Latest news with #FringebytheSeafestival
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Underrated UK seaside town has picturesque sandy beaches and no crowds
An underrated UK seaside town boasts stretches of sandy beaches, rock pools for the kids and a picturesque harbour - and the bonus of not being packed with crowds Brits looking to get inspired for their next staycation may want to check out one underrated seaside town with a pretty marina, sandy beaches and a lido at low tide for kids to enjoy. North Berwick in Scotland isn't a hidden gem but it has all of the perks of a seaside town, without having huge crowds of tourists that you might find in other UK holiday hotspots. I visited the town in early August when it was hot, sunny and the town was hosting the Fringe by the Sea festival, so I was fully prepared to deal with a mass of fellow tourists. However I was pleasantly surprised; although it was a little busy no doubt because of the festival, there was still plenty of breathing space to enjoy a stroll around the town and along the waterfront. (It has more of a buzz than England's cheapest seaside spot full of abandoned £40k homes 'nobody wants'). Despite it being a heatwave day, the sandy stretches of beach were not too crowded either. There were plenty of families set up for the day with their towels, sandcastle tools and picnic baskets at the ready, but there was still plenty of space if you wanted to set up camp yourself. Low tide reveals an enclosed tidal pool with shallow waters which was a hit with families, especially those with young children. There were also plenty of rock pools for them to explore, and of course those all-important ice cream trucks just a stone's throw away. Along the beaches sits a long promenade lined with waterfront homes, and it's an easy stroll from one end to another (the whole thing took me about half an hour to walk). For bird watchers, there's plenty you'll want to explore. For a start North Berwick is home to the Scottish Seabird Centre, while the beach offers views across the water to the Firth of Forth and the Bass Rock, which plays host to the world's largest northern gannet colony. As for the town itself, it's got that quintessential seaside charm. There's a pretty marina full of boats, cobbled streets lined with colourful buildings, plenty of cafés and a host of ice cream parlours. We were told by locals that Alandas Gelato was a must-try, but sadly the queue was just a bit too long. Those queues were no doubt because the town was hosting the annual Fringe by the Sea festival. This brilliant alternative to the main Fringe festival in Edinburgh has a very laidback vibe and it's family-friendly. There were heaps of food and drink stalls, a crafts tent for kids, and included a big top tent where you could book tickets to watch a series of talks and performances. For those who like to pick up a souvenir or two, there were local shops selling some of their merchandise too. This year's festival has come to a close but you can find out more on It's definitely one I'll be returning too; the laidback atmosphere, the festival and the pretty beach made for a brilliant day out, and the fact it's around an hour's drive away from Edinburgh means it's easily doable as part of a wider Scottish road trip.
The National
29-04-2025
- The National
Scottish spot named one of the best seaside towns in the UK
North Berwick in East Lothian was named alongside locations across the country, including Weymouth and Penzance. Introducing the ranking, the prestigious travel magazine said that while many seaside towns went into decline at the turn of the century, a number of these spots are starting to make a comeback. It added that this "resurgence" has been driven by a complex web of influences, including the cost-of-living crisis and climate-conscious travel. North Berwick was named alongside beach towns like Weymouth (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) North Berwick named one of the best beach towns in the UK by National Geographic North Berwick, which was the only seaside town in Scotland named by National Geographic, was praised for its Fringe by the Sea festival and amazing foodie spots. Discussing the East Lothian town, the publication said that like other coastal resorts, the location endured a choppy few decades at the close of the 20th century as its "Biarritz of the North" epithet slipped. However, in the years since, the town has rebounded and been "lauded" for its long sandy beaches and "nation-leading" living standards. The magazine went to highlight the Fringe by the Sea festival, an annual event featuring comedy, live music and culinary masterclasses. The Scottish Seabird Centre is located in the East Lothian town (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Recommended Reading: Another big draw is the Scottish Seabird Centre, a great place to learn about the gannets that reside on the famous Bass Rock. The town also has a "well-deserved" foodie reputation thanks to harbour-front eateries like the Lobster Shack, which serves all kinds of seafood like crab rolls and smoked haddock. There is also Drift, a "cliff-edge medley of upcycled shipping containers with rousing Firth of Forth views and an indecently good brunch."
