The UK's coastal towns are currently having a renaissance with so many people deciding to choose to holiday in the UK rather than the challenge of going overseas during a pandemic.
And these newly UK-based holiday makers are discovering what many people already know; the country has some wonderful seaside towns to choose from for an amazing getaway, from a long weekend to weeks away at a seaside hotspot, using it as a base to explore the surrounding area.
Now Time Out have compiled a list of 17 seaside towns they consider to be 'the best and the coolest' in the UK for a getaway based on beautiful beaches, surrounding area, eating out experiences and the thriving culture that surround so many of these characterful coastal towns.
READ MORE: Wales currently ranks third in competition to find the UK’s Favourite Place
Of this hotly debated list of 17 seaside towns as holiday and short-break destinations, Nefyn in Gwynedd and Aberaeron in Ceredigion are the only Welsh places to make the list.
These two Welsh towns on the list are worthy additions but surely towns like Mumbles, Tenby, Abedyfi and Laugharne are strong contenders to push some of the English and Scottish places off the list? Or maybe we're just biased.
Aberaeron, Ceredigion
The pretty, pastel painted, period properties welcome you to the town located between Aberystwyth to the north and New Quay to the south.
Much of the town was designed and built in the 1800s and the result is a wealth of gorgeous, brightly painted, Regency buildings that give the town a grand and distinctive look and a harbour full of boats that is, along with its beaches, the central and main spot to linger.
The quaint coastal spot is the perfect base for exploring the stunning Ceredigion coastline, from sweeping sands to the quiet and remote coves that secretly pepper the coastline.
According to Time Out, this most picturesque of Welsh harbour towns is not only a fabulous place to explore the beautiful beaches and rolling countryside nearby, it's also one of the best places in Europe to go dolphin spotting.
Boat trips from nearby New Quay regularly head off into the sea to search for pods of bottlenose dolphins.
But the town itself is worthy of a large chunk of any visitor's time during a getaway to the Cardigan Bay coast.
Of course, there's a stroll around the streets gazing at the beautiful buildings, but the town has numerous independent arts and crafts shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants to compete for your time and holiday spending money.
Time Out says: "Aberaeron's harbourside is ringed with beautiful Georgian houses – like especially radiant gems on a fairly everyday necklace.
"The town is foodie central but perhaps best known for its honey ice cream, the most delicious of which you'll find at restaurant The Hive, but it's also a prime spot for seafood and afternoon tea and cake – making it the ideal pitstop on your way up the Wales Coast Path."
Beaches: The town has a variety of beaches and shores to explore within walking distance of the centre of town that are more suitable for ramblers, fishing, sea activities and bird watchers according to website The Beach Guide, although South Beach reveals a sandy shore at low tide.
But the closest beach with sweeping sands ideal for families and sand castles is probably Llangrannog Beach about 10 miles away.
Places to stay: A number of those gorgeous Georgian gems are properties in the town where you can stay, including the instantly recognisable blue Harbourmaster Hotel and red Castle Hotel.
There are many pretty and comfortable guest houses in and around the town, and glamping opportunities in the surrounding countryside, but you can also rent properties including the rather grand Victorian country home called Florin House, that can sleep up to 14 guests just outside the town.
Places to eat: The Cellar is a multi award-winning restaurant and considered by many to be one of the town's top-rated restaurants, featuring local seafood dishes as well as views over the harbour from its sun terrace.
But the town has ample variety to suit most tastes and pockets, from cafes boasting homemade cafes such as McCowans Vintage Cafe, to must-have ice cream and much more at The Hive, to classic food and seafood specialities at the Harbourmaster, The Stubborn Duckling and the New Celtic Restaurant.
Places to visit on your getaway: The National Trust owned Georgian manor house Llanerchaeron was transformed by celebrated architect John Nash, famed for his design for the façade of Buckingham Palace.
Thanks to Nash, the property went from a small farmhouse to an elegant period villa that stands today; and it's barely changed over the last 200 years since, and can boast total self-sufficiency.
The Moody Cow Farm Shop and Welsh Bistro is worth the short trip down the coast road, and you can stay in a caravan or gypsy caravan there too, owned and run by an inspirational couple with a compelling story, find out more about that here.
Further afield, but still under an hour in the car, is the spectacular 200 hectare Hafod Estate offering stunning picturesque walks amongst its beautiful grounds.
Still less than 60 minutes away is also the Silver Mountain Experience at Ponterwyd offering adventure underground and Vale of Rheidol Railway offering mesmerising scenery above ground.
