Inspiration

Five of the best lesser-known UK coastal destinations

Sawday's Expert

5 min read

When you think of UK coastal destinations it’s easy to imagine the coastlines of Devon and Cornwall. However, we’re graced with a whole host of beautiful coastal regions, some of which are often overlooked. We pick five of the best coastal towns in the UK that are lesser-known, but equally as lovely for a beach-filled summer holiday.

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Ceredigion, Wales

Located on the west coast of Wales, this stunning region is best known for its coastline that’s set amongst the backdrop of the Cambrian Mountains. In the south of the county you’ll have the opportunity to spot dolphins and visit the spectacular beaches in Cardigan Bay. Some of our favourite spots include Aberporth, Mwnt, Tresaith, Penbryn and New Quay, however there are many more to choose from.

Llangrannog Beach is known as ‘Traeth y Pentef’ – the village beach, and is popular with families and surfers. There is a distinctive rock on the shore called “Carreg Bica”, and at low tide you can walk past to the hidden sandy cove of Cilborth. Walkers will love hopping on the coastal path from the village to Cilborth and to the spectacular headland of Ynys Lochtyn. Here, discover a hidden beach and small island only accessible at low tide. Nothing beats a delicious dinner after a long day on the beach, and you can enjoy al fresco dining at spots like Pizzatipi, which overlooks the Afon Teifi river.

Featured places to stay in Ceredigion

The Old Mill, Y Felin

Llandysul, Ceredigion

From £185 p/n
Self-catering
2 rooms for 4

Noyadd Trefawr

Cardigan, Ceredigion

From £130 p/n
Bed & Breakfast
3 rooms for 2

Blacksmith's House, Ty'r Gof

Llandysul, Ceredigion

From £110 p/n
Self-catering
1 room for 2

View places to stay in Ceredigion >

Yorkshire

Whilst the region is most famous for its rugged Dales, Yorkshire is also home to gorgeous beaches and idyllic coastal towns. The traditional Filey Beach is less commercial than some of its East Coast neighbours and is a great spot for walking, swimming and kite-flying. The beach at Robin Hood’s Bay oozes natural beauty with its claggy cliffs and sweeping views around the bay. It’s also dog-friendly, so your pooches can get their daily dose of fetch and swimming. The old fishing village is picture-perfect and you’ll find some real gems hidden down its charming cobbled streets.

Yorkshire’s Whitby is one of the best coastal towns in the UK with its strong ties to art and the community as well as the handful of brilliant beaches on the doorstep. On the east side is the smaller Tate Hill, a sheltered sandy beach that also allows dogs all year round. On the other side is West Pier, a larger sandy beach with colourful beach huts. A little further out of town is Runswick Bay, which is widely regarded as one of the prettiest spots on the Yorkshire coast. Come for hearty cliff-top walks along the Cleveland Way and seal spotting.

Featured places to stay in Yorkshire

The Georgian Townhouse York

York, Yorkshire

From £473 p/n
Self-catering
5 rooms for 10

Yew Tree Cottage Westow

Westow, Yorkshire

From £110 p/n
Self-catering
3 rooms for 6

River Lodge at Egton Estate

Egton Bridge, Yorkshire

From £175 p/n
Self-catering
1 room for 2

View places to stay in Yorkshire >

Lincolnshire

It’s easy to escape from busy crowds on the Lincolnshire coast, especially as the Coastal Country Park has miles of quiet beaches and serene wildlife. For unspoilt landscapes of salt marshland and sands, head to Theddlethorp Dunes – a designated National Nature Reserve. Bordering East Lindsey is Cleethorpes, a Site of Special Scientific Interest which spans over four miles. It has been voted as one of the top ten estuaries in Europe and a UK hotspot for migrating birds.

One of our team favourites has to be Anderby Creek, a long, sandy beach between Chapel St Leonards and Skegness to the south. Picnics on summer evenings are a must as you’re in a prime spot to view the sun set over the water. A short walk north takes you up to Huttoft Beach, also known locally as Moggs Eye. Not only is it backed by beautiful grassy sand dunes, it’s also a local gem and popular with walkers.

Featured places to stay in Lincolnshire

Beach Cottage, Anderby Creek

Thorganby, Lincolnshire

From £113 p/n
Self-catering
2 rooms for 2

Brills Farm

Lincoln, Lincolnshire

From £120 p/n
Bed & Breakfast
3 rooms for 2

The Bull & Swan at Burghley

Stamford, Lincolnshire

From £100 p/n
Inn
9 rooms for 2

View places to stay in Lincolnshire >

Suffolk

Nestled away just north-east of London is Suffolk, a beautiful county boasting pretty beaches and quintessential fishing villages. Not only does it have some of the best coastal towns in the UK, it’s also home to an array of secret beaches away that’ll keep you away from crowds.

Most people flock to the likes of Aldeburgh, but locals love spots like Covehithe. Voted one of Britain’s best beaches by The Telegraph, it can be found just south of Lowestoft and is possibly the wildest of the Suffolk beaches. You’ll find bits of driftwood dotted all around the sands, while the unique church inside a church certainly adds an element of surprise to the landscape. Once a secret military base, Orford Ness is another hidden single beach that offers peace and quiet. It is instantly recognisable thanks to the abandoned lighthouse, which will soon disappear to the ocean. The whole area is a national nature reserve, and is ranked amongst some of the most important shingles in the world.

Featured places to stay in Suffolk

The Granary, Moat Farm

Eye, Suffolk

£75 p/n
Self-catering
1 room for 2

The Old Rectory

Ipswich, Suffolk

From £110 p/n
Bed & Breakfast
2 rooms for 2

The Curious Oyster

Orford, Suffolk

From £85 p/n
Self-catering
1 room for 2

View places to stay in Suffolk >

Northumberland

The striking sight of Bamburgh Castle, looking as if it’s been washed up on the beach on Northumberland’s coast, is one of the finest in the UK. Its dramatic feel epitomises the north-east coast, with low, windswept land that makes for bracing walks through the waving grasses. Just up the coast from Bamburgh is Alnmouth, where a smaller but equally scenic spot awaits – the famous cross. It overlooks the town from Church Hill, named after the ancient parish church of St. Waleric that once stood there. It looks perfectly reachable, but locals will tell you that the channel separating you is deeper and stronger than you think, necessitating a long loopy walk to make the climb.

Northumberland’s coast isn’t all monuments and castles though. There are charming little towns where the seafood is freshly and expertly crafted by top chefs, as well as everything from gentle kayaking to hair-raising coasteering, if you need to get your pulse racing. It also happens to be one of the most dog-friendly coastal areas in the UK, with pets welcome on most beaches most of the time. So even if you don’t visit any of the places mentioned here, you’ll find miles of sand and (sometimes) sun to walk on and in.

Featured place to stay in Northumberland

Lemmington Lodge

Alnwick, Northumberland

From £120 p/n
Self-catering
3 rooms for 6

Chillingham Manor

Chillingham, Northumberland

From £155 p/n
Bed & Breakfast
3 rooms for 2

Dipper Cottage, Kidlandlee

Morpeth, Northumberland

From £105 p/n
Self-catering
3 rooms for 6

View places to stay in Northumberland >

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Ruth Richardson

Sawday's Expert

Ruth loves a good story. Following a decade living in London and working in publishing, her ears are always pricked for a spicy plot twist or unforgettable character. She delights in meeting hosts and discovering the history that brought saffron to her spaghetti, the hiking detours that will lead to temple ruins, and why someone cares so passionately about their special corner of the world. She loves that as a marketer for Sawday’s she can share these stories with others too.

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