Latest news with #Bamburgh
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Yahoo
Coastal town in Pembrokeshire named the best spot in the UK for beaches
A seaside town in Pembrokeshire has been named the best spot in the UK for beaches. Consumer watchdog Which? has carried out its annual seaside survey, revealing the best seaside towns and finest beaches in 2025. Around 4,000 Which? members took the survey basing their answers on experience from more than 9,000 trips (within the UK). For the fifth year in a row, Bamburgh, a Northumberland village with a population of around 400 people, was named the best seaside town in the UK. St Davids and Tenby both ranked inside the top 10, listed fourth and eighth, respectively. Bamburgh Beer Portmerion St Davids Sidmouth Tynemouth Dungeness Tenby Aldeburgh Wells-Next-The-Sea Tenby was also announced as having the best beaches in the country. Which? said: "[The survey shows] once again, that holidaymakers prefer the unspoilt sand, gorgeous scenery and peace and quiet that you only find away from the biggest tourist hotspots." It's official: Bamburgh is the best UK seaside destination. See where your favourite beach break placed 👇 — Which? (@WhichUK) June 27, 2025 Tenby was named the best in the UK for beaches by Which? in its annual seaside survey. It was one of only three spots in the UK to record a perfect 5-star rating, along with Bamburgh and Tynemouth. Talking about Tenby's beaches, Which? said: "Almost everybody loved its four, family-friendly beaches, with the views of Goscar Rock rising up from beyond the north shore. "Its charming Georgian lanes have a reputation for being overcrowded but, despite this, it even got a respectable three stars for peace and quiet." Respondents said the best time to visit the beaches was "out of season". The three main beaches in Tenby are: Tenby North Beach Tenby South Beach Tenby Castle Beach All three of Tenby's beaches have a 4.7 (out of 5) rating on Tripadvisor. Tenby North Beach is described by visitors as "very picturesque", boasting amazing views", accessibility and is just a short walk from the town centre. One person, commenting on Tripadvisor, said: "Great beach. Flat so tide slow to rise . Safe fo4 young children. Rick pools to explore with crabs and star fish. Clean beach and sea water." Someone who paid a visit to Tenby Castle beach commented: "The beach is great to walk around, especially with the landmark of the castle to complement the beach, a really wonderful area." RECOMMENDED READING: 'Genteel' seaside town in Pembrokeshire with 'glorious' beaches among UK's best Three 'unspoilt' Pembrokeshire beaches named among the UK's best 'Magic' village in Pembrokeshire named among the best in Britain While this person, speaking about South Beach, said: "Beautiful sandy beach and a real sun trap. "The beach was very well kept and offered fantastic views. The water (although cold) was lovely and clean. "The beach is dog friendly and we were bought great joy watching dogs alongside people being able to enjoy this fabulous space soaking up the March sun. "You could easily think you're abroad. The only beach I have stepped foot on when in Tenby but always a favourite."
