Coastal Cities, Towns, Villages A – Z

Bacton is a scattered village, which includes a small coastal area named Keswick, made up of a collection of houses, a couple of hotels, and a pub named the Poachers Pocket. A long sandy beach passes the village, which expands in width significantly during low tide. A small row of sand dunes is found to the north-west of the settlement. More info here.

The small village of Badachro sits at the head of a small inlet. It is located within an incredibly scenic landscape, with coastal woodland rolling down from the hills to the water’s edge, the towering peaks of the Highlands to the north, and a general sense of serenity. The village is quite popular with visitors, attracted to the area by its idyllic charm – the local landscape is great for coastal walks. The village itself consists of a few cottages and bungalows, with holiday rentals located in the area.

The small village of Badnaul is located on the southern side of Little Loch Broom, a separate inlet located to the south of a more well-known Loch Broom. Placed on the A832, it is a quiet village that provides a magnificent view of the Scottish Highlands, their craggy peaks towering above the loch. It is made up of a cluster of homes and cottages; the Northern Lights Camping and Caravanning Park is situated just outside from the village.

The small village of Balemartine is placed on the edge of the south-eastern part of Tiree. It is a small collection of cottages and farmhouses that lies within walking distance of Sorobaidh Bay, which is curved by an arch of smooth white-hued sand. Although cliffs are absent along this part of Tiree’s coast, the coastline is quite rugged, with outcrops of rock visible along the shore. Around 2 km (1.2 miles) to the south of Balemartine is the Skerryvore Lighthouse Museum, showcasing how Scotland’s tallest lighthouse – which is placed on a reef of rocks around 18 km (11 miles) to the south of Tiree – was built and is currently maintained. An old harbour is located next to the museum.

The island of Shapinsay’s only ferry link to the Orkney Mainland docks at the village of Balfour, located on the southern side of the isle. Here, a row of stone-built cottages flanks the main road through the village, looking out onto a large rocky bay. Balfour Castle – a grand stately home built in the 1780s – lies just to the west of the village. It currently operates as a hotel.

The village of Balintore merges with the smaller village of Shandwick to create a conjoined settlement. A pleasant sandy bay borders Shandwick, bordered by a small row of grass-covered dunes. Balintore is home to a stone-walled harbour, and a high street flanked by rows of terraced cottages. A bronze statue of a mermaid – named The Mermaid of the North – sits on top of a boulder, on the rocky shoreline that stretches between Balintore and nearby Hilton. This is a rather quiet place, surrounded by a great amount of beautiful countryside and coastal landscapes, which are both ideal for walks.

The village of Balivanich serves as the main centre of not only the island of Benbecula, but also of North and South Uist, and various other surrounding isles. Therefore, despite its small size, it is home to a few shops (including a small supermarket), a couple of takeaway food outlets, a small hospital and a post office. Benbecula Airport, which serves much of the southern Outer Hebrides, is placed next to the village. A lovely beach of white-coloured sand is located around 1.6km (1 mile) to the south of Balivanich; it is backed by sand dunes and flanked by a couple of rocky promontories, which adds to the scenic landscape.

Placed around 3 km (2 miles) to the south-east of North Ballachulish, the larger village simply named Ballachulish is placed on the southern side of Loch Leven. It is a quiet village that is surrounded by stunning mountains, the lower slopes of which are covered in wild forests. A restaurant and bar named The Laroch is located in the village, as well as a visitor centre. A small promontory named the Ballachulish Peninsula stretches out for a few hundred yards into the loch, offering some amazing photo opportunities. The Isles of Glencoe – a rather modern and pleasant-looking hotel – is placed next to the shore.

Ballantrae is a rather pleasant village, with a long beach that provides great views of the coastal hills to the south, and of Ailsa Craig, which can be seen to the north. A series of cottages looks out onto the sea, with a selection of small traditional hotels and bed-and-breakfasts located here. The Ballantrae Festival of Food & Drink takes place in the village every June, along with a farmers’ market every second Sunday of the month between April and October. The hills of Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway flank the southern and western sides of the village, and provide a great rural landscape for walking and hiking.

Balmacara is a small and scattered village; placed around 4 km (2.5 miles) to the east of the Kyle of Lochalsh, it is placed on the northern banks of a large coastal fjord named Loch Alsh. Much of the village is made up of small fishing cottages, sheltered by a large slope covered with lush coastal woodland. An arch of sand curves around a small rocky bay, adding to the lovely scenery of the area. Another part of the village lies a few hundred yards inland, and takes the form of a Highland crofting estate, where traditional cottages are located. A visitor centre is placed here, which includes information about the heritage of the village.

The large village of Balmedie has a rather suburban feel to it, with mainly relatively modern houses lining many of its streets and cul-de-sacs. The village is located close to a very scenic coastal landscape, which includes an extensive sandy beach, a large 23 km (14 mile) long sand dune system, and Balmedie Country Park, a lovely area of grassland and woodland. The area provides many great walking opportunities. More here.

The small village of Balmerino is famous for its 13th-Century Cistercian abbey – although it has been a ruin for the past 400 years or so, it attracts many visitors and tourists to the site. A few traditional houses make up the village, which overlooks the waters of the Tay Estuary. Its rural location means that Balmerino is an ideal starting point for walks through the surrounding landscape.

The traditional and picturesque village of Bamburgh sits in the shadow of Bamburgh Castle, an 11th Century fortress built on top of a rugged volcanic outcrop. It was restored and partly rebuilt during the late 19th Century, and is open to the public, who can walk around its giant walls and through the grand rooms of its interior. Bamburgh itself is also rather impressive, with its terraced stone-built cottages centred on a village green covered with trees. The Castle Inn pub is located in the village centre. A lovely beach of yellow sand, and a line of sand dunes, are situated just to the north-east of Bamburgh, on the other side of the castle. More info here.

Located on the north coast of Aberdeenshire, Banff sits on the western side of Banff Bay, facing the town of Macduff across the Deveron Estuary. The town centre is filled with many Georgian-era buildings, including large stone-built and nicely-painted townhouses, including Banff Castle, an old 18th-Century mansion house built on the side of a Medieval castle. Banff Castle is used today as a community arts centre, whereas Banff Museum – showcasing a collection of Banff silver – is also located in the town. A harbour sits on the northern edge of Banff, filled with small boats, whereas a quayside follows the coastline from the town and around a small headland to Boyndie Bay, located to the west of the town. Here, a row of quaint fishing cottages faces directly onto the rocky shoreline. More here.

Bangor is a small seaside and university town located on the coast of North Wales. It is surrounded by incredible scenery, with the giant peaks of Snowdonia to the south-east, and the rugged island of Anglesey to the west, separated from the mainland by the swirling currents of the Menai Strait. Bangor University is perched on top of a hill, overlooking the town – its grand Arts Building, opened in 1911, is a very prominent part of the town’s skyline. The town centre of Bangor is filled with a mixture of chain stores and independent shops, traditional pubs and eating venues. Bangor Promenade lies along the north-eastern side of the town, whereas Penrhyn Castle, a manor house built in the early 19th Century to resemble a Norman fortress, lies to the east of the town. However, a trip to Bangor is not complete without walking along its pier. Stretching out halfway across the Menai Strait, the pier provides spectacular views of the surrounding natural landscape, including the wooded slopes of Anglesey, the mountains of Snowdonia, and the cliffs and headlands of the North Wales coast to the east. More here.

The small village of Bantham can be found perched on the southern side of the River Avon, one of many rivers in the United Kingdom to carry that name. The village is famous for its sandy shore, aptly named Bantham Beach, which is located just to the west. Flanked by sand dunes, it is a lovely beach of golden sand, and is popular with swimmers and surfers. Bantham itself is made up of a few cottages, and a small hotel and pub named The Sloop Inn.

Much of the small village of Bardsea is a pleasant collection of cottages that line a narrow, twisting street. A cosy pub named The Ship Inn is located in the village. A sandy beach is placed to the south-east of Bardsea, providing great views across Morecambe Bay.

