eat.

4. St Ives

St Ives is a beautiful town on the Cornish coast with charming cobbled streets, a working harbour and fantastic beaches. A haven for artists, the town boasts a good selection of art galleries including its excellent Tate Gallery. There is plenty of inspiration to be found in the local sea wildlife too – including dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks.

5. Scarborough

Scarborough is Britain’s oldest seaside resort and offers big sandy beaches backed by a traditional Victorian seaside town. All the classic elements are here: colourful beach huts, donkey rides, amusement arcades, chippies and ice cream. But there is also a genteel history to explore and all kinds of watersports for those who like to get active.

6. Weymouth

Long admired for its Georgian seafront and its fine golden beach, Weymouth is now on the up. This renowned family seaside destination is regenerating and refining. Weymouth hosted the sailing events in the 2012 Olympics Games and has become a great spot for watersports of all kinds.

7. Bournemouth

Although Bournemouth has a reputation as a pensioners place, in reality this town has a good vibe and is becoming pretty trendy. The town centre retains its seaside feel and offers some lively nightlife and the weather here is warm and sunny thanks to a favourable microclimate. Best of all, the beaches around here are superb: miles and miles of gold sand and clear blue sea with lots of watersports on offer.

8. Tenby

With its colourful houses, cobbled streets and stunning beaches, Tenby is a jewel in the coastal resort crown. This perfect Welsh harbour town on the stunning Pembrokeshire coast is insanely picturesque and charming. There is plenty to do in the local area too, if you can drag yourself away from the beach that is.

9. Newquay

Surf capital of the UK, Newquay is a very popular family holiday destination. The beaches are fantastic and this is a brilliant place to come for an active beach holiday with all the watersports you can imagine on offer. The town is laid back but the nightlife is loud and rowdy: it’s a lively kind of place with lots of festivals and events throughout the year.

10. Skegness

Ah Skegness, the archetypal British coastal resort. Home to the first ever Butlins, generations of people have been raised holidaying on Skeggy’s sandy shores. It’s a nostalgic seaside resort where little has changed and it still offers families all the traditional fun beachside trappings.

This top 10 list is the result of a survey of more than 4000 Campsites-UK visitors. It shows the real variety of seaside towns on offer in the UK: from bright lights and loud nightlife to cobbled streets and artist retreats, there is something on offer for everyone on Britain’s fine coast.