Overview

• The Mirror’s 2025 list assessed seaside destinations using weather data, beach accolades, fish-and-chip reviews, pub density and antisocial behaviour records.
• Southend led the table with three Blue Flag beaches, around 28 summer days a year and low average summer rainfall of 1.4mm, plus a strong pub offering near the city centre.
• Birmingham Live’s breakdown shows the top six were exclusively in the south or Wales, with Broadstairs second and Porthcawl third, followed by a tie for fourth between Christchurch, Margate and Westgate-on-Sea.
• Eligibility was restricted to towns whose beaches earned a 2025 Blue Flag or Seaside Award, producing a shortlist of 114 locations before scoring.
• Regional coverage highlighted local standouts, with Bexhill-on-Sea named the top pick in Sussex from the same ranking.