The small seaside town of Barmouth is situated along the coast of north-west Wales. Overshadowed by a large hillslope, the town attracts many visitors due to its impressive sandy beach and spectacular surrounding scenery. A parade of Victorian-era townhouses overlooks the beach and promenade, with many stone-clad buildings making up Barmouth. A small amusement arcade and funfair are lined along the seafront, with pubs, cafes and takeaway food shops dotted around the town. The view from the beach and promenade is spectacular – to the south, large hillslopes and cliffs stretch out into the distance. Barmouth is within the south-westerly tip of the Snowdonia National Park – this is no surprise, as the natural landscape of the area is incredible. The estuary of the River Mawddach borders the town, forming a large valley that is flanked by wooded hills and rocky peaks. A bridge carrying a railway and a footpath stretches across the estuary, providing great views of the surrounding area. More here.

The village of Barnston is located just a stone’s throw away from the North Sea. It is a rather small village, with many of its cottages and homes flanking Sands Lane, which runs through Barmston. It is a fairly popular destination for holidaymakers, with a large caravan parks between the village and the coast. Unfortunately, access to the beach is quite difficult due to a row of low cliffs. More here.

Barrow-in-Furness is a large town that is located near the far south-western tip of Cumbria. A town built on industry, it remains an industrial centre even to this day, with shipbuilding a large contributor to Barrow’s economy. Parts of the town are rather pretty, with a grand red sandstone-built town hall – its impressive clock tower forms part of Barrow’s skyline. Parades of beautiful Victorian-built shops and townhouses form much of the town centre, including around Ramsden Square.

Barrow is a bustling town, with a shopping area, and a collection of cafes, restaurants and pubs located in and around the town centre. The Dock Museum, which showcases exhibits relating to the town’s industrial heritage, is situated on North Road. Walney Channel, a large tidal water channel, separates the main part of the town from Walney Island, which faces onto the Irish Sea. The western part of Barrow spreads out onto the island, and is linked to the rest of the town via a bridge. On the other side of Barrow, just outside of the town, are the remains of a Medieval abbey – the site is open to the public.

Barry sits on the coast of South Wales, around 11 km south-west of Cardiff, the country’s capital. Barry is a rather vibrant town, with a small town centre, and a large tourist-focused peninsula named Barry Island, which faces onto the Bristol Channel. Barry Island is bordered by a large swathe of sand that is backed by a promenade. A number of ice cream parlours, cafes and takeaway food outlets are located on the seafront, as is a large funfair named Barry Island Pleasure Park. Barry’s town centre is rather Victorian in style, with a parade of townhouses and shops on Broad Street, the main road that runs through the town. To the east of the town centre is Barry Waterfront – a series of modern apartments that overlook a large harbour. The coast to the west of Barry is rather interesting, with a series of rugged cliffs bordering the shore. This area is great for walking, with patches of woodland and open grassland along the clifftops.

Barton-on-Sea is a pleasant suburban-style village located in the far south-western corner of Hampshire. It is perched on top of a row of cliffs, with a footpath leading down to the pebbly and sandy shore below. The seafront provides wide views across Christchurch Bay, with the Isle of Wight – and its iconic Needles rock stacks – visible to the east. The beach is also a great place for finding fossils. A café and a seafood restaurant are placed on top of the cliff, with a selection of takeaway food shops and a pub located inland. Barton on Sea separates the town of New Milton from the sea – this is also a pleasant place to visit, and is home to shops, cafes and a few places to buy food.

Placed on the southern bank of the Humber estuary, Barton-upon-Humber is a pleasant market town that includes a high street, and a network of streets flanked by terraced cottages. In the town centre, many of the buildings are Georgian in age, with traditional pubs and inns dating back to the 18^th century located here. Barton is surrounded by a slice of northern Lincolnshire’s beautiful countryside, with open fields to its east, south and west, and large patches of marshland to its north. Open as a country park, the marshland connects to the Humber estuary, a large water channel that divides Lincolnshire from Kingston-Upon-Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire. The bank of the estuary provides great open views across the channel, with the towering Humber Suspension Bridge located just to the west. A state-of-the-art visitor centre is located here, dedicated to the marshland and its rich wildlife. More here.

The village of Bayble is divided into two smaller villages, named ‘Upper’ and ‘Lower’ Bayble. It overlooks a rocky bay named Bàgh Phabail, and is surrounded by many acres of rolling moorland. Although this part of the Isle of Lewis is not very high in altitude, the coastal landscape close to the village is rather rocky, with headlands flanking both sides of the bay. A country lane connects Bayble to a small sandy beach, with a jetty making up the village’s harbour.

A collection of traditional stone-built cottages makes up the village of Baycliff, which is located a quick walk away from the coast of Morecambe Bay. It includes a village green, a farm shop and a pub named The Farmers Baycliff, along with The Fishermans Arms Hotel, which overlooks onto the bay. A footpath links Baycliff with the pebbly shore, which gives away to miles of sandflats during low tide.

As is common on the western side of North Uist, which is where Bayhead is located, the landscape surrounding the hamlet consists of flat, grassy plains that are regularly interspersed by tidal lagoons and inlets. Bayhead sits at the head of one of these inlets, named Ceann a’ Bhàigh, which regularly exposes large patches of sand during low tide. The hamlet is home to a shop and post office, as well as the Tractor Shed, a bunkhouse which also offers camping pods to stay in.

Situated on the north-eastern side of the island of Barra, the hamlet of Bayherivagh is made up of a few bungalows and cottages. It overlooks a slice of Barra’s rugged coast, with a small tidal inlet bordering the hamlet. A few places to stay, including the Heathbank Hotel, are scattered in and around Bayherivagh.

The small conjoined villages of Beadnell and Benthall sit on a low headland that makes up the northern edge of Beadnell Bay. A lovely beach made of cream-coloured sand curves around the bay and brushes up against the settlement. A small harbour also makes up part of the coast, backed by a series of stone-built lime kilns dating back to 1789. Although there are no cliffs bordering the shore here, the coastline is rather scenic. The eastern side of the villages overlooks a rugged selection of headlands and inlets flanked by wild rocks, many of which are exposed during low tide.

The picturesque village of Beaulieu is located in the New Forest, between the towns of Lymington and Hythe. Packed with history, and a selection of beautiful buildings, Beaulieu is definitely a place to explore when visiting the New Forest. Old and charming cottages line its streets, along with the lovely Montagu Arms hotel, and a traditional village pub named Monty’s Inn. Placed on the Beaulieu River, the village sits next to a lovely pond named Mill Dam, which is overlooked by Palace House, a stunning Victorian manor that is open to the public. The ruins of a 13^th century monastery are also located next to the village, along with a lovely Victorian flower garden. The famous National Motor Museum is also located at Beaulieu, and boasts a collection of over 280 vehicles, from the earliest motor cars through to the vehicles of the past few decades.

The small town of Beaumaris sits on the northern edge of the Menai Strait. Despite being a town, its small size makes it feel more like a large village, with a network of streets flanked by charming cottages and townhouses, and many quaint independent shops. A splendid seafront, also flanked by a terrace of townhouses, provides excellent views across the Menai Strait, with the peaks of Snowdonia visible in the distance. A pier extends its way into the strait, another viewing platform. The town is famous for Beaumaris Castle, a great fortress that was started by Edward I at the end of the 12^th Century – although its walls were completed, parts of the castle have never been finished, including its moat, which curves around half of the fortress. Beaumaris Castle is open to the public. Other places of interest include Beaumaris Gaol, a Victorian prison, and the large St Mary’s and St Nicholas’s Church.

A stone’s throw away from the banks of the River Mersey lies the town of Bebington, a charming suburban settlement. It is home to a small high street, a leafy stretch of parkland named Mayer Park, and a couple of restaurants and cafes. A 2015 study found that Bebington’s postcode area (CH63) is the most desirable in England for places of work, good schools and high employment. It is located next to Port Sunlight, a planned village and suburb that was built by the Lever Brothers, two industrialists, in the late 19^th century. It consists of beautiful Arts and Crafts-style cottages, which are flanked by lovely gardens and tree-lined streets. Bebington is close to the banks of the Mersey estuary, where a coastal path runs along the channel at Shorefields Cliffs and Port Sunlight River Park.

