Press release
Toast of the coast: Britain’s best seaside destinations ranked in Which?’s annual survey
5 min read
Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: "The British seaside hasn't boomed like this since the 1960s. Holidaymakers had such a fantastic time in their caravans, tents and beach lodges over the past two years that a coastal break on home shores is on the cards for many, even with restrictions on overseas travel lifted. "Prices for a UK stay have increased, but there's no need to pay over the odds. For a holiday on a budget it's best to aim for an off-season trip. Head to one of the many well priced resorts with your bucket and spade, an empty stomach for the candyfloss and a pile of 2p coins and go make your fortune on the slots."
ENDS
Notes to editors The results are based on a survey of 4,303 Which? Connect members carried out in January 2022. We only reported on the towns that achieved a minimum sample size. Unfortunately, that meant no destinations from Northern Ireland were included.
In defence of Great Yarmouth and Weston Super Mare, by Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel: Both sit near the bottom of our table, alongside a string of other seaside resort towns like Bognor and Skegness. Many of my childhood holidays were spent hunting for the sea across the mudflats of Weston or misspent in the arcades of Great Yarmouth. I loved them for all the reasons many people, myself included, still love them now. It's a seaside break on a budget with cheap accommodation, and penny slots and candyfloss providing entertainment for pocket change. But that's not to ignore their problems. It's no secret that big seaside resort towns have struggled with the decline of tourism. I know from my own recent visits that some feel rundown, a reflection of the lack of money and investment they've had for so long. While the one-star rating some towns received for peace and quiet and the comments some of you sent in reflects that the all-day drinking culture that's boisterous to some, feels unsafe to many. This is reflected in their poor ratings in our survey. There is hope. I have been to Clacton, Southend and Weston in recent years and things are on the up. A lick of new paint here, a renovated grand hotel there and the confidence that comes with an influx of new visitors during the pandemic. The basics are certainly in place. Many resorts have some of the best stretches of beach in the country as well as theatres, arcades and mini funfairs for kids. If you haven't been to a British seaside resort in a while, it might be worth revisiting - pack your bucket and spade, an empty stomach for the candyfloss and a pile of 2p coins to make your fortune on the slots.
Five budget-friendly seaside destinations with hotels £100 or cheaper:
Filey, North Yorkshire Overall rating: 81% Average hotel price per night: £98
Lynmouth, Devon Overall rating: 80% Average hotel price per night: £100
Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland Overall score 75% Average hotel price per night: £88
Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear Overall score 73% Average hotel price per night: £78
Scarborough, North Yorkshire Overall score: 71% Average hotel price per night: £85
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