The best coastal cities & towns to move to in the UK

The UK coastline is a breathtaking tapestry of dramatic cliffs, golden sands and charming harbours, offering a diverse range of lifestyles to suit every taste. If you’re dreaming of a life by the sea, exchanging bustling cityscapes for the fresh sea air and the rhythmic sound of waves, you’re in the right place. Moving to one of the country’s coastal cities or towns isn’t just a change of address; it’s a lifestyle shift that promises a unique blend of tranquility and vibrancy. But with so many stunning options, how do you choose the right one for you?

This guide delves into some of the best coastal locations across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, highlighting what makes each place special and helping you envision your own seaside escape. Whether you’re seeking an affordable haven, a pretty setting, accessible amenities, a practical base for work and family, a lively social scene, a quiet retreat or an exclusive enclave, the UK coastline has something to offer. Let’s explore some of the most captivating coastal destinations awaiting your arrival.

England

England’s coastline is richly varied, from the rugged cliffs of Cornwall to the sandy stretches of Norfolk and the vibrant resorts of the south. For those seeking a coastal move, England presents a wealth of opportunities, blending historical charm with modern living.

Brighton & Hove

For a lively and accessible coastal city, Brighton & Hove on the south coast is hard to beat. This vibrant city offers a unique lifestyle that effortlessly blends seaside charm with cosmopolitan energy. Known for its iconic pier, bohemian spirit and thriving arts scene, Brighton provides a dynamic environment for those seeking excitement and culture by the sea.

Key features:
- Excellent transport links to London and Gatwick Airport, making it highly accessible.
- A diverse and vibrant lifestyle with a renowned cultural scene, nightlife and shopping.
- A mix of architectural styles, from Regency grandeur to modern developments.
- A bustling and lively atmosphere with festivals and events throughout the year.
- A good range of job opportunities, particularly in creative industries and tourism.

St Ives

If you desire a pretty and more exclusive coastal experience, St Ives in Cornwall is a jewel in the crown. This picturesque town, famed for its artistic heritage and stunning beaches, offers a more quiet and refined coastal lifestyle. With its Tate Gallery, charming harbour and breathtaking coastal walks, St Ives is perfect for those seeking beauty and tranquility.

Key features:
- Incredibly pretty with cobbled streets, art galleries and stunning coastal scenery.
- A more exclusive feel with a focus on arts, culture and high-quality dining.
- Relatively quiet and peaceful, particularly outside of peak tourist seasons.
- Known for its artistic community and the presence of the Tate St Ives.
- Offers access to beautiful beaches and coastal walks, perfect for an outdoorsy lifestyle.

Whitby

For a more affordable and practical option in England, consider the historic town of Whitby in North Yorkshire. This charming fishing port, steeped in maritime history and gothic lore, offers a pretty setting with a strong sense of community and a distinctly quiet charm, especially outside of the bustle of summer visitors. Whitby provides a practical base with essential amenities and a sense of history around every corner.

Key features:
- Significantly more affordable than many southern coastal towns.
- Very practical with a good range of local services and amenities.
- Pretty and historic with its abbey ruins, cobbled streets and fishing heritage.
- A strong sense of community and a more quiet pace of life.
- Access to the North York Moors National Park for further outdoor adventures.

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Wales

Wales boasts a dramatic and unspoilt coastline, offering a unique blend of rugged beauty and warm Welsh hospitality. From vibrant seaside towns to secluded coves, Wales provides diverse coastal living options that are often more affordable and accessible than their English counterparts.

Tenby

Tenby, in Pembrokeshire, is arguably one of the prettiest coastal towns in Wales and offers an appealing blend of pretty scenery and lively atmosphere. With its colourful harbour, sandy beaches and medieval walls, Tenby is a popular choice for families and those seeking a vibrant seaside lifestyle that’s also surprisingly affordable.

Key features:
- Extremely pretty with its colourful harbour, sandy beaches and historic walls.
- Relatively affordable compared to many UK coastal towns.
- Lively during peak season with a good range of shops, restaurants and activities.
- Accessible location within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
- Ideal for families with its safe beaches and family-friendly atmosphere.

Aberystwyth

For a practical and accessible coastal town with a strong sense of community, Aberystwyth in Mid Wales is an excellent option. Home to a prestigious university, Aberystwyth has a youthful energy and a vibrant arts & cultural scene alongside its pretty Victorian promenade and dramatic coastal backdrop. It offers a balance of lively student life and a more quiet town environment, depending on your preference.

