Britain's most beautiful coastal views named - from St Ives to Robin Hood's Bay
A survey of 2,000 adults also highlighted favourites such as the South Downs' expansive 100-mile stretch, Weymouth's elegant Georgian seafront, and Pembrokeshire 's own limestone cliff haven, Lydstep.
The top 30 list, compiled by holiday company Haven, also features Devon's yachting hotspot Salcombe and the North East's seaside town of Berwick. The research found that more than two-thirds of people believe the UK's coastal scenery easily rivals that found abroad.
When it comes to staycations, eight out of ten people consider accommodation with a sea view important, with over a third saying it's essential.
Simon Palethorpe, CEO at Haven, said: 'You don't need to go far from home to enjoy postcard-perfect views. Our parks are set on some of Britain's most stunning beaches and coastlines, making them a great base for exploring the local area and enjoying the seaside.
"There's nothing better than starting and ending your day with a sunrise or sunset over the sea—especially when it's right here in the UK. Brits are still surprised by just how breathtaking our coastline can be.'
The survey also revealed that holidaymakers are willing to travel an average of 159 miles for a seaside break, with many prepared to pay extra for a room with a view.
The main reasons for splashing out on a sea view were the sense of relaxation and escapism it provides, as well as the proven mental and physical health benefits of being by the coast.
Other reasons for choosing a UK holiday over going abroad included avoiding airport stress and delays, having more flexibility with dates and duration, and being able to bring pets along.
TOP 30 BREATHTAKING UK COASTAL VIEWS ACCORDING TO BRITS:
St Ives, Cornwall
Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire
Padstow, Cornwall
Portree, Isle of Skye
Tenby, Pembrokeshire
Poole, Dorset
Ilfracombe, North Devon
Portmeirion, Gwynedd
Shanklin, Isle of Wight
South Downs
Salcombe, Devon
Weymouth, Dorset
Brighton, East Sussex
Llandudno, Conwy
Bournemouth, Dorset
Hayle, Cornwall
Filey, North Yorkshire
Porthmadog, Gwynedd
Southwold, Suffolk
Lydstep, Pembrokeshire
Stromness, Orkney
Berwick, North East
Great Yarmouth beach
Lochinver, Sutherland
Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear
Hastings, East Sussex
Whitstable, Kent
Plockton, Ross and Cromarty
Aberystwyth, Ceredigion
Pwhelli, Gwynedd
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11 minutes ago
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12 minutes ago
- The Sun
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South Wales Argus
4 hours ago
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A bright, optimistic and yellow-lettered question that, without you even knowing it yet, will shape your entire city break. Directly on the mountainside, it reads: 'Bergen?'. I learned later that this short but sweet question is a permanent art installation by the Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson. Bergen? art installation outside the airport (Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) Can you guess what it means? Now, the answer will become clear to you very soon, but I'll keep you curious a while longer. Meanwhile, here are 7 very obvious reasons that you need to book a trip to Bergen for 2026 (but believe me, it was hard to whittle these down). Why you should visit Bergen 1. Convenient When it comes to city breaks, we Brits look for convenience, and Bergen ticks all of those boxes. You can fly to Bergen in under two hours from the UK, making it ideal for a weekend jaunt. It couldn't be a better time to explore Norway either, as launches its biggest ever Bergen programme. 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This colourful harbour spot has something for everyone. History buffs will be able to get a glimpse into Bergen's trading past as they explore the incredibly well-preserved medieval architecture. If you're more into shopping, you can spend hours browsing for the perfect souvenir in one of its many shops. If you're peckish, I couldn't recommend a visit to Baker Brun more. Their staff were incredibly friendly and the pastries were delicious! The composer Edvard Grieg's home has been turned into a museum, exhibition and concert hall (Image: Newsquest) But beyond the city centre, I'd recommend a trip to Troldhaugen – the home turned museum of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg and his wife, Nina. If you haven't heard of Grieg, don't worry – neither had I before my visit. However, it's more than likely that you have heard at least one of his songs if you have been to one of the UK's