Folkestone is one of the most beautiful coastal towns in the United Kingdom. Day-trippers and weekend visitors can enjoy everything a trip to the seaside should include: arcades, funfairs, pebble beaches, pleasant promenades, and a quaint fishing harbor. The trendy Creative Quarter has taken over much of the old downtown core. It's a collection of narrow alleys, cobbled laneways, and well-preserved old merchant's shops and quarters just steps away from Folkestone Harbour and convenient parking. It's fun to explore on foot now that it's populated by artist studios, boutique shops, and art galleries, especially if you take your time. There are also many excellent cafés and restaurants, some of which serve freshly caught local seafood.

Continue past the Creative Quarter and you'll come to Folkestone Town Center, which is another great place to walk around, shop, or grab a bite to eat. The Folkestone Museum and Visitors Center, a must-see attraction with displays related to the area's development, is also located here. The bustling Market Square on Rendezvous Street, the Parish Church of St. Mary & St. Eanswythe, and the Roman Painted House are also highlights of the town center. Visit the historic Pullman restaurant for great sandwiches, cod and chips, or vegan dishes for an authentic dining experience.

Where to stay in Folkestone

• For boutique stays: Three minutes from the beach, Rocksalt Rooms features individually designed bedrooms with antique beds and ultra-modern bathrooms.
• For budget stays: The Grand Burstin Hotel sits beachfront and offers cosy rooms, some with private balconies. The hotel also has an indoor pool and leisure centre.
• For luxury stays: Five-star guest house, The Relish, is a short walk from the sea and offers elegant rooms with views over Augusta Gardens.

Google rating: 5.0/5.0
Location: English Channel, in Kent, south-east England

The best views back to Suilven are from Lochinver, a small fishing port and resort on Scotland's west coast. Lochinver, a charming fishing village, offers breathtaking mountain views, white sandy beaches, rare wildlife, and legendary tasty pies. The town makes a great base for slowing down and enjoying the hidden gems and spectacular scenery of the north west Highlands Geopark, located on a sheltered bay north of Ullapool in the wilds of the Highlands and right on the North Coast 500 iconic route.

Suilven, featured in the 2017 British film Edie, is one of Scotland's most iconic mountains for keen hillwalkers. If you prefer a gentler stroll, follow the beautiful River Inver and Glen Canisp for incredible mountain views, or take a quiet walk to the lovely Culag Woods. Further north, the stunning Achmelvich beach, with its golden sands and clear turquoise water, awaits.

Visit the Lochinver harbour, which was once the busiest fishing port on the West Coast, or watch potters at work at the Highland Stoneware Pottery, where you can buy some one-of-a-kind ceramics. Lochinver also has some excellent restaurants, whether you want a delicious pie to take out on the hills or some seafood landed fresh from the sea on the restaurants' doorsteps. Nearby, don't miss the scenic Drumbeg Loop to Unapool and the spectacular coastal drive to Achiltibuie.

Where to stay in Lochinver

• For luxury stays: Inver Lodge matches its excellent restaurant with spacious rooms and a stunning setting just outside Lochinver.
• For romantic stays: Custom-built Suil na Mara Pod is the cosiest cabin for couples, overlooking the sea on the edge of Lochinver village.
• For country stays: The Albannach guest house features individually designed rooms in a traditional country house setting just outside Lochinver.

Google rating: 4.9/5.0
Location: Loch Inver, on the coast in the Assynt district of Sutherland, Highland, Scotland.

The northeast coast of Scotland has a bleak, rugged feel to it, with a series of small fishing villages dotting the miles of lonely beaches. Gardenstown is the most picturesque, with stone cottages huddled around a wave-gnawed bay and newer buildings clinging to nearby cliffs. It can be found clinging to the terraced ledges that descend Gamrie Bay's steep south-east side. Crovie can be seen to the east, on the far side of the same bay, perched even more precariously on a narrow ledge along the cliff's base. Pennan, the third of this collection, is located on the far side of Troup Head to the east and has its own distinct personality.

There's not much to do here except enjoy the solitude, take a windswept stroll along the waterfront, and visit the small gallery and teashop down by the harbour. Gardenstown is a quiet seaside town, but its neighboring villages along the Moray coast - Pennan, Portsoy, and Cullen - are equally charming. The breathtaking views from the cliff and the Moray Firth will provide an adrenaline rush. Crovie, a fishing village, has houses on the sea's edge that have been painted to withstand climatic changes. St Johns Church is another location to look for.

Where to stay in Gardenstown

• For beachfront stays: A charming, two bedroom holiday home in Gardenstown, The Blue Hoose sits right on the waterfront for great sea views.
• For family stays: With two spacious bedrooms, private terrace and patio with open sea views, Sunnyside House is ideal for family breaks in Gardenstown.
• For romantic stays: Cute Ellie-Jo Cottage is one of the original village houses and sits right above the seawall in Gardenstown.

Google rating: 4.7/5.0

Location: Aberdeenshire, northeastern Scotland.

