From a list of hundreds of contenders, the top 30 reveals a wonderful variety of seaside towns located all over the country, from Scotland to Cornwall. The number one spot is taken by Brighton, East Sussex – with nearly four times as many hashtags used than Bournemouth which came in at second place.
Premier Inn has analysed social media data to reveal the most ‘grammed coastal towns in the UK. By looking at the number of hashtags used for every coastal town since the beginning of the year, the hotel chain pinpointed the top 30 most picturesque coastal places according to the photo-sharing app of 2018.
Top 30 Picture-Perfect Coastal Towns In The UK*
Brighton, East Sussex – 250,035 posts
Bournemouth, Dorset – 62,960 posts
Newquay, Cornwall – 27,480 posts
Southsea, Hampshire – 26,420 posts
Blackpool, Lancashire – 26,250 posts
Eastbourne, East Sussex – 23,250 posts
Hastings, East Sussex – 22,130 posts
Margate, Kent – 21,540 posts
Falmouth, Cornwall – 18,950 posts
Poole, Dorset – 17,650 posts
Worthing, West Sussex – 17,220 posts
Torquay, Devon – 15,440 posts
Whitstable, Kent – 13,590 posts
Whitby, North Yorkshire – 13,430 posts
Weymouth, Dorset – 11,020 posts
Llandudno, North Wales – 10,580 posts
Folkestone, Kent – 10,110 posts
Tenby, South Wales – 9,310 posts
Weston-super-Mare, Somerset – 7,890 posts
Padstow Cornwall – 7,600 posts
Oban, Scotland – 7,480 posts
Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear – 7,410 posts
Aberystwyth, West Wales – 6,610 posts
Sandbanks, Dorset – 6,440 posts
Exmouth, Devon – 6,430 posts
Portrush, Northern Ireland – 5,940 posts
Dartmouth, Devon – 5,310 posts
Herne Bay, Kent – 4,790 posts
Seaford, East Sussex – 3,890 posts
Skegness, Lincolnshire – 3,170 posts
*Data from as of July 2018
About The Top 5 Picture-Perfect Coastal Towns
Brighton, East Sussex
With an eclectic mix of a classic seaside and a vibrant town, there are photo opportunities wherever you turn in Brighton. Filled with award-winning restaurants, historic landmarks and lively bars, it’s no surprise that Brighton has come out top of the list. After you’ve visited the pebble beach and Brighton’s two piers (the Palace and West Pier), take a stroll round the colourful North Laine for a mix of independent shops and cool cafes.
Bournemouth, Dorset
One of England’s most popular seaside resorts, Bournemouth is the perfect coastal town to visit in the summer months. The town itself is home to seven miles of sandy beaches that will rival any paradise beach abroad, and there is a wealth of activities along the coastline to enjoy. Seaside favourites like crazy golf, zip lines and arcades can all be found here.
Newquay, Cornwall
A surfer’s paradise, one of Newquay biggest draws is its impressive beaches which are regularly voted as some of the best in the country. When the weather is fine, there’s nothing better that grabbing a board and trying your hand at surfing. If you’ve never tried before, not to worry – there are a number of surf schools that can teach you the basics.
Southsea, Hampshire
A historic seaside town, visitors have been flocking to Southsea since the Victorian times. As well as a beautiful shoreline, the town of Southsea also boasts a wonderful mix of independent shops, cafes and restaurants. Albert Road is a great place to head to, it’s a lovely spot to pick up antiques or unique vintage finds.
Blackpool, Lancashire
You’ll never run out of things to do in Blackpool, the town is full of activities and attractions that make it the fifth most Instagrammed coastal town in the country. Along with the beach, Blackpool Tower and Blackpool Pleasure Beach are two of the most famous attractions that bring in thousands of tourists a year.