Inside the UK’s ‘BEST’ seaside town – with picturesque beach, delicious restaurants and quirky shops

TAKE a look inside the UK's "best" seaside town which has a picturesque beach, delicious restaurants and quirky shops.

North Tyneside is home to "one of the best places on Earth", according to one local.

Whitley Bay is a small seaside town in Tyne and Wear which incorporates the village of Monkseaton.

Catherine Addison-Swan said the seaside town of Whitley Bay is a must visit and should be on the top of everyone's travel list.

She said the area has plenty of independent cafes and entertainment venues for such a small town.

She wrote in : "Whitley Bay beach has achieved Blue Flag status every year since 1994, officially establishing it as one of the finest beaches in the region if not the country.

"There’s nothing like a stroll along the beach with my dog - complete with a stop-off at the Rendezvous Cafe and Links Art Gallery, of course - to clear my head in the fresh sea air and remind me of just how lucky I am to live here."

The Rendezvous Café is also regularly used as a filming location for ITV's crime series Vera.

Catherine added: "It’s not just cafes where you can grab a bite to eat in Whitley Bay, of course - the town is full of restaurants that you won’t find anywhere else, yet another thing that adds to its unique charm. "

Whitley Bay came 48th on the Which? list of best UK seaside towns in 2021.

A short walk along the beachfront will also lead you to St Mary's lighthouse.

Built in 1938, what was once used to guide ships in, is now a visitor centre full of exhibits.

Catherine said the town also has an abundance of crafty shops.

Selling trinkets from local artists, she said the independent stores have single-handedly filled her home with art.

She added: "I'd personally like to thank all of these lovely places for essentially decorating my entire house with beautiful art prints, ceramics and homeware, and it's great to know that they're all by local artists."

When you’re this close to the North East’s fantastic coastline, it would be criminal not to enjoy some fish and chips. 

 Fisherman’s Bay at Whitley Bay was nominated in the top ten of the National Fish and Chip Awards for 2023 and has cod and chips for £6.80, battered sausage for £2.80 and kids’ meals for £5. 

How much are house prices in the area?

The average house price in Whitley Bay is cheaper than the national average.

Homes cost an average of £303,530 in the area.

Whereas the average UK property price stands at £362,452, according to Rightmove.

Terraced properties cost an average of £318,395 in Whitley Bay, while flats will set you back £150,855.

House prices surged nationally following the Covid crisis, with a lack of homes on the market and the stamp duty holiday fuelling demand further.

But price growth started to slow last year following mortgage rates hitting a 14-year high in September, though they have now fallen back slightly.

This was caused by political and economic turmoil following former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng's mini-Budget.

An increase in mortgage rates has meant people thinking about buying homes are holding off, which in turn sees house prices drop.