Beautiful UK seaside town is 'chippy capital' with gorgeous golden beaches
As summer draws near, countless Brits are plotting their getaways. Yet there's no need to travel abroad for a magnificent coastal break.
That is because the UK is not only home to some of the most beautiful seaside towns in the world, but it is also the home of the world's premier coastal snack, fish and chips. And one place more than any other is an exponent of the delicious, deep-fried treat.
Scarborough, the charming seaside resort in North Yorkshire, England, is celebrated for its dramatic shoreline, providing spectacular vistas across the North Sea, and its embrace of the chippy tea.
The Yorkshire town has 85.35 chippies per 100,000 residents, meaning it blessed with by far the highest concentration of fryers in the country - beating East Lindsey and its 62.23/100,000 firmly into second place. This is according to a study by Suomikasinot.
This classic seaside town has long drawn visitors with its harbour views, sandy beaches and love for proper fish and chips. With fresh North Sea catch on the doorstep and plenty of hungry tourists, Scarborough has a chip shop for nearly every 1,200 residents.
It has much else to offer. The town sits close to the North York Moors National Park and features towering cliffs, sandy shores, and Scarborough Castle, positioned atop a headland gazing out over the waters. In 2023, Time Out magazine declared it amongst Britain's finest places to visit.
CN Traveller has also crowned it the "most beautiful seaside resort in England" thanks to its fascinating heritage.
The publication wrote: "The dramatic castle occupies the headland which separates the two main bays – steep cliffs stretching away in both directions. The old town ascends the slope to the castle in a maze of crooked streets, with buildings dating back to Tudor times."
What distinguishes Scarborough are the distinctive experiences on offer whilst taking in the scenery. One essential stop is the colourful Scarborough Fair Collection, housing Europe's most extensive array of vintage rides and transport.
This attraction delivers not just an unusual perspective on history but features dodgems, slot machines, a carousel and the opportunity to savour afternoon tea whilst enjoying a theatrical performance. Scarborough's Rotunda Museum is a must-see, offering a journey back 65 million years with its impressive collection of fossils, dinosaur footprints and even a Speeton Plesiosaur skeleton.
Entry is free for under 18s and only £5 for adults, which also includes admission to the Scarborough Art Gallery. But no seaside holiday would be complete without a visit to the beach, and Scarborough boasts two stunning ones - North and South Bay.
South Bay Beach is ideal for a family day out. Loved since Victorian times, it still offers attractions like donkey rides and a bustling promenade brimming with activities. North Bay Beach, however, is a quieter spot perfect for relaxation or a leisurely stroll. With its rock pools and charming vintage beach huts set against a backdrop of beautiful hills and cliffs, it's a dream for photographers.
The two beaches are separated by the ruins of the grand Scarborough Castle. This 12th-century castle has weathered Viking attacks and played a significant role as a royalist stronghold during the Civil War.
After a day of exploration, the Scarborough Castle Great Tea Room is a must-visit, boasting breathtaking views of both beaches and offering homemade cakes, jams, and other cosy treats.
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Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Top 10 beaches in UK revealed — numbers 1 and 2 are in same corner of country (not Devon or Cornwall)
The top-rated beaches in the UK have been ranked, as British holidaymakers and sunseekers on the hunt for the perfect staycation spot. The top 10 UK beaches for 2025 have been named, as many Brits search for a last-minute staycation. The study was conducted by holiday rental service Holidu, which analysed Google Maps user data for over 9,500 beaches, considering both ratings and reviews. The findings suggest that Wales could be an ideal choice for a seaside getaway, with the top two spots on the list located in this picturesque part of the UK. Barafundle Bay beach in Pembrokeshire clinched the top spot, its high ratings supported by numerous accolades, including the cleanest beach in the UK award (2024), the Seaside Award (2019) for its exceptional cleanliness and facilities, and the Green Coast Award (2019). This stunning beach is known for its pristine, golden sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters, earning its Blue Flag status partly due to its secluded location, accessible only by a half-mile walk. Close by, Traeth Mwnt (Mwnt beach) in neighbouring Ceredigion secured