 

Bebington - Photo: GBC

The charming village of Beer is located on the western edge of Seaton Bay, in southeast Devon. It is placed at the head of a stony cove, where a pebble beach provides great views of the tall cliffs, which tower above both ends of the shore. Beer is placed within the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO-designated world heritage site, and is surrounded by dramatic scenery. A wide range of footpaths, including the South West Coast Path, link the village to the surrounding countryside, providing a wide range of great walking and hiking opportunities. Beer itself is comprised of many stone-built cottages and townhouses, along a cluster of quaint cafes, restaurants and a couple of pubs. An arts and pottery shop, and a heritage centre, are also situated in the village.

The small village of Beesands is located on the edge of Start Bay, a scenic inlet on the south coast of Devon. A pleasant beach of sand and shingle passes the village, with a row of gentle rolling hills located to its west, and a small lagoon named Widdicombe Ley to its north. This is a rather quiet part of South Devon, and is ideal for tranquil walks along the coast and through the countryside. Beesands is home to a cosy pub named The Cricket Inn, and a beach café, both of which can be found on the seafront.

Situated on the easternmost tip of the Isle of Wight, Bembridge is a charming village with a laidback atmosphere. A rather large village, it is home to a pleasant harbour, and is flanked by three beaches. Bembridge Harbour is located to the west of the village, and is frequented by sailboats, yachts and many houseboats. A sailing club, a café, and a nautical-themed pub and hotel named the Pilot Boat can be found within easy reach of the harbour. In fact, the village centre is placed not far from here, on top of a gentle hillslope. It includes an old church, a few shops, and another pub. The three beaches that surround the village are named Lane End, the Ledge and Bembridge Beach – each provides a great sliver of golden sand, and outcrops of rock that are exposed during low tide. At Lane End beach, a pier connects the seafront with a lifeboat station, a timber building that was constructed in 2010. A coastal footpath follows the coastline around the village, providing great views across the sea.

Bempton is a civil parish and village located in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England, near the North Yorkshire border. It sits along the North Sea coastline and is positioned in close proximity to Flamborough Head, roughly 4 miles (6.4 km) to the north of Bridlington. The village is situated on the B1229 road between Speeton and Flamborough and benefits from transport links via Bempton railway station. This station is serviced by the Yorkshire Coast Line, a railway line connecting Hull to Scarborough.

Benderloch is a small village that is located near the head of Ardmucknish Bay, in the shadow of Beinn Lora, a 308 metre (1,010 foot) high coastal hill that is covered in lush woodland. A sandy beach is situated next to the village, bordered by pockets of dunes. Therefore, a number of scenic walks are available through the forest to the summit of Beinn Lora, and along the coastline. Understandably, it is a popular destination for tourists, with a few caravan parks located in the vicinity. The village itself is home to a post office, a general store, a café and a petrol station.

Benllech is a large village on the north-eastern side of the island. It is known for its pleasant beach – a strip of sand that is flanked by coastal woodland on its south-eastern side, and by a coastal road on the other. The village is popular with holidaymakers during the summer months, with a great selection of guest houses and holiday lettings in and around Benllech, and a large caravan park next to the village. Several restaurants and takeaway food outlets are located in the centre of the village, and a pub named The Benllech.

The hamlet of Bernisdale is a long settlement, sandwiched in between large healthlands and the waters of Loch Snizort Beag. Being on a small hill, the hamlet provides impressive views of the mountains to the east, with The Storr being the most prominent.

The small village of Berriedale sits at the confluence of two rivers, which meet before reaching the sea a few hundred yards away. It is situated within a rather wild landscape, with two large and wooded river valleys, and a great section of rugged coastline just to its east. A collection of large cottages and a Post Office make up much of the village, with further buildings looking out onto the North Sea. The scenic A9 road passes through Berriedale, diving into the valley from the south, and then steeply climbing its northern side.

Located just to the south of Brean, the village of Berrow is a rather suburban-type settlement, with a collection of houses and bungalows that are located within easy reach of Bridgwater Bay. A golf course and a row of sand dunes separate the village from the shore, which is a lovely beach of golden sand. Like neighbouring Brean, the coast at Berrow provides great views across the Bristol Channel, with the Quantock Hills and the highlands of Exmoor visible in the distance to the west. Two rocky islands – Steep Holm and Flat Holm – can be seen in the Bristol Channel, to the north-west of Berrow.

Situated in the north-eastern corner of Northumberland, the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed is rich in history, and has a lovely traditional character to it. Its location close to the border between England and Scotland, and at the mouth of the River Tweed, means that Berwick was at the centre of conflict for centuries, switching many times between English and Scottish control from the 10^th century to the late 1600s.

The town centre is surrounded by a 16^th century wall, with a large stone arch welcoming visitors into central Berwick at almost every entrance. The wall is a popular tourist attraction, and includes ramparts such as Meg’s Mount and King’s Mount, and look-out points such as Coxon Tower, which overlooks the mouth of the River Tweed. The Berwick Barracks, a striking 18^th century building, is located within the town walls – once used by the military, it is open today as a museum.

A charming town, much of Berwick’s character is due to its centuries old buildings, many of which were constructed in the 17^th and 18^th centuries. Many townhouses, shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants are located in Berwick, flanking the numerous streets that wind their way through the town centre. A striking 18^th century guildhall is placed on Marygate, the town’s main high street. A range of hotels, bed-and-breakfasts and holiday rentals are available in Berwick.

The village of Bettyhill overlooks the impressive waters of Torrisdale Bay, which is surrounded by large coastal hills and a lovely sandy beach. Infact, the village is spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches – Farr Beach is located on the other side of Bettyhill. The local area provides great walking opportunities, with footpaths and country lanes in the area, allowing people to take in the area’s tranquil scenery. One of the lanes takes people down to Port Swingo, a secluded cove just to the north of the village. A few cottages, a general store, the large Bettyhill Hotel, a general store and a petrol station make up much of the village.

Bexhill-on-Sea is a seaside town located on the East Sussex coast in south-east England. Unlike Bournemouth and Brighton to the west, and Hastings to the east, Bexhill is a much more laid-back resort town. It is filled with many independent shops, cafes and numerous guest houses, all of which attract many visitors each year. Its 3-kilometre-long and mainly shingle beach is backed by a long row of apartments that face the English Channel. The 1930s-built De La Warr Pavilion is a great focal point along the town’s promenade – it is here that Bob Marley performed his first ever gig in the UK. The pavilion is located directly behind the King George V Colonnade, which provides a row of gift shops and a café. The town is also recognised as the birthplace of British Motor Racing, where the first race was held on the seafront in 1902.

The village of Bigbury-on-Sea is perched on the side of a coastal hillslope, a collection of houses that overlooks a fine beach of golden sand and a tidal island. A sandy cove is located just to the north of the village, flanked by cliffs and outcrops of rock, whereas a lovely stretch of sand is also placed to the south and east of Bigbury. Burgh Island, a rocky isle that is only reachable during low tide, is within a stone’s throw from the village, and is home to a pleasant hotel. The top of Burgh Island provides a spectacular 360-degree panorama of the surrounding coastal landscape.

Bigton is surrounded by Shetland’s wild scenery, with large moor-covered hills overlooking the village. It is made up of a collection of houses, as well as a community-run shop. A gentle slope runs down from the village to the rocky shore, where a bay separates the mainland from St Ninian’s Isle. This small island is connected to the mainland by the largest tombolo in the UK – a tombolo being a bar of sand or shingle that links an island with a much larger landmass. The runs of a chapel on the island have been found to contain Pictish objects, which were buried underneath part of it.

Located on the northeast corner of the Wirral peninsula, the large town of Birkenhead is placed on the side of the Mersey estuary, where it faces onto the large city of Liverpool on the other side. A town built on a great industrial heritage, it still clings onto parts of its industry, with an active dockland area that is used for shipbuilding, transporting cargo and manufacturing. However, a couple of museums are also located on the town’s waterfront, including a U-boat exhibition and a replica of an early Victorian submarine. The Medieval ruins of Birkenhead Priory is also placed next to the docklands, with an unusual juxtaposition between the 11^th century monastery and the large Cammell Laird shipbuilding site next door.

