Up-and-coming seaside town with hidden beach and one of the UK's best chippies
A SEASIDE town in the UK is said to be "bouncing back" as a holiday destination.
While beach resorts died off across the UK in the 1970s due to cheap package holidays abroad, they have seen a boom in tourists in recent years.
5
5
5
Along with trending seaside towns such as Margate and Weymouth, National Geographic named Barmouth in Wales as an up-and-coming seaside destination.
They wrote: "It's easy to miss little Barmouth, reclining on the edge of the Mawddach estuary.
"The generous, west-facing strand is a sunset hotspot, and the peaks provide an arresting backdrop landwards.
"This is the sort of town that's full of visitors-turned-residents and it's that sense of pride and community that's powering its revival."
On the west coast of Wales, Barmouth overlooks the southern part of Snowdonia.
Back in 2023, a £30million restoration of the Barmouth Viaduct was finished, which is now the UK's longest wooden railway bridge.
It even which hosts an annual 10K race every summer.
People have raved about Barmouth Beach, saying it's the best in the UK.
One went on further on Tripadvisor, writing:"I would say it's the best place on Earth, love it here and highly recommend going."
But the town also has a secret beach that only locals know about.
Stunning retro Welsh beach town that locals claim English tourists don't know – with golden sand & 'best pub in Wales'
Hidden behind an railway tunnel, tourists have to go under the Cambrian Line railway.
The row of houses lining Porkington Terrace overlook the beach.
One local said: "Used to love visiting this beach as a child, there was a wrecked boat on the sand that added to the charm and the fact it is tucked away cove, always made it feel special."
There is also the mini steam train that you can explore through the dunes, which stops at the town's harbour.
Otherwise a trip to the beach is nothing without some fish and chips - and one in Barmouth was named one of the UK's best.
The Mermaid ranked in the top 18 fish and chip shops by The Times last year.
The nearest major cities are Liverpool and Wolverhampton, both of which are around 2hr20 by car.
There are direct trains to and from Barmouth from Birmingham which take just over an hour, although these only run a few times a day.
For other 'trending' seaside towns, here's everything you need to do in Margate.
And many might not realise that Scarborough is the UK's 'first' seaside resort - here's what to know.
5
5
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Sunderland Newcastle derby 'can boost football tourism'
The return of the Tyne-Wear derby to next season's Premier League fixture list should be used in efforts to attract more tourists to north-east England, political leaders have season will be the first time since 2016 that both Newcastle and Sunderland have been together in the top flight and there is a hope to capitalise on tourism surrounding English East Combined Authority (NECA) has agreed that the investment agency Newcastle Gateshead Initiative would now promote the whole of Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and County City Council leader Michael Mordey told a NECA meeting football could "really drive forward" footfall in the region. Newcastle City Council leader Karen Kilgour added: "It demonstrates just how strong our region is… the sport we have from cricket, to football, to hosting rugby, the Women's World Cup."Our cultural offer is second to none." Recent estimates suggest 68.4 million people came to the region in 2024, slightly down from 69 million the year before, according to the Local Democracy Reporting tourism is claimed to be worth over £6.6bn a year to the North East, it has the lowest number of both domestic and international visitors of anywhere in England, so politicians hope to double the number of tourist trips over the next East Mayor Kim McGuinness told council leaders and other senior figures on Tuesday that the region had not been "good enough in shouting about and marketing ourselves to the rest of the world".She reiterated calls for new powers that would allow her to impose a tourism levy, and her ambition to bring the Olympic Games to the north of England. Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- The Guardian
Free spirit or meticulous planner? Meet three holiday personality types – and read their top tips
The type of holidaymaker you (and your travel companions) are can have a big impact on the kind of getaways you'll enjoy. If you're the type to pore over endless reviews, book everything in advance and use a spreadsheet to tick off every detail, you'll have a very different experience to the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type of traveller, who prefers to just grab their passport and see where it takes them, carry-on in hand. Or perhaps you're more the flexible type, who likes to plan a few things in advance, but leaves space for spontaneous fun? Or maybe you're the one who breathes a sigh of relief as your super organised friend hands out colour-coded itineraries at the airport? We gathered together some of the holiday heroes that bring getaways to life to find out how they do it – and to discover some of the clever ways Barclays can help your holiday go even further, whichever group you belong to. 'I create a visual itinerary for every trip,' says Sian Downes, 36 Click here to continue the story … Over the years, I've organised girls' trips, multigenerational family holidays and surprise getaways. As the founder of an events company, I'm a natural organiser. I enjoy finding bargains, and I don't mind taking on the planning. In fact, I love it. I wasn't always like this, but after a few holidays where nothing was planned and we had a terrible time, I realised it's better to know exactly what you'll be doing in advance. There's nothing worse than traipsing around looking for a restaurant when you're hungry, and when you're busy with work and family, you want to maximise your holiday time. Being organised is the best way to do that. My holiday organisation can get a bit extreme, but it's always worth it – I love looking things up on maps and working out the most affordable way to get around. I generally pay for as much as possible in advance, from accommodation to drinks packages, and put everything on my Barclaycard Rewards card* so I can take advantage of rewards such as cashback, then ask people to pay me back. I'll also draw up an illustrated itinerary, so everyone can see our plans at a glance. The first time I presented my husband with one, he didn't know what to make of it. He'd never seen a holiday itinerary before, but I think it makes a trip special, and it's a great souvenir, too. I certainly won't be hanging up my chief holiday officer mantle any time soon! *Representative 28.9% APR variable. The approval of your application depends on your financial circumstances and borrowing history, so do the terms you may be offered. The interest rates may differ from those shown. T&Cs apply. 