![\"Southwold](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-1301876176.jpg\")
\n\t\tLooking for your next UK beach break? (Picture: Getty Images\/Collection Mix: Sub)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tLooking for your next UK beach break? (Picture: Getty Images\/Collection Mix: Sub)<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re dreaming of a seaside escape over the upcoming Bank Holiday<\/a>, Southwold \u2014 home to the UK\u2019s best hidden gem beach to visit<\/a> this spring \u2014 could be the place for you.<\/p>\n The upmarket Suffolk town, often dubbed\u00a0\u2018Chelsea-on-Sea\u2019, has taken top spot in new research by GO Outdoors<\/a> ranking under-the-radar coastal destinations for a pre-summer break.<\/p>\n From a list of 50 British beaches with less than 500 Google reviews, the company analysed average spring temperatures, rainfall, sunshine hours<\/a> and visitor scores. <\/p>\n Southwold Beach came out first with an\u00a0overall score of 8.68 out of 10, beating stiff competition from beauty spots from Islay to the Isles of Scilly.<\/p>\n \t\t With the\u00a0highest average spring sunshine of\u00a0anywhere in the top 10, at\u00a08 hours per day, alongside average temperatures of\u00a08.9\u00b0C\u00a0and a\u00a04.7-star Google rating, it won out over Druridge Bay in Northumberland and Pentle Bay on Tresco, which shared second.<\/p>\n The Camping and Caravanning Club, previously awarded Southwold the title of the country\u2019s best seaside town, commenting that it\u2019s a \u2018great destination year-round, whether you plan to visit during the summer<\/a> for an ice cream or in the winter for blustery walks and cosy pub lunches.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tThe UK’s best ‘hidden gem’ beaches to visit this spring\t\t\t<\/p>\n Southwold Beach, Suffolk 8.68 out of 10 Druridge Bay Beach, Northumberland 8.53 out of 10 Pentle Bay, Tresco 8.53 out of 10 Thornwick Bay, Flamborough Head 8.48 out of 10 Studland Bay, Dorset 7.82 out of 10 Embleton Bay, Northumberland 7.77 out of 10 Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland 7.56 out of 10 Traeth Aberdaron, Ll\u0177n Peninsula 7.00 out of 10 Machir Bay, Islay 6.90 out of 10 Runswick Bay, North Yorkshire 6.59 out of 10 \t\t\t\tWIN a relaxing countryside getaway for two\t\t\t<\/p>\n Need a bit of R&R? We’re giving you the chance to win a restorative break for two at Albion\u00a0Aberteifi<\/a>, a top-rated hotel in the beautiful coastal town of Cardigan, Wales.<\/p>\n The two-night stay includes Scandi-style breakfast, cocktails for two at the hotel bar, and a Nature Spa experience at\u00a0nearby wellness retreat Fforest\u00a0Farm, for two hours of basking in cedar saunas and wood-fired hot tubs. Blissful.<\/p>\n \t\t For your chance to win this gorgeous spring getaway, enter your details into the form before midnight on Sunday, April 19<\/a>. And don’t forget to sign up to The Getaway Expert<\/a>, our seven-day guide to becoming a more confident traveller.<\/p>\n \nClick here to enter <\/a>\n<\/p>\n Full T&Cs apply, see here<\/a>.<\/p>\n And Tripadvisor reviewers agree, including June A who described Southwold\u2019s Denes Beach as \u2018iconic\u2019, adding, \u2018Lined with those wonderful and colourful huts with lots of cafes and ice cream shops too \u2013 and dog friendly. Great for a warm day.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Such a find,\u2019 wrote Margaret J, who visited in June, while GoingGuide said Southwold was a \u2018perfectly unspoilt<\/a> coastal town.\u2019<\/p>\n If that wasn\u2019t enough to sway you, research by Capital on Tap also said it had the best value fish and chips in the country, with an average chippy tea costing \u00a38.35; \u00a36 cheaper than in Robin Hood\u2019s Bay, North Yorkshire, where it was most expensive.<\/p>\n Thinking of heading there for a budget-friendly seaside stay? Here\u2019s everything you need to know. <\/p>\n Things to do in Southwold<\/p>\n The main attraction in Southwold is its expansive beaches, Denes Beach and Southwold Pier. <\/p>\n Courtney Pochin, Metro senior lifestyle reporter, has spent many happy times in the town, saying the former provides a wild feel, with dunes, marshland and plenty of space to walk the dog, while the latter is \u2018a lovely sandy spot with colourful beach huts, a promenade, lifeguards, and a pier,making it the ideal spot for swimming, sunbathing or building sandcastles.