The town centre also contains a slice of history, with the beautiful Hamilton Square – a lovely park surrounded by Georgian townhouses – being a particular highlight. It is a bustling town, with a selection of shops, cafes and restaurants located in Birkenhead. The much larger Birkenhead Park is located to the west of the centre, and features a network of paths that wind their way past lakes and through patches of woodland.

Despite a short row of cottages and a National Trust visitor centre making up much of Birling Gap, the hamlet sees many visitors and holidaymakers each year. Its location between the iconic Seven Sisters cliffs to the west, and the Beach Head promontory to its east, mean that large numbers of people pass through the hamlet, either on walks along the coastline, or down the short staircase to the pebble beach below. Impressive views of the Seven Sisters, which stretch majestically into the distance to the west, are provided from Birling Gap.

Birsay is a small village located near the north-western tip of the Orkney Mainland. The ruins of the ‘Earl’s Palace’ – a ruined 16th Century castle – lies in the village, and is open to the public all year round. St. Magnus Church is also placed in the village, surrounded by a small churchyard. Birsay is placed at the head of a large bay, which is flanked by Marwick Head to the south, and by Brough Head, a rocky tidal island, to the north.

The neighbouring villages of Black Crofts and Achnacairn are placed on the northern banks of Loch Etive, merging to form a scattered settlement. The views from the settlement are rather scenic, with a nearside shoreline that is flanked by trees, the rolling hills on the other side of the loch, and the Falls of Lora – a turbulent water channel that connects Loch Etive with the open sea – to the west. Connel Bridge can be seen crossing the Falls of Lora – built in 1903, it originally acted as a railway bridge, but today carries the A828 road from one side to the other.

A collection of semi-detached suburban houses makes up much of Blackdog, a small village located around 8 km (5 miles) to the north of Central Aberdeen. A wide sandy beach lies just to the east of the village, bordered by a row of sand dunes and a swathe of grass-covered fields.

Blackhall Rocks is a small village located less than a mile from the coast, separated by grassy fields. It is mainly filled with semi-detached houses and bungalows, giving it a rather suburban feel. A row of cliffs borders the coast, with a small rocky headland located just to the east of the village. Access down to the shingle beach is rather easy, due to the presence of a well-maintained footpath.

The small village of Blackness is placed on the southern side of the Forth estuary, made up of a collection of cottages and townhouses. A charming nautical-themed pub and restaurant named The Lobster Pot is located in the centre of the village. Blackness Castle – a 15th-Century fortress – sits on a promontory to the east of the bay. It is shaped like a ship, with long and narrow walls that surround a fortress tower in the centre.

One of the UK’s most popular seaside towns, Blackpool is packed with a huge variety of attractions stretched out for several km along the north-west English coastline. The town gained popularity as a major holiday resort during the second half of the 19th Century – therefore, Blackpool has a distinctly Victorian-era feel to it. Many large guest houses, restaurants, cafes, bars and other venues make up much of the town centre. Major attractions within the town include numerous arcades, the large Pleasure Beach amusement park, Blackpool Zoo, three pleasure piers and the 158-metre-high Blackpool Tower. The town also includes the longest surviving tramway in Great Britain, and its annual Illuminations – an 8-kilometre-long light show along the promenade that typically runs from late August to early November each year. Blackpool is also bordered by a sandy beach that extends for more than 10km along its shoreline.

Blackwaterfoot is a small village located on the western side of Arran. With views across the sea to the distant Mull of Kintyre, the village offers some great coastal scenery. Sandy beaches stretch from the village to Drumadoon Point, a promontory located just under a mile to the west, upon which sits the largest Iron Age fort on the island. Blackwaterfoot itself is rather pleasant, with a number of cottages facing onto the sea, and the large Kinloch Hotel forming the centrepiece of the village.

Blakeney is a village of narrow streets and alleyways, twisting around flint-clad cottages, townhouses and independent shops, carrying a rather rustic charm. A small seafront overlooks a series of large marshlands crossed by the estuary of the River Glaven, which are used as a nature reserve. The Blakeney Hotel – an ornate flint-built hotel and restaurant – stands on the seafront. A boat trip from the village takes people around the marshes, which include a large seal colony managed by the National Trust.

The small village of Blue Anchor is placed on the coast of western Somerset, where it overlooks the vast open waters of the Bristol Channel. A beach mostly comprised of shingle borders the village, providing great views across to North Hill, which is located on the other side of Minehead. The West Somerset Railway, a heritage railway that uses both steam and diesel locomotives, has a station at Blue Anchor. The village is also known for its large holiday park, which is placed next to the beach.

Blyth is a coastal town situated in the southeast corner of Northumberland, where the River Blyth flows into the North Sea. Much of the town grew in the 18^th and 19^th centuries due to its booming industry, which has largely declined over the past few decades – however, its port still thrives to this day, and a number of warehouses are lined up along the side of the river. Blyth is a bustling town, with a range of shops, cafes, a few restaurants and a number of pubs to choose from – the town has regularly held a market since the 1700s, and today takes place on Market Square. Although an industrial quay flanks the town centre, its southern suburbs could not be more different – they are bordered by a lovely beach of golden sand, with a large patch of grass dividing the town from the North Sea. A bandstand and a café are located on the grass, along with a World War Two battery, which is open as a museum during the summer months.

On the southern side of the Firth of Forth estuary, around 7 km (4 miles) to the east of Grangemouth, lies the coastal town of Bo’ness. It has a small town centre filled with townhouses, and a collection of shops, cafes, an Indian restaurant and a pub, all of which is placed just a stone’s throw away from the edge of the firth. A large linear park separates the town from the shore, along with a couple of disused docks – a remnant of the town’s industrial past. A footpath follows the coast, providing a pleasant walking opportunity along the side of the estuary, and views across to Fife on the other side.

Bo’ness has a Roman connection, with the Antoine Wall – constructed during the 2^nd century AD – reaching the Forth just to the east of the town. Although its course is well-documented, hardly any visible traces exist in Bo'ness. However, the Kinneil Estate, located to the west of the town, includes the partly excavated remains of a Roman Fort, along with a museum and an 18^th century manor house. Other attractions in the town include the Museum of Scottish Railways and the Bo’ness Motor Museum.

Boddam lies around 4 km (2.5. miles) to the south of Peterhead. It is a pleasant seaside village, filled with traditional stone-built cottages that border a web of streets. Buchan Ness Lighthouse sits on a small headland, one of the most easterly parts of the Scottish Mainland, warning vessels of danger from the sharp rocks below. Like much of coastal Aberdeenshire, the coast is very rugged, with small rocky inlets divided by steep promontories. Although the cliffs around Boddam are not very high, their steepness makes climbing down to the shoreline rather dangerous outside of any proper footpaths. More here.

The hamlet of Boddin lies close to Boddin Point, a small rocky headland that forms the northern side of Lunan Bay. The remains of a large 18th-Century limekiln stand at its seaward end, albeit at serious threat from coastal erosion. Although parking is limited in the area, it is worth visiting due to the wild, rugged coastline – although the cliffs are relatively low, rather impressive rocky landscapes cling to the shoreline. These include Elephant Rock, a natural arch that resembles the animal it is named after.

Tucked away in a valley on the side of the River Fowey, the small village of Bodinnick stretches down to the water’s edge. It is located opposite the northern tip of Fowey, where a quay provides ferry services between the town and Bodinnick. It is a village of old cottages, many of which cling to the hillside, overlooking the waters of the river. The Old Ferry Inn, which has stood in the village for over 400 years, serves a range of local beers and tasty pub food.