second place, thanks to its breathtaking location as a hidden cove boasting golden sands and potential dolphin sightings. This Green Coast Award recipient also offers a scenic walk to the summit of Foel y Mwnt and the iconic Mwnt church overlooking the bay, providing unparalleled views, reports the Express. Woolacombe Beach in Devon has claimed the title of England's top-rated beach this year, boasting rockpools, pristine sands, and excellent surfing conditions - credentials that secured its designation as a World Surfing Reserve in 2022. Dunraven Bay in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, secured fourth place, with its dramatic cliffs and wild coastline drawing visitors fascinated by geology and fossil hunting. The stone formations, featuring fossil-laden layers embedded within the coastal rocks, stretch back millions of years. Trebarwith Beach on the Devon shoreline nabbed fifth spot. Its standout feature is Gull Rock, an imposing rock structure positioned just off the coast, making it a magnet for photographers and surfers alike. But not a single beach in Cornwall made the top 10, with the likes of Pedn Vounder and Porthcurno missing out. The top 10 best beaches in the UK (2025) Barafundle Bay Beach – Pembrokeshire, Wales Traeth Mwnt – Ceredigion, Wales Woolacombe Beach – Devon, England Dunraven Bay – Glamorgan, Wales Trebarwith Beach – Devon, England Cuckmere Haven – East Sussex, England Man O'War Beach – Dorset, England Bigbury Beach – Devon, England Gullane Beach – East Lothian, Scotland Benone Beach – County Londonderry, Northern Ireland What the researchers said about the top 5 1. Barafundle Bay Beach, Pembrokeshire Google Maps Rating: 4.9 Number of Reviews: 1,668 "Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire, Wales, is one of the UK's most celebrated beaches due to its preserved natural beauty. Thanks to the fact it can only be accessed by a half-mile walk, the beach has remained relatively wild yet pristine, boasting golden sands and turquoise waters. "As a result, it's often praised as offering 'Caribbean-esque' views. This Blue Flag beach has won multiple awards, such as the cleanest beach in the UK (2024), the Seaside Award (2019) for its high standards of cleanliness and facilities, and the Green Coast Award (2019) for its beautiful natural environment and great water quality. Barafundle Bay is truly a family favourite!" 2. Traeth Mwnt, Ceredigion Google Maps Rating: 4.9 Number of Reviews: 722 Traeth Mwnt in Wales is a delightful hidden gem, famed for its golden sands and the iconic Mwnt Church that overlooks the bay. Visitors can unwind in this secluded cove or indulge in some dolphin spotting - Mwnt is actually one of the top spots to see dolphins in the UK! For those who enjoy a good hike, there's a picturesque trail leading to the summit of Foel y Mwnt, offering panoramic views of Cardigan Bay. The beach has also bagged numerous accolades, including a Green Coast and Seaside Award. 3. Woolacombe Beach, Devon Google Maps Rating: 4.8 Number of Reviews: 32,006 Woolacombe Beach in Devon is England's highest-rated beach for 2025. Nestled against the backdrop of the village of Woolacombe, this scenic beach is celebrated for its cleanliness and family-friendly vibe. The beach boasts Blue Flag status and a 3-mile stretch of breathtaking coastline. With its rock pools, soft sands, and regular lifeguard patrols, Woolacombe beach is an ideal playground for children. It's also a hot spot for surfers - its consistent waves earned it recognition as a World Surfing Reserve in 2022. 4. Dunraven Bay, Vale of Glamorgan Google Maps Rating: 4.8 Number of Reviews: 18,412 Dunraven Bay, nestled in Glamorgan, is a paradise for fossil enthusiasts and photographers due to its distinctive geology and striking cliffs. Situated on the Jurassic coast of South Wales, renowned for its limestone cliffs, this stunning bay boasts a wealth of fossils and intriguing rock pools to discover. Walkers can also savour awe-inspiring coastal strolls above the bay that guide them to the remnants of Dunraven Castle, a Grade II listed manor that was torn down in 1963. 5. Trebarwith Strand Beach, Devon Google Maps Rating: 4.8 Number of Reviews: 1,666 Trebarwith Strand Beach, located in Devon, is a beautifully untamed beach with unique rock formations. Although entirely covered during high tide, the beach morphs into a sandy sanctuary at low tide, with the ebbing tides unveiling extensive stretches of golden sand, numerous rock pools, and fascinating caves to explore. The beach also welcomes dogs throughout the year, making it a favourite spot for dog walkers. In fact, Trebarwith Strand Beach is so picturesque that it's featured in several films - from Saving Grace (2002) and Oscar and Lucinda (1997), to Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (1996).