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Yahoo
UK's favourite seaside destinations revealed
Bamburgh has been named the nation's favourite seaside destination, with the Northumberland village taking the crown for a fifth consecutive year. It received a maximum of five stars for its beaches, seafront, peace and quiet, and scenery, with an overall score of 84% from consumer body Which? One visitor said: 'It's a gem. The beaches are sandy, clean and stretch for miles. There are walks galore, the food on offer is top-notch, the feel is of a time gone by, and there's enough history to delve into to last several holidays.' An average night's stay in Bamburgh is £130. This is the fifth year in a row that Which? has named the Northumberland village the best seaside destination in the UK. The village of Beer on Devon's Jurassic Coast came in second place, leaping from 18th last year. Known for its shingle beach and traditional fishing boats framed by white chalk cliffs, Beer scored five stars for scenery, four stars for peace and quiet and value. One visitor said: 'Beer is charming, with beautiful coastal scenery and is full of history.' Wales also featured prominently in the top tier. Portmeirion in Gwynedd, famed for its Italianate architecture and role in cult television series 'The Prisoner', achieved a 79% score. 'The place is superb in every way. It's a beautiful setting with wonderful food and accommodation — perfect for a special occasion,' said one traveler. A night's stay there averages £134. St Davids in Pembrokeshire, the UK's smallest city, also impressed with a 79% score. One respondent praised its 'excellent facilities, lovely seafront, nice walks and excellent hotels.' Sidmouth, a Regency town in Devon less than 10 miles from Beer, was another high scorer. Known for its striking cliffs and Jacob's Ladder beach, Sidmouth won five stars for food and drink, scenery, and accommodation. 'A thoroughly charming, thriving English seaside town,' said one visitor. A typical night's stay is £160. Read more: How to save money on UK holidays Other seaside spots highly rated by visitors included Tynemouth (79%), Dungeness (78%), Tenby (78%), Aldeburgh (77%), Wells-next-the-Sea (77%) and Whitby (77%). Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: 'From beautiful coastlines to peaceful walks and charming traditional bucket and spade resorts, the UK seaside offers something for everyone—whatever the weather.' By contrast, several better-known resorts fared less well. St Ives, despite its popularity, scored just 68%, while Brighton and Margate scored 61% and 56% respectively, with value for money and peace and quiet emerging as common pain points. Which? said budget-conscious travellers should consider staying in towns neighbouring more expensive destinations. For instance, while a night in Whitstable averages £136, Margate (£96), Ramsgate (£99) and Herne Bay (£106) offer cheaper alternatives. At the bottom of the table, Bognor Regis recorded the lowest score — just 36% — earning only one star across most categories. 'A run-down seaside town,' one visitor bluntly commented. Bangor in Gwynedd narrowly avoided last place with 38%, while Skegness (54%), Great Yarmouth (50%), Blackpool (48%), Southend-on-Sea (43%), and Clacton-on-Sea (42%) also performed poorly. Read more: How to save money on your holiday to Switzerland as Women's Euro 2025 kicks off 'There are still plenty of beautiful hidden gems across the UK to explore,' Boland noted. 'Some seaside resorts offer better value for money than others, so it is worth looking at surrounding areas of popular spots if you are looking for a cheaper overnight stay.'Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Mail
27-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Britain's best and worst beach towns revealed - with popular South Coast resort labelled 'run-down' and 'tacky'
Known for its coastal promenade, quaint beach huts and traditional arcade games, Bognor Regis has been a favourite among families and beachgoers since its establishment in 1784. But the West Sussex resort has been named the worst seaside town in the UK in an annual poll. Bognor, one of the sunniest spots in England, finished in last place in Which?'s poll of the UK's best and worst seaside towns. The survey asked 3,800 participants about their experience of 118 British coastal spots. The resort earned a paltry one-star rating in most categories, including 'Food and drink', 'Value for money' and 'Scenery'. It was described by one visitor as being simply: 'a run-down seaside town' and received a destination score of just 36 per cent. Just ahead of Bognor was Bangor in Gwynedd – up one spot from its bottom place result in 2024's survey. Perhaps on account of its lack of proper beach, Bangor earned a destination score of only 38 per cent and was described as 'shabby' by one visitor. At the top of the tree was beautiful Bamburgh in Northumberland, which got an overall destination score of 84 per cent and was awarded five stars for its seafront and scenery Clacton-on-Sea in Essex was also poorly received by holidaymakers in the past year. Despite being home to the largest