A picturesque coastal town, far removed from the chaos and crowds that plague some of the country's most popular coastal resorts, has been crowned the finest seaside destination in the land.
When thoughts turn to the UK coastline, many will conjure up fond childhood memories of days spent on the pier at Brighton, hitting the arcades in Blackpool or paddling in Scarborough. As magnificent as these coastal gems undoubtedly are, one lesser-known spot has just been awarded the 'best of the best' accolade. In a comprehensive rundown of the UK's finest seaside towns, New Quay in Ceredigion has claimed the top spot.
Why New Quay Stands Out
"Victorian terraced houses tumble down to New Quay's main sandy bay, which is typically dotted with kayaks, sailboats, paddleboards, and families building sandcastles. But if a wilder beach sounds more like it, then Traeth Gwyn Beach and Cei Bach Beach are just the thing," gushed the rankings compiled by Holiday Cars.
"New Quay is a small but buzzy town, yet not completely overrun with tourists, so it's a happy medium for those who seek relaxation but not isolation. The harbour is a popular boat trip jumping-off point, with sailboats taking visitors out on dolphin-spotting, seal-spotting, and fishing trips. Days end with spectacular over-the-water sunsets and, of course, fish and chips."
Wildlife and Beaches
Cardigan Bay, where New Quay is located, boasts the largest population of resident bottlenose dolphins in the UK, with sightings from the harbour wall virtually guaranteed during summer months. The bay also holds Special Area of Conservation status, and the Marine Wildlife Centre operates boat trips where visitors may encounter harbour porpoises, Atlantic grey seals, and seasonal arrivals such as giant sunfish, leatherback turtles, and basking sharks.
New Quay features three distinctly different beaches. Harbour Beach is a Blue Flag award-winning stretch with fine sand and a designated safe swimming zone, making it a hit with families; Traeth Gwyn is another Blue Flag beach perfect for sunbathing and building sandcastles; while Cei Bach provides a more sheltered option, according to Discover Ceredigion.
Coastal Walks and Scenery
The town represents the halfway point of the Wales Coast Path, which became the world's first trail to trace an entire nation's coastline. It provides stunning hiking routes extending north towards Aberaeron and south to Aberporth.
The Runner-Up: North Berwick
Coming in second place in the rankings is North Berwick in Scotland. The town's most distinctive landmark is Bass Rock, which sits just offshore and hosts one of the world's largest gannet colonies, home to more than 150,000 birds. The Scottish Seabird Centre is also well worth a visit, with live cameras focused on the rock and boat trips available for a closer look.
North Berwick has two lovely sandy beaches right in town, West Beach and East Beach, both of which are surprisingly clean and scenic, with views of the volcanic Law hill rising behind them. For golf fans, the nearby Renaissance Club hosts the Scottish Open. Several famous links courses are also within easy reach, including Muirfield. The high street has a strong independent character, packed with excellent cafés, a traditional fishmonger, ice cream shops, and welcoming pubs. The harbour is picturesque and often has fresh seafood on offer.
Tantallon Castle, a dramatic fortress perched on the cliffs, is only a few miles away. Edinburgh is also close by, with straightforward train connections from Edinburgh Waverley making North Berwick one of the best and most accessible day trips from the capital.
The Top 20 Best Seaside Towns in the UK
- New Quay, Ceredigion, Wales – Victorian terraced houses tumble down to a sandy bay dotted with kayaks and sailboats, with dolphin-spotting boat trips and spectacular sunsets from the harbour.
- North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland – A 30-minute train from Edinburgh, this artsy coastal retreat boasts vast windswept beaches, ultra-fresh seafood, independent shops, and even its own Fringe festival.
- Looe, Cornwall, England – A picturesque working harbour, sun-soaked sandy beach, lively promenade, watersports, fresh seafood, and independent boutiques make this a firm Cornish favourite.
- Robin Hood's Bay, Yorkshire, England – A classic old English fishing village of steep narrow streets, honey-coloured cottages, brooding cliffs, and excellent pubs tumbling down to a sheltered bay.
- Barmouth, Gwynedd, Wales – A lively seaside town backed by soaring limestone hills, offering hiking trails, estuary views, and the unique spectacle of a mountain visible from the beach.
- Lyme Regis, Dorset, England – Pastel beach huts, fish and chips, and fossil hunting along the stunning Jurassic Coast, with a nature reserve and prehistoric museum to boot.
- Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland – Skye's surprisingly cosmopolitan main town features a colourful harbour, artisan bakeries, handicraft shops, and easy access to iconic landscapes like the Old Man of Storr.
- Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales – Technicolour cottages, a working harbour, maze-like streets, top restaurants, and three Blue Flag beaches make this Wales's most beloved seaside town.
- Portrush, County Antrim, Northern Ireland – A deep sandy beach, world-class golf, Dunluce Castle, a fun park, and the Giant's Causeway just 15 minutes away make this Northern Ireland's coastal gem.
- Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Scotland – A colourful waterfront town with a whisky distillery, fresh seafood, an arts centre, a lighthouse walk, and sailboat trips to spot sharks and whales.
- Weymouth, Dorset, England – Golden sands lined with colourful beach huts, Georgian architecture, a pretty harbour, and easy access to Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove on the Jurassic Coast.
- Cullen, Moray, Scotland – A quiet, crescent-beached town on the least-visited stretch of Scottish coast, with clifftop walks, dolphin spotting, and blissfully uncrowded beaches.
- Ballycastle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland – On Ireland's northeastern tip, this charming harbour town offers windswept beach walks, fresh fish and chips, and boat trips to puffin-filled Rathlin Island.
- Broadstairs, Kent, England – A Victorian beach town with seven golden bays, chalk cliff backdrops, surfing, dog-friendly beaches, and classic seaside arcades and fish and chip shops.
- Bamburgh, Northumberland, England – A sweeping flat beach, an 11th-century castle rising from basalt rock, seal colonies, and boat trips to the Farne Islands define this stunning Northumberland village.
- Staithes, Yorkshire, England – A peaceful fishing village of narrow alleyways, cosy pubs, art galleries, and coastal paths, just 10 miles from Whitby and steeped in Captain Cook history.
- Rye, East Sussex, England – A medieval hilltop town with ancient pubs, 14th-century monasteries, and the stunning soft-sand dunes of Camber Sands just a short drive or riverside walk away.
- Trearddur Bay, Anglesey, Wales – A quiet, off-the-beaten-path Welsh village with a beautiful beach, a sheltered yacht cove, and a dramatic lighthouse walk at South Stack Island.
- Dartmouth, Devon, England – A refined waterfront town on the River Dart with exquisite seafood, historic pubs, fishing boat views, and the South West Coast Path on the doorstep.
- St Andrews, Fife, Scotland – A mini-Edinburgh on the Fife coast, blending gothic architecture, galleries, student life, historic sights, and world-famous coastal golf courses.
