9 of the UK's Best Seaside Towns and Staycation Spots

You don't need to fly abroad for a great break. From Devon to the Scottish islands, Britain's coast and countryside are lined with towns that combine beaches, history, wildlife and good food – and staycations have become more popular than ever, with millions of Britons taking holidays at home each year.

These nine destinations are consistently among the most popular with UK holidaymakers, according to travel booking data. This guide covers what makes each one special, what to do there, and practical tips for planning a UK seaside holiday.

1. Dawlish, Devon

A classic seaside town on the south Devon coast, with red-sandstone cliffs and a sea wall walk running beside one of Britain's most famous railway lines, where trains run right along the edge of the sea. In the town centre, black swans glide on the Dawlish Water brook through landscaped gardens. Next door, Dawlish Warren has a long sandy beach and a nature reserve on a sand spit, great for birdwatching. Exeter and the Jurassic Coast are close by.

Trains run right along the seawall, waves splash over the tracks and black swans glide on the brook in the town centre.

2. King's Lynn, Norfolk

A historic port with cobbled lanes, medieval merchants' houses and a riverside quay, once one of England's most important trading towns. It's a gateway to the north Norfolk coast, with its wide sandy beaches, salt marshes and nature reserves, and to the royal estate at Sandringham. Seal trips run from nearby Blakeney and Morston.

Historic merchants' houses and medieval guildhalls line the old quayside on the River Great Ouse.

3. Seahouses, Northumberland

The harbour village is the departure point for boat trips to the Farne Islands, where tens of thousands of seabirds – including puffins in early summer – nest, and grey seals breed in autumn. Bamburgh Castle, rising above one of England's finest beaches, is a short drive away, and the Northumberland Coast is one of the least crowded in England.

Boats leave the harbour for the Farne Islands, full of puffins and seals in spring and summer.

4. Aviemore, Scottish Highlands

Not seaside, but a top choice for nature lovers, Aviemore sits at the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Walk around Loch an Eilein and Loch Morlich, take the funicular up Cairn Gorm, see reindeer at the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, ride the Strathspey steam railway and look for red squirrels and ospreys. In winter it's a base for skiing.

The Cairngorms rise above the town, with forests, lochs and reindeer – and snow in winter.

5. Brodick, Isle of Arran

Arran is called "Scotland in miniature", with highland mountains in the north and gentler lowlands in the south. Brodick, where the ferry from Ardrossan arrives, has a castle with gardens, and Goatfell, the island's highest peak, rises behind it. Local cheeses, whisky and beer are made on the island.

Goatfell's peak rises above the bay, and Brodick Castle and its gardens look out over the sea.

6. Hayle, Cornwall

Three miles of golden sand stretch along St Ives Bay from Hayle, backed by grassy dunes known as the Towans – perfect for families and surfers. Hayle's estuary is a nature reserve for wading birds. St Ives, with its galleries and harbour, is a short hop away by train or along the coast path.

Three miles of golden sand and dunes, with surfers riding the waves.

7. Douglas, Isle of Man

The island's capital has a long Victorian promenade, horse trams in summer and easy access to heritage railways – including the Snaefell Mountain Railway and the Manx Electric Railway – and beautiful countryside. The island is famous for the TT motorcycle races and is a UNESCO Biosphere.

A Victorian promenade, horse-drawn trams and the island's coastline beyond.

8. Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire

A pretty harbour village with a sandy beach on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, one of Britain's most beautiful long-distance trails. Tenby, with its colourful harbour houses, medieval town walls and four beaches, is next door. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park has some of Britain's finest beaches and wildlife.

A sandy beach, a pretty harbour and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path on the doorstep.

9. Skipton, North Yorkshire

Known as the "Gateway to the Dales", the historic market town of Skipton has one of England's best-preserved medieval castles, canal boat trips on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and a busy market several days a week. The Yorkshire Dales National Park, with its limestone scenery and stone villages, is on the doorstep.

A medieval castle, a busy market and canal boats – the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales.

Tips for a UK staycation

• Book early for July and August, when prices and demand peak; June and September are often better value and less crowded.
• Travel by train: many coastal towns have stations, and railcards can cut fares significantly.
• Pack for all weather: layers and waterproofs, whatever the forecast.
• Check tide times before walking on beaches or exploring rock pools.
• Look beyond the obvious: quieter coasts such as Northumberland, Pembrokeshire and the Scottish islands often have the best beaches.

For more ideas, see our guides to Herm in the Channel Islands, the Kent coast and Britain's best small hotels and B&Bs.