UK’s top 12 seaside towns ranked – and No. 1 is not in Cornwall

12. Bude

The list of stunning seaside towns in Cornwall is almost never ending. 

St Ives, Mevagissey, Polperro, Polzeath, Looe, Fowey, Padstow. 

You could make a good argument for any of them being Britain’s best seaside towns. 

But Bude’s location gives it the edge for me. 

For starters, it feels a bit remote – the nearest train station is 30 miles away. 

And if you don’t mind a bit of driving around it’s just about near enough to so many incredible places in Cornwall and Devon that it’s the perfect base for a family holiday. 

You might choose beautiful Clovelly over the Devon border, stunning Daymer Bay further down the Cornwall coast or rugged Dartmoor if you head inland. 

If driving around isn’t your idea of much fun on a holiday, Bude itself has a great beach and nearby Sandymouth Bay is just epic. 

If the sun’s shining this part of the world is really hard to beat. 

(Image: Getty)

11. Brighton

OK it’s not got a sandy beach but Brighton has pretty much everything else you could possibly want from a seaside town (yes, I know, it’s actually a city).  

Whatever your age you’ll have a great day (or night) there. 

Going on a stag or hen do? There’s enough pubs and bars to keep even the group’s heaviest drinker happy.  

Going with the kids? The pier is as good as any in Britain. Just look out for the mutant seagulls who seem to be overdoing it on the excess of chips and ice cream cones they can nab from inattentive visitors. 

Going with your gran? It’s got all those old-fashioned things you want from a seaside town. 

And if there’s not enough for you in the town itself (and there definitely is) it’s really close to the beautiful South Downs which are a paradise for hikers and cyclists. 

Brighton’s not without its issues – prepare to remortgage your house just to afford to park there. 

But there’s nowhere else like it.

(Image: Getty)

10. Blackpool

Recently named the UK’s friendliest seaside town, Blackpool is a British seaside holiday staple. If you haven’t been to the Lancashire gem, then you haven’t lived.

I recently visited it for the first time in years to find out whether it lived up to my childhood memories – and it once again exceeded my expectations.

With Blackpool, what you see is what you get – cheap £1.80 pints at the Ardwick pub, delicious fish and chips aplenty, and thrills and spills at the iconic Pleasure Beach.

However, it’s also rolling with the times, having recently opened an incredible new attraction, the Showtown Museum, which is loved equally among tourists and locals. And with a new tram line taking visitors from Blackpool North station directly into the town centre, its easier to navigate than ever before.

Relax in the Tower Ballroom as couple’s dance the afternoon away or enjoy a serene stroll along the beach exploring one of the town’s three incredible piers – just watch out for the seagulls! 

(Image: GETTY)

9. Oban

If it’s beautiful golden beaches you are looking for then move on. You’re more likely to greeting with a bracing wind and drizzle.

But the location on the west of Scotland is known as the seafood capital of the country with some fine restaurants.

It’s also the perfect launchpad for a host of Scottish islands and the chance to see some incredible wildlife including dolphins, puffins, whales and sea eagles. Plus there is also the whisky…

(Image: GETTY)