Bognor Regis is a relatively quiet seaside town that is situated on the West Sussex coast, bordering the English Channel. Like many small English resort towns, it is filled with the usual shops and hotels that you would expect from a town of this size, including a small arcade, a high street, and several restaurants along the promenade. Despite being a pebble beach, golden sand flats and a series of rocks (named the ‘Bognor Rocks’) are exposed at low tide. The town also includes a pier, which is famously known for its annual ‘Birdman of Bognor’ content, where members of the public jump from the pier using home-made hang gliders and human-powered aircraft, and compete for distance travelled before hitting the sea. Hotham Park is located to the north-east of the town centre, and contains a miniature railway and a boating lake. In addition, a large Butlin’s holiday resort is situated along the coast, just to the east of Bognor.

The large village of Bolton-le-Sands is located in the north-west of Lancashire, 6.5 km (4 miles) to the north of the historical city of Lancaster. However, history can also be found at Bolton-le-Sands, with its Holy Trinity church that dates back to around 1500, and the village centre which is made up of old townhouses and cottages. The Lancaster Canal, built in the late 18^th Century, runs through the village – its towpath provides a quiet and relaxing walk down to Lancaster and beyond. A few places to stay can be found in the village, including the Royal Hotel, which is situated on the side of the A6 road. A couple of country lanes link Bolton-le-Sands with the edge of Morecambe Bay, which is located close to the village.

Located just to the east of Ventnor, Bonchurch is a pretty village on the south side of the Isle of Wight. It lies on a coastal slope named the Undercliff, where it is sheltered beneath St Boniface Down, and brushes up against the shore. A pond forms the centrepiece of the village, flanked by a row of lovely stone-built cottages and a quaint café. Bonchurch also includes a church which dates back to the 11^th century, and a sheltered cove named Monks Bay. The village is overlooked by St Boniface Down, the highest point on the island, at 241 metres (791 feet) high. Footpaths link the village with the summit, which provides amazing views of the English Channel, and across rest of the island, and on to Portsmouth.

Known for its industrial docklands, the town of Bootle is located around 4 km (2.5 miles) to the north of central Liverpool, on the eastern edge of where the Mersey flows into the North Sea. The expansion of Liverpool means that Bootle is essentially a suburb of the larger port city, but began as a separate village in its own right before industrial expansion began during the 1700s. It grew rapidly as an industrial centre during the 18^th and 19^th centuries, with docks strewn along the side of the town – however, its industry unfortunately declined during the second half of the 20^th century. Some of its docks and warehouses have managed to survive, however, with the state-of-the-art Liverpool2 freight terminal opened near the town in 2016. Away from the dockland areas, Bootle has a mainly suburban feel to it, with residential homes, a couple of recreation grounds, the pleasant Derby Park, and a shopping centre.

Borth-y-Gest is a picturesque village made up of traditional seaside cottages that crowd around a cove, facing onto the estuary of the Afon Glaslyn. A small promenade provides great views across the estuary, with the peaks of Snowdonia looming on the other side. Some of the cottages are painted in nice, bright colours, which adds even further to the village’s charm. A bistro and a couple of cafes are located in the village, along with several holiday cottages.

At 2.3 km (1.4 miles) long, Borth is a fairly long village that extends along the coast of north-western Ceredigion. Much of it consists of a single street flanked by bungalows, terraced cottages, several cafes and restaurants, and a pub named The Sands. It is bordered by a large sand and pebble beach that runs down from Ynyslas towards the cliffs at Upper Borth. During low tide, it reveals an ancient submerged forest, where tree stumps have been preserved by the peat. The beach, along with Borth’s surrounding landscape, make the village attractive to visitors, with a few caravan parks and numerous holiday lettings located in and around the settlement. The southern part of the village is named Upper Borth – here, a row of cliffs divides the village from the shore, providing great views of the coast of west Wales.

Two small conjoined villages named Borve and Ruisgarry form the largest settlement on the island of Berneray, a small isle placed just to the north of North Uist. Made up of a collection of cottages and small bungalows, much of the settlement curves around Loch a’ Bhàigh, a rocky bay flanked by a harbour on its western side. Displays of the island’s heritage are shown at the Nurse’s Cottage, which is run by the Berneray Historical Society.

Boscastle is a charming Cornish harbour village of stone cottages and townhouses, which slope down from the top of a hill to the head of a tight rocky cove. A couple of breakwaters make up its harbour, which shelter a narrow inlet from the waves of the Atlantic. Once a busy port during the 19^th Century, it is mainly used today for fishing and pleasure boating. The harbour area is perhaps the most beautiful part of the village, with centuries-old buildings that line the slopes of a valley, and overlook the harbour itself. A collection of shops, restaurants and a range of holiday cottages are located in Boscastle – however, the village is also famous for its Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, which has been described as the largest collection of such objects in the world. More info here.

Located on the side of a tidal inlet, Bosham is a charming coastal village located 5.5 km (3.5 miles) to the west of Chichester. A row of old brick-built cottages faces directly onto the shore, divided from it by a narrow street. The tide often comes in right up to the side of the cottages, which are protected from the waves by a brick seawall. A café and a traditional pub named The Anchor Bleu are placed close to the shore, with an arts and crafts centre also located in the village. An old church is situated in Bosham, surrounded by a churchyard. Evidence shows that the area upon which the village stands was inhabited by the Romans. According to the legend, Bosham is where King Canute commanded the tide to go back out, and of course, failed in his attempt.

Situated around a mile to the north-east of Porlock, Bossington is a small village that is nestled beneath the side of a large hill. It is made up of cosy cottages, along with a beautiful thatched café named Kitnors. Bossington Hill overlooks the village – it forms part of the Hornicote Estate, which is owned by the National Trust, and is known for its lush ancient oak woodland that flanks its south-western slope. The top of the hill provides amazing views of the surrounding landscape, with the moorland of Exmoor to the south, the coastal woodland of northwest Somerset to the west, and the open expanse of the Bristol Channel to the north. Located close to the eastern end of Porlock Bay, the village is in easy reach of a cosy pebble beach. More info here.

Located near the westernmost tip of Cornwall, the small village of Botallack is located on a hill above the towering Atlantic cliffs. Placed in the heart of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, a large disused tin mine is located just to the north of the village; its engine houses are located between Botallack and the cliff edge, a couple of which cling to the base of the cliffs, just a few feet above the Atlantic. The coastal landscape is very dramatic, with rugged coves and rocky headlands that rise up from the waves. Botallack itself is a small village of granite-built cottages and a cosy pub named The Queen’s Arms.

Consisting of a row of houses and several farmhouses, the hamlet of Boulby provides impressive views across the North Yorkshire countryside, with the surrounding rolling hills, and the grey cliffs meandering along the coast. At around 200 metres (660 feet), the cliffs to the north-west of Boulby are some of the highest in England. Despite its rural setting, the area was once the site of alum mines, with mining taking place along the cliff. However, this industrial practice is long gone, leaving behind a wild coastal landscape. More here.

Bouldnor is a hamlet that is situated on the northern coast of the Isle of Wight, just to the east of the small town of Yarmouth. Much of the hamlet is made up of large houses and villas that take advantage of the sea view – however, a viewing place is perched just above the shore, providing a great vista across the Solent. Bouldnor Forest is located next to the hamlet- it is a large woodland that contains a network of footpaths and a disused World War II battery. A submerged prehistoric settlement site is located just offshore from Bouldnor, and is estimated to be around 8,000 years old.

The quiet fishing village of Boulmer is made up of a series of cottages, stretched out in a line overlooking the coast. A sandy beach borders the village, with lengthy outcrops of rock exposed during low tide. A pub, restaurant and hotel named the Fishing Boat Inn sits along the shoreline, with a lovely terrace that provides great views of the sea.

Situated on the Dorset coastline, the seaside town of Bournemouth is a popular destination for visitors from many parts of Great Britain, and also functions as a university town. It is famous for its long and light-yellow sandy beach that stretches from Boscombe in the east across to Sandbanks in the south-west, and is backed by a promenade upon which sits a row of intermittent beach huts. A low but steep cliff also borders the coastline, which is frequently traversed by small valleys (known locally as chines) which connect the beach to the town behind it. The beach’s main focus is at Bournemouth Pier, upon which sits a restaurant and other attractions. An aquarium named the Oceanarium is also located just to the east of the pier. Bournemouth town centre itself is rather bustling, and is packed with numerous shops, hotels, bars and nightclubs, and is also known for its Lower Gardens – a scenic park located in the middle of the town.

