Skip to content

'Gorgeous' resort named best UK seaside town on TimeOut list

Amelia Shone-AdamsBBC Wales
Charles Hawes/Getty Images This image shows Saundersfoot beach, the sand is beige and there's little boats docked. The sky is blue with some clouds and there's greenery in the distance. There's a stone wall separating the sandy beach from a collection of brightly coloured buildings. Charles Hawes/Getty Images
The seaside village is best known for fresh seafood, homemade Welsh cakes and postcard like views.

An "energetic" harbour village with one of Wales' best looking beaches has been voted the greatest UK seaside town to visit in 2026.

Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire has "one of the most gorgeous beaches of any British seaside resort", according to TimeOut.

It is praised for its fresh seafood, homemade Welsh cakes and postcard-like views.

Two other Welsh seaside destinations made the list of 16 - Cardigan in Ceredigion and Porthmadog in Gwynedd.

Oscar Hill/ Getty Images This image shows Saundersfoot beach, the sand is beige and the sky is blue. There's a stone wall separating the sandy beach from a collection of brightly coloured buildings. Oscar Hill/ Getty Images
The beach was awarded blue flag designation in 2024, confirming top tier safety, sustainability, visitor amenities and quality

Fifth place on the list went to Cardigan, described as a historic hub with a brilliant cultural and culinary scene.

Sat on the estuary of the River Teifi and home to the Cardigan Castle, it hosts a range of independent venues from an art centre to bakeries and pubs.

Porthmadog in Gwynedd came in at 13th place, just below Blackpool, and has been described as having "rugged drama" and an "alternative spirit".

Close to the Italianate village of Portmeirion, with Eryri National Park as a backdrop, Porthmadog also has Morfa Bychan or Black Rock Sands nearby.

This is one of the most distinctive beaches, where visitors can legally park their cars on the beach, although they are warned to watch the tide times.

TimeOut said: "We've tried to cover as much of the UK coastline as we could and Wales, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland are all accounted for."

Reuters Competitors take part in the 2022 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals, off the coast of Saundersfoot, Britain, October 16, 2022Reuters
World Rowing Beach finals being held off Saundersfoot in 2022

This is by no means the first recognition for Saundersfoot. In 2018, The Times crowned it as one of the best places to live in the UK.

As well as fantastic places to eat and drink, the town - really a large village, with a population of about 2,500 - hosts a range of wellness activities, such as outdoor saunas and spas.

The village and surrounding area has become a popular spot for its mix of short stay apartments and hotels.

Saundersfoot also featured among Wales' blue flag beaches, in the last Wales Coast Awards, and was called "much more compact than Tenby" with "a charm and character of its own" and being "ideal for swimming".

The beach is also known for its annual new year's day swim, attracting hundreds to take a dip for charity.

More top stories