Nefyn, Gwynedd
In the top left corner of the Welsh coast is a stunning peninsula within the county of Gwynedd that is designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Surrounded by the sparkling clear waters of the Irish Sea on one side and Cardigan Bay on the other, if a holiday abroad is based on quiet sandy beaches, luxury and intriguing places to visit then this area of Wales is a perfect UK equivalent, apart from maybe the weather.
There are remains of Iron Age Forts, magnificent castles and islands to discover, sweeping stretches of sandy beaches and plenty of cute coastal villages and historic sites to visit.
Nefyn and its immediate neighbour Morfa Nefyn is a popular and pretty coastal location for many holiday makers to use as a base to explore the peninsula, Snowdonia and the north Wales coast.
The local area has much to offer as well as the pretty beaches, including Llŷn Maritime Museum and Nefyn's headland golf course, and the lure of the coastal path as the best way to explore the surrounding coastline.
Time Out says : "Nefyn is a small town and community that stretches out to nearby Edern and Morfa Nefyn. The main draw here is the Morfa beach – a sandy stretch complete with pretty pub and whitewashed cottages.
"The town itself is a brilliant base for hikers with their sights set on nearby Snowdonia."
Beaches: Of course Nefyn has gorgeous beach options, from the Morfa Nefyn stretch of sandy shore from Nefyn headland around the bay to Porthdinllaen.
But the area has a range of beautiful beaches to explore, from family and dog-friendly spots to a surfer's paradise, and many of them are not as crowded as some of their counterparts further south in Pembrokeshire and on Gower Peninsula.
Llanbedrog beach is now owned by the National Trust and stretches for over a mile, Porth Neigwl beach is also known as Hell's Mouth and with quality waves is popular with surfers and water activity enthusiasts.
Abersoch Beach is known for its soft sand and colourful beach huts and is popular with families. Porth Oer beach is also known as Whistling Sands as bizarrely the sand actually whistles under your feet as you walk, so a good choice for the family to explore.
Places to stay: The local area has an array of cosy, comfortable and charming places to stay, including Ednyfed Apartment, Ty Isa cottage and Gwesty Nanhoron Arms Hotel, all in and around Nefyn.
Nearby there are a myriad of cottages to hire, glamping and camping opportunities, B&Bs such as Yr Hen Felin, The Old Mill and further afield the rural retreats of Tan-y-Chapel Hideaway near Ceidio and Llyn Shepherd's Hut near Penrhos.
For another unique bed for the night, Hotel Portmeirion is a Grade II listed former Victorian villa converted into a hotel in 1925 by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, the famous architect who created Portmeirion.
Places to eat: For food with sea views and just stumbling distance along the sand, try the Ty Coch Inn right next to the beach in the fishing village of Porthdinllaen, with sea views guaranteed.
In and around Nefyn there are a variety of eateries that offer a range of grub including Caffi Ni in Nefyn and a visit to and tour of the Nefyn based brewers Cwrw Llyn is worth considering if you love local craft beer.
Further afield in Portmeirion one of the most popular places to eat according to Trip Advisor ratings is Tremfan Hall Restaurant in Llanbedrog. The hotel offers an a la carte dining menu as well as a bistro menu 'to go'.
For a bite to eat at the beach The Little Tea Rooms at Mickey's Boat Yard is a popular choice, serving home baked cakes and meals on the patio overlooking Machroes Beach towards Abersoch.
Other TripAdvisor recommended places to eat include Buffers at Pwllheli Station and Castle Fish Chips in Criccieth.
Places to visit on your getaway: On the southern coast of the peninsula the magical ruin of Criccieth Castle stands proudly on top of a rocky headland overlooking the village and beach.
Wander further south down the coast and Harlech Castle is waiting to impress you. Designated a World Heritage Site, this castle has experienced many sieges and battles, and was once the centre of power of Owain Glyndwr, Prince of Wales.
There are many intriguing ancient sites to visit in the region but maybe one of the most popular is Tre'r Ceiri hill fort near Trefor on the northern coast.
The fort is said to be one of the best and most complete Iron Age hill forts in Britain, where the remains of gateways, ramparts and round houses can still be seen.
For an adrenaline rush try the Dragon Raiders Activity Park featuring a paintball park and segway adventures and the Bear Grylls Survival Academy.
A getaway to Nefyn would arguably not be complete without a visit to the incredible village of Portmeirion, the unique and pretty Italian-style village built on the Welsh coastline.
It might be like visiting a small seaside town in Italy but it's much better than that; it's in Wales.
The list of UK's 17 best and coolest seaside towns
Which Welsh seaside town would you add to the list and why? Let us know in the comments section below.