Photo: GBC

Founded in 1768, the village of Bowmore was the first settlement in Scotland to be laid out in a grid pattern. Several streets meet each other at right angles, lined by distinctive white-washed cottages and a small range of shops. It is a charming village that is accompanied by a harbour, the circular Kilarrow Church and, of course, Bowmore whiskey distillery, which offers guided tours. A range of hotels, guesthouses and holiday lettings are available in the village.

Bowness-on-Solway lies on the southern side of the Solway Firth, the large channel of water that separates southwest Scotland from northwest England. Despite being a rather small village, it is well-known for being the western terminus of Hadrian’s Wall Path, along-distance walking trail that stretches for 135 km (84 miles) from here to Wallsend, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Although the wall does not exist here, its course would have met the Solway Firth at the eastern end of where the village stands. Bowness-on-Solway is a small village of cottages, with a 12^th-Century church, a café and the Kings Arms Inn located here.

Situated on the northern side of Essex’s Dengie peninsula, Bradwell Waterside is home to a small collection of houses, as well as a pleasant country pub named the Green Man. A large and scenic tidal inlet, an estuary served by the River Blackwater, runs to the north of the hamlet. Despite its small size, Bradwell Waterside is quite popular with visitors and holidaymakers – Bradwell Marina, regularly filled with yachts and other pleasure boats, sits next to the hamlet. A caravan park is also located here.

Brae of Achnahaird is a small hamlet situated just to the west of a pleasant sandy beach backed by a small dune system. The area surrounding Brae is rather untouched, with a vast expanse of beautiful natural scnery. A coastline of wild cliffs and headlands stretches to the north of the village, along the north-eastern side of the large Rubha Na Còigeach headland. A series of rugged mountain peaks can be seen in the distance to the south-west of the village, looming over the horizon.

The village of Brae sits at the head of two large inlets – or voes as they are locally referred to. These are Busta Voe, located to the south of the village, and Sullom Voe, which is placed to the north. It is a village of cottages, more modern homes and other amenities including shops, a leisure centre and a pub named the Mid Brae Inn.

Brancaster is a rather charming North Norfolk village, made up of quaint terraced cottages and townhouses. The village is known for its festivals, including a Christmas Market and the summer Outdoor and Wildlife festival. Brancaster also boasts a great deal of hotels, guesthouses and places to buy locally-caught seafood. A glorious beach of golden sand lies around 1.2 km (0.7 miles) to the north, backed by a row of sand dunes – when the sea recedes during low tide, a vast extent of unspoilt sand flats is exposed, and is ideal for kite surfing.

Branscombe is a lovely village that is surrounded by some rather picturesque scenery. Located just a stone’s throw away from the shore, it is nestled in a quiet valley flanked by steep slopes and patches of lush woodland. A cluster of cottages make up the village, including the quaint Masons Arms Inn, and an old thatched forge that is open as a museum. A country lane and a footpath follow the valley down to the beach, a decent patch of shingle that is surrounded by towering cliffs. This part of South Devon’s coastline is part of the Jurassic Coast, which runs from Exmouth to Swanage, and is recognised for its archaeological and geological importance.

Popular with visitors, particularly during the summer months, Braystones is a small village located in rural Cumbria, just to the west of the Lake District National Park. Although the main village of Braystones is separated from the coast, a large caravan site links the settlement to the pebble shore. Its rural location means that it is great for quiet walks along the coast, and within the surrounding rural countryside. Its west-facing location means that the village often sees great sunsets.

The long village of Brean stretches along a 3 km (2 mile) section of Bridgwater Bay, flanked by a beach of fine golden sand, and a row of sand dunes that helps to protect the village from the Bristol Channel. Although a number of cottages and bungalows make up part of the village, much of Brean is comprised of holiday parks. A large number of caravans are rented out during the holiday season, with people attracted to the sandy beach, along with the scenic Quantock Hills, which are located not far from here. Brean Down, a rocky coastal hill that juts out into the Bristol Channel, is situated to the north of the village.

Bridgend is a rather scattered village that is made up of various cottages, the Bridgend Hotel and a couple of shops. However, it is also home to Islay House, a grand white-painted stately home that stands three storeys high above the surrounding landscape. Placed at the head of Loch Indaal, the scenery around the village is rather beautiful, with pockets of dense woodland interspersed with large green fields. A marshland divides the village from the loch, located next to a great expanse of sand that appears during low tide.

Bridlington is a small and traditional seaside town that looks out onto the North Sea, with views of the Flamborough Head promontory to its north. Two long and golden sandy beaches border both its northern and southern sides, separated by a small harbour filled with fishing boats. One of the town’s most renowned features is the Old Town, which is characterised by its charming and quintessentially British feel. Narrow streets and alleyways twist around historical buildings, many of which date back to the Medieval era. As well as numerous traditional pubs, hotels and independent shops, the Priory Church – dating back to 1113 AD – can also be found here. Two large festivals are also held in the Old Town each year – one in summer and one in the winter. Bridlington also has more modern features as well, such as the Bridlington Spa, an Edwardian-era theatre venue which stages variety shows and other forms of light entertainment.

Brighstone is a charming village located in the south-western part of the Isle of Wight. It includes a twee village centre, where a cluster of old cottages, a thatched village store, and a cosy pub named The Three Bishops, face onto the main road that runs through Brighstone. A medieval church, a tea room and a youth hostel are also located in the village, along with an 18^th century cottage and sculpture garden. Brighstone lies less than a mile away from the coast – a beach of golden sand and pebbles that is sheltered by a row of cliffs. Different types of fossils, including dinosaur fragments, are often found on the beach.

Placed at the mouth of Brightlingsea Creek, a tidal estuary that meets the mouth of the River Colne, Brightlingsea is a small coastal town in north-eastern Essex. Unlike the hustle and bustle of Clacton-on-Sea (located 9 km (5.5 miles) to its east), Brightlingsea is a more laidback seaside town, with a quiet promenade lined with beach huts, a beach of golden sand, and a grade II listed tower placed just above the shore. The promenade stretches westwards from the town, flanked by the estuary on one side and a nature reserve on the other. A rather village-like town centre forms the centrepiece of Brightlingsea, with a small village green and flower garden, a couple of parades of shops, and a selection of cafes and pubs. A new pleasure marina flanked by modern sea-facing apartments makes up the waterfront, and is located to the south of the town centre. The Brightlingsea Museum, a local heritage museum, is situated in the town, on Station Road.

Brighton is a popular and highly-regarded seaside resort town that is located on the south coast of England. Forming part of the city of Brighton and Hove, Brighton is a huge tourist hub, and a great cultural and entertainment centre. It grew in popularity during the late 18^th and 19^th centuries as a holiday resort, particularly for affluent people from London. Many of its buildings reflecting this, with grand Georgian-era villas and townhouses that face onto the seafront, and flank a web of streets that stretch inland. Over the past 200 years, the town has become popular with many people, and is home to a wide range of different attractions.

Brighton Pier is perhaps the most known of its attractions. Stretching out into the sea, it is home to a large amusement arcade, a fine seafood restaurant and a bustling fun fair placed at the end. A range of attractions are spread out along the seafront, including a Sea Life aquarium, a large 162 metre (531 foot) high viewing tower, and a mile-long miniature railway named the Volks Electric Railway, which runs from the aquarium towards Brighton Marina. Many gift shops, cafes and food stands can be found on the promenade, which face onto Brighton’s large shingle beach.

Away from the seafront, the splendid Royal Pavilion is located in the centre of Brighton – it was constructed by King George IV to resemble the grand architectural styles seen in India, and was used as a former royal residence. The beautiful Pavilion Gardens surround the Pavilion, whereas a museum and art gallery, built in a similar style, is situated next to the gardens.

