A new list of the best seaside towns in Britain contains a number of destinations which are within easy reach of Bristol. The list judges the country’s coastal spots based on a number of factors, and then ranks them based on an overall score.
It has been put together from a survey of 4,300 holidaymakers by consumer organisation Which?. The criteria on which the list is judged includes quality of beaches, seafront, tourist attractions, food and drink, scenery, peace and quiet and value for money.
The ranking named two of the towns nearest to Bristol – Somerset’s Weston-super-Mare and Burnham-on-Sea – as among the country’s worst seaside locations. Burnham gets a score of 51 per cent, placing it fifth from bottom, while Weston fares only slightly better with a score of 58 per cent.
Read more: Weston-super-Mare and Burnham-on-Sea ranked among Britain’s worst beach resorts
However, there are a number of holiday spots near the top of the list which would be well worth a visit. Lyme Regis in Dorset gets a score of 80 per cent and is just a 90 minute drive from Bristol, according to Google.
Its seafront and scenery both get five-star ratings, and you can book a hotel there for an average of £132. Meanwhile, Sidmouth in Devon is only 100 minutes away in the car from Bristol, and gets a similarly high 77 per cent destination score.
Its shopping offering gets five stars, although its tourist attractions are only rated two stars, and a hotel will cost an average of £168. Another good option which is a relatively short distance away is Teignmouth, in Devon.
The town takes only 90 minutes to drive to, and gets a score of 70 per cent. Its seafront gets a four star rating, and a hotel will cost just £110 on average.
The list reports how UK seaside locations have seen “a surge in popularity” over the pandemic as many opted for a UK holiday. Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: “The British seaside hasn’t boomed like this since the 1960s.
“Holidaymakers had such a fantastic time in their caravans, tents and beach lodges over the past two years that a coastal break on home shores is on the cards for many, even with restrictions on overseas travel lifted. Prices for a UK stay have increased, but there’s no need to pay over the odds.
“For a holiday on a budget it’s best to aim for an off-season trip. Head to one of the many well priced resorts with your bucket and spade, an empty stomach for the candyfloss and a pile of 2p coins and go make your fortune on the slots.”
