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Daily Record
12-05-2025
- Daily Record
The UK's 'sunniest' seaside town has 7 mile beach and 241 hours of sun in May
The popular town has the second-lowest rainfall in the UK. With temperatures heating up, many of us will be getting excited for days at the beach. Seaside towns are already beginning to feel the buzz with thousands of British tourists flocking to their nearest beaches to enjoy the glorious May sunshine. As lovely as the weather has been already this month, May can sometimes be a hit or a miss in Britain. Many towns often still experience rain and thunderstorms in the spring, but one place that sunshine is almost always guaranteed is Southend-on-Sea in Essex. According to Aqua, its' officially the UK's sunniest seaside town in May and reportedly experiences around 241 hours of sunshine in this month alone. It also has the second-lowest rainfall, with just 41.6mm recorded on average. This also gives it a title as one of the driest places in the country in May. Southend, which is located on the Thames Estuary offers seven miles of beaches. The area is perfect for everyone as there is family-friendly spots and also quieter stretches that are perfect for relaxing. The area is home to nine distinct beaches, including Thorpe Bay, which has both Blue Flag and Quality Coast awards and is backed by a traditional promenade, according to the Express. Chalkwell Beach is popular for its open space and rock-pooling at low tide, while Shoeburyness offers a peaceful escape and is backed by grassy picnic areas and rows of beach huts. Southend Pier, the longest pleasure pier in the world, stretches over a mile into the estuary and comes complete with its own railway line and museum. But visitors will find plenty to do beyond the beaches. Sealife Adventure, described by Visit Southend as the southeast's leading aquarium, features sharks, penguins, otters, meerkats and even monkeys. Just next door is Adventure Island, a free-entry amusement park with more than 60 rides. For a slower pace, visitors can explore nature reserves like Two Tree Island and Belton Hills, or stroll through the town's award-winning parks. Culture lovers aren't left out either. Southend is home to theatres including the Cliffs Pavilion and Palace Theatre, and hosts exhibitions at its museums and art galleries. And it's all easy to reach. Direct trains from London Liverpool Street take less than an hour, and Southend Airport provides connections to a few European cities. With plenty of sunshine, low rainfall, and seven miles of coastline, it's no surprise Southend was also named the UK's "beer garden capital" by Aqua. The town reportedly has 281 beer gardens per 100,000 people, giving visitors plenty of places to enjoy a drink in the sun. In Scotland, one place that is in Scotland that is known for its high levels of sunshine is Dundee, which sees an average of around 1,520 hours of sun per year. According to the Visit Dundee website, it is the "sunniest city in Scotland". There is plenty to get up to around Dundee to make the most of the good weather. The most notable is Broughty Ferry Beach in the suburb of Broughty Ferry, four miles east of the city centre. Broughty Ferry Beach is an award-winning sandy bay that features incredible views out over the Tay Estuary to the north coast of Fife. It is a top destination for a day out, whether you're travelling with family or friends, with a huge expanse of sand to explore.
Daily Record
09-05-2025
- Daily Record
Scotland's 'sunniest city' with sandy beach and award winning fish and chips
It may not get the acclaim of the capital or Scotland's biggest city, but there's lots to like about this place. Scotland has been enjoying good weather in recent days. The warm temperatures and sunny skies won't last forever, though, so it is important to make the most of it. While most of the country has seen at least a bit of sun lately, there are certain areas that tend to experience more sunshine than others throughout the year. Those who want to maximise their exposure to good weather should spend as much time as possible in these sunny hotspots. One of the places in Scotland that is known for its high levels of sunshine is Dundee, which sees an average of around 1,520 hours of sun per year. In fact, according to the Visit Dundee website, it is the "sunniest city in Scotland". Dundee is located along the coast on the Firth of Tay estuary in the east of Scotland. The fourth-biggest city in the country, it is home to approximately 148,000 people. Given its reputation as Scotland's sunniest city, there is thankfully plenty to get up to around Dundee to make the most of the good weather. The most notable is Broughty Ferry Beach in the suburb of Broughty Ferry, four miles east of the city centre. Broughty Ferry Beach is an award-winning sandy bay that features incredible views out over the Tay Estuary to the north coast of Fife. It is a top destination for a day out, whether you're travelling with family or friends, with a huge expanse of sand to explore. The beach is also a great destination for wildlife lovers, since it is home to a nearby nature conservation site. Visitors may be able to spot everything from seabirds to seals when walking about. Broughty Ferry Beach also offers plenty of opportunities for water sports such as surfing, kayaking, and jet-skiing. It is important to note, however, that there is an animal exclusion zone on the beach between May and September in which dogs are not allowed. Just off the beach is an esplanade featuring a crazy golf course and 'kiddicars', as well as picturesque flower beds. There is also the glass-fronted Urban Beach restaurant, which serves up a varied menu including burgers and fish dishes. In addition to being recognised at Scotland's Beach Awards, Broughty Ferry Beach has also earned positive feedback from visitors. It currently has an overall rating of 4.5 out of five based on 688 reviews. One beachgoer wrote: "Beautiful beach. Lovely bay and castle so much to see, easy access to Dundee, St. Andrews, golf courses , caravan parks, etc." Another shared: "A really nice beach to visit during summer. Has cute cafés nearby and a park for children to play in." While visiting the beach, it is worth walking up to the 15th-century Broughty Castle that dominates the landscape. Built to defend Scotland against the English navy, it is now home to a fascinating museum detailing the area's history. Meanwhile, when the sun is shining, nothing compares to a fish supper by the coast. Fortunately, there are plenty of mouthwatering fish and chip shops dotted around Dundee. One of these is the award-winning Silvery Tay, which has previously been recognised at the Scottish Chippy Awards. The family-run takeaway offers traditional suppers, with fresh fish sourced from local fish merchants. Among the dishes available at The Silvery Tay are battered haddock, Icelandic haddock, and scampi. Also on offer is a selection of Porrelli Italian ice cream. Recent reviews on Google have described The Silvery Tay as "amazing" and "lovely". Another satisfied customer wrote: "One of the best chippers, if not the best chipper, in Dundee". More information about what visitors can get up to in Dundee on a sunny day can be found on the Visit Dundee website.