most popular theme parks, Alton Towers. I was a little embarrassed that the only way I knew Grieg's "In the Hall of the Mountain King" was because of the adverts for a British roller coaster resort. However, a guided tour around his home, the exhibition centre and his garden composing hut set me straight. Edvard Grieg lived in the house for 20 years (Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) It's very reasonably priced at NOK 175.00 ( £12.54) for an adult ticket, and children under 16 go free. If you visit in the summer, they host daily concerts, which you can buy tickets for separately on their website. If I had to choose another historic highlight for me on this trip, it would have to be the Fantoft Stave church. This striking church was unlike anything I had ever seen. I was taken aback by the beautiful wooden medieval architecture, which became more important still when I learned that only 28 Stave churches still exist in Norway today. There used to be over 1500 in the country, but over the years, they have tragically disappeared. This church, located just 6km from Bergen city centre, was originally built in Fortun in Sogn in 1170. Fantoft Stave church celebrates elements of Norse religion and Christianity within its architecture (Image: Newsquest) Over the years, there have been many changes to the building before it was moved to Fantoft in the late 19th century. In June 1992, the church made headline news after it was set on fire and burned to the ground. Lucky for us, a quick decision was made to rebuild it. Re-opening in 1997, visitors and locals alike were able to visit and take in the architecture and celebrate the beautiful blend of Christianity and the Old Norse religion. Take a trip up Mount Ulriken on the Ulriksbanen (Image: Newsquest) 4. The views Coined as the city of the 7 mountains, Bergen is not short on incredible views. Lucky for us tourists, we don't need to go far – or hike very high – to find them either. After arriving at Bergen airport in the early morning, we were quickly whisked off to the city's highest mountain, Mount Ulriken. As a Scot, I'm no stranger to a hike or two, but I was relieved to see that a shiny yellow cable car was taking us to the top of the steep 643m high mountain. Riding the gondola is an experience in itself. The short but smooth trip lets you take in the most spectacular vista of the city and sea, mountains and fjords. Once you reach the top, you can take a few selfies before indulging yourself with a truly unforgettable dining experience at the Skyskraperen restaurant (but more on that later). The view from the top of Mount Ulriken at the Skyskraperen restaurant was breathtaking (Image: Newsquest) If you don't want to leave the comforts and convenience of the city centre, you simply must take the trip up Mount Fløyen. Norwegians really do put the fun in funicular (sorry). The 6-minute trip treats you to breathtaking views of the city below and the surrounding fjords and mountains. The Fløibanen funicular is a 6-minute journey with incredible views (Image: Newsquest) At the top, you can enjoy a bite to eat at the Fløirestaurant or the exclusive eatery Schou. If you prefer a smaller snack before heading out to explore, it's worth visiting the Fløistuen shop and café. There's plenty to entertain you at the top, including various beautiful walking and cycling routes (you can rent bikes up there), Lake Skomakerdiket (where you can canoe), a large playground and even a Troll forest! I went on a tour around Bergen's city centre on two wheels (Image: Newsquest) 5. Adventurous activities If you love a sense of adventure from a city break, you won't be disappointed with the offering in Bergen. I have never ridden a bike abroad, and now it's something I want to do in every city I go to. A tour with Bergen Bike Rent on our first evening completely converted me to the charms of seeing a city on two wheels. Our fantastic guide showed us the sights of the bustling city centre from the Cathedral to the fish market. We went through picturesque alleys and across the pretty city square. I'm not a confident cyclist, but our knowledgeable guide showed us the ropes of riding an electric bike and reassured us throughout. We did the Bergen Downtown route, but there are also two others you can do – a dark blue route designed for the more active amongst us and a new route through the largest bike and pedestrian tunnel in the world. I can't wait to go back because I'm simply desperate to try it. Special thanks to Bergen Bike Rent for the guided tour (Image: Newsquest) Beyond biking, Bergen and the west of Norway boast access to amazing activities like kayaking and rafting, golf courses, zip lines, glacier tours and more. You can find out more and book your next adventure via the Visit Bergen website. 