The most beautiful seaside villages in the UK

Is there anything sweeter than strolling along the promenade of a British seaside town or village on a warm summer’s day, with the smell of fresh seafood in the air and the sound of waves lapping the shoreline?

With a coastline stretching for tens of thousands of kilometres, the UK has a catalogue of quintessential villages to choose from – including some delightfully quieter corners.

And with the British weather playing ball and flight chaos set to continue into the summer, Britain’s shores have never looked more appealing.

So pack your bucket and spade, slather your face with factor 50 and start plotting a trip to one of the UK’s prettiest coastal villages, chosen by our experts, below.  

UK’s most beautiful seaside villages

Polperro, Cornwall

Quite possibly one of the UK’s most idyllic coastal villages, Polperro in Cornwall is a picture-postcard treasure found between Fowey and Looe. While traffic has been a problem in the past, locals have fixed the issue by making all visitors use a park-and-ride. It also has a popular fishermen’s choir which can be found performing on selected evenings at Polperro Quay in the autumn.

Staithes, North Yorkshire

This tiny village in North Yorkshire is one the county’s greatest secrets. Once the home of Captain Cook, the small fishing village is packed with history. It’s also a great spot for foodies, and you can tuck into freshly caught fish at Cleveland Corner or take a boat trip to catch your own with local captain Sean (sea-angling-staithes.co.uk).

Hope Cove, Devon

Living up to its name, Hope Cove in Devon has everything you could wish for from a British coastal village. It is, in fact two villages, Outer Hope and Inner Hope, and sits on golden sandy beaches, amid thatched cottages and the lulling sound of the sea. It’s a great place for diving, with 30 shipwrecks in the surrounding area, and is renowned for its delicious crab and lobster – hauled in each day by local fishermen. The Hope Cove Weekend is an annual festival of live music, good food and family fun (over the August Bank Holiday this year).