Bamburgh, the picturesque Northumberland village, has been named the UK's best coastal town or village for the sixth year running in the annual Which? survey. While visitors praise its quaint centre, sandy beach, and imposing castle, many locals are exasperated by the attention, citing overcrowding, litter, and soaring property prices.
Perfect Scores from Readers
The survey, based on responses from 5,320 Which? readers, awarded Bamburgh perfect marks for its seafront, scenery, and beach. One visitor enthused: "It is a wonderful historic village with miles of sand and glorious views." Another said: "Bamburgh Castle, a stunning building, is the core of the village and leads through the sand dunes to an extraordinary beach, which never fails to captivate us." A third added: "It’s just gorgeous and as good now as it was years ago; it’s not been spoiled by commercialisation."
Local Backlash
Despite the accolades, some residents are unhappy. One local wrote online: "I wish they wouldn't do things like this. All it does is make rich southerners read it and then decide to buy a holiday house there, pushing up house prices and pushing out actual locals." Another complained: "Peace and quiet?! Not on a sunny summer’s day. The village is rammed with vehicles and visitors." In 2022, resident John Graham said: "When the sun is out the place can be overrun. In the day, you get the ice-cream brigade leaving their rubbish everywhere and in the evenings the drunken louts have their fun. On an average morning in the summer, I pick up five or six burnt-out disposable barbecues and half a dozen or so bin bags full of bottles and cans."
Environmental Concerns
A business owner noted a significant increase in litter in the sand dunes below the castle, comparing the situation to over-fishing: "Pubs and hotel owners might be enjoying the money rolling in, but the more people who come here, the more damage is done to the environment."
A Visitor's Perspective
A reporter who visited last summer found the village less than idyllic. Traffic on the main road was relentless on a hot June day, and the lack of public transport—the nearest train station is seven miles away in Chathill, with sporadic buses—makes car-free trips difficult. The reporter also critiqued Bamburgh's vibe, noting it lacks the salty, edgy character of other seaside towns, with its Farrow and Ball doors and memorial benches. While the beach and castle are undeniably magnificent, the beach itself is described as "one-note," with shallow waters and a cold North Sea. For a better beach experience, the reporter suggests Camber Sands near Rye, East Sussex, which offers more sunshine and superior sand dunes.
