Importance Score: 35 / 100 🔵
UK Coastal Towns: Margate Crowned Top Seaside Relocation Destination
Seeking a tranquil escape with invigorating sea air, scenic vistas, and enhanced well-being? Many Britons are increasingly drawn to the serene charm of UK coastal towns. But among these idyllic locations, which seaside town reigns supreme for a stress-free lifestyle?
A recent study by My Baggage delved into various factors including property values, incomes, weather patterns, internet access, and local facilities to pinpoint the most desirable coastal towns for relocation in the UK.
The research highlighted a diverse array of locations across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, with a standout winner emerging from the southeast coast.
Margate Takes Top Spot as Most Desirable Seaside Town
Margate has been officially named the UK’s most sought-after seaside town, achieving an impressive relocation score of 98.83. This popular holiday destination in Kent surpassed Whitby in Yorkshire, which secured second place with a score of 97.60.
Kent demonstrated its prominence as a premier coastal region with two of its towns featuring in the top three, including Whitstable.
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Key Factors in Margate’s Ranking
Margate’s leading position is attributed to its exceptional combination of 1,846 hours of sunshine annually, moderate rainfall at 612.64mm, and high-speed broadband, reaching 210.1 Mbps.
The average annual salary in Margate is £32,415, and the typical house price is just over £333,000.
Margate secured the top spot as the UK’s most desirable seaside town
Whitby, ranked second most desirable seaside town
Top 10 UK Coastal Relocation Destinations
Here’s a breakdown of the top ten UK coastal towns identified in the study, highlighting their scores and key features:
- Margate, Kent (Score: 98.83): Boasts excellent sunlight hours, moderate rainfall, and superior broadband speeds. Average house price: £333,000.
- Whitby, Yorkshire (Score: 97.60): Features a high average annual salary of £77,628 with average house prices over £306,000. Approximately 1492.78 sunlight hours per year and 793.1mm of rainfall.
- Whitstable, Kent (Score: 90.53)
- Llandudno, Conwy (Score: 88.1): Offers the highest median annual salary among the top towns at £85,050.
- Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway (Score: 84.53): Presents the most affordable housing with average prices at £142,305.
- Fishguard, Pembrokeshire (Score: 83.33): Features 1663.62 sunlight hours per year, average salary of £57,542, and average house price of £293,254.
- Brighton, East Sussex (Score: 83.3): Enjoys 1670.78 sunlight hours per year, but with a higher average house price of £474,403.
- Aldeburgh, Suffolk (Score: 82.13): One of the pricier locations with a high average house price of £737,916 and an average annual salary of £25,371.
- Penzance, Cornwall (Score: 82.13): Average home price of £313,911 and 1075.84mm of annual rainfall.
- Portrush, Co Antrim (Score: 79.78): Average home price of £245, 531.
Margate’s top ranking is thanks to its exceptional balance of key factors
Brighton, East Sussex, offers significant sunlight hours but higher property costs
Penzance, Cornwall, is ninth in the list of desirable coastal towns
Portrush, Co Antrim, rounds out the top ten coastal locations
Expert Insights on Coastal Relocation Trends
Paul Stewart, CEO of My Baggage, stated that “Margate convincingly leads as the UK’s premier coastal relocation destination for 2025.”
“Its first-place ranking in our Coastal Relocation Index showcases an optimal equilibrium of affordability, quality of life, and seaside appeal,” Stewart added.
He further noted, “With considerable annual sunlight hours, reasonable rainfall levels, superb broadband connectivity, and accessible property prices, Margate embodies the quintessential coastal lifestyle without the inflated expenses typically associated with comparable seaside locations.”
“The study underscores the diverse attractiveness of the UK’s coastline, with leading destinations stretching from Kent to Yorkshire, and Wales to Northern Ireland,” Stewart concluded.
“The notable presence of Kent, with two towns in the top three, is particularly significant, indicating the county’s increasing reputation as the UK’s foremost destination for coastal living.”