If you've ever dreamed of having the glistening ocean on your doorstep, you'll maybe have wondered which coastal town would work best for you. To help you choose, a recent study has determined 10 of the best coastal regions for those thinking about living beside the sea.
The research, conducted by mortgage experts at money.co.uk, took into consideration over 100 seaside towns and factors such as the average temperature and rainfall levels, beaches and restaurants, as well as the average house price and median average pay to establish its top 10.
First place goes to Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey in North Kent, England. It scored highly across the board but especially when it came to average wages, at £26,165 a year and its beaches, which scored 3.83 out of a possible five.
In second place we have the Isle of Wight resort of Shanklin. Benefiting from average temperatures of 11.6°C, it also has one of the highest beach review scores too, with four out of five.
Rounding out the top three we have a town located just down the coast from first-placed Sheerness, Minster. With a Blue Flag award-winning beach and an average temperature of 11.2°C, this coastal town sees only around 709 mm of rainfall a year, making it another great pick.
Take a look at the full list below...
The top 10 best coastal towns to relocate to in the UK
- Sheerness, Kent (with an average house price of £276,441)
- Shanklin, Isle of Wight (£299,639)
- Minster, Swale (£300,063)
- Dover (£274,982)
- Holyhead (£196,489)
- Sandown (£258,560)
- Swanage (£420,237)
- Whitley Bay (£264,573)
- Saltburn-by-the-Sea (£161,279)
- South Shields (£148,690)
In addition to the top 10, the study also revealed that the cheapest coastal town for housing in the UK is Peterlee in County Durham, with an average house price of under £100,000. When it comes to the coastal town with the best average wages, Seaford and Newhaven in Lewes takes that with a median annual wage of £27,142.
And for the most restaurants per person, Cornwall is the town to head to if you love to dine out and sample different cuisines.
20 stylish picnic accessories for outdoor dining
A traditional wicker picnic basket with classic striped lining. Inside you'll find a cooler bag, crockery, cups and cutlery for four, and a handy corkscrew. A quintessentially English accessory.
This robust bento box is stackable, leakproof and also comes with a sliding divider to create smaller compartments within, a built-in chopping board and a concealed fork - it's a picnic must-have.
This portable charcoal barbecue from Weber is the perfect solution for outdoor grilling at the beach, park, or on your patio. The finish on this product also prevents rusting, cracking and peeling, which means it can sit outside all year.
Check local council rules on whether portable barbecues are permitted on the beach or park you're planning to visit.
A retro outdoor essential for picnics and camping alike, these stylish enamel tumblers (set of four) can be used again and again, year after year.
No need for plastic cutlery, this bamboo picnic set is reusable and fully biodegradable. In the handy cotton pouch, you'll find a knife and fork, spoon, chopsticks, a bamboo straw and a cleaning brush.
For the stylish picnic host. This folding lunch bag is fully cooler-lined to keep food fresh – the perfect holdall for an intimate picnic for two.
Convenience is key for a fuss-free picnic. This set of four pretty melamine dinner plates not only looks great, but is lightweight, durable and (most importantly) reusable.
This wipe clean outdoor rug from Habitat withstands water and dirt, for a sturdier alternative to a picnic blanket.
YETI boasts a whole host of clever picnic accessories, but this double-walled vacuum insulted bowl ensures all your food stays at the right temperature.
Take a hopeful punt on hot weather and pack this Toast Khmer fan. Made by artisans in Cambodia using the leaf and trunk of the palm plant, its compact shape fits neatly in your bag or pocket.
These water-resistant cotton cushions are perfect for scattering over your picnic blanket as extra comfy seating.
These clever mesh food covers can fit the largest cakes, salads or other serving bowls to keep insects away from your food. And they fold flat to save on space in your picnic basket.
A smart herringbone picnic rug with waterproof backing and carry handle for comfort and ease on the go.
This stylish summer mattress is made from hand-woven stripe cotton with hand-knotted cotton tassels. For elevated lounging.
Pop this Le Creuset bottle sleeve in the freezer and whip out for a picnic day, it'll ensure all your bottles stay cool when out and about. What's more, it can cool your favourite bottle from room temperature in just 20 minutes.
Made from recycled stainless steel, this pretty thermal water bottle is great for keeping drinks hot or cold.
Just the ticket for transporting oats or muesli to your picnic. Kilner’s super smart Breakfast Jar Set comes complete with a stainless steel spoon stored in the silicone cuff around its top.
This eye-catching retro 20-litre coolbox keeps food and drink cold for up to 24 hours. It also comes with a handy adjustable leather strap for comfortable carrying to and from your desired picnic spot.
The perfect partner for seaside picnics. Compact yet durable, this stylish fold down beach cart has able storage space, specialised sand wheels and a mesh flooring to sift out unwanted sand.
Last but not least, we couldn't forget about our four-legged friends. This pet travel bag contains collapsible silicone bowls and placemats, space for water bottles, and lined carriers that can be used for food or treats.
Ellis Cochrane is a Freelance Contributor for House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, covering everything from expert tips and tricks, to gardening advice, product roundups and the newest properties to hit the market. Ellis has been writing about homes, interiors and gardens for four years now, and her work has also been published on Ideal Home, Prima and Elle Japan. Over the years, Ellis has also written at a number of publications such as Cosmopolitan, Tyla, Daily Express, Expert Reviews UK, Stylist and IndyBest, covering beauty and style, TV and films, books and celebrity news. Ellis studied at the University of Strathclyde, where she completed a Joint BA Hons Degree in English and Politics. Follow Ellis on Instagram at @ellistuesday.
