4 days ago
'Genteel' seaside town in Pembrokeshire with 'glorious' beaches among UK's best
A seaside town in Pembrokeshire boasting "glorious" beaches, pastel-painted Georgian and Victorian houses, and "neat little shops" has been named among Britain's best.
From North Berwick (East Lothian) to Deal (Kent), the travel experts at The Telegraph have compiled a list of Britain's 10 most genteel seaside towns.
Introducing the list, the news outlet said: "While there's a certain nostalgic joy to the type of coastal resort that's all candy floss, waltzers and slot machines, there's arguably greater pleasure in towns that have the seascapes and the golden sand but that are more cute than kitsch.
"More sourdough than doughnut. More vibrant arts scene than end-of-the-pier innuendo. More artisanal ice cream than Mr Whippy."
🏖️ From the 'Biarritz of the North' to a perfectly-preserved medieval town, these coastal destinations make for a refined trip Find out more ⬇️
— Telegraph Travel (@TelegraphTravel) June 1, 2025
The top 10 most "genteel" seaside towns in Britain, according to The Telegraph, are:
North Berwick (East Lothian)
Lymington (Hampshire)
Padstow (Cornwall)
Deal (Kent)
Aberaeron (Ceredigion)
Southwold (Suffolk)
Lytham (Lancashire)
Burnham Market (Norfolk)
Lyme Regis (Dorset)
Tenby (Pembrokeshire)
Tenby was named among Britain's top 10 most "genteel" seaside towns by The Telegraph, recommended for its beaches, pastel-painted Georgian and Victorian houses and "neat little shops".
The news outlet explained: "Tenby's four, beautiful Blue Flag beaches are enough to attract anyone.
"But the cliff-top town behind is a looker too. Here old stone walls encircle pastel-painted Georgian and Victorian houses, many of which are now neat little shops, bars and cafes.
"For culture, pop into the Museum and Art Gallery and visit the 15th-century Tudor Merchant House before eating at Plantagenet, fine-dining in a 1,000-year-old building."
The Telegraph isn't the only one to speak highly of Tenby.
Visit Wales describes the Pembrokeshire town as "one of our best seaside towns".
The tourism experts said you can expect "glorious" beaches, Victorian houses and "warm hospitality" upon visiting the coastal town.
While Tripadvisor added: "Tenby is lovingly protected from the outside world by an embrace of 13th-century stone walls, which, ironically, attract—not repel—visitors from all over the world.
"The town is simply adorable, teeming with the archetypes of pubs and shops one would expect to find in a U.K. city.
"Adding further appeal are the miles of gorgeous beaches and the gently lapping waves of a blue-grey sea."
The best bars and cafes in Tenby, according to The Telegraph, that are a must-visit include:
Harbwr Brewery
Môr Tenby
Stowaway Coffee
As well as the beaches and shops, there is plenty more to see and do when visiting Tenby.
The top-rated attractions on Tripadvisor included:
The Dinosaur Park
Manor Wildlife Park
Heatherton World of Activites
Tudor Merchant's House
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While The Telegraph suggested taking a "fabulous" four-mile walk along the coast path to Saundersfoot and trying out Sea and Steam - a mobile woodfire sauna on the beach front.
If you are looking for somewhere to stay while in Tenby, The Telegraph recommended the 120-year-old cliff-top Imperial Hotel.
