Britain's 10 most genteel seaside towns, perfect for a weekend away

Telegraph

01-06-2025

While there's a certain nostalgic joy to the type of coastal resort that's all candy floss, waltzers and slot machines, there's arguably greater pleasure in towns that have the seascapes and the golden sand but that are more cute than kitsch. More sourdough than doughnut. More vibrant arts scene than end-of-the-pier innuendo. More artisanal ice cream than Mr Whippy. Below, we've selected – in no particular order – 10 lovely British seaside spots where you can promenade in a posher fashion.
1. North Berwick, East Lothian
Welcome to the 'Biarritz of the North'. When the railway arrived in the 19th century, North Berwick became a fashionable holiday hotspot, tourists drawn to its two sandy bays and its seaside links – the venerable North Berwick Golf Club was founded in 1832.
The town, still only 30 minutes by train from Edinburgh, is increasingly attracting younger folk priced out of the capital, adding a cosmopolitan edge. Do the classics: the Scottish Seabird Centre, a boat trip to Bass Rock. But also find exquisite pastries at Bostock, hip coffee at Steampunk and award-winning gelato at Alandas.
Where to see (and be seen)
Fringe by the Sea (1-10 August 2025) for an eclectic mix of talks, music and more in leafy Lodge Gardens.
Where to stay
Built in 1875 but fresh from a refurb, the sea-gazing Marine (01620 897300) has B&B doubles from £194pn.
2. Lymington, Hampshire
The clank of boat masts, the cluster of cobbled streets, the views across the Solent, the New Forest spreading behind – Lymington has a plum location and oodles of maritime chic. Indeed, the latest Lloyds Coastal Homes Review found it to be the country's fifth most expensive spot (average house price: £608,253).
Join the yachtie crowd at the marinas and sailing clubs, or book a skippered charter. Alternatively, stick on land browsing the Georgian High Street: pop into Stanwells award-winning womenswear boutique or come on a Saturday for one of the country's oldest markets. Finish with an exhibition at the St Barbe Museum.
Where to see (and be seen)
The Elderflower, enjoying the three AA rosette-awarded restaurant's imaginative modern-British tasting menu.
Where to stay
Stanwell House (01590 677123) is a handsome pile on the High Street; B&B doubles from £188pn.
3. Padstow, Cornwall
Peaceful fishing village turned foodie phenomenon, Padstow is the British coast's tastiest choice. Rick Stein is the main man about town, of course. His original Seafood Restaurant turns 50 this year, but has since been joined by a smorgasbord of other venues; for sociable platters served with Camel Valley sparkling, try his Seafood Bar & Fishmongers.
For fancy, opt for Paul Ainsworth's Michelin-starred No 6, while BinTwo is the wine bar/bottle-shop of choice. Balance all this consumption with a walk along the cracking coast path and a ferry trip over to – even posher? – Rock, 'Britain's Saint-Tropez'.
Where to see (and be seen)
Gorging on greenhouse dinners at Padstow Kitchen Garden, created by former Rick Stein chef and seventh-generation farmer Ross Geach.
Where to stay
Opened in 2025, Plum Cottage (01841 521175) is an exquisitely restored, Grade-II listed, antique-filled hideaway. Three nights cost from £600, sleeping four.
4. Deal, Kent
Is there a prettier seaside spot than this? Deal is one of the country's best-preserved medieval towns, its centre a tight-knit cluster of cute. The Middle Street Conservation Area protects the best bits, from handsome Georgian terraces now housing antique shops and indie stores to grand Victorian villas and even a castle, one of Henry VIII's finest forts.
All of this sprawls alongside a long pebble beach where you'll find colourful beach huts, waterfront bistros and a 1950s pier that's home to Deal Pier Kitchen – book early for its weekend steak and lobster nights.
Where to see (and be seen)
Sitting at the Blue Pelican, the hottest table in town since opening in 2024, where fine Kent produce is given a delectable Japanese spin.
Where to stay
The Rose (01304 389127) has eight individually-designed bedrooms plus a lauded restaurant; B&B doubles from £105pn.
5. Aberaeron, Ceredigion
Designed in 1805, Aberaeron was one of Wales's first planned towns – and those Georgians did a good job. It's still a handsome old harbour, lined with elegant townhouses painted in appealing rainbow hues. More recently, Aberaeron's gained a foodie reputation: there's excellent honey ice cream at the Hive; local organic veg at Watson & Pratt's; and creative dining at the indigo-blue Harbourmaster, the Quay's most striking building.