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I swapped the UK for Spain – wine is just £3, the food is much healthier and it feels like a holiday every day
She even had a free concert every night COSTA BRAVO I swapped the UK for Spain – wine is just £3, the food is much healthier and it feels like a holiday every day Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WOMAN ditched the UK for Spain - where a glass of wine is Euro 3.50 and there are free concerts every night - and says it feels like a "permanent holiday". Jade Gartshore, 25, had a successful career but says it didn't give her "enough" fulfilment and she struggled with the "dark" days. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Jade said that moving to Spain is like a "permanent holiday" Credit: Getty 4 She quit her job as an estate agent and moved to Murcia Credit: Alamy After travelling with her husband Edward Partis, 25, an electrical engineer, she fell in love with the Spanish city of Murcia. Jade ditched her job to move out last November and say they can't seem themselves "moving back to the UK". Jade said: "I used to sit in the office and used to look out and think, this can't be life, you know, every day going to work in the dark and coming back in the dark. "I was always doing very well in my job, but it just didn't give me enough. "It's like a permanent holiday, I wake up feeling a lot happier and often have those pinch me moments where I still can't believe I live here. "We have a free concert every night. It's different in each town. "So you'll have jazz, you'll have disco, techno, and they'll just be on the seafront, and it's all put on by the council. "That's where some of your money goes, which is a nice feeling. "You can get a glass of wine for Euro 3.50, which is crazy, but your day-to-day shopping can be pretty much the same as the UK." Jade and Edward, who are from Leicester, went travelling for six months in 2023 and spent five weeks of it in Murcia - where Jade's parents retired to. The couple carried on travelling in Asia - but couldn't stop thinking about Spain. I quit my job and did a complete 180 moving to Spain - beer is just $3 a pint and my life is so much better Jade said: "The whole six months we were just working out ways how to get back to Spain, and we just completely fell head over heels for it. "The conversation just kept coming back to Murcia that we kind of loved it and both felt exactly the same way, which was really lucky. "To be honest, growing up in the UK, I always felt like it wasn't my home. "When I was 16, I was going to California on holiday by myself to see friends, and when I was 19, we tried to live in Australia, but it just wasn't for us. Everything you need to know about visiting Spain Brits must have at least three months left on their passport from the day they plan to leave the country. Tourists do not need a visa if visiting for up to 90 days in an 180-day period. Make sure your passport is stamped on entry and exit. Travellers may be asked to show hotel booking confirmations and that they have enough money for their stay at the border. Spain is one hour ahead of the UK. The country uses the euro with around €10 working out to £8.55. Flights to Spain from the UK take between 2-4 hours depending on the destination. "So I just feel like my whole life, I've just known that the UK is not for me. "It can be scary, but definitely making the jump in your twenties is a perfect time." Jade was on the path to being promoted as a manager in her estate agent job, but decided to "make the jump" and live a new life elsewhere. She said: "I was completely petrified, I had this great job, and my collegial manager wanted me to become a manager. I just left it all behind because it didn't feel right. "The people here, especially in Murcia, are just so kind. "I've always wanted to lived by the sea, but Murcia also has the mountains where you can go on hikes. "It's very outdoor living, which is right up my street." Despite incredible free events hosted by the council, Jade wanted to break the misconception that it is a lot cheaper to live abroad than it is in the UK. She said: "I think people have the perception that it is quite cheap here, especially when you come on holiday, but it's mainly the alcohol that's a big difference." Jade, who is currently looking for work, explained how rent and bills are also pretty similar as "it fluctuates as to where you live". "Some places near us are more expensive than what you'd rent in the UK, and you get less for your money, but then some areas you get more for your money depending on location," she said. Murcia is located in south-eastern part of the country and is the seventh largest city in Spain. It is known as "the fruit basket of Spain" due to its fruits, vegetables, and flower production. Jade said: "The fruit and vegetables are so much bigger and they just have so much more flavour. "Our diet hasn't changed drastically because I feel like it's difficult to just quickly change. So we'd still have our basic meals that we'd have in the UK, but you just feel better." She can also go and visit the local farmers and do tours to see the produce for as cheap as Euro 12. Jade's parents moved to the city two years ago for retirement, and the couple are currently staying with them until their big move to their new apartment - just 15 minutes from the beach. The couple have noticed one specific cultural difference in Spain compared to the UK. Jade said: "One thing I've noticed is that people don't just want to do stuff on the weekend, they'll happily make plans every day, even if it's