There's something about the British seaside that never gets old. The smell of salt air and vinegar-doused chips, the sound of seagulls overhead—it's a very specific kind of scenery, and millions of people keep coming back for it every year.
But the UK's coast has changed. These days, you'll find award-winning seafood restaurants in former fishing villages, world-class surf breaks in Cornwall, and clifftop walks that rival anything in southern Europe.
That’s why in this guide, we’ll take you through seven of the best seaside towns in the UK, from the fossil beaches of Dorset to the dramatic headlands of North Yorkshire. For each one, you'll find what kind of coastal experience to expect, who it suits best, and how to get there. So, plan your UK coastal holiday with us!
1. Scarborough, North Yorkshire
The Scarborough coastline | Photo by David Roberts on Pexels
Best time to visit: June to September for the warmest weather; spring for quieter crowds
How to get there: Direct trains from York (around 1 hour) and Leeds (around 1.5 hours). By car, take the A64 from York, about 40 miles east.
Scarborough is the UK's original seaside resort. It has two bays divided by a headland, a medieval castle looking out over the North Sea, and all the classic seaside staples: arcades, fish and chips, donkey rides, and ice cream in every flavor.
Above it all, Scarborough Castle sits on a clifftop hill that's been fortified since the Iron Age, and the views from up there are spectacular, stretching miles up and down the Yorkshire Coast.
Klook Tip: If you're travelling from York, it's worth spending a night there first. The Grand York is a grand Victorian railway hotel just steps from the station, making it an ideal base before heading to the coast.
2. Brighton, East Sussex
Seven Sisters Cliff viewpoint
Best time to visit: May to September; summer is lively but busy
How to get there: Trains from London Victoria take around 55 minutes. By car, the A23 from London takes about 1.5 hours depending on traffic.
Brighton is the most popular seaside city in England, and although the pebbly beach might not be the softest underfoot, the seafront more than compensates. You've got the Victorian pier, a waterfront packed with restaurants, and the famous Lanes neighborhood just a short walk inland. Brighton is a city first and a beach town second, which is exactly what makes it so good.
The Seven Sisters cliffs, just along the coast to the east, are one of the most scenic stretches of coastline in the country. If you're visiting Brighton for the first time, a day trip that takes you to the city and the cliffs are a great way to spend the day, and a Brighton and Seven Sisters day tour covers both in one go.
You can also do a day trip from London to Brighton and Seven Sisters Cliffs if you're based in the capital and want a straightforward one-day coastal escape.
3. Whitby, North Yorkshire
The Whitby Abbey ruins with view of the coastline | Photo by Igor Passchier on Pexels
Best time to visit: April to October; avoid August Bank Holiday if you dislike crowds
How to get there: No direct mainline train; take a train to Middlesbrough or Scarborough and connect by bus or taxi. By car from York, take the A64 and then the A169 north, about 45 miles.
Few seaside towns in the UK are as scenic as Whitby. It's built on a hillside above a working harbor, with the ruins of Whitby Abbey visible from almost everywhere in town. The narrow streets of the old quarter are full of independent shops, smokehouses, and bakeries selling the town's famous jet (a black gemstone found locally on the beach).
Fun fact: Did you know that this town inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula, and it takes that heritage seriously, with a hugely popular Goth Weekend twice a year?
Going back, the beach itself is wide, sandy, and backed by cliffs, which makes it one of the best beaches in England in terms of the scenery. It's also a destination that suits couples and walkers as much as families, as the clifftop path north to Sandsend is one of the finest short coastal walks in the country.
Klook Tip: Staying in York before heading to the coast makes logistical sense and adds a great city break to the trip. Hotel du Vin & Bistro York is a well-positioned boutique option close to the train station.
4. Sheringham, Norfolk
Aerial view of Sheringham beach town | Photo by Field Photography on Pexels
Best time to visit: June to September; late spring is lovely for wildflowers on the coastal path
How to get there: Trains run from Norwich to Sheringham on the Bittern Line (about 1 hour). By car, take the A140 from Norwich and then the A149 coast road, around 30 miles.
Sheringham is a quieter alternative to the more famous Norfolk coastal towns. It's a traditional fishing village that's grown into a small seaside resort without losing its character: the high street still has an independent fishmonger, the beach is clean and pebbly, and the cliffs on either side make for excellent walking.
It’s also surrounded by some of the most peaceful coasts in England. The Norfolk coast sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is well known for birdwatching, with salt marshes and nature reserves within easy reach. If you want a UK coastal holiday that's more about long walks than nightlife and tourist attractions, Sheringham is the place to go to.
5. Jurassic Coast, Dorset
The Jurassic Coast in Dorset
Best time to visit: April to October; summer is busy around Durdle Door, so arrive early
How to get there: Trains run to Dorchester South or Weymouth from London Waterloo (about 2.5 hours). By car from London, take the A35 via Bournemouth, around 2.5 to 3 hours.
