Britain’s best – and worst – seaside destinations for 2024 have been ranked in Which? Travel’s annual survey, and Bamburgh in Northumberland has triumphed again, with Bangor in Wales last on the list.
The consumer champion surveyed thousands of people about their experiences of UK seaside towns in the past year, asking for their views on a range of criteria, including the quality of the beaches, food and drink offerings, tourist attractions and value for money.
The survey results spotlight coastal gems from all four nations, with Bamburgh taking the top spot for the fourth consecutive year; Portmeirion, Gwynedd, coming second; St Andrews, Fife, claiming bronze; and Portstewart, Derry/Londonderry, the favourite Northern Irish resort, which also features in the top 20.
This year’s survey once again ‘saw many lesser-known destinations beat their more popular counterparts to the top of the table’, declares Which?.
Readers may also notice how Cornish destinations have slipped in the rankings. St Mawes, the highest-ranked Cornish spot, topped the table in the 2020 Which? poll but has since dropped to 23rd place.
Bamburgh takes first place in the consumer champion’s survey with an overall destination score of 86 per cent. Which? says that visitors were awed by the ‘magnificent’ and ‘totally unspoiled’ beach, as well as by the ‘dramatic’ views of the castle, which one visitor enthused ‘is probably the most impressive in the British Isles’.
Those polled awarded Bamburgh a full five stars for its beach, seafront, scenery, tourist attractions and peace and quiet.
Which? adds: ‘Visitors also enjoyed exploring the village, which though small, boasts a handful of well-regarded pubs, restaurants and cafes.’
Italianate Welsh village Portmeirion takes second place thanks to a score of 83 per cent.
The village received a five-star rating for its ‘idyllic’ scenery, seafront, tourist attractions, and parking and four stars for its beaches. Those looking to extend their trip to the ‘beautiful’ town can choose from a range of accommodation options, says Which?, including self-catering cottages ‘and even a castle-style hotel’.
St Andrews comes third with a destination score of 82 per cent. The ‘wonderfully scenic’ Scottish town received five-star ratings in a range of categories including tourist attractions, seafront, beaches and scenery, as well as four stars for shopping and food and drink.
‘No one would dispute that Bangor has hit hard times of late, particularly with so many shops closing along its pedestrianised high street.
‘But part of the problem too is that many of its best attractions, set back from the main town, are little known. The 1,500ft, Grade II Garth Pier is a Victorian triumph and remains much the same as when Lord Penrhyn opened it in 1896. Stretching into the Menai Straits, the views across to Anglesey and back on to the peaks of Eryri saw it named pier of the year by the National Piers Society in 2022.
‘It’s not the only award winner. Tiny Whistlestop cafe, also on the pier, has previously been named best traditional Welsh restaurant in the country. Stop by for a warm welcome and homemade Bara Brith.
‘There is no real beach and Bangor won’t ever compete with more dedicated seaside resorts, but it does sit amidst some of the most spectacular landscapes in Wales. The university means there are plenty of cultural events for a city of 16,000, and accommodation is affordable.’
In fourth place is Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear, with a destination score of 81 per cent. It achieved ‘an impressive run’ of five-star ratings for its beaches and scenery, as well as four stars for food and drink.
Respondents loved their visits to the ‘characterful’ and ‘lively’ town, says Which?, singling out the castle, priory and weekend market among their recommendations.
St Davids, Pembrokeshire, completes the top five with a score of 80 per cent.
The town received a full five stars for its ‘beautiful’ scenery, and also scored five stars for its tourist attractions, which include its ‘magnificent’ ancient cathedral and the Gothic ruins of the Bishop’s Palace.
Summing up its attractions, one respondent enthused to Which? that ‘it has spectacular scenery, great walks, some ancient buildings, and fantastic character… there are also some good beaches nearby that are often practically empty!’
Close behind, three spots tie for sixth with destination scores of 79 per cent – Dartmouth, Devon; Rye, East Sussex; and Southwold, Suffolk.
‘Quaint, historic and friendly’ Dartmouth won over visitors with its stunning scenery, for which it received five stars. ‘Charming’ and ‘atmospheric’ Rye also impressed, with visitors enjoying the opportunity to explore its historic cobbled streets boasting a range of independent shops and restaurants, including the famous Mermaid Inn, Which? reports, adding: ‘Once a major port town, natural changes to the landscape mean that while its nautical heritage looms large, it is now two miles inland.’
Respondents reflecting on Southwold enthused about its ‘lovely, relaxed’ atmosphere, with ‘a beautiful pier and sandy beach with beach huts’ – as one visitor put it. A visit to the town feels like ‘stepping back into the 1950s’.
‘Beautiful’ Portstewart, Derry/Londonderry, meanwhile, ranked top in Northern Ireland thanks to a destination score of 76 per cent (tied in ninth place with Blakeney, Criccieth, and Sidmouth).
At the other end of the table, Bangor, Gwynedd, takes last place with a destination score of 42 per cent, with Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, just above on 46 per cent.
Bangor scored just two stars in the value for money, peace and quiet and seafront/pier categories, and just one star for food and drink, tourist attractions and shopping.
Mablethorpe received almost identical ratings, trumping Bangor only in the parking category.
Which? says: ‘Though they received lower scores than their competitors, travellers nonetheless found plenty to recommend in these seaside resorts. Multiple visitors remarked on Bangor’s “wonderful pier” and noted that while the town has suffered from shop closures in the town centre, it has some “really good restaurants” and “excellent amenities”. They also recommended it as a base for exploring the local area, including Snowdonia National Park.
‘Though some respondents noted that Mablethorpe felt run down in places, it nonetheless drew praise for its “lovely, enormous, clean beach”, with multiple visitors enjoying the traditional atmosphere of the town. As one repeat visitor enthused, “It has great character and such a relaxed feeling to it… you just enter into the spirit of the place and it really takes your mind off everyday worries.”‘
Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: ‘From wild, unspoilt stretches of remote coastline to charming traditional bucket and spade resorts, the UK’s seaside towns offer something for everyone.
‘While you may have your own favourite coastal spot, this year’s survey shows that it’s worth looking beyond the most famous resorts this summer, to the lesser-visited hidden gems in every corner of the UK.’
The results come from a survey of 4,744 members of Which?’s online panel in January 2024.
For more from Which? Travel and further information about the seaside ranking visit www.which.co.uk/travel.