Brighton has been named the most expensive seaside destination in the UK, according to new research from NoDepositRewards.org. The study, which calculated the cost of all-day parking, a '99' ice cream, a large fish and chips meal, and deckchair hire, found that a day trip to Brighton costs £38.20, meaning £100 would last just over two days.
Breakdown of Costs
The research, reported by the Express, looked at all-day parking charges based on local council rates, average ice cream prices, fish and chips costs from local chippies, and full-day deckchair hire. In Brighton, all-day parking costs £18, a '99' ice cream is £2.70, a large fish and chips meal is £11.50, and deckchair hire is £6, totalling £38.20 per day.
Comparison with Other Destinations
In contrast, Swansea was named the most affordable seaside destination, with the same basket of items costing approximately £16.71 per day. There, parking costs just £3, an ice cream is £1.65, and fish and chips are cheaper. The second most expensive destination was St Ives in Cornwall, where visitors pay an average of £25.30 per day, with all-day parking at £10, fish and chips at £12.50, and ice cream at £2.50.
Regional Differences
Mason Jones, data expert at NoDepositRewards.org, said: "Families are budgeting harder than ever for summer 2025. Our Seaside Index shows you can triple the number of beach days simply by choosing a different stretch of coast. With parking now topping local cost charts, the North and Wales clearly win on value."
Brighton's fish and chips are not the most expensive in the UK; that title goes to Bamburgh, Northumberland, where a large fish and chips meal costs £14.88. However, Brighton's high parking fees and overall costs make it the priciest overall destination.