Robin Hood's Bay is the most popular destination on this stretch of coast, with gorgeous narrow streets and pink-tiled cottages tumbling down the cliff-edge site, evoking the romance of a time when this was both a hard-bitten fishing community and a smugglers' den par excellence. It's a very steep walk down the hill to the harbour from the upper village, which is lined with Victorian villas that are now mostly B&Bs. The Old Coastguard Station has been converted into a visitor center with exhibits about the geology and sealife of the area.

Despite its name, Robin Hood's Bay has nothing to do with the folk hero of the same name. Instead, in the 18th century, this isolated village was the busiest smuggling community on the North Yorkshire Coast. At low tide, you can walk quite far along the bottom of the cliffs, making this dramatic coastline ideal for exploring. Return for the fish and chips, which are widely regarded as among the best in Yorkshire. To continue your exploration of this fascinating coastal town, take a 2.5 mile circular walk to Boggle Hole. The return route is slightly more inland, passing through the old Scarborough-Whitby rail line.

Where to stay

• For beachy stays: Minutes from the beach and only a short drive to Whitby, Victoria Hotel is a traditional British seaside hotel right down to its stunning seaside views.
• For active stays: Set on the edge of the North York Moors National Park yet close to the beach, Grosvenor Hotel is ideal for outdoorsy breaks.
• For family stays: The Manor of the Bay family holiday home comes with fabulous sea views, plenty of space and a private terrace with hot tub.

Google rating: 4.7/5.0
Location: North York Moors National Park, England

Tynemouth is a 25-minute drive or Metro ride from central Newcastle and is located at the mouth of the Tyne River. The surf-hub Longsands receives the majority of the accolades. Climb the stairs from the clifftop to King Edward's Bay, however, and you're in for a real treat. Riley's Fish Shack, a simple hut-kitchen that is the beach's lone structure, is where Geordie foodies flock, rain or shine, to enjoy superb seafood and real ales.

As winter gives way to spring, the swells subside and activities in Tynemouth shift. Swimming in the cove, barbecues in the old tidal pool, and beers in the Gibraltar Rock pub overlooking the ancient castle and priory have taken the place of surfing. These immaculately kept ruins are perched on a cliff at the end of Front Street, which is teeming with restaurants. You're surrounded by exciting places to explore from there, from the glittering lights of Newcastle upriver to the wild expanse of Northumberland up the coast.

Where to stay in Tynemouth

• For stylish stays: Choose The Sea Hotel close to the seaside in South Shields. Smart rooms feature chic, tiled bathrooms and you have the choice of two restaurants and bars.
• For beach stays: The Little Haven Hotel is a minute's walk from the beach. All rooms have private bathrooms, and if you want to make the most of the sea air, book one with a balcony.
• For family stays: A choice of spacious family rooms with ensuite bathrooms, makes Dunes Hotel in Whitely Bay perfect for a trip to the seaside with kids.

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Location: North Tyneside, North East England

Southwold, located on England's east coast, is one of the most beautiful coastal towns in the United Kingdom. Southwold's sandy beach, traditional pier, and candy-colored beach huts provide typical seaside fun. A working lighthouse (open to the public) guards the bay, while the Adnams Brewery, which has been operating on the same site for 670 years, wafts early morning hops into the sea air.

Southwold, once a bustling fishing port, is now a delightful seaside resort in one of the best parts of northern Norfolk. Southwold has managed to keep its genteel feel, with many nearby walks to enjoy. Nonetheless, there is an electric buzz surrounding the popular Latitude Festival, which is held in the area every year. There are numerous excellent eating and lodging options, ranging from smart hotels on the picturesque market square to nearby campsites - all just a stone's throw from the sea.

Where to stay in Southwold

• For luxury stays: Just minutes from the beach, Sutherland House might date back to 1455 but its rooms are contemporary and luxurious, although often with charming period details.
• For budget stays: Set in a restored Edwardian property, Blyth Hotel is a good value two star. Its restaurant has a pretty outdoor dining terrace and features local produce on its menu.
• For town centre stays: The Swan Hotel sits right on the town square in the centre of Southwold and is known locally for its excellent restaurant.

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Location: Suffolk, UK

If Porthmadog is appealing, it at least has some appeal in the breathtaking vistas that surround it. From the town you can see the Snowdonia mountains rising above the Vale of Ffestiniog and across the mouth of the Glaslyn River. There's no better base from which to explore Snowdonia National Park, and Porthmadog is also the terminus of a wonderful narrow gauge railway. The Ffestiniog Railway, which runs from Porthmadog harbor to the shale town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, is the best of its kind in Wales.

Borth-y-Gest, a mile south of Porthmadog, is nothing more than a half-circle of low, brightly painted Victorian houses that line the beach - and it's utterly captivated by the simplicity of the beach. it. In terms of beachfront location, Snowdonia's Black Rock Sands is a long, wide stretch of sand. There is no black sand in sight, despite its name, but it is a haven for nature and marine life. You can drive on the beach, but avoid the North Shore, which has soft sand and dunes.