Key features:
- Practical with a university town atmosphere, offering services and amenities.
- Despite being relatively remote geographically, it’s very accessible with good transport links and a walkable town centre.
- Affordable living costs compared to other coastal university towns in the UK.
- A noticeable student lifestyle presence alongside a strong local community.
- Offers a blend of lively student areas and quieter residential zones.

Scotland

Scotland’s coastline is renowned for its dramatic scenery, from rugged sea lochs to pristine beaches and charming fishing villages. For those drawn to breathtaking landscapes and a sense of wilderness, Scotland offers a unique and often more affordable coastal living experience.

St Andrews

St Andrews, in Fife, is a historic and exclusive coastal town famed worldwide as the home of golf and Scotland’s oldest university. This pretty town offers a sophisticated lifestyle with a blend of history, culture and outdoor pursuits. While it can be quiet at times, the university and golfing scene ensure a certain level of activity and prestige.

Key features:
- Perceived as more exclusive due to its golfing heritage and university reputation.
- Undeniably pretty with historic architecture and stunning coastal views.
- Offers a sophisticated and cultured lifestyle with a strong focus on golf and academia.
- Can be relatively quiet outside of university term time and major golfing events.
- Benefiting from a strong sense of history and tradition.

Oban

For a more affordable and practical coastal town in Scotland, consider Oban, the ‘Seafood Capital of Scotland’, on the west coast. Oban serves as a gateway to the islands and offers a bustling harbour town atmosphere with stunning views and a strong sense of community. It is both lively with tourist activity and surprisingly quiet in its residential areas, offering a balanced coastal lifestyle.

Key features:
- Relatively affordable compared to other Scottish coastal towns, particularly in the east.
- Very practical as a ferry port and a regional hub with good local services.
- Offers a lively harbour atmosphere, particularly during tourist season.
- Can also offer quiet residential areas away from the main tourist areas.
- Ideal for exploring the Scottish islands and the surrounding natural beauty.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s coastline is a hidden gem; offering dramatic landscapes, stunning beaches and a warm, welcoming culture. Often overlooked, coastal towns in Northern Ireland provide affordable living, pretty settings and increasingly accessible amenities, in locations that can be both surprisingly lively and wonderfully quiet.

Portrush

Portrush, on the Causeway Coast, is a lively and accessible seaside town, famous for its surfing beaches and vibrant atmosphere. A popular holiday destination, Portrush offers a fun and energetic coastal lifestyle that is relatively affordable and increasingly attracting new residents drawn to its natural beauty and growing amenities.

Key features:
- Generally affordable property prices compared to other UK coastal regions.
- Very accessible with good road links and nearby airports.
- Known for its lively atmosphere, especially during the summer months and surfing events.
- Offers a fun and active coastal lifestyle with beaches and outdoor activities.
- Increasingly developing its infrastructure and amenities making it more practical for residents.

Newcastle

Newcastle, County Down, nestled at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, is a pretty and more quiet coastal town offering stunning scenery and a relaxed pace of life. With its Victorian promenade, Royal County Down Golf Club and proximity to mountains and beaches, Newcastle provides a balanced and practical coastal lifestyle with a touch of understated elegance.

Key features:
- Pretty setting with mountain views and a Victorian promenade.
- Offers a more quiet and relaxed pace of life than more bustling resorts.
- Practical with a good range of local amenities and services.
- Provides access to both beaches and the Mourne Mountains for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Presents a balanced and comfortable coastal lifestyle in a beautiful setting.

In conclusion

Moving to a coastal city or town in the UK is a dream for many and, as you can see, the reality is wonderfully diverse. From the lively south coast of England to the quiet beauty of the Scottish Highlands, from the affordable charm of Welsh towns to the increasingly accessible and vibrant destinations in Northern Ireland, there’s a perfect coastal location waiting to be discovered.

Whether you prioritise a pretty setting, a practical location, an exclusive ambiance or an affordable lifestyle, exploring these coastal gems will undoubtedly inspire your next move towards the refreshing embrace of the UK coastline.

Take your time to research, visit these locations if possible and envision the coastal lifestyle that best suits you – your dream seaside home awaits!

Have you made the move to a seaside location? Where did you go and why?

Property Spotlight: Brighton

Justin & I met in Brighton back in the mid-1990s. When we got together, I owned a 2-bedroom, patio flat in Sussex Square in Kemptown. Justin owned a 1-bedroom, 3-storey town house in the North Laine area.

We sold our respective properties and jointly bought a 2-bedroom, mid-terrace house in the Hanover district of the city. We sold this house – after living in it for only about 18 months – and left Brighton relocating to the north of England in 2000.

