The coastal destination is serene in the summer months (Image: Getty)
The UK’s best seaside town to visit isn’t located in England or Scotland, according to travel experts. Instead, it is a scenic, often-overlooked coastal spot in pretty Wales, and a perfect example of why this corner of the UK is worth visiting. The UK is home to a plethora of seaside villages, towns, and cities, many of which swell with staycationers and day-trippers over the summer months.
As schools break up for the summer holidays, many of these places will be exceptionally busy, even when it’s not the weekend. That means that many of us will be looking for somewhere a bit quieter, places that aren’t magnets like Brighton or Margate. With that in mind, the esteemed travel publication Time Out has released its list of the best seaside towns and villages to visit in the UK in 2026, with one tiny yet gorgeous spot on the Welsh coast coming out on top.
Saundersfoot is home to less than 3,000 people (Image: Getty)
Back in April of this year, as we approached the summer months, Time Out revealed its top pick for UK seaside towns and villages to be Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
This quaint harbour village is home to fewer than 3,000 people, but has plenty to offer both locals and visitors. It is often overshadowed by nearby Tenby, but Brits might find more charm and fewer crowds in Saundersfoot.
And although it is not jam-packed, its promenade and beach are still “abuzz” in the height of summer, according to Time Out. Its travel experts described the village as “an energetic village with one of Wales’ best-looking beaches”.
“Pick up traditional bakes from Mamgu’s Welshcakes, book a restorative session at Hwyl Outdoor Sauna, chomp on fresh seafood at Catch Beach Club and settle down for a bevvy and live music at the Royal Oak,” they recommend.
The village is surrounded by amazing coastal scenes (Image: Getty)
They also argued that Saundersfoot has one of the most gorgeous beaches of any British seaside resort, where you will find most people hanging out and enjoying a warm summer’s day.
However, there is also the quieter Coppet Hall Beach if visitors are looking for something a bit more chilled out. In terms of food, the experts recommend dining at Lan Y Mor restaurant, where visitors get amazing views over the village and the harbour.
The scenic Saundersfoot Harbour has been praised by those who have visited the village before. One TripAdvisor reviewer shared: “On the way from Swansea to Tenby, we made a short stopover at Saundersfoot Harbour. The small port is quite beautiful and worth seeing.”
Another said: “Saundersfoot Harbour is a beautiful, rugged focal point of this quaint and historic part of South Wales. It was off-season for our visit; however, one can imagine the beach full of holidaymakers as the sea rolls in.”
It is an ideal location for exploring the Pembrokeshire coast (Image: Getty)
Saundersfoot beat out some pretty stiff competition to be ranked at the top of Time Out’s List. In second place is Hastings and St Leonard’s in East Sussex, followed by Southsea in Hampshire in third place.
The best seaside towns and villages to visit in 2026, according to Time Out, are:
- Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, Wales
- Hastings and St Leonard’s, East Sussex
- Southsea, Hampshire
- Folkestone, Kent
- Cardigan, Ceredigion, Wales
- Alnmouth, Northumberland
- Portrush, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
- Cowes, Isle of Wight
- Oban, Highlands, Scotland
- Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
- Brighton, East Sussex
- Blackpool, Lancashire
- Porthmadog, Gwynedd, Wales
- Whistable, Kent
- Lymington, Hampshire
- Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
