Holidaymakers seeking the perfect seaside getaway should look no further than the charming towns of Tenby, St Ives, and Lyme Regis, according to research.
These picturesque coastal destinations have emerged as the top three in a comprehensive UK holiday entertainment index, offering a delightful blend of attractions, activities, and favourable weather conditions. The research has also found the best destination for those looking for pubs, museums, parks and more.
From sandy beaches and historic pubs to world-class museums and fossil-hunting opportunities, these towns provide an array of entertainment options for visitors of all ages.
The index considered factors such as the number of activities, cost, and climate to rank these seaside gems based on their overall appeal to tourists.
Top 10 list of UK seaside towns for holiday entertainment
- Tenby, Pembrokeshire (7.71/10)
- St Ives, Cornwall (7.29/10)
- Lyme Regis, Dorset (7.24/10)
- New Brighton (6.56/10)
- Swanage (6.31/10)
- Southwold (6.31/10)
- Whitby (6.11/10)
- Hunstanton (5.93/10)
- Cromer (5.81/10)
- Filey (5.80/10)
These charming coastal destinations offer a diverse range of attractions and activities, ensuring memorable holidays for visitors seeking the perfect seaside getaway.
Tenby, a "charming" harbour town in Pembrokeshire, Wales, tops the list with an impressive score of 7.71 out of 10. It was also found to be the seaside town with most pubs with live music.
This seaside gem boasts 13th-century town walls and "stunning sandy beaches", including Castle Beach, which was named the best beach in the UK in 2019 and currently holds a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Google.
Its vibrant nightlife is evident in its 6.4 pubs per 1,000 people, with 2.4 featuring live music. Food enthusiasts will delight in the town's culinary scene, with 19.3 restaurants per 1,000 people, the second-highest on the list.
Visit Pembrokeshire states: "Tenby is probably the most iconic seaside town in Wales, rivalling places like Mevagissey and Polperro for quaintness and charm. It was awarded a Silver award for the best UK coastal resort at the British Travel awards in 2016, as voted for by the public."
St Ives, Cornwall, secures the second spot with a score of 7.29 out of 10. Known as an artists' haven, this coastal town boasts an enviable oceanic climate with mild winters and warm summers. It records the lowest annual rainfall (673 mm) and the fewest rainy days (97) among the analysed seaside towns.
The research praised the area for its cultural offerings, featuring 3.5 museums per 1,000 people. The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden and St Ives Museum are notable attractions.
The town's beaches are highly regarded, earning a 4.8 review score. St Ives also garners significant online interest, with 80,600 annual Google searches.
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Accessibility is a strong point, with 36 train stations in the Cornwall local authority. Lyme Regis, the "Pearl of Dorset", rounds out the top three with a score of 7.24 out of 10.
This historic coastal town is home to the Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium, showcasing local sea life and maritime history.
The town's lively atmosphere is evident in its 1.9 pubs with live music per 1,000 people, ranking third highest on the list. Overall, Lyme Regis boasts 4.3 pubs per 1,000 people.
With an average of just 98 rainy days per year, visitors can enjoy relatively dry weather. As part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, Lyme Regis offers excellent fossil-hunting opportunities along its cliffs and beaches.
Other categories were considered in the research by OLBG, so there is a seaside town to visit no matter what you are looking for.
Seaside town with most pubs
Southwold, East Suffolk - 11.6 per 1,000 people
Seaside town with most pubs with live music
Tenby, Pembrokeshire - 2.4 per 1,000 people
Seaside town with most restaurants
Southwold, East Suffolk - 32.6 per 1,000 people
Seaside town with most museums
Southwold, East Suffolk - 5.3 per 1,000 people
Seaside town with the most parks and nature attractions
Bamburgh, Northumberland - 9.3 per 1,000 people
Seaside town with the most sights and landmarks
Bamburgh, Northumberland - 12.4 per 1,000 people
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