Scotland’s “best seaside town” has been crowned, featuring a “secluded beach” and an “impressive” castle. While there is still a month left of winter, Scots all over the country will already be looking ahead to warm summer days by the coast.
Even in the colder months, a trip to a small fishing town or village can lift your spirits amidst the chilly weather. Travel experts at Camping and Caravanning Club have revealed a list of “26 of the best seaside towns in the UK”.
Coming in at number 21 on the nationwide list, and the only Scottish destination to be included, is Maybole in Ayrshire. A small market town and former burgh, Maybole is situated around nine miles south of Ayr. It is approximately 10 minutes from the sea by car, or around 90 minutes on foot.
The experts praised Culzean Beach near Maybole, which they described as “pretty and secluded”. Located within Culzean Country Park, the beach features a mix of rocks and sand and offers views out across the Firth of Clyde to Arran and Ailsa Craig.
Overlooking the beach is the historic Culzean Castle, which is set within a 260-hectare estate and is open to the public. Camping and Caravanning Club called the castle “impressive”, and praised the “picturesque” views of the structure from Culzean Beach and the nearby Croy Shore Beach.
Meanwhile, Maybole is home to a variety of other fascinating and spectacular buildings. Among them is its 19th-century parish church, which was built with eye-catching orange stone and features a unique square spire, and the ruined Crossraguel Abbey.
The town is also home to a popular and scenic nine-hole golf course and a 25-metre swimming pool, as well as a number of independent shops and restaurants. Additionally, it is notable for being where Robert Burns’ parents met for the first time, with a white bust of the poet marking the occasion.
Camping and Caravanning Club wrote: “Situated in the southwest of Scotland, Maybole is a coastal town. While small, it is not short of exciting things to do.
“Head to Culzean Castle beach, a pretty and secluded beach nestled under the impressive Culzean Castle on the Ayrshire coastline. It is made up of both sand and rocks and offers spectacular views.
“Croy Shore Beach is another popular beach in Maybole, great for walks with picturesque views of Culzean Castle. There are plenty of other attractions to enjoy while here, including Crossraguel Abbey, Electric Brae Galley & Studio and Blairqhuan Castle.”
Elsewhere, Southwold in Suffolk topped the experts’ list as the best seaside town in the UK. St Ives in Cornwall follows in second, while Weymouth in Dorset, Scarborough in North Yorkshire, and Hastings in East Sussex round out the top five.
See below for the full list of the best seaside towns in the UK. More information can be found on the Camping and Caravanning Club website.
The best seaside towns in the UK
- Southwold, Suffolk
- St Ives, Cornwall
- Weymouth, Dorset
- Scarborough, North Yorkshire
- Hastings, East Sussex
- Cromer, Norfolk
- Lyme Regis, West Dorset
- St Davids, Pembrokeshire
- Bognor Regis, West Sussex
- Dartmouth, Devon
- Broadstairs, Kent
- Worthing, West Sussex
- Bamburgh, Northumberland
- Whitby, North Yorkshire
- Portmeirion, North Wales
- Plymouth, Devon
- Swanage, Dorset
- Ilfracombe, Devon
- Tenby, Pembrokshire
- Falmouth, Cornwall
- Maybole, Ayrshire
- Newquay, Cornwall
- Margate, Kent
- Torquay, Devon
- Bournemouth, Dorset
- Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
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