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Original poster

What's your favourite UK seaside town?

276 replies

Whathappenedtothelego · 03/08/2019 09:58

Looking for somewhere for a traditional seaside holiday.

I'd like a nice, safe, sandy beach.
Water warm enough to swim (or at least wade) in.
A few shops, cafes, fish and chips and ice cream within walking distance.
Don't really want nightlife, arcades etc.
What's your favourite?

OP posts:
Spidey66 · 07/08/2019 09:53

St Ives

probstimeforanewname · 07/08/2019 09:59

West Bay in Dorset

Blimey. Someone has a low bar. There aren't that many truly nice seaside places - as a pp said on the first page, they are crowded in summer and windswept in winter. The only place I like is Jersey. Also agree with Isles of Scilly but expensive to get to.

The beaches in Northumberland are lovely if you are into beaches (but water is freezing), ditto some of the Scottish ones. The Antrim coast is amazing for drives.

But seaside towns and me don't mix. I was in Prestatyn/Flint at the weekend and really don't get the attraction, the inland towns like St Asaph and Denbigh are so much prettier.

The seafront at Torquay is quite nice but the town centre is ghastly.

SoMuchToBits · 07/08/2019 09:59

St Ives, Swanage, Broadstairs and Sheringham are our favourites.

probstimeforanewname · 07/08/2019 10:00

Camber Sands, without a doubt! And the little town of Rye next door is beautiful

Camber is tacky but agree with you that Rye is lovely - there aren't that many places in England that are that pretty and unspoilt.

BourbonAndTea · 07/08/2019 10:23

Ah we loved Camber when we went in early July..

Did Airbnb so no caravan parks or naff entertainment! But agree, that side of it could absolutely be seen as tacky!

The beach was amazing though and I'd recommend it to anyone!
Rye is wonderful, perhaps not for a beach-focused getaway, but it might be nice to stay there and visit the beach at Camber instead..!

CuppaSarah · 07/08/2019 10:26

I love Cleethorpes. But the water is a bit brown. For me it's perfect though and it's always busy enough for an atmosphere, but not full to brim. Full or arcades, fish and chips, doughnuts and a few little rides.

Smellybluecheese · 07/08/2019 11:33

St Ives (in September)
Looe/Polperro/Fowey
Bamburgh
Tynemouth
Broadstairs

SaintWillibald · 07/08/2019 12:33

Bra caster.

Lauralaaaa · 07/08/2019 12:58

Just go back from Newquay! Fistral beach is amazing, couldn’t recommend enough.

ChoudeBruxelles · 07/08/2019 13:02

Croyde, Devon. Small, couple of pubs, cinema in the village hall, indoor pool at the - albeit very large - camp/caravan site at the end of the village and another pool the other end, lovely beach with lifeguards.

Vesperia · 07/08/2019 13:04

Padstow - purely because I grew up holidaying around there every year as a child

Lowlandlucky · 07/08/2019 13:07

Swanage, Hayling, all of Northumberland and Troon

mogtheexcellent · 07/08/2019 13:08

I was swimming in the sea at Cromer yesterday. Not as chilly as you would expect. Apparently it feels warmer today (acording to my DPs who have already been to the beach). Im heading off for a swim this evening after work.

The best thing is they have a 2 week kids festival with activities on the beach and its all free. The week after kids weeks is carnival week so lots going on in town, although it gets mega busy.

A PP has said they rented a beach hut somewhere. I would recommend this as its a good place to stash all the beach stuff and hide from any rain. Also we use as camping hob to make teas and coffees (and the occasional fry up...). Family pays yearly rent on ours.

Bitlost · 07/08/2019 18:38

Lyme Regis. For the beautiful beach and constant entertainment on the promenade, the amazing museum (a true gem), the fossil hunting and lunch at Red Panda.

Elderflower14 · 07/08/2019 21:52

Westgate on Sea... 💙

MeowTseTung · 08/08/2019 13:52

Tenby's nice, also New Quay (the Welsh one).

Quite liked Seahouses when we visited a couple of years back.

feelingverylazytoday · 08/08/2019 14:07

I love St Ives though I haven't been there for a long time so can't say if it's changed or not.

beachysandy81 · 08/08/2019 14:51

Lyme Regis, Swanage (not as quaint as Lyme Regis though), St Ives, Marazion (opp St Michael's Mount - can walk across if tide OK). Lymington is a lovely town by the sea but the beach is a short drive away and pebbly, it does have an outdoor sea water swimming pool though.

Benjispruce · 08/08/2019 15:23

Lyme Regis is lovely but very busy in summer. Use park and ride as traffic and parking is awful in high season.

rrg1 · 08/08/2019 15:26

Beer in Devon

MangoSpice · 08/08/2019 15:40

Filey. Just beautiful.

Benjispruce · 08/08/2019 16:48

Ssshh about Beer.

Ivalueloyaltyaboveallelse · 08/08/2019 16:53

Weymouth

MamaGee09 · 08/08/2019 16:58

Scarborough or Filey

DanielleandBobby · 09/08/2019 09:17

Just been to Norfolk for the first time ever (I’m 56!!!) and was blown away by Wells next the Sea. Beautiful sands, dog friendly, lovely wooded walk to get there and warm sea - sunny day though. We really loved it and will definitely take DDog back there who had the time of his life Smile

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