Saturday 21st March 2026 • Promotional Content Cruising the coast
The UK’s once-vaunted seaside towns have experienced a comeback. Here, we delve into three of the best sandy shores to explore as spring and summer approach. Words: Duncan Craig
BARMOUTH IN GWYNEDD ON THE NORTH WALES COAST/ALAMY THE ROOMS AT ANGELA’S LOOK OUT ACROSS MARGATE’S HARBOUR/ALAMY
Margate Overcoming the restrictions of seasonality is top of every coastal town’s wish list. Margate, on the eastern tip of Kent, is the exemplar of this. When the weather sends visitors scurrying inland from the 200-metre expanse of sand, there’s a near- endless array of distractions: artistic, retro, retail or just good old-fashioned seaside fun. Culture, embodied by the Turner Contemporary, helped the town turn the corner — but it’s the unshakeable sense of community that’s driving the resurgence. Why go? Dreamland, a century-old amusement park and outdoor events space resuscitated in 2015, continues to go from strength to strength. Where to eat: Look out for open days at T e Perfect Place to Grow, a training kitchen for unprivileged youngsters adjacent to Tracey Emin’s TKE Studios. Angela’s, in the atmospheric Old Town, is a tiny seafood restaurant and hotel with a big reputation among locals. Where to stay: No 42 by GuestHouse, opened in the summer of 2023, has an enviable location fronting the beach and opening on to the High Street to the rear. It attracts a well-heeled crowd, who come for the 21 stylish rooms and the brand’s signature Pearly Cow surf-and-turf restaurant.
T e Travel Guide
Penzance T e resurgence of Cornwall’s wild- west hub has been incremental, rather than sweeping, with dozens of projects, revivals and openings nudging the town in the right direction over the past decade. Festivals have provided a focus. T e Golowan — 10 days of parades, performances and art displays — and the revived winter Montol (‘solstice’ in Cornish) are stirring aff airs. T e food scene has never been stronger and there’s a ready supply of visitors via the Night Riviera sleeper train from London. Improved helicopter and ferry links to the Isles of Scilly also bring the perfect twin-centre holiday within reach. Why go? T e spruced-up Penlee House Gallery & Museum runs workshops, fi lm screenings and drop-in craft activities. Where to eat: Barbican Bistro is just an unloaded catch away from Penzance Harbour. Expect moreish tapas-style seafood dishes such as scallops with chorizo, and salt-and- pepper squid with harissa mayo. Where to stay: Artist Residence Penzance is the westernmost outpost of the chic-yet-homely bijou hotel group. It’s set within a former Georgian inn with open brick work, heavy wooden beams and sea views from the highest of its 22 rooms.
Barmouth In the sprint to the better-known treasures of North Wales, such as Eryri (Snowdonia) or the Lly
ˆn
Peninsula, it’s easy to miss little Barmouth, reclining on the edge of the Mawddach Estuary. ‘For mountain, sand and sea’ is how the coastal town markets itself, which says it all really. T e generous,
5
west-facing strand is a sunset hotspot, and the peaks provide an arresting backdrop landwards. T is is the sort of town that’s full of visitors-turned-residents and it’s that sense of pride and community that’s powering its revival. Why go? T e battle to maintain the 820-metre-long, Grade II listed Barmouth Viaduct is never more than temporarily won. Where to eat: Lobster Pot, on the Quay, is the place for dressed crab, seafood linguine and informality — and views of the hills across the estuary. Where to stay: T e town is full of striking properties made from the local grey dolerite and slate stone — and few are more robust or striking than Aber House, strategically placed equidistant between harbour, beach and shops.
T is article fi rst appeared in the Coastal Collection 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).
nationalgeographic.com/travel
ANGELA’S MARGATE/ALAMY
Fit to fl y
Whether you want to stay active while abroad or ease the stresses of travel, here’s all you need to keep in shape on your next trip. Words: National Geographic Traveller (UK) team
Salomon Sense Aero Tank
Lightweight, quick-drying and breathable — this tank top from running heavyweight Salomon ticks all the boxes for keeping fi t in hot weather. Glued seams reduce chafi ng and bulk, antimicrobial, odour- resistant fabric makes it long-lasting, and there are also refl ective details for visibility after dark. Available for both men and women. £37.
salomon.com
Sennheiser Momentum Sport
Resistant to shock, dust, sweat and water, these in-ear buds can handle any activity. T ey’re fully adjustable, with diff erent ear fi n and tip sizes for a secure fi t and have adaptive active noise cancelling. Best of all, they feature a heart rate and body temperature tracker, compatible with smart watches, apps and other fi tness equipment. £129.99.
sennheiser-hearing.com
Black + Blum Insulated
Bottle Bag For hiking, easy-access hydration is a must, and with this insulated bag, your water will always be to hand. Made from recycled plastic, it fi ts most bottles, cans and thermos fl asks, and has a drawstring closure and Velcro pocket for your phone or
keys. Pair with the 850ml Explorer Bottle, made with durable stainless steel and a plastic-free lid. £19.95.
black-blum.com
Alo Yoga Lightweight
Warrior Mat Camping, road trips, festivals: some trips will leave you in need of a good stretch. While not the most portable option on the market, this lightweight yoga mat is more spacious, cushioning and grippy than many alternatives — worth the investment for travellers who don’t want to compromise on comfort. It’s available in black or muted pink. £128.
aloyoga.com
Corength Fabric Glute
Resistance Bands It’s not practical to pack weights, but slip these compact and lightweight fabric resistance bands into your luggage and you still can level up your workouts. T e pack is made up of three bands, with varying levels of resistance, and comes with a QR code to download 15 exercises for warming up, toning and sculpting. £14.99.
decathlon.co.uk
Buff CoolNet Quarter Socks
New from neck and headwear specialist Buff , these socks will keep
you fresh whether you’re out and about exploring or working up a sweat in a hotel gym. T ey have fl at seams and cushioning for all-day comfort, plus mesh zones, moisture- wicking fi bres and cooling and odour-prevention technology for higher-intensity training. Available in two lengths. £16.95. buff .com
Aletha Health Orbit
When sitting for long journeys or lugging heavy suitcases around, tension can build fast. Try this four-inch massage ball, a compact tool designed to help release muscle tension in the hip fl exors and glutes. California-based Aletha Health creates science-backed tools to tackle tightness; Orbit is also available as part of a set with the Mark, a patented device to release deep hip fl exor tension. £21.
alethahealth.com
Finisterre Kaia 2mm Yulex
Long Sleeve Top Water temperatures can be one of the key obstacles for wild swimming, but with this long-sleeved swimsuit, you’ll be able to dive in with ease. Made with plant-based 2mm Yulex rubber, it’s similar to a wetsuit but without the bulk, off ering an extra layer of warmth while still allowing enough stretch and ergonomic panelling for freedom of movement. £120. fi
nisterre.com
T is article fi rst appeared in the October 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).
nationalgeographic.com/travel
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