If the thought of long delays at the airport, lost luggage and forgotten passports fills you with dread as you plan the summer hols, there’s always another option: a staycation.
Sure, venturing somewhere closer to home might mean missing out on exotic beaches and tropical climes, but here at Time Out we’re all for celebrating all the wonders that good ol’ Blighty has to offer. Which is why our writers, editors and contributors have ventured to practically every corner of the country to bring you a guide to the greatest coastal towns in Britain for 2026.
The top spot of this year’s list goes to the Pembrokeshire village of Saundersfoot, an energetic Welsh spot packed with lively shops, caffs and pubs to explore. Other towns that feature highly in the list are St Leonards, Hastings and Folkestone.
But if you thought Saundersfoot taking the crown would be the end of the accolades for glorious Cymru, think again. Number five in Time Out’s guide to the best seaside towns to visit in 2026 is another coastal Welsh village: Cardigan in the county of Ceredigion.
Sat on the estuary of the River Teifi, the town centres around its eponymous castle, a Grade I-listed building which dates back to the late 11th-century. Said to have been home to the first ever Eisteddfod of Welsh literature and music 850 years ago, the site and its surroundings are steeped in heritage.
But Cardigan shouldn’t be written off as a dusty old town appealing exclusively to history buffs. Surrounding the medieval castle you’ll find an abundance of independent venues and foodie hot spots which make the Welsh town one of this year’s most happening coastal spots.
🏖️ The best seaside towns in the UK to visit in 2026.
If you’re on the hunt for a cultural day out, Mwldan is a vibrant multi-purpose arts centre and the only completely independent multiplex cinema in the whole of Wales. Cardigan is also home to Sculpture Heaven, where you can wander through whimsical gardens filled with fairies, mythical figures and wildlife sculptures created by resident artists Jon Barnes and Terry and Rose Barter. You’ll also find the National Wool Museum in Cardigan, housed in the former Cambrian Mills.
Foodies will have plenty to feast on in this Welsh seaside spot, too. Crwst – often dubbed one of Britain’s best bakeries – offers a stunning brunch selection, while Grain serves impeccable pizza and pints in a cool riverside courtyard. For evening entertainment, the Castle Inn runs comedy nights, live music and pub quizzes along with rotating food pop-ups and tap takeovers.
Cardigan doesn’t disappoint when it comes to nature, either. Drive just 10 minutes out of town to Mwnt Bay and you might spot bottlenose dolphins. Plus, the town is one of the rest stops on a new eight-day trek through the Teifi Valley which launched in April, so it’s worth packing your hiking boots if you’re heading this way.
Did you see that after 100 years, this beach is banning traditional donkey rides?
Plus: one of the UK’s most popular museums will soon reopen – and it’s now owned by the National Trust.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.