Brighton is also home to a wide range of shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. The Lanes, the oldest part of Brighton, is located just behind the seafront – having existed as a fishing village before the late 18^th century, it is a network of streets and twisting alleyways that is home to many old pubs, trendy bars, restaurants that specialise in many cuisines, and a range of quaint independent shops. The North Laines area is placed even further from the seafront, close to the railway station – it is a more bohemian part of Brighton, containing record stores, vintage clothing shops and hipster-style pubs and cafes.

Brighton Marina is situated just outside of Brighton, at the far eastern end of the seafront. As well as being home to many sailboats, it includes a range of restaurants, a bowling alley, a cinema and a shopping centre.

The hamlet of Brims lies at the southern tip of Hoy, with rugged cliffs on one side and the Aith Hope inlet on the other. The Longhope Lifeboat Museum is located on the edge of the shore, bordering Brims; it is home to the famous Thomas McClunn lifeboat, which saved 308 lives during her service. The shoreline along Aith Hope provides an impressive panorama of the coastline around the bay, as well as the hills of Hoy to the north.

The village of Brinian is located on the southern side of the island of Rousay. It provides the only ferry link to the Orkney Mainland, and is made up of a series of residential homes, bungalows and older cottages. A large area of moorland, which makes up a significant proportion of the island, lies just to the north of the village, covering the summit of Knitchen Hill.

Clustered around a working fishing harbour, the town of Brixham is situated on the South Devon coast, on the southern side of a large bay named Torbay. The town spreads out from the harbour on its western, southern and eastern sides, stretching their way up the hillsides which overlook the bay. Brixham is filled with narrow streets that twist their way around many small shops, fishing cottages and pastel-coloured town houses. Despite being one of the UK’s busiest fishing ports, the town has a rather quiet and relaxed feel to it. Brixham is a hub for artists to showcase their work, with several art galleries dotted around the town centre – an annual arts and craft market is also held next to the harbour every Saturday between Easter and the end of October. Various festivals are also held in the town every year, including Brixham Pirate Festival and a family friendly festival named BrixFest.

Placed on the edge of a lovely beach of golden sand, the village of Broad Haven attracts many visitors, particularly during the summer months. Owing to its west-facing orientation, the beach is popular with surfers. Geologically speaking, Broad Haven is interesting for its coastal landscape, with a rock stack and a couple of natural arches located just to the north of the beach. The village itself includes a bar, an inn, an Italian restaurant and a convenience store. A range of holiday cottages and a youth hostel are also located here. A small promenade runs along the edge of the shore, providing great views out to sea, with the tall cliffs of south-west Pembrokeshire meandering away into the distance. The St Davids Peninsula can also be seen on the horizon.

Two villages merge at the head of Broadford Bay to form a larger settlement, the second-largest on the Isle of Skye. It is placed within the shadow of Beinn na Caillich, a 732 metre (2,401 foot) high mountain, and next to a large woodland that provides pleasant walking opportunities along the coast. The settlement includes a Co-op supermarket, a few pubs and restaurants, and a large number of guest houses and holiday rental cottages. The Dunollie Hotel is located towards the Broadford end of the settlement, whereas a Youth Hostel is situated just to the north. The location of Broadford and Harrapool on the A87 road and fairly close to the nearest train station (Kyle of Lochalsh) mean that it is well-situated as a base for tourists, who can explore the rest of the island from here.

Located at the eastern tip of the county of Kent, Broadstairs is a quintessentially English seaside town that became a popular resort during the 19th Century. It has a rather quaint town centre that is filled with many shops that maintain a Victorian-era feel to them, each of them run independently and handed down through many generations of the same family. The town was a holiday spot of famous English author Charles Dickens, who often visited Broadstairs – the town boasts a museum dedicated to the author, as well as the Charles Dickens pub and restaurant, which overlooks the seafront. Broadstairs is also no stranger to annual festivals – a three-day food festival is held in the town every autumn, along with a Charles Dickens-themed festival in June and a folk week in August. The town also overlooks Viking Bay – a stunning arc of golden sand that curves around a large cove.

Located on the eastern side of the Isle of Arran, the village of Brodick is the largest settlement on the island. Placed on the edge of a large bay, Brodick overlooks the Firth of Clyde, along with great views of Arran’s jagged peaks to the north-west, and sweeping coastal forest to the north. It a charming village, with a row of traditional stone-built buildings placed along the waterfront, many of which are used as independent shops or guest houses. A fine sandy beach borders the village, next to a slice of greenery. A ferry service runs from Brodick to Ardrossan on the Scottish mainland.

The small coastal village of Brogaig arches around the head of Staffin Bay, never directly adjacent to its shore, but well within its reach. Like many settlements on the Isle of Skye, it is a sprinkling of cottages and farmhouses interspersed with patches of lush green grass used chiefly for sheep grazing. A shop, a post office, and a range of holiday cottages form part of the village. A country lane connects the eastern side of Brogaig with the rocky shore that makes up much of the beach. This provides great views of the towering cliffs to the north, and a small island named Eilean Flodigarry. The lane also links to An Corran Beach, tucked in beneath a sheer cliff.

The small village of Brook is located on the south-western side of the Isle of Wight. It lies in close proximity to a splash of golden sand, which is sheltered from the land above by a row of cliffs. Although countryside covers large parts of the island, this part of Wight is particularly rural, meaning that is one of the quieter beaches on the isle. However, it attracts swimmers and kite surfers, and is of particular interest to fossil hunters – as well as dinosaur footprints and other ancient fragments, a fossilised forest of large tree stumps appears from the beneath the waves at Hanover Point, a small headland that is close to the village. Brook itself consists of a few cottages and larger houses – a Victorian church sits to the north of the village, and is known for its beautiful stained-glass windows.

The charming and historical village of Brora is located around 60 km (36 miles) to the north of Inverness. Like many villages in Scotland, it is packed full of traditional stone-built cottages, with the quaint Sutherland Inn – a hotel, pub and restaurant – placed on the A9 road which runs through the centre of Brora. The peaks and moors of the Scottish Highlands are located only a few miles to the west of the village, whereas a lovely stretch of golden sand borders the coastline next to Brora. Although it is quite a popular destination during the summer months, Brora is a rather quiet and tranquil place for much of the year.

Whereas Scarfskerry is the British mainland’s most northerly settlement, Brough is the its most northerly village. It is, however, a rather small village – between 50 and 60 people live in its single-storey cottages and bungalows. A small country lane winds down the coastal cliff into a cove flanked by rocks, where a small slipway extends into the water. The village is located a few miles to the south-east of Dunnet Head, a large and scenic headland that makes up mainland Britain’s most northerly point

Broughty Ferry is a pleasant seaside town that is located on the northern side of the River Tay Estuary. Historically, the town played a part in the area’s fishing and whaling industry, and a row of fishing cottages flanks the seafront, baked by a neighbourhood filled with many old cottages and townhouses. Broughty Castle forms the centrepiece of the town’s seafront, a stunning late 15th-Century fort that was rebuilt in the 19th Century as part of the area’s defences. Today, both a museum of the area’s heritage and an art gallery are located in the building. A long sandy beach and an esplanade flank the eastern side of Broughty Ferry, backed by stone-clad houses, some rather modern apartments and a pristine nature reserve. The town can be rather vibrant, particularly during the summer months, with a great deal of pubs, places to eat and independent shops located in the town centre.

The small hamlet of Bruichladdich is well-known for its distillery, and the brand of whisky that shares its name. The distillery is open to the public; a visitor centre is located inside part of the building. Like many of Islay’s settlements, the hamlet itself is made up of white-washed cottages, many of which look out onto the waters of Loch Indaal.

Sandwiched between East Wemyss and Methil, Buckhaven is a pleasant town on the northern side of the Firth of Forth. A collection of stone-built townhouses, a general store, a pub and a café make up much of the town centre, which is within easy reach of the coast. A building housing a library and local heritage museum is located in the town centre. A narrow park separates the town from the shore, providing sweeping views across the water – the hills of Lothian are visible on the other side on clear days. The Wemyss Caves, which hold Britain’s largest concentration of Pictish carvings, are located at the village of East Wemyss, around a mile to the south-west of Buckhaven. The Fife Coastal Path links the town with the caves, and makes for a pleasurable walk along the coast of southern Fife.

