What is the prettiest coastal town in England?

St Ives in Cornwall is frequently cited as the prettiest coastal town in England, renowned for its golden sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and unique, crisp light that has long attracted artists. Other top contenders for the most picturesque seaside spot include the historic, cobbled streets of Whitby, the colorful harbour of Padstow, and the charming, traditional fishing village feel of Aldeburgh.

What is the most beautiful coastal town in England?

7 of the best seaside towns in Britain

• Brighton, East Sussex. Top of the list has to be Brighton – where I studied at university. ...
• Broadstairs, Kent. ...
• Southwold and Aldeburgh, Suffolk. ...
• Aberystwyth, Wales. ...
• North Berwick, Scotland.

Where is the best coastal town to live in the UK?

Falmouth takes the crown as the best seaside town in the UK, and it's easy to see why. Nestled in the heart of Cornwall – which is home to a very impressive 142 beaches – this vibrant coastal town is bursting with natural beauty.

Which seaside town is best?

The "best" seaside town depends on what you're looking for, with popular choices like Brighton (vibrant culture), Bournemouth (sandy beaches & nightlife), and Whitby (history & gothic charm) leading UK lists, while Llandudno offers Victorian grandeur, and Portree (Isle of Skye) provides stunning natural beauty for tranquility, balancing lively resorts with quaint escapes across England, Scotland, and Wales. 

What is the happiest seaside town in the UK?

Topping the list, the coastal town of St Ives also boasts a seaside walk along the South West Coast Path.

10 Best Seaside Towns in the UK

What is the prettiest small town in England?

Castle Combe is often called the prettiest village in England and one of the most beautiful towns in the Cotswolds. Walking through this village truly feels like stepping back in time; no new houses have been built here for over 400 years, so it has kept its authentic, old-world charm.

What is the prettiest place to live in England?

Top 20 prettiest places to live in Britain

• Morpeth, Northumberland. ...
• Lavenham, Suffolk. ...
• Lindfield, West Sussex. ...
• Bath, Somerset. ...
• Castle Combe, Wiltshire. ...
• Holland Park, London. ...
• Ludlow, Shropshire. ...
• York, North Yorkshire. The walled city of York is a real beauty.

What is the best seaside town in the UK 2025?

The list packed with classic English seaside spots, with likes of Whitstable and Margate in Kent, Rye in East Sussex, Salcombe in Devon, Falmouth in Cornwall and Scarborough in Yorkshire all featuring. Folkestone – Time Out's top place to visit in the UK in 2025 – also makes an appearance.

What is the royal family's favorite seaside village?

The Royal Family certainly thinks so – St Mawes has long been a favourite of King Charles, Queen Camilla, and even the late Queen Elizabeth II. While some coastal spots have become victims of their own popularity, St Mawes has managed to stay graceful and understated.

Where is the most picturesque village in England?

While beauty is subjective, Castle Combe (Wiltshire) and Bibury (Cotswolds) are consistently named England's most beautiful villages, famed for their idyllic Cotswold stone cottages, historic charm, and picturesque settings, with Bibury's Arlington Row being especially iconic and Castle Combe often called "the prettiest" and a film-set favorite. Other contenders include coastal Robin Hood's Bay (North Yorkshire) for its smuggling history and sea views, and Mousehole (Cornwall) for its quaint fishing village vibe.
 

What are the top 5 seaside resorts in the UK?

Top Seaside Holiday Resorts in the UK

• Brean.
• Newquay. Newquay, found on Cornwall's north coast, is famous for having the best surfing beach, Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay. ...
• Falmouth. Falmouth combines nautical heritage with modern attractions. ...
• Llandudno. ...
• Bournemouth. ...
• Eastbourne. ...
• Skegness. ...
• Ventnor.

What is the best alternative to Brighton?

If you like Brighton, try Margate

An hour from the capital, Brighton is a coastal weekend escape for thousands of Londoners who shop the boutiques of the Laines, stroll along the pier and party all night. But for a more relaxed seaside break – with a sandy beach that beats Brighton's pebbles – try Margate.

What is the underrated seaside town in the UK?

According to the research, carried out by Airbnb, Saltburn-by-the-Sea is the country's most underrated seaside town. Located in North Yorkshire, the seaside town offers the 'perfect blend of serenity and intrigue', says Airbnb.

Where is the cheapest but nicest place to live in the UK?

The nicest but cheapest places to live in the UK often combine affordability with access to nature or culture, with top contenders including Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Hull, Burnley, and County Durham for low housing/rental costs, offering seaside access (Sunderland), rich history (Hull), or proximity to natural beauty like the North York Moors (Middlesbrough). Carlisle also stands out for its proximity to the Lake District and affordability.

Which city in England is the most beautiful?

15 Most Beautiful Cities in England

1. Bath, Somerset. ...
2. City of Westminster, London. ...
3. York, Yorkshire. ...
4. Oxford, Oxfordshire. ...
5. Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. ...
6. Canterbury, Kent. ...
7. Chester, Cheshire. ...
8. Durham, County Durham.

What is the loveliest town in England?

There's no single "prettiest" town, but popular contenders include Bibury (Cotswolds), famous for its stone cottages, Castle Combe (Cotswolds), often called England's prettiest village with its limestone charm, and Lewes (East Sussex), noted for medieval streets and independent shops. Other top contenders are Rye (East Sussex) for its historic timbered houses, Grasmere (Lake District) for idyllic scenery, and Ludlow (Shropshire) for its historic architecture.
 

Where is the best coastal town to retire in the UK?

10 best places to retire by the sea

1. Salcombe, Devon.
2. Weymouth, Dorset. ...
3. Whitby, North Yorkshire. ...
4. St Ives, Cornwall. ...
5. Bamburgh, Northumberland. ...
6. Worthing, West Sussex. ...
7. Cromer, Norfolk. ...
8. Shanklin, Isle of Wight. ...

What is the most affordable coastal town?

For the second consecutive year, Pascagoula, MS, emerged as the leader in beach house affordability. The popular Gulf Shore tourist destination is one of six oceanside towns that made last year's list, which, notably, had only 10 entries.

Where is the cheapest place to buy a house in the UK 2025?

Sunderland is the cheapest city to buy a property in the UK in 2025. It sits along the coastline of the North East, with property in the SR1 postcode on the market for around £56,100.

What is the most picturesque village in England?

While beauty is subjective, Castle Combe (Wiltshire) and Bibury (Cotswolds) are consistently named England's most beautiful villages, famed for their idyllic Cotswold stone cottages, historic charm, and picturesque settings, with Bibury's Arlington Row being especially iconic and Castle Combe often called "the prettiest" and a film-set favorite. Other contenders include coastal Robin Hood's Bay (North Yorkshire) for its smuggling history and sea views, and Mousehole (Cornwall) for its quaint fishing village vibe.
 

What is the most underrated town in the UK?

While "underrated" is subjective, recent studies and travel discussions frequently highlight Hastings, Royal Leamington Spa, and Shrewsbury as top contenders, praised for their culture, independent shops, events, and history, often overshadowed by bigger names like Brighton or Birmingham. Other strong contenders include historic Chester, revitalized Swansea, and the charming, remote Scottish village of Inverie, depending on whether you prefer history, coastal vibes, or seclusion.
 

What is the friendliest town in England?

Oxford, England

Oxford is a university city that's often celebrated for its friendliness. In 2021, the Friendship Index poll asked respondents questions about kindness, encouragement, and looking after others, and ranked Oxford as the number-one friendliest city in the UK.