The UK's coastline is so much more than picturesque views suitable for fridge calendars.While millions of holidaymakers venture out of the UK in search of sea and sun, so many of us overlook the beautiful paradise locations right on our doorsteps–often just a few hours or a day’s journey away.
Filled with marine treasures, authentic British culinary delights, and so much more, countless seaside towns are scattered across the isles that offer unique charms and experiences. All waiting to be discovered in the Isle’s many unique seaside towns and as 2025 inches closer, it’s time we turn the tide and set our sights on seven of the UK's most enticing coastal towns you can't afford to miss.
Get ready to plan your itinerary, pack your sunhat, and let's voyage to these gems offering more than just a day by the seashore.
Dartmouth, Devon
Nestled along the Devon’s River Dart, the seaside town of Dartmouth bubbles with old-world maritime charm. Picture cobblestone lanes winding their way to a bustling harbour filled with vessels nodding to Dartmouth’s history as a maritime trade hub.
During your visit, indulge in fresh seafood under timber beams at the 16th Century Bayard’s Cove Inn, or sip local ales and swap tales of your day’s adventure at the cosy Smith Street Deli, where historic seafaring stories flow as freely as the drinks.
Just north of town are the golden sands and surf of crescent-shaped Blackpool Sands beach. If you feel like exploring, take to the beach or ramble along the Dart Valley Trail to Dartmouth Castle, whose walls warded off raiding parties during the Hundred Years War.
Whether you fancy yourself an intrepid explorer of ages past or just someone looking to watch boats glide along the river with a cider in hand, Dartmouth blends stories of the past with quintessential seaside relaxation.
Highlights
- Scenic River Dart and Blackpool Sands beach
- Culinary delights: The Seahorse, Bayard's Cove Inn, Smith Street Deli
- A mix of historic charm and picturesque natural beauty
Mallaig, Scotland
Tucked away on Scotland’s wild and rugged west coast, the charming port town of Mallaig is where fiery sunsets melt into the Atlantic. There’s plenty to do here, the highlight of which is undoubtedly booking yourself on a wildlife cruise to spot minke whales, dolphins, and seabirds around the Knoydart Peninsula's sea cliffs.
Back on dry land, fresh seafood is never far, with plenty of opportunities to refuel on fresh-caught langoustines at Cornerstone restaurant before retiring to the Steam Inn for warming whiskies and toe-tapping traditional music well into the night.
If whiskey’s not your thing, you could wander Mallaig's harbour as fishing boats chug in with the day's catch, bellies filled with plump herring and silvery mackerel.
The mornings here are perfect for hikes through heather-strewn hills in search of Mallaig’s secluded white sand beaches. However you choose to experience Mallaig, its blend of calm and untamed natural beauty will captivate mind, body, and spirit.
Highlights
- A mesmerising blend of calm and wild natural beauty
- Gastronomical delights: Cornerstone restaurant, The Steam Inn
- Proximity to breathtaking locales like Knoydart Peninsula
- Exploration of local wildlife
Cromer, Norfolk
Along the windswept shores of Norfolk lies the peaceful seaside town of Cromer, where open expanses of Suffolk/Norfolk countryside meet the restless North Sea. And with Sheringham and Wells-Next-To-Sea just down the road, this is a great hub to explore the area.
What’s excellent about Cromer is the fact that you can go any time of year, and it’s still simply wonderful.
Catch a show at the Victorian Pier’s Pavilion Theatre or clamber over the knotted timbers of Cromer Pier itself for awesome views of the churning waves or a mixture of both!
At the Cromer & Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival each May, daring “crabbers” plunge from the pier to seize scuttling crustaceans–if you’re feeling brave, you could even take the plunge yourself! Or join the crowd as they go wild for each successful catch.
And food here is divine. The day’s catch is whisked from boat to plate with basically zero food miles. Oh, and if you’re drooling at the thought of savouring sweet Cromer crab directly from the sea, No.1 restaurant is the place to go.
Throughout it all, fill your days strolling along the sandy shore, inhaling the invigorating sea air that gives Cromer its restorative charm, or meandering inland through gently rolling farmland peppered with flint-knapped cottages and quaint country pubs.
And kids will be well looked after with the classic variety of arcades, shops, and activities. All in all, an enchanting blend of coast and countryside, Cromer offers a tonic for body and mind.
Highlights
- Cultural experiences: Pier theatre, rich crab fishing history
- Enchanting countryside vistas
- Unique culinary experiences: No 1 Cromer, The Red Lion Hotel
Whitby, North Yorkshire
On the windswept Yorkshire coast, Whitby intrigues with its crazy cool contrasts.
Perched atop steep cliffs are the haunting Gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey, keeping watch over the red-roofed homes clustered below.
If you wind through cobbled lanes past scenes of drying fishing nets, you’ll find Whitby Pier, where singing kittiwakes compete with laughter from kids clutching ice cream cones.
After dark, you can catch ghostly old-time ships cloaked in mist gliding silently through the harbour, nodding to Whitby’s heyday as a whaling port.