pleasure pier in Europe, measuring 6.5 acres, the seaside resort was awarded only one star for its tourist attractions as well as food and drink and scenery. Indeed, many of the UK's better-known seaside towns performed poorly in this year's survey; Skegness and Blackpool earned 54 per cent and 48 per cent destination ratings respectively, both winning only one-star for their scenery. Even more 'fashionable' seaside hotspots failed to win the hearts of the British public, with artsy Margate scoring 56 per cent, and upmarket Brighton 61. It was better news further north of the country, however, where Bamburgh in Northumberland retained its place as the nation's favourite coastal destination for the fifth year in a row. Bamburgh scored an overall destination score of 84 per cent and was awarded five stars for its seafront and scenery. One visitor declared Bamburgh a 'gem', praising its 'sandy, clean beaches'. The town was also rewarded for its good value for money; according to an average night's stay in Bamburgh costs £130. While Bamburgh has once again maintained its top spot, second place saw a massive jump in rankings. Despite finishing 18th last year, Beer on the Jurassic coast was given this year's silver medal. Visitors were impressed by its five-star scenery, as well as its 'peace and quiet' and 'value for money', for which it earned four stars in both categories. Several towns in Wales also proved popular with visitors. Known for its Italian-inspired architecture, Portmeirion in Gwynedd, north Wales, came in third and was pronounced by one seaside-goer as 'superb in every way'. It scored five stars for its scenery and seafront, and 79 per cent overall. St David's in Pembrokeshire came in fourth place and was similarly praised for its 'excellent facilities, lovely seafront, nice walks and excellent hotels'. The UK's smallest city also earned a 79 per cent destination score. Reflecting on the results of this year's survey, Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel said: 'From beautiful coastlines to peaceful walks and charming traditional bucket and spade resorts, the UK seaside offers something for everyone – whatever the weather. 'While you may have your own favourite destination, as well as the top spots in Devon and Wales, our survey shows there are still plenty of beautiful hidden gems across the UK to explore.' THE LOWDOWN ON THE UK'S BEST AND WORST SEASIDE TOWNS By Jo Tweedy THE BEST Bamburgh, Northumberland Small but mighty, Bamburgh village, nudged up to a particularly beautiful stretch of the Northumberland coast only has around 400 residents - but, according to Which?'s latest poll the prettiest sands in the land. The downside? It attracts more than 150,000 visitors each year because of it, with locals swamped by tourists in the summer months - and parking spaces rare as hen's teeth. Its imposing castle is regarded as one of the world's most important Anglo-Saxon archaeological sites. Zoopla average property price: £464,500 Beer, Devon Another tiny village with a divine crescent of beach, this time shingle, Beer lies in Devon's East and is flanked by limestone cliffs. Once a smuggler's haven, this fishing village's closest town is Seaton, with the South West Coast Path accessible for walkers. Zoopla average property price: £454,000 Portmeirion, North Wales So inspired was Noel Coward when he visited the folly village of Portmeirion that he wrote his play, Blithe Spirit, in just six days. This Italianate village sits against a rocky headland in North Wales and is so well preserved you have to pay to get in - £20.00 for adults, £13 for children. The beach? It's full of white sand, plus hidden caves and views out across the Dwyryd Estuary. Zoopla average property price: £171,969 St David's, Pembrokeshire St David's main beach, known as Whitesands Bay, is made up of fine, alabaster sand that merges into a rockier portion of coast, which reaches a crescendo at the craggy headland that is St David's Head. Walkers love it, as do surfers. St David's is famously the UK's smallest city with a population of around 1,750 people. Zoopla average property price: £326,108 Sidmouth, Devon At the mouth of the River Sid, 14 miles from Exeter, Sidmouth was a fishing village until the fashion for coastal resorts grew in the Regency period from 1811 to 1820. Edward VII checked into the Royal York Hotel in 1856, and when the Devon town was connected to a railway (no longer running) in 1874, well-heeled Victorians flocked there. The esplanade is lined with Grade II-listed hotels, with the 240-million-year-old Jurassic Coast just beyond it. Zoopla average property price: £489,333 AND THE WORST... Bognor Regis, West Sussex West Sussex's Bognor Regis didn't fare well - but that's unlikely to put off the tourist masses this summer Bognor Regis is one of the UK's best-known bucket and spade seaside towns today - but it started life as a small fishing village. The town's popularity soared in the late 1800s after a railway station was built in 1864 that made the seaside hotspot much more accessible. In recent years, the resort has been known for cheap and cheerful UK breaks, with Butlins the beach's most