What's your favourite UK seaside town?

[Whathappenedtothelego]

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?

Wow, thanks for all the recommendations! Lots of them I had never heard of, and I didn't know Tenby was by the sea .

Our nearest coast is Blackpool or Morecambe, but don't really want to go on holiday there.

I like the idea of Wales, but also tempted by the south and Devon.

And love the thought of an island, but maybe too much hassle to get to - suppose the Isle of Wight would be OK.
I thought the North Sea would be too cold.

Don't mind traveling a bit further for somewhere good.

Another vote for Hayle in Cornwall, the beach is fantastic. Also all the areas between Padstow and Newquay in Cornwall (Treyarnon Bay, Constantine Bay, Harlyn Bay) are fab and tick your boxes I think.

icenisky that's such a shame. We live there now. It is very nice ( although heaving this evening)

I also live near southwold. I absolutely love it. I used to live on south coast and it just makes me feel happy here.

Do not go to the isle of wight over other suggestions!

Swanage, for the priorities in your OP (but I'd go for St Ives personally if I could afford it for more than a day trip)

Southsea, Swanage, Weymouth or paignton

Ditto the above - but don’t remember Paignton (was v young)

I love Weymouth. I took my children there last week and they said it was the best holiday ever. High praise from children whose Disney dad has taken them on loads of expensive foreign holidays

Broadstairs

St Ives.

Sutton on Sea

In fact, Mablethorpe too. We go to Weymouth and Swanage fairly often as have family near there, but much prefer the East Coast.

Or Nairn in the Highlands - Charlie Chaplin's favourite holiday spot and my DH's home town!!

I thought the North Sea would be too cold.

The Moray Firth has its own micro climate - not as cold as you might think! Been lovely here for the past two weeks

Lyme Regis or Wells Next the Sea

Southwold
Lulworth Cove
Charmouth
Lyme Regis

Wells-next-the-sea

Perranporth, it's a small town but lovely big beach with rock pools big enough to swim in, the fish and chips are lovely and it also has a bar actually on the beach which is nice to sit by and watch the amazing sunsets.

Cromer. Great beach, nice country inland and fresh crab!

Lots of my favourites on here!!

Aberdovey is stunning

We love sidmouth, i actually prefer a stone beach, although it's rained every time we visit it made it more dramatic! If you don't mind a bit of a shclepp you can take the path from the donkey sanctuary and walk down to a pretty much deserted beach. Donkey sanctuary is a great place and it's free!

Love broadstairs, we live in kent and broadstairs is our beach to go to when we are having a rough time ever.

I am actually growing fond of folkstone - a definate up and coming area.

Swanage too is beautiful and the surrounding area.

Lyme Regis too although it's so busy.

Can you tell I love an English beach holiday!!

Filey.
Lots of nice beaches in north Norfolk
Abersoch.
Sandsend.
Flamborough, east Yorkshire.

Barry Island isn't really an island (any more.)

North Berwick is lovely - like seaside towns I remember from my childhood. An added bonus is that Edinburgh is very nearby.

Weymouth. So much to do.

@Freaking0ut we now avoid St Ives like the plague! Too many stressed efforts of getting about like 2 million others, absolutely rammed. Hate the crowds, felt like it was an ironic victim of its own success during the tourist seasons.
Have been a tourist in so many other places during peak times without feeling so penned in and crammed - and 2 miles down the road are some beautifully peaceful beaches!