Ten great UK seaside towns for a weekend away

Britain invented the seaside holiday. When the railways arrived in the nineteenth century, towns all around the coast grew into resorts with piers, promenades, bandstands and guest houses, and many of them are enjoying a revival today, with galleries, good food and boutique places to stay alongside the traditional pleasures. Here are ten seaside towns that make a wonderful weekend, from England's south coast to North Wales and Yorkshire.

1. Brighton, East Sussex

Brighton is the obvious starting point: a lively city by the sea with the Palace Pier, the Royal Pavilion, the Lanes and North Laine, and fast trains from London. The beach is pebbly, the atmosphere is creative and inclusive, and there is a huge range of places to stay. Read our full Brighton guide or browse Brighton listings.

2. Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Southend's pier is the longest pleasure pier in the world, with its own railway out over the Thames Estuary. Add the arcades and rides of the seafront, the cockle sheds and pubs of Old Leigh, and quick trains from London, and you have an easy and rewarding weekend. See our Southend-on-Sea guide and Southend listings.

3. Margate, Kent

Margate's golden sands drew Londoners for generations, and the town has found new life with the Turner Contemporary gallery, named after the painter J. M. W. Turner, who admired the light of the Kent coast. The Old Town is full of independent shops and cafés, and Dreamland is a restored historic amusement park. Browse Margate stays.

4. Whitby, North Yorkshire

Whitby is one of the most atmospheric towns on the coast, with the ruins of Whitby Abbey on the clifftop above the harbour, reached by the famous 199 steps. Bram Stoker set part of Dracula here, and the town has strong links with Captain James Cook, who learned his seamanship in Whitby. Fish and chips by the harbour is almost obligatory. See Whitby listings.

5. Scarborough, North Yorkshire

Scarborough is often described as Britain's first seaside resort, with visitors coming to take its spa waters from the seventeenth century. It has two sweeping bays, North Bay and South Bay, divided by a headland crowned by Scarborough Castle. The town combines traditional seaside fun with the Stephen Joseph Theatre and walks along the coast. Browse Scarborough stays.

6. Blackpool, Lancashire

Blackpool is the great showman of the British seaside. Blackpool Tower, opened in 1894 and inspired by the Eiffel Tower, has a famous ballroom; there are three piers, the Pleasure Beach amusement park, and the Blackpool Illuminations, which light up the promenade each autumn. It is lively, unpretentious and great fun. See Blackpool listings.

7. Llandudno, North Wales

Llandudno is an elegant Victorian resort set between two headlands, the Great Orme and the Little Orme, with a long curving promenade and a fine Victorian pier. The Great Orme can be reached by a historic tramway or cable car, and the town is a gateway to Snowdonia (Eryri) and Conwy's medieval castle and walls. Browse Llandudno stays.

8. Torquay, Devon

Torquay is the largest town on the English Riviera, a stretch of the Devon coast known for its mild climate and palm trees. Agatha Christie was born in Torquay, and the area celebrates her connections; her holiday home Greenway, on the River Dart, is now owned by the National Trust. The English Riviera is part of a UNESCO Global Geopark. See Torquay listings.

9. St Ives, Cornwall

St Ives is a jewel of the Cornish coast, with a harbour, golden beaches and a long artistic tradition represented by Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. It gets very busy in summer, so consider visiting in late spring or early autumn. Read our Cornwall guide and browse St Ives listings.

10. Bournemouth, Dorset

Bournemouth is famous for its long sandy beaches, which stretch for miles towards Poole and Boscombe, and for its gardens running down through the town to the sea. It is close to the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the cliffs reveal around 185 million years of geological history, and to the New Forest. Browse Bournemouth stays.

Seaside traditions worth keeping

Part of the joy of a British seaside weekend is its rituals: a walk to the end of the pier, fish and chips eaten outdoors, an ice cream on the promenade whatever the weather, rock pooling at low tide, and a stroll past rows of beach huts. Many towns also have a calendar of events, from regattas and carnivals to air shows and food festivals, so check the local council or tourism website before you go. And always check tide times before walking on beaches or around headlands, as tides can come in quickly.

Tips for a seaside weekend

Book early for summer weekends and bank holidays, when seafront rooms fill quickly, and look at spring and autumn for quieter beaches and often better availability. Ask whether rooms have sea views, as many seafront buildings have rooms facing the back. Guest houses are the traditional seaside stay and often offer a warm welcome and a cooked breakfast; read our guest house versus hotel guide. Then contact owners directly through our listings.