Bamburgh judged UK’s best seaside destination by Which? readers for fourth year

Bamburgh, the Northumbrian village known for its sprawling sand dunes and imposing castle, has retained its title as the UK’s best seaside destination for the fourth consecutive year.

A survey of 4,700 people by the consumer group Which? placed the Northumberland coastal village as the nation’s favourite, ahead of Portmeirion in Gwynedd and St Andrews in Fife.

The north-east coastal village’s 1,400-year-old castle , which was once a Norman stronghold , dominates the skyline, while tourists are also attracted to the large, sandy beach.

Bamburgh scored a destination score of 86%, with participants asked to mark destinations on a number of measures including beaches, value for money, attractions and parking.

Those that responded to the online survey said that they liked Bamburgh’s “magnificent” and “unspoiled” beach, as well as the dramatic views of the castle. The village scored five stars for its peace and quiet, and five stars for its location.

Portmeirion, in north Wales, scored 83% and St Andrews, in Scotland, 82%, while fourth-placed Tynemouth in Tyne and Wear, north-east England, scored 81% and fifth-placed St Davids in Pembrokeshire, Wales, scored 80%.

At the other end of the table Bangor, also in Gwynedd, Wales, was voted the worst seaside destination, scoring just 42%, while Mablethorpe in Lincolnshire was second-worst, scoring 46%.

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Bangor, which is only 30 minutes drive from Portmeirion, scored one star for its seafront and pier, as well as for its food, drink, and scenery.

Respondents noted that while Bangor had suffered from some shop closures in the town centre, it nonetheless had some really good restaurants, amenities and a “wonderful pier”. Some respondents noted that Mablethorpe felt rundown in places, but others praised its “lovely, enormous, clean beach”.

Rory Boland, the editor of Which? Travel, said: “While you may have your own favourite coastal spot, this year’s survey shows that it’s worth looking beyond the most famous resorts this summer, to the lesser-visited hidden gems in every corner of the UK.”

Boland, who is a graduate of Bangor University, defended the Welsh town saying that while it had hit hard times, it still had a number of great attractions.

He said: “Part of the problem too is that many of its best attractions, set back from the main town, are little known. The 1,500ft, grade II Garth Pier is a Victorian triumph and remains much the same as when Lord Penrhyn opened it in 1896.”

• This article was amended on 19 July 2024. An earlier version said that Bamburgh had been given five stars for its pier when in fact it does not have a pier.