just a walk". At the beginning of her move, she was "quite concerned" about how lonely living abroad could be but has found that she now has "more friends here than in the UK." Jade is "100%" more sociable now, she said: "I think I've had two events every day. The other day we went to the beach with friends and then drove to another area to watch the sunset. "And with my other friend we went to see a concert, so it's just utilising the free things and not being weather dependent." The couple have done this through indulging in the culture and are even trying to learn Spanish too, which her new friends are helping with. Jade said: "I go to an hour lesson in the village once a week and then just picking up comments from my social media and putting it into practice." Jade shares her life in Murcia on social media and has created a community of people who also hope to one day move abroad. Her audience is around 60% Spanish, which helped her "learn the area and the culture a lot quicker". "I try to use my account to show people that if I can do it, they can do it. "Even if it's just going to travel, take the risk, do what you want to do." Data found by CompareMyMove has found that there has been a 32.6% increase in people leaving the UK in the first half of 2025 than there were in the first half of 2024. It also found that Spain is the most popular place for Brits to move this year. Jade plans to live in Murcia permanently now and said she "can't see herself moving back to the UK again". 4 The alcohol is the biggest difference as it's much cheaper than in the UK Credit: Getty
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Idyllic car-free island is quiet alternative to city overrun with tourists
The island of Silba neighbours the island of Losinj in the Kvarner archipelago and the island of Olib, making it a good location for tourists to easily combine trips to the different islands and still remain away from the crowded tourist hotspots While most Brits associate a Croatian holiday with a trip to Dubrovnik, a tiny island offers a tranquil, car -free alternative. Silba, nestled in northern Dalmatia, boasts a modest population of around 200. Interestingly, the 'heaviest transport' on this 15-square-kilometre island are delivery trolleys, as cars are strictly forbidden. It's conveniently located near the islands of Losinj in the Kvarner archipelago and Olib, allowing tourists to easily hop between islands while avoiding crowded tourist traps. Things to do Silba is one of the sunniest spots in the Adriatic, offering a perfect blend of tranquillity, nature, sunshine, and crystal-clear turquoise waters. Its laid-back Mediterranean vibe makes it an ideal escape from Croatia's busier tourist areas, reports the Mirror. Toreta, Silba's only town, is well worth exploring. It features two grocery shops and two bakeries, but impressively, it has 14 bars and restaurants to choose from. The island is also home to 'The Tower of Love', a 19th-century tower steeped in the romantic legend of an old sea captain and the beautiful Domenika. The tale tells of a Captain who fell for a local woman and vowed to marry her upon his return from his voyage. Two decades later, he returned to find the girl married with a daughter named Domenika. The Captain vowed to marry the daughter and after another 20 years, he did. Honouring a promise made to her mother, he constructed a tower in his garden that overlooked all of Silba and provided a view of all incoming ships. Today, the house stands bearing the inscription: "This tower was built in 1872 as a symbol of love and loyalty. It was built by the old sea dog Petar Marinić." Atop the tower, visitors can take in breathtaking views. The island also boasts numerous pebbly and sandy coves to explore, complete with golden sand beaches. Yachting is quite popular in the area too. A stone's throw away from Silba lies the forgotten island of Premuda, adorned with low forests, olive groves, fig trees and vineyards. Here, visitors can enjoy its diver's paradise, where swimmers can discover an underwater cave system known as the 'Cathedral'. Places to eat The island's restaurants and bars are primarily located in Toreta and include Vila Velebita - the island's top-rated restaurant on TripAdvisor. Vila Velebita serves a variety of dishes including meat platters and is renowned for its reasonable prices and traditional Croatian cuisine. There's even a 'fired cheese' and boar salami, complemented by local wine and beer. The restaurant was originally established in 1991 within a family home and has been thriving for 23 years. The proprietor, Svetimir Lovrovic, formerly managed the restaurant before passing it on to the younger generation. His wife continues to actively prepare meals even today. Accommodation options There are no campsites or hotels on the island, so your best bet is to seek private lodgings on Airbnb - which are quite reasonably priced. Many of the flats on offer feature outdoor dining spaces and air conditioning, with some even allowing pets. Rates vary from roughly £60 to £200 per night. Travel information Direct flights to Zadar airport can be booked from London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester and Leeds, and a catamaran journey from Zadar's port to the secluded island takes just one hour and 40 minutes. Direct flights to Pula airport are available from London and Glasgow, and the catamaran trip from Pula port to the island takes three and a half hours. Silba Island can only be accessed by Jadrolinija ferries from/to Zadar, which operate daily, and Mali Lošinj, which also run every day.