'I use word of mouth to guide our getaways,' says Jessica Shaw, 49 Click here to continue the story … When I was growing up, my mum liked to choose a country, book a place to stay, then see where it would take us. We once went on a package holiday to Egypt, but she still chose to take public transport to the pyramids! That approach has definitely rubbed off on me. When I go on holiday, I like to let things unfold naturally – I don't pre-book excursions or restaurants. Luckily, my partner is incredibly laid-back, and all the friends I've travelled with have the same spontaneous outlook. Perhaps that's because my travel style reflects my approach to life in general – my creative training business is all about embracing the power of play, and that naturally seeps into other areas of my life. It's certainly led to some memorable moments. During a recent holiday to Greece, we were asked if we wanted to join a snorkelling trip. If we'd had plans, we would have had to say no – but instead, we had the most incredible day swimming in clear blue waters. The secret to keeping holidays adventurous is to be prepared for any eventuality. I have annual multi-trip insurance, and make sure I take enough money to cover any emergencies. You should also be ready to chat to locals and fellow travellers and ask for their recommendations. I've discovered some beautiful places that way, from hidden waterfalls to beaches surrounded by snow-capped mountains. When you exchange stories of your adventures, you never know what you might discover. 'I take a 50-50 approach to holiday planning,' says Furrah Syed, 57 Click here to continue the story … I love travelling – with my friends, my husband, or alone – but as time is limited during each trip, I want the best of both worlds, planning some things but also embracing unexpected adventures. I'll do my research beforehand, and will book tickets in advance if an attraction is very popular. I learned that the hard way, after a visit to Rome – as an artist and educator with a focus on colour, I was desperate to see the Sistine Chapel, but it was impossible as I hadn't booked. One of the things I always book is a walking tour. Getting a local's perspective uncovers places you won't find online. It also helps you to spot the restaurants filled with locals, which is always a good sign. Another tip is to travel by road wherever possible, as it takes you through so many different landscapes and allows you to see people's day-to-day lives. You don't get that on a plane. When I'm budgeting for my holiday, I always keep some money aside for spontaneous adventures – the last thing I want is to come home regretting not being able to do something unexpected. I'd say my approach overall is 50% planned and 50% go-with-the-flow, and that works really well for me. Find out more about Barclays Travel Packs and the Barclaycard Rewards card
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- The Guardian
From fast-track airport passes to setting a budget: five top tips for a stress-free holiday
The excitement of setting off on holiday can't be beaten. But it's not without its stresses – long lines at security, airport parking and currency confusion can all create a hectic start to a trip. However, a few key tricks can make all the difference to your travels, and allow you to kick off your trip in style. Here's how you can upgrade your own holiday. If there's one thing you can be sure of, it's that going on holiday is going to cost you money. But whether you're planning a budget city break or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, it always pays to think about how you can make your everyday spending work for you. One of the best ways to do this is by getting a credit card that allows you to accumulate points as you spend. For example, the Barclaycard Avios Plus credit card* gives you 25,000 Avios – the currency of the British Airways Club – if you spend £3,000 in your first three months, and 1.5 Avios for each pound you spend on eligible purchases (all for a £20 monthly fee). How you spend your Avios is up to you. You could use them on flights to your next dream holiday or on extras such as cabin upgrades, hotels, car hire, experiences, and more. Alternatively, if you are a Barclays Premier Banking1 customer, Barclays Avios Rewards2 can help you collect at least 1,500 Avios every month, and offers perks such as an Airport Lounge Membership with Assurant and DragonPass. You could also receive a 25,000 Avios joining bonus3 if you're opening your first account and complete a full switch using the Current Account Switch Service within three months. And if you regularly fly with British Airways or partner airlines, keep an eye on your current Avios balance – it might already be higher than you think! *Representative example. 