6. Delicious places to eat When I used to think of Norway, I simply pictured the snow-dusted landscapes, jaw-dropping fjords, Norse Gods and Viking hats. Truthfully, I had never considered Norway as a foodie destination, but how wrong I was! I didn't have a bad meal when I was there, but there were a few standout meals that I have to mention. Norwegian pastries are the perfect snack to enjoy as you mooch about the city (Image: Newsquest) Snacks and pastries As I teased earlier, I couldn't recommend a visit to Baker Brun. Their service was incredible, especially with a group of hungry journalists with lots and lots of questions. No traveller's day is complete for me without a taste of a traditional pastry and a mooch about a city centre. Bergen's answer was a delicious Skillingsboulle, which scored very highly with the entire group. The menu at Skyskraperen is seasonal and beautifully made. ( Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) Lunch I'm not about to forget lunch at the Skyskraperen restaurant in a hurry. Lunch at the top of Mount Ulriken was our welcome meal, and what a welcome it was. Between the spectacular view and the delicious seasonal menu, I was completely speechless. Whilst we enjoyed the 3-course menu of modern Norwegian dishes, the restaurant caters for both hikers and visitors from the cable car. The food was divine, but I must recommend treating yourself to a glass bottle of Alde cider. We raved about it the entire time we were in Norway, and we all bought ourselves a bottle at Duty Free to take home. All in all, you simply can't go to Bergen without experiencing this wonderful restaurant for yourself. You've got to pick up a bottle of Alde (Image: Newsquest) Dinner When it comes to dinner, I couldn't recommend a visit to Bryggen Tracteusted more. Located in one of the oldest and best-preserved wooden buildings in the UNESCO site, everything about it feels warm and welcoming, from the staff to the traditional Bergen recipes. Take a look inside Bryggen Tracteusted (Image: Newsquest) We ate here on our last night, and it was a very fond farewell feast indeed. 7. Gateway to the Fjords I can't write a story about a trip to Norway without mentioning its beautiful Fjords. A bucket list experience for many, Bergen is the ideal gateway to the West of Norway and some truly breathtaking scenery. Simply hop on the train at Bergen station and enjoy the delights of one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. You're going to want to get a window seat for the journey to Flåm through Myrdal (trust me). Snow-dusted mountains and stunning waterfalls can be seen throughout the journey (Image: Newsquest) From snow-dusted mountains almost all year round to traditional colourful wooden houses decorating the mountainside, my jaw dropped and my nose was pressed to the window for almost the entire time (which must have been a sight for the other passengers, I'm sure). Travellers can enjoy a 5-minute photo stop at the Kjosfossen waterfall (Image: Newsquest) A highlight of the journey – before you even get to the Fjord village of Flåm - has to be the 5-minute photo stop at the truly stunning Kjosfossen waterfall. The picture above speaks for itself. This memorable train journey connects you to the beauty of the UNESCO Nærøyfjord. This electric cruise from Flam to Gudvangen is probably the most peaceful two hours I've spent in a long time. The 20km Fjord gives nature lovers plenty of time to try and spot some seals and porpoises from the deck. Spot seals and porpoises from the deck of the Nærøyfjord cruise (Image: Newsquest) The route has plenty of points of interest, including one of the smallest churches in Scandinavia – Underdal church – which fits only 40 people. The cruise showcases the very best of Norway in a neat nutshell and is an absolute must for your trip. Recommended reading There you have it, 7 reasons why you absolutely need to make Bergen your next city break. As Europe's rainiest city, you might not get guaranteed sunshine, but you can be assured that you'll experience culture, history, beautiful views, delicious places to eat and wonderful people to show you the way. Special thanks to all of our guides and our new Norwegian friends, Linn and Stein, for welcoming us with open arms. Other cities will give you your bog-standard welcome sign, but not Bergen. This delightful, curious and vibrant city gives you an invitation as soon as you step off the plane. But it's more than an invite; that question mark is a challenge. You've arrived in Bergen, what will you do now?
