There are few more quintessentially English pursuits than spending time at the seaside. Coastal towns in the country have long offered respite from city living and provided much needed holidays and breaks for families looking to unwind and spend quality time together. Many of these locations have seen a huge transformation in the last two generations that took them from working towns to a more tourist-focused way of life. This meant that new economies of leisure activities, restaurants, and bars began to grow within these towns to cater to the greater numbers of visitors that would flock there in the summer seasons. However, for an increasing number of these coastal towns in the UK, it also meant that people were looking for property and making wholesale moves to live there all year round.
The Best Seaside Towns in the UK
It is easy to understand the allure of the coast in this country with destinations that are rich in history, set against magnificent backdrops of a rugged landscape reaching out to the sea through some beautiful beaches. Looking for your perfect beach bolthole or fantastic fishing village hideaway can be a great way of exploring what these islands have in store. Let’s take a look through some of our favourite coastal towns to live in the UK.
Deal
Deal in Kent is a classic example of UK coastal charm with a stunning pebble beach that stretches out along the seafront. It boasts some very impressive maritime history too, with tales of some of the finest sea-faring figures such as Captain Cook and Lord Nelson reported to have both spent time here. Deal may be smaller and less well known than its Kentish neighbours of Margate and Whitstable but that only adds to the exclusive and intimate atmosphere that has recently been created and cultivated by the local community. This town is a hotspot of culinary delights with the local produce of 81 Beach Street proving to be a particular standout choice and The Rose offering stylish surroundings for a wonderful English Roast on Sundays. There are cultural connections here too with an annual 2-week festival of music, entertainment, and street opera showcasing a vibrant and growing art scene becoming quite the highlight of Deal’s calendar.
Nefyn, Gwynedd
There is something timeless about the entire region of North Wales that encourages one to get lost in its ancient and natural majesty whenever you are there. Nefyn is a small community located on the world-famous Llyn Peninsula that provides a glorious connection between the towering mountain ranges of Snowdonia and the tumbling Irish Sea. This is the place to go if you are seeking some serious isolation and contemplation away from the bustle, pressures, and overall pace of modern life, with the beaches of Morfa offering pretty whitewashed cottages and a local pub to retire to after a long day on the sand looking out to fantastic clear blue waters. Nefyn is often used as a foundation for serious walkers, ramblers, and hikers with their sights set on Snowdonia’s peaks and trails. The Yr Eifl Hills 450 metres above Nefyn are also home to the Tre’r Ceiri hillfort, one of the very best preserved Iron Age settlements in the UK.
Whitby
Whitby in North Yorkshire has some of the finest scenery you will find anywhere in the north of England. This quaint and traditional little fishing village has witnessed the images of terrifying Viking invasions and Benedictine monks building the famous abbey that now stands in ruins upon the dramatic clifftops. It was also Whitby that served as inspiration for author Bram Stoker to write Dracula, the most famous Gothic horror story of all time. In the modern age, it offers acres of soft golden sands on the beaches and a stereotypical English seaside atmosphere of relaxation with the occasional surprise too. Residents here are fortunate to make their homes on the picturesque streets that pay tribute to a colourful past of trade and industry built around the harbour that still operates as a fishing hub to this day. The mix of Georgian houses and newer open-plan apartments provide solid choices for all tastes to make the most of what this place has to offer.
Lymington
Lymington is an exquisite example of a well-maintained Georgian Market town, just on the edge of the New Forest National Park in Hampshire. Everything about the houses, shop fronts, and cobbled streets exudes an old-world charm that sets the scene for a quieter and slower pace of life for its residents. With two huge marinas and several sailing clubs, Lymington remains a destination of choice for yachting and sailing enthusiasts looking for a new home. The high street provides modern conveniences too, with a fantastic selection of boutiques and independent shops that operate alongside the fishermen still selling their catch direct from the sea at the harbour. The town has been the gateway to the Isle of Wight for many years and as such offers a number of exciting excursions for those looking for a more guided experience out on the water. With excellent transport links and connections to the countryside beyond, Lymington can deliver the best of both worlds for anybody looking to combine modern living with a more sedate way of life.
Falmouth
Falmouth is one of the most prestigious towns in Cornwall with blue-flag beaches and a cosmopolitan atmosphere that continues to impress with every year. Most Cornish towns and villages are content to pay tribute to their history and heritage, but Falmouth wants to do something a little different that makes it much more energetic, vibrant, and youthful. As a University town that specialises in art design and media, there is a wonderfully creative community here that connects different generations and encourages new ideas for the businesses, shops, bars, and restaurants that populate the beautiful architecture of the harbour streets. Property prices remain reasonable, with excellent schools and family facilities making Falmouth attractive to young professionals and first-time home owners searching for their own immaculate Georgian and Victorian houses in the town.
Coastal towns in the UK continue to delight and enthral those looking for somewhere new to call home. With such a variety of lifestyles and communities to connect with, it makes sense to get out there and experience as many as possible while searching for your own piece of seaside sanctuary.
