Lyme Regis has been declared the tenth best seaside destination in the United Kingdom, according to consumer experts ‘Which?’.
The organisation conducted their yearly ‘Toast of the Coast’ survey in order to allow consumers looking for seaside getaways to make informed decisions.
More than 4,300 members were asked to rate destinations based on their beaches, seafronts, attractions, peace and quiet, scenery, and value for money, among other categories.
Lyme Regis made into the top 10 with a ‘destination score’ of 80% and received five stars for both the seafront/pier as well as scenery.
Having boomed in popularity over recent years, as part of a Jurassic Coast resurgence, the seaside resort lost a few marks for ‘value for money’ as well as peace and quiet. Which? have Lyme Regis in their top picks for idyllic coastline staycations or day breaks and say:
"It's impossible to resist the picturesque charms of Lyme Regis, etched in steep streets and bow-fronted by Georgian buildings. Over the centuries it has attracted artists, writers and filmmakers"
The consumer organisation say, despite international travel becoming easier over the summer, they suspect many British holidaymakers will be seeking seaside getaways closer to home.
Dorset has two more entries in the top fifty but both significantly further down than Lyme Regis. Swanage comes in at number 33 with the Purbeck coast destination scoring 74% with five stars for scenery; Weymouth is 40th in the list, scoring 72%, and received five stars for both beaches and seafront/pier but lost marks for the variety of tourist attractions and shopping destinations.
Topping the list for a third time is Bamburgh in Northumberland. Which? describe the destination is “British seaside at its low-key best: nothing to do here except walk, run, let the dog off the lead, or sit behind a windbreak with a Thermos and watch the waves roll in.”
The village of Bamburgh has a population of just over 400 but boasts a glorious stretch of golden sand that runs for three miles set along a backdrop of the mightily impressive Bamburgh castle.
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