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The best seaside resorts in Britain have been revealed in a new survey, according to the British public.

Surprisingly, the number one spot goes to Bamburgh in Northumberland.

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The 400-strong village was given five stars for the scenery, beach and peacefulness, getting 89 per cent overall.

It was closely followed by Portmeirion in Gwynedd (88 per cent) and St Mawes in Cornwall (83 per cent).

Not faring well was Bognor Regis in West Sussex and Clacton-on-Sea in Essex with just 47 per cent in customer satisfaction.

We reveal the top ten British resorts to visit this summer, as voted for in the Which? survey.

1. Bamburgh, Northumberland

Banburgh was voted the best seaside resort in the UK
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Banburgh was voted the best seaside resort in the UKCredit: Alamy
Just 400 people live in the tiny village
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Just 400 people live in the tiny villageCredit: Alamy

The tiny village of Bamburgh has just over 400 people living there, making it a rather peaceful location.

Awarded a Blue Flag in 2005, it is also known for Bamburgh Castle, once linked to Sir Lancelot in the Arthurian Legend.

2. Portmeirion, Gwynedd

The Welsh town was designed in the image of an Italian village
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The Welsh town was designed in the image of an Italian villageCredit: Alamy
The soft sand beach is tucked into the cliffs
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The soft sand beach is tucked into the cliffsCredit: Alamy

The tourist village of Portmeirion in North Wales was designed in 1925 in the style of an Italian village.

The beach itself is soft sand and is nestled underneath the cliffs.

3. St Mawes, Cornwall

Many will know of St Mawes for being a filming location of Poldark
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Many will know of St Mawes for being a filming location of PoldarkCredit: Alamy
Cornwall is often seen as one of the best places for a beach holiday in the UK
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Cornwall is often seen as one of the best places for a beach holiday in the UKCredit: Alamy

The highest on the list for Cornwall, the small town opposite Falmouth is a great alternative to the busier St Ives.

It was also the filming location for the TV series Poldark.

=3. Dartmouth, Devon

Dartmouth was voted the best seaside resort in Devon according to Brits
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Dartmouth was voted the best seaside resort in Devon according to BritsCredit: Alamy
It is one of the most well-known beaches to make the list
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It is one of the most well-known beaches to make the listCredit: Alamy

The popular tourist town is on the River Dart, dating back to the 12th century.

It featured in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and is now one of the most popular destinations in the south-west.

=3. North Berwick, East Lothian

The tiny town was often visited by Treasure Island writer Robert Louis Stevenson as a child
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The tiny town was often visited by Treasure Island writer Robert Louis Stevenson as a childCredit: Alamy
The beach looks out onto the island of Fidra
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The beach looks out onto the island of FidraCredit: Alamy

Just 20 miles from Edinburgh in Scotland, North Berwick is know for it's golf courses on either end of the two bays - East and West.

While it is popular with holidaymakers, the most famous visitor was Robert Louis Stevenson who was said to have been inspired by the island of Fidra for Treasure Island.

6. St Andrews, Fife

St Andrews is best known for having the oldest university in Scotland, attended by Prince William
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St Andrews is best known for having the oldest university in Scotland, attended by Prince WilliamCredit: Alamy
It is also known as the home of golf
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It is also known as the home of golfCredit: Alamy

Also in Scotland is St Andrews, home to the University of St Andrews where Prince William and Kate Middleton famously met.

Golfers will also be able to enjoy a quick hit before heading to the long sandy beach with kayaking and land yachting popular with visitors.

=6. Beer, Devon

Despite it's name, Beer derives from the Old English for grove
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Despite it's name, Beer derives from the Old English for groveCredit: Getty - Contributor
The small parish is along the famous Jurassic Coast
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The small parish is along the famous Jurassic CoastCredit: Getty - Contributor

The small parish town is found on the Jurassic Coast, with a steep shingle beach underneath the white chalk cliffs.

Despite being named Beer, it isn't through to be named after the drink, but after the Old English word 'bearu' which means grove.

8. Aldeburgh, Suffolk

The beach in Aldeburgh is made of of shingle
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The beach in Aldeburgh is made of of shingleCredit: Alamy
The area has a musical history, once the home of composer Benjamin Britten
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The area has a musical history, once the home of composer Benjamin BrittenCredit: Getty - Contributor

Tourists flock to the famous Scallop steel art sculpture on the pebble beach in Aldeburgh, inscribed with the phrase "I hear those voices that will not be drowned" - written by composer Benjamin Britten who lived there.

Otherwise grabbing some fresh fish and chips from the local fisherman's huts is a must for tourists.

=8. Southwold, Suffolk

The long stretch of sand can be enjoyed from either the pier or the promenade
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The long stretch of sand can be enjoyed from either the pier or the promenadeCredit: Getty - Contributor
It is also home to a 100-foot lighthouse
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It is also home to a 100-foot lighthouseCredit: Getty - Contributor

The small seaside town has beach huts and a pier as well as the stunning 100-foot lighthouse.

Thanks to the low hills overlooking the beach, the best view can be found from any spot along the promenade.

=8. Tenby, Pembrokshire

The beach extends underneath the house-lined cliff
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The beach extends underneath the house-lined cliffCredit: Getty - Contributor
The tiny resort is one of the most visited in Pembrokeshire
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The tiny resort is one of the most visited in PembrokeshireCredit: Getty - Contributor

The beach is on the Pembrokshire Coast Path, with a number of routes to enjoy whatever skill level.

However, it was recently reported the sand was washing away from the beach, exposing dangerous power cables - although experts explained it was most likely seasonal as opposed to global warming, as feared.

The top ten British seaside resorts

1. Bamburgh, Northumberland

2. Portmeirion, Gwynedd

3. St Mawes, Cornwall

=Dartmouth, Devon

=North Berwick, East Lothian

6. St Andrews, Fife

=Beer, Devon

8. Aldeburgh, Suffolk

=Southwold, Suffolk

=Tenby, Pembrokshire

There are currently 71 Blue Flag beaches across the UK - only awarded to those which are clean and safe.

The South West of England has the highest number of Blue Flags, with 32 winners this year including Blackpool Sands, Poole and Broadsands.

Helen Skelton revealed her favourite beaches across Britain which make the Blue Flag cut.

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