The Jurassic Coast in Dorset is England's only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stretching 95 miles from Exmouth in Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset, it contains 185 million years of geological history, which you’ll see in the layered cliffs, rock arches, and fossil-packed beaches that line the shore.
Lyme Regis and Charmouth are the best spots for fossil hunting, where you can find ammonites and belemnites washed out of the cliffs after stormy weather. Also, the most photographed sections are around Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, a natural limestone arch that juts into the sea.
For a UK coastal holiday that combines scenery, history, and excellent walking, this stretch of Dorset coast is among the best in the country.
If you're based in Bath, a Salisbury and Jurassic Coast day trip is a great way to visit both Stonehenge's neighboring city and the Dorset coast in one go. The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa in Bath also makes a luxurious base for that kind of southern England itinerary.
6. Looe, Cornwall
A view of Looe harbor | Photo by Cynrar on Pexels
Best time to visit: June to September for swimming; May and October for quieter visits
How to get there: Trains to Liskeard, then the scenic Looe Valley Line down to the coast (about 30 minutes from Liskeard). By car from Exeter, take the A38 and A374, about 2 hours.
Looe is one of the most photogenic fishing villages in Cornwall, a working harbor divided by a tidal river, with narrow streets running up the hillsides on either side. The beach at East Looe is sandy and relatively sheltered, making it a good option if you’re going with your family.
Cornwall's beaches are the standard for the best beaches in England, and Looe puts you within easy reach of some of the best. Polperro, a few miles to the west, is even more charming; it’s a tiny cove village that's completely car-free at its center.
If you're planning a longer trip through Cornwall, Looe makes an excellent base for exploring the surrounding Cornwall beaches, with Talland Bay and Seaton Beach both just a short drive away.
7. Southwold, Suffolk
The pastel-colored beach huts in Southwold | Photo by Rob Mowe on Pexels
Best time to visit: June to August for beach weather; May and September for quieter visits with good conditions
How to get there: No direct train from London; take a train to Halesworth or Ipswich and continue by bus or taxi. By car from London, take the A12 north (around 2 hours).
Southwold is a small Suffolk seaside town with an outsized reputation. The pastel-painted beach huts are some of the most photographed in England; the lighthouse stands in the middle of the town rather than on the cliff, and the beach is wide, clean, and reliably good.
Adnams brewery has been here since the 1800s, and the pub scene reflects that heritage well. It's also the kind of seaside town that suits a slow weekend: walking the beach in the morning, lunch at one of the harbor crab shacks, and an afternoon looking around the shops and galleries.
Klook Tip: The pier at Southwold has a free-to-enter "Under the Pier Show", a collection of eccentric, handmade mechanical amusements that are completely unique to this spot.
FAQs about the best seaside destinations in the UK
What are the most beautiful seaside towns in the UK?
The UK has a lot of competition when it comes to beautiful seaside towns. Whitby in North Yorkshire is usually top of the list; the combination of a ruined abbey, working harbor, and wide sandy beach is hard to beat. Southwold in Suffolk is another favorite for its painted beach huts and relaxed atmosphere.
In Cornwall, St Ives and Fowey are well known for their beauty, while Looe offers a more working-fishing-village feel. Robin Hood's Bay on the Yorkshire Coast is one of the most scenically dramatic, with its cluster of cottages tumbling down to the sea.
Where is the best beach in England?
It depends what you're looking for. For scenery and drama, the Cornwall beaches at Kynance Cove and Porthcurno are hard to match. For reliable swimming and family-friendly facilities, Bournemouth and Weymouth on the Dorset coast are consistently well rated. In Yorkshire, Filey and Robin Hood's Bay offer sandy stretches that feel less crowded than southern destinations.
Brighton's seafront is the most accessible from London and great for a lively day out, even if the pebbles aren't for everyone. The Jurassic Coast Dorset stretch also offers some of the best beaches in England combined with extraordinary fossil-hunting opportunities.
What is the best seaside destination in the UK for families?
Scarborough is one of the most family-friendly options in the country; it has two beaches, lots of safe swimming areas, activities for kids of all ages, and the added bonus of Scarborough Castle to explore. Brighton is also excellent for families, with the pier, the seafront, and easy access to the Seven Sisters cliffs for a day walk.
What are the best coastal walks in the UK?
The UK has world-class long-distance coastal paths, and even short sections of them are excellent. The South West Coast Path is the longest national trail in England, running 630 miles around the Devon and Cornwall coast; the stretch between Padstow and Newquay is particularly scenic.
On the Yorkshire Coast, the cliff path between Whitby and Sandsend is a favorite short walk. The North Norfolk Coastal Path through Sheringham is flat and accessible and great for birdwatching. For city-based coastal walking, the River Thames path offers a unique urban take on the genre.
What is the best time of year to visit the British seaside?
The British seaside has its charms year-round, but June to September are the most reliable months for warm weather and beach conditions. July and August are the peak months, which means busier and pricier, but with the best chance of sunshine and warm sea temperatures. May and June have a good balance of decent weather and smaller crowds.
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