\u2019<\/p>\n On the pier<\/a>, which stretches out 190 metres into the sea, you can enjoy a range of shops, eating places and classic amusements \u2014 including some unique attractions designed by engineer and cartoonist Tim Hunkin.<\/p>\n \t\t Once you\u2019re done with sunbathing and watersports, you can take a tour of the Grade II listed lighthouse \u2014 still in operation \u2014 or have a wander around the quaint shops and eateries.<\/p>\n \u2018My favourite spots are Two Magpies for brunch or a sweet treat (their brownies have won all kinds of awards), and Lisa Angel, an adorable gift shop that\u2019s become a bit of an institution in the East of England,\u2019 says Courtney. \u2018Here you\u2019ll find the perfect Southwold-themed souvenir, as well as jewellery, homeware, and dried flowers.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t Little ones will also love the Southwold Maize Maze, which has plenty to keep them busy, from tractor rides to sandpits and a zip wire.<\/p>\n And for the grown-ups, Southwold is home to the\u00a0Adnams Brewery, winner of The Good Pub Guide 2011\u2019s \u2018Brewery of the Year\u2019. Here you can take a tour, visit the distillery, or get your hands on some of your favourite tipples right where they\u2019re made.<\/p>\n Getting there<\/p>\n To get to Southwold from London<\/a>, you have a couple of options. <\/p>\n If you\u2019re travelling by train, the nearest stations are Halesworth or Dalesham, both of which are about 10 miles away. Regular services run from Liverpool<\/a> Street on the East Suffolk line, changing at Ipswich<\/a>, with the journey taking just under two hours and costing from \u00a311 each way.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re going by car, you\u2019re looking at a drive of around three hours from London, two hours from Cambridge<\/a>, or four hours from Birmingham<\/a>. <\/p>\n You should be able to find parking near the beach, but check with your hotel or B&B when you book to make sure.<\/p>\n Do you have a story to share?<\/p>\n Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"People](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-863528556.jpg\")
\n\t\tVisitors are fans of its quaint beach huts (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Average spring temperature: 8.9\u00b0C
Average monthly spring rainfall: 48mm
Average daily spring sunshine: 8.0 hours
Google review score: 4.7*<\/p>\n
Average spring temperature: 7.9\u00b0C
Average monthly spring rainfall: 57mm
Average daily spring sunshine: 7.3 hours
Google review score: 4.9*<\/p>\n
Average spring temperature: 10.3\u00b0C
Average monthly spring rainfall: 59mm
Average daily spring sunshine: 7.2 hours
Google review score: 4.8*<\/p>\n
Average spring temperature: 8.2\u00b0C
Average monthly spring rainfall: 52mm
Average daily spring sunshine: 7.7 hours
Google review score: 4.8*<\/p>\n
Average spring temperature: 9.8\u00b0C
Average monthly spring rainfall: 56mm
Average daily spring sunshine: 6.8 hours
Google review score: 4.8*<\/p>\n
Average spring temperature: 7.8\u00b0C
Average monthly spring rainfall: 56mm
Average daily spring sunshine: 6.9 hours
Google review score: 4.9*<\/p>\n
Average spring temperature: 7.7\u00b0C
Average monthly spring rainfall: 56mm
Average daily spring sunshine: 6.9 hours
Google review score: 4.9*<\/p>\n
Average spring temperature: 9.0\u00b0C
Average monthly spring rainfall: 82mm
Average daily spring sunshine: 7.5 hours
Google review score: 4.8*<\/p>\n
Average spring temperature: 8.3\u00b0C
Average monthly spring rainfall: 91mm
Average daily spring sunshine: 7.1 hours
Google review score: 4.9*<\/p>\n
Average spring temperature: 7.6\u00b0C
Average monthly spring rainfall: 60mm
Average daily spring sunshine: 7.4 hours
Google review score: 4.8*<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SEI_291821810-0619.jpg\")
\n\t\tWish you were here? Enter now below (Picture: Brook Aurora)<\/p>\n![\"Sunrise](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-610140196.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe pier is packed with attractions (Picture: Getty Images\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n![\"Southwold](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-1408746528.jpg\")
\n\t\tDon\u2019t forget to tour the working Lighthouse (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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