80.1% APR representative (variable); purchase rate 29.9% p.a. (variable); based on a £1,200 credit limit; monthly fee, £20. The approval of your application depends on financial circumstances and borrowing history, so do the terms you may be offered. The interest rates may differ from those shown. T&Cs apply. There's no denying that airports can be stressful at peak times, but with a bit of planning, you can make the whole experience a lot more enjoyable. Alleviate pre-departure panic by booking your airport parking as far in advance as possible, and weigh up the benefits versus the cost – for example, if you're taking off very early in the morning, paying for a parking space closer to the terminal might be well worth the extra money. Or, sometimes it's worth taking public transport the night before and staying at one of the airport hotels. Not only can it end up working out cheaper, but starting your trip round the corner (and with a fry-up in your belly) drastically reduces any travel stress. The airport chaos of 2022 taught us the value of arriving early to get through security, but one surefire way to eliminate any stress is to buy a fast-track pass and glide right past those lines. The majority of airports sell these in advance on their websites, with discounts the earlier you book. If you really want to kick off a trip in style, the airport lounge is the way to go. While some airline lounges are only for their customers, most airports have general lounges that you can book. They are, however, more expensive when bought on arrival, so purchase a pass in advance for the best rate. Lounge access also comes as a perk with some credit cards and bank accounts – for a monthly fee, Barclays Travel Plus Pack4 (£22.50 a month) includes six annual visits to more than 1,000 airport lounges with the DragonPass Premier+ app5, as well as discounts on fast-track security and airport parking. If you have a Barclaycard Avios Plus credit card* or Barclays Avios Rewards you will also get Airport Lounge Membership, so you can enjoy discounts on lounge passes and fast-track security. *Representative example. 80.1% APR representative (variable); purchase rate 29.9% p.a. (variable); based on a £1,200 credit limit; monthly fee, £20. The approval of your application depends on your financial circumstances and borrowing history, so do the terms you may be offered. The interest rates may differ from those shown. T&Cs apply. Even though contactless payments and card machines are now found all over the world, sorting out currency ahead of a trip can still cause confusion. In some countries, such as Japan, for example, cash is still king, so you'll need to order your currency in advance. But in places where card payments are accepted, it's usually easier to stick to them (plus, you'll avoid the inconvenience of coming home with currency that's too pricey to bother exchanging back into the pound). There's often confusion about exchange rates and fees when using cards internationally, but using something such as the Barclays travel wallet6 keeps things nice and easy. You simply create a travel wallet within your own account and buy Euros or US dollars, ready to spend on your existing debit card7. For some people, the process of planning a trip is almost as exciting as being on holiday – looking up the best local restaurants, finding the coolest coffee shops and planning which beaches to hit. If that sounds like you, scope out some of the reliable local influencers, search the location-tagged photos on Instagram and read up on some of your favourite travel publications. If you'd like a helping hand, the Barclays Travel Plus Pack also includes a 24/7 concierge service, for help with booking flights, hotels and events, with exclusive discounts too. However much you plan in advance, be sure to allow a little room for spontaneity. Sometimes the best find is the one that comes from a chat in the local coffee shop, where someone tells you about a cool craft beer spot. Or the market only the locals know about that you stumble upon on a walk. It's hardly the most exciting part of organising a holiday, but working out your budget is important nonetheless. Be realistic about how you want to spend your time and how much it will cost – for example, if you love spending the day on a sun lounger with a cocktail in hand, an all-inclusive trip may work out the best in terms of value. Once you've worked out how much you want to put aside, you can make use of savings tools offered by your bank – Barclays has a savings goal8 on its app9, so you can keep on track. One thing you don't want to skimp on is travel insurance, even on a trip within the UK. Get good insurance and you'll be covered for everything from missing bags to flight cancellations and delays, which is a big reassurance when you're spending thousands of pounds on a holiday. The Barclays Travel Plus Pack was named a Which? Best buy in June 2024, so you can enjoy your holiday without worrying, knowing that you're in safe hands. It also includes complete breakdown cover in the UK and Europe, so you can take a road trip safe in the knowledge that you're covered if you break down. To find out more about Barclays travel perks, visit 1 Join Premier Banking by opening a Premier Current Account. You also need a gross annual income of at least £75,000 paid into the account, or a total balance of at least £100,000 in savings with Barclays, in eligible investments, or a mix of both. 2 You can opt in to Barclays Avios Rewards if you're a Premier Banking customer or have a personal wealth current account with Barclays – you'll need to register for the Barclays app and have a British Airways Club account too. There's a £12 monthly fee and you have to opt out of Barclays Blue Rewards and go paperless for all your accounts and services with Barclays. To access Barclays Avios Rewards in the Barclays app, you need to be over 18. You can join Premier Banking if you have an income of £75,000 or £100,000 to save or invest with Barclays. T&Cs apply. 3 To qualify for the 25,000 Avios joining bonus, you'll need to join Barclays Avios Rewards – within four months of opening your first Barclays current account. Then, you'll need to complete a full switch of your old current account to Barclays, using the Current Account Switch Service – within three months of joining Barclays Avios Rewards. You will then receive your joining bonus in the fourth month of Barclays Avios Rewards membership. 4 Terms, conditions, exclusions and eligibility criteria apply. You must have a Barclays current account, be 18 or over and hold this product for at least six months from the date of purchase – then you can cancel at any time. 5 Terms and conditions apply for the DragonPass Premier+ app and fast-track security. 6 T&Cs apply. You need to be 16 years or over to access this product or service using the app. 7 No transaction fees apply when paying with Euros and US dollars from your travel wallet. There is a 2.75% margin applied when purchasing your currency. If you pay in British pounds on your debit card while abroad, a transaction fee will still apply. 8 You must have a Barclays or Barclaycard account, have a mobile number and be aged 16 or over to use the Barclays app. T&Cs apply. 9 You must be 11 or over to use the app. T&Cs apply.
