The UK's best hidden coastal gems

From quaint harbour towns to secluded bays, these are the must-visit seaside spots to avoid the crowds

• The Welsh village of Trearddur is the UK’s best coastal hidden gem.
• Salcombe Regis and Goodrington in Devon are the second-best seaside escapes while Lydd-on-Sea, Kent and Mwnt in Ceredigion are third.
• Research analysed factors from Met Office data to local attractions and social media engagements.

With the weather warming up and millions of us enjoying UK staycations over the bank holidays and beyond, our new data unveils the UK’s hidden coastal gems to visit including the best coastal towns, villages and harbour towns and hamlets.

We conducted a new analysis that explores the lesser-known coastal villages, harbour towns and hamlets across the UK that boast idyllic scenery, quaint tourist attractions and wholesome activities to enjoy whether you’re on land or taking to the nearby coastlines.

Analysing online search volumes of over 250 coastal towns, cities, villages and resorts, the data was shortlisted to 15 locations with less than 5,000 monthly searches. Each location was then scored on its attractiveness to visitors from the number of local attractions, social media engagements, Blue Flag status and even the chance of sun and rain.

The UK’s top coastal hidden gems

 1. Trearddur in Anglesey, Wales

In first place is Trearddur in Anglesey, Wales. The seaside village south of Holyhead is home to Trearddur Bay beach, one of Anglesey’s most prestigious Blue Flag beaches. The bay is the perfect playground for water sports enthusiasts with kayak and paddleboard rental available. Boat enthusiasts can launch from the bay and explore the North and West coastlines of Anglesey and Holy Island as well as the The Skerries and South Stack.

 2. Goodrington and Salcombe Regis, Devon

In joint second are two picturesque locations in Devon; Salcombe Regis and Goodrington. The former has over 49 local attractions making it the top scorer for activities from the final 15. Located in the Sid Valley, the coastal village boasts a scenic remote cove to get right off the beaten track. Goodrington, situated on Devon’s English Riviera has a sheltered bay and offers a host of boat trips, water sports and family friendly activities. In fact, online searches for the Devon hotspot have increased by 19% year on year as tourist interest grows for the area.

3. Lydd-on-Sea in Kent and Mwnt in Ceredigion, Wales

Lydd-on-Sea in Kent and Mwnt in Ceredigion, both drew in third place for hidden coastal gems. Lydd-on-Sea boasts the highest monthly sunshine hours with 161 on average but has only 1,600 monthly searches for the location compared to its Welsh contender, Mwnt which has over 4,400 every month - making it a much more popular attraction for visitors from the outset. Mwnt offers a small cafe by its secluded, sandy beach perfect for spotting wildlife like dolphins and seals.

4. Crimdon, County Durham

In fourth place is County Durham’s Crimdon which has nearly 13,000 posts on Instagram showcasing its natural beauty. Once a popular holiday destination for local mining families, the village on the southern end of Durham’s heritage coast is also home to the Little Tern, one of Britain's rarest sea birds. The North East gem also has the lowest monthly rainfall of the rankings with Met Office data showing only 50mm a month on average.

Up and coming coastal escapes

We also revealed the locations where public interest is increasing year on year. Ynyslas in Ceredigion, Wales has seen the biggest surge with searches increasing by over 50% as visitors look up the estuary and picturesque sand dunes. Ellenabeich, Scotland also saw searches increase by 49% this year for the small village on the Isle of Seil - one of the true hidden gems of the Slate Islands.

The full list of coastal and seaside destinations 

Speaking on the research, Alan Thomas, CEO of Insure4Boats, commented: “With so many of us looking to escape the crowds and discover something new this summer, our research shines a light on the UK’s most overlooked coastal spots. Whether it’s a peaceful harbour town, a sun-soaked bay, or a wildlife-rich cove, these destinations offer a quieter, more authentic alternative to the usual seaside haunts.”