Cornwall's St Mawes named UK's best seaside resort - but which is the worst?

The tiny village of St Mawes in Cornwall has been named the UK's best seaside resort.

Almost 4,000 people rated coastal destinations on factors including the beach, attractions, scenery and value for money in a Which? survey.

The consumer organisation says St Mawes is not a typical example of the British seaside, because it does not have a sandy beach, pier or arcade.

But with a population of under 1,000, it was awarded a maximum five stars for peace and quiet and an overall score of 85%.

Dartmouth in Devon was second, while two Suffolk destinations were third and fourth - Southwold and Aldeburgh.

Bamburgh in Northumberland was fifth, followed by Blakeney in Norfolk.

St Andrews was in seventh place, and St Davids eighth.

Skegness was bottom - scoring just a single star in all categories but one - with Great Yarmouth and Clacton-on-Sea just above it.

The survey was carried out before the coronavirus pandemic, meaning social distancing was not a factor in the results.

Some favourite hotspots, such as St Ives (79%) and Salcombe (71%), were beaten by often overlooked villages such as Tynemouth (81%), near Newcastle upon Tyne, which got five stars for its sandy beach, seafront and scenery.

Average hotel rates were also noted, with Dartmouth coming in at £150 a night, St Ives £164, Whitby £84 and Skegness just £65.

Top 10 destinations:

St Mawes, Cornwall

Dartmouth, Devon

Southwold, Suffolk

Aldeburgh, Suffolk

Bamburgh, Northumberland

Blakeney, Norfolk

St Andrews, Fife

St Davids, Pembrokeshire

Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear

Beer, Devon

Bottom 10 destinations:

Skegness, Lincolnshire

Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

Bognor Regis, West Sussex

Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire

Blackpool, Lancashire

Littlehampton, West Sussex

Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire

Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset

Morecambe, Lancashire

SHARE THIS STORY:

Get our app, and stay up to date!