Over 120 UK seaside destinations for 2024 ranked by Which?

• The order comes from what? survey that asked Britons about their experiences of Britain’s seaside towns
• Criteria included beach quality, food and drink offerings, tourist attractions and value for money
• Mablethorpe performs extremely poorly in the rankings, compiled from a survey of nearly 5,000 travelers.
• Been to Bangor or Mablethorpe and had a good time? Email ted.thornhill@travelmail.co.uk
• Which UK holiday resort is YOUR favourite? Vote in our poll below…
• READ MORE: I’m a solo traveler – here’s why being RUDE can help keep you safe abroad

The best – and worst – British seaside destinations for 2024 have been ranked in the Which? Annual survey of Travel and Bamburgh in Northumberland he triumphed again with Bangor in Wales last on the list.

The consumer champion polled thousands of people about their experience of Britain’s seaside towns last year, asking their views on a range of criteria including beach quality, food and drink offerings, tourist attractions and value for money.

The survey results spotlight coastal gems from all four nations, with Bamburgh taking the top spot for the fourth year running; PortmeirionGwynedd, in second place; St Andrews, Fife, claiming bronze; and PortstewartDerry/Londonderry, a popular resort in Northern Ireland, also featured in the top 20.

In this year’s survey, again, “many lesser-known destinations beat their more popular counterparts to the top of the table”, claims Which?.

Readers may also note how Cornish destinations have fallen in the rankings. St Mawes, the highest ranked Cornish spot, topped the table in the 2020 Who? but has since fallen to 23rd.

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Bamburgh it ranks first in the Consumer Champion survey with an overall destination score of 86 percent. Who? says visitors were impressed by the “magnificent” and “completely unspoilt” beach, as well as “dramatic” views of the castle, which one visitor enthused “is probably the most impressive in the British Isles”.

Those surveyed gave Bamburgh a full five stars for beach, seafront, scenery, tourist attractions and tranquillity.

Who? he adds: ‘Visitors also enjoyed touring the village, which is small but boasts a handful of well-rated pubs, restaurants and cafes.’

Italian Welsh Village Portmeirion takes second place thanks to a score of 83 percent.

The village received a five-star rating for its “idyllic” scenery, waterfront, tourist attractions and parking, and four stars for its beaches. Those looking to extend their trip to the “beautiful” city can choose from a range of accommodation options, says Which?, including self-catering cottages “and even a castle-style hotel”.

St Andrews is third with a destination score of 82 percent. The “wonderfully picturesque” Scottish city received five-star ratings in a number of categories including tourist attractions, waterfront, beaches and scenery, as well as four stars for shopping and food and drink.

IN DEFENSE OF BANGOR RORY BOLAND WHICH EDITOR? TRAVEL AND GRADUATE OF BANGOR UNIVERSITY

“No one would dispute that Bangor has fallen on hard times recently, especially with so many shops closing on its high street.

“But part of the problem is that many of its best attractions, set back from the capital, are little known. Garth pier II. the 1,500-foot-tall staircase is a Victorian triumph and remains much the same as when Lord Penrhyn opened it in 1896. Stretching into the Menais Strait, views across Anglesey and back to the peaks of Eryri saw it named Pier of the Year by the National Piers Society in 2022.

“He is not the only awardee. The Tiny Whistlestop Cafe, also on the pier, has previously been named the best traditional Welsh restaurant in the country. Stop by for a warm welcome and homemade Bara Brith.

“There is no real beach and Bangor will never compete with the more dedicated seaside resorts, but it is set in the middle of some of the most spectacular countryside in Wales. The university means that for a town of 16,000 there are plenty of cultural events and accommodation is affordable.”

He is in fourth place Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear, with a destination score of 81 per cent. It has achieved an “impressive array” of five-star ratings for its beaches and scenery, as well as four stars for its food and drink.

Respondents loved their visits to the “characteristic” and “vibrant” city, says Which?, with the castle, priory and weekend market highlighted among their recommendations.

Saint DavidPembrokeshire, completes the top five with a score of 80 per cent.

The city received a full five stars for its “beautiful” scenery and five stars for its tourist attractions, which include the “spectacular” ancient cathedral and the Gothic ruins of the Bishop’s Palace.

Summarizing its attractions, one respondent raved about which? that ‘it has spectacular scenery, great walks, some ancient buildings and fantastic character… there are also some good beaches nearby which are often practically empty!’

Close behind three places in sixth with a score of 79 percent – Dartmouth, Devon; Rye, East Sussex; and Southwold, Suffolk.

‘Quirky, historic and friendly’ Dartmouth won over visitors with its stunning scenery, for which it received five stars. “Charming” and “Atmospheric” Rye also impresses with visitors being able to explore its historic cobbled streets with a range of independent shops and restaurants, including the famous Mermaid Inn, Which? reports, adding: “Once a major port city, natural changes to the landscape mean that, while its maritime heritage looms large, it now lies two miles inland.”

Respondents consider Southwold raved about its “lovely, relaxed” atmosphere with a “beautiful pier and sandy beach with beach huts” – as one visitor put it. Visiting the city is like “going back to the 1950s”.

‘Beautiful’ PortstewartMeanwhile, Derry/Londonderry came top in Northern Ireland thanks to a destination score of 76 per cent (tied for ninth with Blakeney, Cricciethand Sidmouth).

At the other end of the table, BangorGwynedd, ranks last with a target score of 42 per cent, p MablethorpeLincolnshire, just over 46 per cent.

Bangor received just two stars for value for money, peace and quiet and seafront/piers, and just one star for food and drink, tourist attractions and shopping.

Mablethorpe received an almost identical rating, Bangor only came out on top in the parking category.

Who? says: “Although they scored lower than their competitors, travelers found a lot to recommend these seaside resorts. Several visitors commented on Bangor’s “wonderful pier”, noting that although the town has suffered from the closure of shops in the town centre, it has some “really good restaurants” and “excellent amenities”. They also recommended it as a base for exploring the local area, including Snowdonia National Park.

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“Although some respondents noted that Mablethorpe felt rundown in places, it still drew praise for its ‘beautiful, huge, clean beach’, with many visitors enjoying the town’s traditional atmosphere. As one repeat visitor enthused: “It has great character and such a relaxed feel… you just get into the spirit of the place and it really takes you away from your everyday worries.”

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: “From wild, unspoilt stretches of remote coastline to charming, traditional bucket-and-spade resorts, Britain’s seaside towns have something for everyone.

“While you may have your favorite seaside spot, this year’s survey shows that it’s worth looking beyond this summer’s most famous resorts to the less visited hidden gems in every corner of the UK.”

The results come from a survey of 4,744 members of the online panel Which? in January 2024.

Next from which? Visit www.which.co.uk/travel for travel and more information about the Seaside Rankings.