At the nearby Magpie Café, Whitby’s namesake jet-black pudding is served daily between bites of freshly battered cod and chips. Or ponder Bram Stoker’s true inspiration for Dracula that took place in this very town.
Watching the sun sink below the moody North Sea swells atop the windswept headlands of the Cleveland Way is equal parts beautiful and beguiling.
It’s certainly a unique and special place in the UK, making Whitby an ideal place to captivate your imagination with its dramatic clifftop perch and ties to dark folklore, coastal wilderness, and centuries of seafaring tradition.
Highlights
- Atmospheric auras of the Gothic Whitby Abbey and Dracula connections
- The 199 Steps Scenic Point
- Culinary must-visits: Magpie Café, Botham's of Whitby
- Stunning coastal and countryside views
Tobermory, Isle of Mull
A jewel set in the Hebridean seas, Tobermory dazzles with its rows of technicoloured waterfront homes wrapped around a glittering bay.
Here, you can hop aboard a whale-watching boat in search of majestic minke whales and spirited porpoises, cameras at the ready to catch their arching backs and blowhole bursts.
Diving below the surface on a scuba diving expedition will take you through crystalline waters to explore centuries-old shipwrecks now festooned with anemones and schools of flashing fish.
Back on shore, warm up with a dram of amber whisky from the island’s Tobermory Distillery, followed by fish and chips at the Fisherman’s Pier stand, where boats deliver the catch of the day just steps from your plate.
To wrap your trip up, live music nights are often held around a blazing fireplace at the Tobermory Hotel–a beautifully cosy place to stay. However you choose to experience it, Tobermory offers an unforgettable feast for the senses.
Oh, and for the kids, this is where the hit children’s show Balamory was filmed!
Highlights
- Distinctively colourful waterfront buildings
- Diverse marine experiences: underwater adventures, whale watching
- Delicious delights: Fisherman's Pier Fish 'n' Chips Stand, Tobermory Chocolate Coffee and Tea Shop
Margate, Kent
There’s a cultural revival happening in Margate, transforming it from a historic naval port town into a vibrant coastal hub brimming with artistic energy.
The Turner Contemporary’s airy galleries are just one of many examples of the artistic roots being laid in this town, alongside an impressive array of exhibitions and colourful street art splashed across walls and alleys throughout this treasure trove of a town.
You’ll see this clearly with even a short visit to Junk Deluxe, sifting through fab finds from decades past–vintage dresses, retro furnishings, antique maps, and more. But this place isn’t all town.
Take your time strolling the sweeping curve of Margate Main Sands as children flock to the free Dreamland amusement park. And, of course, the salty scent of the sea fuses with smells of vinegar and newsprint emanating from the harbour’s many fish and chips shops.
As evening descends, sip inventive cocktails at Hantverk & Found, where flavours mimic Margate’s seafaring setting through ingredients like seaweed and smoked salt.
Whether you fancy browsing antique shops, admiring contemporary art, or simply relaxing on the beach, Margate offers a vibrant coastal retreat that immerses you in its rich heritage and cultural rebirth.
Highlights
- A mixture of retro charm and modern culture: vintage shops and Turner Contemporary art gallery
- Shell Grotto Museum
- Gastronomic delights: Hantverk & Found, The Ambrette, GB Pizza Co.
- Invigorating register of sea, sand, and culture
Looe, Cornwall
In Cornwall’s charming Looe, boats bob merrily in a river that cascades to meet the sea, creating a calming, relaxed, and vibrant getaway that the whole family can enjoy.
Arching seven times across the waterway, the 15th-century stone bridge stitches together East and West Looe. Watch gulls circle fishing vessels returning with the day’s catch and stroll the harbour as crews repair rain-weathered pots for gathering crabs and lobsters.
This is one of those places to get lost in, and you can easily fill a day exploring the lanes of pastel-hued cottages and cosy pubs. The grub is amazing.
Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, pick up picnic provisions at a bakery, then spread a blanket on Looe’s long stretch of sandy beach. Perhaps the nearby Monkey Sanctuary is more to your taste?
As the day fades, toast the sunset with a pint riverside at The Jolly Sailor, its oak beams and stone hearth warming you from within.
However you choose to experience it, Looe’s idyllic seaside setting and old-world charm cast a blissful spell of relaxation.
Highlights
- Unique river split and picturesque seven-arched bridge
- Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary
- The Old Guildhall Museum
- Looe Island
- Beautiful sandy beaches offering tranquil relaxation
- Tasty food options: Daisy's Cafe, The Coddy Shack
Conclusion
Whether you seek rich history, invigorating landscapes, or delicious coastal cuisine, Britain’s seaside towns each hold their own unique charms waiting to be discovered as 2024 unfolds.
From the river-split villages of Devon to the untamed wilderness of Scotland's west coast, let these destinations regale you with tales of drama and delight.
Each new day presents opportunities for adventure, meaningful connection, and renewal along Britain’s beguiling shores. Immerse yourself in the magic and embark on voyages sure to captivate the imagination at every turn.