From windswept Scottish fishing villages to the golden beaches of Wales, the UK’s coastline is packed with character and hidden gems. Each seaside town has its own distinct charm and character, from the bright lights of Blackpool to the bohemian bustle of Brighton. For one expert, however, five stood out above the rest. Claire Allen spent an entire year walking the coastline of Great Britain, covering more than 4,000 miles on foot and raising thousands for charity along the way.
Her remarkable journey earned her the title of JustGiving’s Endurance Fundraiser of the Year 2024. She said: “When I set out from John O’Groats last summer, I thought I’d be home again after a week. I didn’t believe for a moment that I could spend a year walking all the way round Great Britain – let alone win an award for it! But with support and encouragement at every turn, I did it.
She added: “I’m so grateful to everyone who helped me get to the finish line and I’m so pleased to have reached my fundraising goal too. If the money we’ve raised can change just one person’s life, every rainy day, muddy hill and midge bite will have been worth it!”
Along her route, Ms Allen explored every type of seaside town imaginable and revealed the five that truly captured her heart.
1. Staithes, North Yorkshire
Located between dramatic cliffs on England’s northeast coast, Staithes looks like a postcard brought to life. Once a thriving fishing port, Staithes still carries a strong maritime soul. Its cobbled streets twist between colourful cottages, leading to a sheltered sandy beach where families and fossil hunters gather at low tide. The village also has a rich artistic heritage. The Staithes Group of painters were inspired by its coastal light more than a century ago, and the creative spirit remains strong today.
Ms Allen wrote in a piece for Country Living: “The view down to the village is almost enough to remember it by, but the narrow streets, pretty houses and a sheltered, sandy beach that’s as popular with fossil hunters as it is with families, put Staithes firmly at the top of the places-to-go-back-to list.”
2. Llansteffan, West Wales
While many head to nearby Laugharne for its Dylan Thomas connections, Ms Allen found herself enchanted by Llansteffan’s quiet beauty. Overlooking the River Tywi, this peaceful village is home to a magnificent 12th-century castle and one of the most scenic stretches of unspoiled sand in Wales.
Ms Allen described Llansteffan as the “quieter, less showy sibling” of nearby Laugharne and said it was an “unexpected pleasure.”
3. Crail, Fife
Few places capture the timeless charm of coastal Scotland quite like Crail, and it’s only a 90-minute drive from Edinburgh. Located in the East Neuk of Fife, the historic fishing village has a beautiful harbour filled with fishing boats, cobbled streets, art galleries and rows of historic cottages dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries.
4. Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex
Next, we have Burnham-on-Crouch, a lesser-known gem and yachting centre located in Essex, which used to be an oyster port. The maritime town hosts the annual Burnham Week, one of the longest-running regattas in the UK. It has an incredible four sailing and yacht clubs, along with plenty of independent cafes and restaurants to choose from.
Ms Allen wrote: “With its timbered pubs, sailing clubs and sea wall walks, Burnham has all the ingredients you’d hope for from a seaside town.”
She added that one of the highlights was the independent Rio cinema, where tickets only cost £5, and you can enjoy a delicious hot chocolate from the Peaberries cafe.
5. Kingsand, Cornwall
Rounding off Allen’s list is Kingsand, located on the Rame Peninsula, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Cornwall. With pastel-painted cottages, narrow winding lanes, and a sheltered bay, it feels worlds away from the busier Cornish hotspots. Once a smuggler’s haven, Kingsand today is a serene spot for slow mornings, coastal walks, and lazy afternoons by the sea, and has three beaches to choose from.