Every so often, we look online to see what Brighton properties in those areas are worth nowadays. Below we’ve selected three similar properties to the ones we used to have. The increase in value over the almost quarter of a century has been astronomical!

£450,000 – Hanover Terrace, Hanover, Brighton

A two storey terraced house situated at the lower end of Hanover in Brighton
• Lounge
• Dining room
• Downstairs bathroom
• 2 first floor bedrooms
• Gas heating with combi boiler
• Some double glazing
• East-facing L-shaped patio
• Some updating needed

Currently used as an airbnb, creating excellent returns, often as much as £3500 a month, this would make an excellent investment or perfect first home.

£600,000 – Robert Street, North Laine, Brighton

• Three double bedrooms
• Lower ground floor with separate access
• Rear patio garden

OIRO £699,950 – Sussex Square, Kemp Town, Brighton

This is a delightful Grade I listed building in a stunning Georgian development surrounding the five and a half acre communal private garden, which has direct access to the Espanade and to Brighton Beach. This is a characterful 2 bedroom apartment with 10ft tall ceilings, with picture rails and cornice. The sitting room is 20ft x 15ft with two bay windows and an attractive fireplace. Further, the main bedroom is 20ft x 12ft with fine views. The second bedroom has a good 14ft length and to the east of the flat is a fitted kitchen and bathroom.

Designer Desire: Sean Sims

This week, we’re drawing your attention to the fantastic work of Teeside-born and Brighton-based Sean Sims. We first mentioned him in our Tuesday Huesday series way back in 2012 and he’s produced lots more great designs in the years since then.

His work ranges from children’s book illustrations, aircraft in-flight meal snack boxes, posters, greetings cards, gift wrap, magazine covers… even a jigsaw puzzle! Last autumn, he designed one of the 44 Snowdogs that were auctioned off on behalf of The Martlets Hospice.

His style is immediately recognisable – with hints of Alain Greé, Miroslav Sasek and Kenneth Townsend. No wonder we love his work!

You can get a range of his designs in his own webshop or on Not on the High Street.

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Image credits: Agency Rush | King & Mcgaw | Yellow House

Pick of the Pads: Less is More

Sometimes you look at the exterior of a house and just know you’re going to like the interior. It doesn’t work out 100% of the time, but this is one of those occasions that it does. Perhaps you could say that it even exceeds expectations, we love it so much.

The house belongs to Jo Weeks who owns interiors shop, Sixty Seven – and is featured in the May 2016 edition of Country Living magazine. I’m sure wouldn’t want to take all the credit as the house was bought and refurbished by Alex Legendre and Zoe Ellison who also own a homewares shop, I gigi. Jo had the wonderful luxury of moving in after all the hassle and dirty work was over – bliss!

The house is situated in the North Laine area of Brighton – a place we know well. We’ve spent many an hour wandering round the North Laine (or North Laines as most people call them now) – browsing the shops, eating lunch and drinking in the many watering holes. In fact, Justin used to own a house there too twenty years ago. We wonder which street this one’s on.

We know one thing for sure – we absolutely love what they’ve done with the place – as they say. A lesson in creating a modern home whilst retaining character and atmosphere in bucket-loads.

The colour palette is restful, but never dull. There are many layers of natural tone – and a pared back simplicity which allows spaces to breathe. In fact, there’s real discipline shown so as not to clutter or overcrowd. As the feature title says, “Where less is more”.

Many generations have called it home – and there’s a real sense of history and intimacy. Jo is now making it her own much loved family home.

Usually, when you read a house tour something irks you a bit – the odd piece of furniture placement, a certain colour, a decorative object. We’ve had a good look – no, there’s nothing.

Rooms appear light and airy. They’re filled with some lovely vintage furniture such as the kitchen seating, the writing desk and the very comfy looking leather club chair. Where a contemporary piece is needed, such as the cream wood burning stove, it’s the perfect choice. Decoration is simple with fresh flowers and the occasional painting (which, surprise, surprise – we love too!). We wonder who the artist is? It’s very much like the landscapes of an artist we know called Geoffrey Key. We had to sell our Geoff Key oil painting to pay for a major operation on our dog’s leg – are you listening Fudge? :-).

We know from experience that big gardens just don’t exist in the North Laine, but most houses have a small courtyard space. With a bit of creativity, these can be lovely little havens too. Here, the whitewashed space with with overhanging vine and tempting looking chairs offer the perfect spot for an evening G&T or glass of wine. When can we move in?!

H is for Home Harbinger

Tag: Brighton