Best seaside town in Britain named — with cobbled streets and four beaches

With four different beaches all within short walking distance of its town centre, cobbled alleyways that could be in Italy or the south of France, and rows of pristine, colourful houses which are the envy of towns all over the UK, it’s no wonder this seaside town has been named the “best” in Britain. 

The delightful Welsh coastal town of Tenby has been crowned as the best seaside destination for holiday entertainment, scoring an impressive 7.71 out of 10.

The scenic harbour town is a favourite among tourists looking for a traditional British seaside getaway. It’s no wonder pubs  and restaurants sometimes have long queues outside of people waiting to get in. 

Those who know it well know Tenby has adapted to the modern requirements of a British seaside town, and is now the perfect mix of scenery, beaches, things to do and places to eat, having shed its past reputation as a destination for rowdy stag and hen do parties. 

As well as its 13th-century town walls, golden sandy beaches and clifftop views over the sea to the fascinating Caldey Island, Tenby offers a vibrant restaurant and pub scene, its own brewery, and the most gorgeous cobbled lanes where you can sip a drink or nibble on snacks. 

The town’s colourful houses, which overlook the beautiful harbour, are instantly recognisable. Steeped in history that goes back to the Norman Conquests, Tenby has been a beloved coastal resort since Victorian times, but today it’s as well-known for its narrow cobbled streets as it is for its quintessential British seaside charm.

Visitors keen on embracing the beach life will adore the three miles of beaches encircling the town. Castle Beach was crowned the best beach in the UK in 2019 and currently holds a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Google. Remarkably, like almost nowhere else in the UK, it is literally within a few steps of the town centre. 

Wondering why Tenby scored so highly? Here’s what else this delightful Welsh seaside town has to offer:

The town has plenty of gastropubs and boutique dining establishments. As you can expect from its coastal location, it’s pretty good for fresh seafood too.

With an overall score of 4.5 on TripAdvisor, The Billycan is an independent bar, restaurant and hotel situated in the heart of Tenby. Serving up a delicious range of pub classics and innovative bistro-style meals, the popular spot also does a mean Sunday roast. It’s great whether you’re visiting as a couple or as a family with children, whatever their age.  

Another must-visit for hungry visitors is the Tap and Tan. Another high-scoring establishment on TripAdvisor, this independent craft beer taproom and live fire cookery is famous for its meaty feasts and carefully curated menu made from locally sourced ingredients. As much thought seems to go into the beer menu as the food menu. 

Other great places to tuck into in Tenby include the gourmet burgers at Indie Burger, the hearty full English at Bramleys Tea Rooms or The Baytree Restaurant with its fresh seafood menu.

A break to the seaside wouldn’t be the same without a pint in the sun. Tenby has plenty of places to enjoy everything from a quiet drink to a lively night out with karaoke.

A jewel in the crown of the popular seaside town, Harbwr Tenby has a 4.5 overall score on TripAdvisor with visitors loving the friendly atmosphere. Patrons can freely walk into the on-site brewery and see the beers being made, or enjoy some first-class pub grub down by the water.

Other popular hostelries include the Three Mariners and The Hope & Anchor with its nautical-themed bar and garden and the Coach and Horses with its old-school tavern vibe.

There are lots of hotels and B&Bs dotted throughout the town, with rooms to suit visitors on every budget.

Visitors have rated the Broadmead Boutique B&B the best in town according to TripAdvisor, with an impressive score of 5 out of 5 overall. Guests love the ambience and vibe of the pretty period building and the leafy suburb location, just a 20-minute stroll to the historic walled town of Tenby.

For beach lovers on a budget, The Esplanade offers big bedrooms and a waterfront location, while the Myrtle House Hotel is a traditional B&B.

The Heywood Spa Hotel is perfect for visitors looking to be pampered during their stay and the Penally Abbey Hotel & Restaurant offers incredible views and complimentary tea and cake.

You can even stay in some of those world-famous clifftop homes, which are perfect for staying with groups of friends.

The beautiful seaside town offers not one, not two, but an impressive four separate beaches, all of which are accessible and open to the public. Having received two Blue Flag certificates, Tenby is not just lovely to look at, it’s also home to some of the cleanest beaches in the UK.

There’s North Beach, South Beach, and between the two you have the smaller Castle Beach and Harbour Beach, both contained by the harbour itself and the cliffs. Whichever one you decide to settle on, you won’t be disappointed. 

According to the Visit Pembrokeshire website, North Beach is “a superb, sheltered, sandy beach with the pinnacle of Goskar rock sticking out of the sand in the middle”. Offering one of the most photographed views in Wales with the harbour at the western end, this beach can get busy during the high season.

Dog restrictions apply to the beaches from May until September. Shops, cafes, toilets and boat trips are also available close by.

The smallest of the three beaches, Harbour Beach is located in the harbour itself. Overlooked by the town’s famous coloured cottages and the castle, it’s a popular spot for families with small children as the compact size makes it easier to keep an eye on little ones.

From Harbour Beach, visitors can book several boat trips and activities including day trips to Calday Island, a Tenby sea safari or a variety of watersports including kayaks and paddleboards.

Offering a mile-and-a-half of sandy beach and dunes, the South Beach has a traditional British seaside vibe. The beach stretches out for acres when the tide is out, but also offers plenty of room at high tide. The gently shelving sea makes it perfect for paddling.

And the interesting Castle Beach is a short walk down a man-made ramp to fluffy golden sane. with the impressive St Catherine’s Island and its fort rising out of the water at high tide. Visitors who have taked the boat to Caldey Island, where you’ll find a medieval church, beautifully-kept monastery and even a chocolate-making factory like no other, return to disembark at Castle beach, and there are cafes to get drinks and ice cream on the sand too.

Tenby is easy to reach using public transport, with Tenby Station serviced by the Pembroke Dock branch railway.

The research which placed Tenby top was carried by OLBG, which calculated the score based on the following criteria: number of pubs, restaurants, museums, parks, zoos and aquariums, water and amusement parks, arcades, beach review scores, hotel prices, Google searches, average temperature, average rainfall, and local train stations.

And visitors have shared their own glowing descriptions of Tenby too. One family who visited in April 2023 said called it a “beautiful town”, writing: ” It is a place of beauty, a working environment with walkways, restaurants, cobbled streets and archways, smells and sounds. I loved it. It is so interesting to wander around from the lifeboat to the shore to see its working heritage. To the more modern aspects of tourism and restaurants, people queuing for boat tours and sea food kiosks. The cobbled streets with arches of shops and curios. Well worth a visit.”

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