Major flood defence works, due to be completed by summer 2025, are preserving the town's historic character and will provide a new breakwater to promenade. Also, stroll up the River Aeron to visit elegant 18th-century Llanerchaeron.
Where to see and be seen
With an aperitif in the piano bar at Y Seler, crowned Restaurant of the Year at the Food Awards Wales 2024.
Where to stay
The Harbourmaster (01545 570755) is the height of modern-nautical chic; B&B doubles from £150pn,
6. Southwold, Suffolk
According to Land Registry data, Southwold is Suffolk's most expensive address. And it's easy to see why. It has a traditional pier, a working harbour and a mile and a half of soft, blonde sand that's backed by a cheeriness of beach huts and an understatedly elegant town. There's a lighthouse right in the middle (which you can tour) plus a venerable brewery and many charming independents.
Browse the high street, from classy womenswear boutique Collen & Clare to the UK's oldest amber specialist. Pit-stop for pastries at Two Magpies, which also runs doughnut-making classes.
Where to see (and be seen)
Eating fresh crab and prawns at the newly reopened Sole Bay Fish Company, down at Southwold's working harbour.
Where to stay
The Swan (01502 722186) is a Michelin-key Georgian inn offering an urban-hip seaside stay; B&B doubles from £220pn.
7. Lytham, Lancashire
Though just miles from Blackpool, Lytham is a very different kettle of fish. This is the Fylde Coast's more refined side – the town's icon isn't a flashing tower, but a white-washed windmill. There's heaps of green space spreading down to the huge beach; it's lined with red-brick mansions and home to the century-old Lowther Pavilion Theatre.
Lytham's comely centre also offers plenty of appealing independents and cafes – if you're a pistachio iced latte kinda person, the Courtyard is your stop. There's also a glorious Palladian manor, which serves excellent afternoon teas.
Where to see (and be seen)
Swinging a driver at the Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club – this world-class course has hosted ten Open Championships.
Where to stay
Lytham's grand dame is the 19th-century classical-styled Clifton Arms Hotel (01253 739898; cliftonarmslytham.com), overlooking the seafront; B&B doubles from £210pn.
8. Burnham Market, Norfolk
Burnham Market isn't right by the coast – though it's only a mile away (aim for beautiful Brancaster Beach). Still, this small but but idyllically-formed little town/large village has earned the nickname Chelsea-on-Sea. London types pour in to amble its quaint 17th- and 18th-century streets and its surfeit of delightful places to shop, eat and drink. Don't miss Gurneys for fresh fish, the Tuscan Farm Shop for Italian goodies and the Gun Hill Clothing Company for a countryside-chic makeover.
Where to see (and be seen)
Dining on superb small plates at Michelin-listed Socius – book the 'Kitchen Table' to watch the chefs at work.
Where to stay
The classic choice is the smart, 17th-century Hoste Arms (01328 738 777), which also serves great food and has its own cinema; B&B doubles from £99pn.
9. Lyme Regis, Dorset
Lyme Regis – the 'pearl of Dorset' – is a seaside gem. It gained its royal charter in the 13th century and was once a bigger port than Liverpool; now it's a much more genteel spot, perfect for promenading the iconic Cobb and pretty seafront – popping into Swim for brunch – or walking further along the UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coast.
Alternatively, join a guided fossil walk and visit the statue of local-born palaeontology pioneer Mary Anning. Eating and drinking is excellent: Town Mill Bakery for bread; Lyme Regis Brewery for craft beer; Red Panda for bao buns. Also, catch a show at the historic Marine Theatre.
Where to see (and be seen)
At Michelin-listed Lilac, eating super-seasonal small plates in a 400-year-old cellar.
Where to stay
Perched up on the cliffs, the contemporary-classic Alexandra Hotel (01297 442010) has B&B doubles from £125pn.
10. Tenby, Pembrokeshire
Tenby's four, beautiful Blue Flag beaches are enough to attract anyone. But the cliff-top town behind is a looker too. Here old stone walls encircle pastel-painted Georgian and Victorian houses, many of which are now neat little shops, bars and cafes. Top choices include the Harbwr Brewery, Môr Tenby, for Welsh goodies and Stowaway Coffee, tucked into a harbour-side arch.
For culture, pop into the Museum and Art Gallery and visit the 15th-century Tudor Merchant House before eating at Plantagenet, fine-dining in a 1,000-year-old building.
Where to see (and be seen)
Sweating at Sea and Steam – take a fabulous four-mile walk along the coast path to Saundersfoot, to jump on the sauna trend.
Where to stay
Freshly reopened from a major refurb, the 120-year-old cliff-top Imperial Hotel (01834 843737) has doubles from £99pn room-only.