Where to stay in Porthmadog

• For glamorous stays: The Golden Fleece Inn offers designer rooms set in three beautifully restored historic buildings near downtown Porthmadog.
• For luxury stays: Plas Tan-Yr-Allt Historic Country House is set in beautiful grounds just outside Porthmadog. All luxurious, comfortable rooms have mountain or sea views.
• For heritage stays: Built in 1925, the historic Portmeirion & Castell Deudraeth Village overlooks the tranquil Dywryd Estuary and incorporates a luxury spa and wellness center.

Google rating: 4.4 /5.0
Location: Ceredigion, Wales, UK

If you're looking for a traditional British seaside getaway, Hastings has it all: fish and chip shops, a long promenade, a pier with games and waterfront restaurants, arcades, mini golf, and a game park. Hastings in East Sussex, once considered a tired and troubled seaside resort, doesn't get the love it deserves. They claim it is one of the best seaside resorts in the United Kingdom! After all, the town has the country's largest fleet of land-launched fishing boats, which means that extremely fresh seafood is available right behind the active beach.

A number of small restaurants also serve the fresh catch of the day. There are many antiques and antiques on George Street in Old Town, and there is even a hike that takes you up the cliffs for a great view of the town. But Hastings isn't all about the past. The town's new pier opened in 2016, after the previous pier was destroyed by fire, and it breathes new life into the town.

Where to stay in Hastings

• For boutique stays: An elegant 18th century villa set in lovely grounds minutes from the sea, The Old Rectory is one of the finest boutique hotels in Hastings.
• For budget stays: The Lansdowne is an affordable small hotel only a minute from the beach and a short walk from the town centre and Hastings train station.
• For active stays: The Old Town B&B in the centre of Hastings invites guests to play tennis and billiards on site. Alternatively, the beach is just a few minutes' walk away.

Google rating: 4.3/5.0

Location: East Sussex on the south coast of England

Stromness, on the west coast of Orkney's mainland, is the islands' main seaport. It first drew sailors because of the excellent anchorage provided by Hamnavoe. For centuries, it has been a haven for mariners, serving as the final port of call before many transatlantic voyages. It is now the arrival point for NorthLink Ferries from the Scottish mainland. In Stromness, winding streets follow the shoreline, which extends both into the sea along private piers and up into the hillside. Explore the quaint alleyways and soak up the atmosphere in this 18th century settlement, which has a variety of shops and cafes, as well as the acclaimed Pier Arts Centre and Stromness Museum.

It has always been an arts center, with plenty of inspiration for its creative community. Along with other galleries and artist studios, the world-renowned Pier Arts Centre commands a prominent position on the street. Independent shops sell some of Orkney's finest crafts, textiles, and jewelry, as well as delicious local food and drink. Stromness hosts the Orkney Folk Festival in May, and the Orkney Blues Festival later in the year. These events, as well as the annual Stromness Shopping Week gala, ensure that life in Stromness is never boring. It's the kind of place where a leisurely stroll through the many nooks and crannies can easily consume the entire day. Make a point of visiting the fascinating Stromness Museum, which tells the story of the town and much more. Throughout the street, blue plaques highlight buildings and stories of interest.

Where to stay in Stromness

• For budget stays: Right in the centre of Stromness, overlooking the harbour, Stromness Hotel is a good base for exploring the local area
• For family stays: Set in large gardens with great views, Standing Stones Hotel offers spacious bedrooms and a range of family rooms with private bathrooms.
• For cosy stays: The award-winning Ferry Inn features a friendly bar, comfortable bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and an excellent pub menu showcasing local produce.

Google rating: 4.3/5.0

Location: Orkney, Scotland, England

Shanklin, the Wight's most idyllic seaside resort, has a delightfully quaint Old Village with thatched pubs, sweet shops, and traditional tearooms. At the base of the cliffs is a family-friendly beach where you can rent kayaks and other water sports equipment in front of a row of whitewashed guesthouses, cafés, and restaurants. Simply put, Shanklin has some of the best beaches in the United Kingdom. The town also offers plenty of traditional pubs, as well as classic seaside shops selling everything from teacakes to rock. There are also plenty of family-friendly attractions, including crazy golf!

Don't miss Shanklin Chine, a mossy gorge with a waterfall at the top, a twisting nature trail, and fascinating World War II military connections, while in Shanklin. After your walk, stop for afternoon tea at the award-winning Rylestone Gardens and observe nature in action. Do you want to have some more beach fun? Continue down to Sandown Beach, which has an amusement pier.

Where to stay in Shanklin

• For luxury stays: Somerton Lodge Hotel is an elegant Victorian house transformed into a luxurious hotel. The gardens are lovely and there's an excellent hotel restaurant.
• For country house stays: Luccombe Manor Hotel sits on the cliff top overlooking Shanklin Beach. The views are wonderful and the hotel also has an outdoor spa pool and hot tub.
• For village stays: Right in the heart of Shanklin village, The Grange is a lovely four-star B&B which offers spa treatments as well as massage therapy and a guest sauna.

Google rating: 4.0/5.0

Location: Wight, UK