famous place to stay. Zoopla average property price: £356,463 Bangor, North Wales The historic Welsh resort of Bangor took the unwanted number one spot in the Which? survey of worst seaside town in Britain back in May. Bangor has fallen since its heyday, with historic photos showing hundreds of people gathered to watch the opening of the pier during the Victorian period in 1896. Even as recently as 30 years ago, the area was still a beloved hub for tourists and holidaymakers, and even featured in a popular song by folk group Fiddler's Dream in 1979 named Day Trip to Bangor (Didn't We Have a Lovely Time). Away from the beach, Bangor has the longest high street in Wales, and is also the oldest Welsh city. Zoopla average property price: £204,661 Clacton-on-Sea, Essex Clacton-on-Sea has faced social deprivation in recent years, with unemployment, drug use and crime all issues for the town, say locals Another resort that's a shadow of its former self, Clacton-on-Sea was once one of Britain's thriving seaside towns - popular with Londoners who would flock to the Essex coastline for a day at the beach and fun on the pier. A decline has seen the town battling spiralling unemployment, drug use and crime - with shops on the beachfront and in the town centre closed. Southend-on-Sea, Essex One travel guide described this Essex coastal resort as 'Pugnacious and brash', saying 'Unless you're after tacky arcades, flash amusement rides or sleazy nightspots, there's not much to do'. There's no getting away from the fact it's still very popular though: Essex's largest town, with a population of some 175,500, hosts nearly three million visitors each year. Zoopla average property price: £339,634 Fleetwood, Lancashire Just 25 minutes from Blackpool, Fleetwood has long attracted holidaymakers with its low prices - including hotel stays that average around £73 a night - and old-school seaside charm. And while it's fared badly in Which?'s latest poll, it is in line for a £16million upgrade, including a major overhaul of the town's iconic Art Deco Marine Hall and the local leisure centre.
The Sun
26-06-2025
- The Sun
UK's best seaside destinations revealed – with small English resort making the top 10 for the first time
WHICH? has revealed the UK's best seaside destinations - with a new contender making one of the top spots. Bamburgh, the Northumberland village topped the list for the fifth time in a row. 5 5 However Bognor Regis, home to beaches, a huge pier and a Butlin's resort, came at the bottom of the league table. In a new survey, Which? asked over 3,800 people about their experiences of UK seaside destinations in the last year. Each shared their view on the quality of the beaches, scenery, food and drink, accommodation, tourist attractions and value for money. Which? then compiled all the information into a table and found Bamburgh to be the best seaside town and Bognor Regis the worst. Yet for the the very first time, the Devon fishing village of Beer has been named as one of the UK's best coastal destinations. The village on the Jurassic Coast came second which is a huge change after coming in 18th place last year. It's surrounded by white chalk cliffs, the a beautiful beach lined with fishing boats. One visitor told Which?: 'Beer is charming, with beautiful coastal scenery and is full of history.' But if you fancy going to the very best, Bamburgh is known for its beautiful beach with its famous castle on the adjacent hilltop. In terms of scores, Bamburgh's beach got five stars, it also received the highest score for the seafront, scenery, and peace and quiet; the overall destination score came in at 84 per cent. Meanwhile, Bognor Regis got one and two stars across the board and got an overall destination score of 36 per cent. Discover UK's Best Beaches: Hidden Gems Revealed The affordable seaside town of Bognor Regis is a favourite for Sun readers because of its stretching East Beach that's a mix of shingle and sand, and of course it's home to a huge Butlin's resort. One visitor said they loved the 'lights along the pier at night' and some survey respondents suggested that, with investment, it could recover its glory days. Bognor Regis has several developments in the works including an £8m regeneration of The Arcade shopping centre that Which? readers believe will give the town a boost. Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel said: 'From beautiful coastlines to peaceful walks and charming traditional bucket and spade resorts, the UK seaside offers something for everyone - whatever the weather." 5 5 Rory continued: 'While you may have your own favourite destination, as well as the top spots in Devon and Wales, our survey shows there are still plenty of beautiful hidden gems across the UK to explore. 'Some seaside resorts offer better value for money than others, so it is worth looking at surrounding areas of popular spots if you are looking for a cheaper overnight stay.' Sidmouth, Aldeburgh and Robin Hood's Bay also scored highly. Nearer the bottom of the table were the likes of Skegness, Cleethorpes, Clacton-on-Sea and Bangor. And the seaside town that is Time Out's best UK place to visit in 2025. 5