Despite its small size, the burgh town of Buckie is rather bustling, with a large harbour and marina, and a compact town centre. Although its fishing industry has declined over the last 100 years, it is still a fishing hub, with many trawlers operating from the harbour. The town centre, with its traditional stone-built cottages, townhouses and other buildings, sits on top of a small hill that overlooks the seafront. Buckie’s shoreline is generally rugged – a small street or footpath follows the shore as it winds its way around small headlands and bays. Fishing cottages line the coastline, as does Buckpool Harbour Park, with its neat flower garden. A large golf course – Buckpool Golf Club – is situated just to the west of Buckie, perched on top of a low hill, where it overlooks the sea.

Placed on the side of the Beaulieu River, Buckler’s Hard is a lovely 18^th century shipbuilding village. Much of the village consists of two rows of beautiful terraced cottages, which have been unaltered since they were built, and retain their original Georgian style. A maritime museum is located at Buckler’s Hard, along with a hotel aptly named The Master Builder’s. The village looks out onto the Beaulieu River, a beautiful estuary that is surrounded by the quiet and tranquil woodland of the New Forest. A marina is placed on the banks of the river. The Solent Way, a long-distance path, links the village with Beaulieu, which is located around 3 km (2 miles) to the northwest.

Nestled within a wooded valley, Bucks Mills is a small village made up of charming cottages, which straddle a narrow lane that runs to the edge of a cliff. Cars are prohibited from driving through the village to the shore, meaning that it is a quiet and serene place. A rocky beach sits below the cliffs, strewn with pebbles and larger rocks. A waterfall tumbles down to the shoreline, adding to the wild natural landscape.

Situated in the most northerly extent of the county of Cornwall, Bude is a small seaside town facing the Atlantic Ocean. It is a rather relaxed town, with a great choice of local amenities, and a large sandy beach that stretches far out into Sir Thomas’s Pit bay during low tide. There is a great range of hotels, guest houses and restaurants in the town, including ‘The Barge’ – a tearoom located on a barge moored on Bude Canal, and ‘The Carriers Inn’, a more traditional style of pub and restaurant. Pubs and independent shops are also commonplace, many of which are family-run businesses. Summerleaze Beach borders the town to the its west – it is filled with beautiful golden sand, and also includes Bude Sea Pool, a semi-natural swimming pool that is topped up by the tide every day.

The south-east Devon seaside town of Budleigh Salterton is one of many seaside towns that is located on the world-famous Jurassic Coast, close to its most westerly extent. It is a rather unspoilt and scenic town with a rich historic heritage. Many of its buildings are cottages, townhouses and independent shops, and are painted in nice colours, adding to the town’s charm. Restaurants, pubs and fish and chip shops are also found in Budleigh. Two museums are located in the town – Brook Art Gallery and Fairlynch Museum & Arts Centre. The natural landscape in and around Budleigh is incredibly scenic – a 3 km-long pebble beach borders the southern side of the town and its surroundings. Furthermore, the town is bookended on both its east and western sides by distinctively orange-coloured sandstone cliffs, and taking scenic walks along the clifftops is highly recommended.

The most northerly village in Wales, Bull Bay is located on the western side of the bay with which it shares a name. A rugged coastal landscape passes the village, which includes rocky shores, low cliffs and a series of narrow inlets. The village itself is made up of a few cottages, with a couple of large guest houses located here. The Isle of Anglesey Coastal Paths runs through the village and along the clifftops to the north of the village. More here.

The hamlet of Bunnahabain is located on the side of a rocky bay on the eastern coast of Islay. It owes its existence to a large whisky distillery, a large warehouse-type building placed next to the shore. It is a rather remote settlement that is surrounded by acres of heathland, which attracts a rich variety of wildlife.

Burghead is a small town that sits on the north-eastern side of Burghead Bay, located on a rocky headland. It is a pleasant town, filled with many stone-built cottages – unusually for Scotland, the streets are arranged on a grid system. Like many towns in the area, Burghead once had a large fishing industry that has reduced considerably over the past few decades – however, its small harbour is still used by some fishing trawlers as well as recreational sailboats. A rocky shoreline divides the northern side of Burghead from the North Sea. However, on the southern side, the landscape is much different – a 10 km/6-mile-long sandy beach curves around Burghead Bay, backed by a row of sand dunes that only add to the impressive landscape. Roseisle Forest – a vast forest of pine trees – borders much of the beach, providing a great area for walkers.

Burnham Norton is located in North Norfolk off the A148 and is a small village north of larger village Burnham Market. There are no shops or pubs in the village, and it is a very peaceful place, offering wildlife and nature and a perfect road to Norton Beach. The tide sometimes allows safe passage to Scolt Head Island and its scenic views.

The village of Burnham Overy Staithe sits along the estuarine reaches of the River Burn, opposite a large patch of North Norfolk marshland. Fishing boats sit along the waterfront, backed by an old boathouse. The village has a quiet charm to it, with a tree-lined road running through it, flanked by cottages and a country pub named The Hero.

Burnham-on-Sea is a seaside town situated at the mouth of the River Parrett, facing the Bristol Channel. It is known for its large sandy beach around which much of the town curves around, with its southern end beginning at Burnham’s town centre, whereas the northern end reaches the start of a long row of sand dunes. It is famous for having Britain’s shortest pier – built on concrete stilts from 1911 to 1914, it is an impressive Edwardian-era pavilion that is attached to the promenade on one end. It is used today as an amusement arcade. Burnham contains many buildings which date back to the 18th and 19th Centuries, especially along the promenade, including numerous townhouses and one hotel – the Royal Clarence Hotel – which dates back to 1796. Other hotels, guest houses, bars and restaurants can also be found in Burnham-on-Sea.

Located close to the Scotland-England border, Burnmouth is the first Scottish village passed by travellers on both the East Coast railway line, and the A1 road. The village consists of a relatively newer collection of houses above the cliffs, and a couple of rows of houses that stretch along the foreshore. With an operational harbour, Burnmouth remains a working fishing village to this day. Views from the foreshore provide great views of the towering cliffs, as they meander off into the distance.

Burntisland has a mix of different areas along its seafront, ranging from warehouses and industrial docks, a large area of coastal greenery, and a sandy beach. A small sailing club exists among the docks – apart from this, all leisure activities are located on the eastern side of the town. Here, a large green open space lies next to the coast, which is occupied by a large funfair during the summer months. The town centre is filled with old townhouses, and there is a wide selection of shops, restaurants and pubs to choose from in the town. The golden sand of Burntisland Beach curves around a small bay to the east of the town. Incredible views across the Firth of Forth are provided, with the port of Leith, the city of Edinburgh and the Pentland Hills, visible on the other side of the estuary.

The small village of Burravoe lies in the south-eastern corner of the island of Yell, on the edge of a coastal inlet named Burra Voe. The village was built here due to its sheltered location, and consists of a number of pretty white-painted buildings, including the oldest, which dates from the 17th Century and is used as the Old Haa Museum. A small marina borders the rocky shore.

Burray Village is the only village on the island of Burray. It is placed on the southern side of the island, and overlooks Water Sound, a large coastal inlet. A collection of cottages and bungalows make up the village, as does the Sands Hotel, which also contains a bar and a restaurant.

Placed at the junction of the Loughor estuary and Camarthen Bay, Burry Port is a small and charming seaside town that is known for its lovely sandy beaches. The main town is divided from the shore by a linear park, a patch of greenery and sand dunes that adds to the pleasant coastal landscape. Burry Port Harbour – a pleasure marina – is situated just to the south of the town, and is often filled with sailboats and small yachts. It is famous for being the place where Amelia Earhart landed after her flight across the Atlantic back in 1928 – a monument to the record-breaking aviator is located in the town, on Stepney Road. A breakwater stretches out into the estuary, upon which stands a small lighthouse, providing a lovely vista across the channel. The rolling hills of the Gower Peninsula are visible on the other side.

The charming Dorset village of Burton Bradstock is located just a stone’s throw away from the coast. Stone-built cottages make up much of the village centre, with a country pub named The Three Horseshoes, a Post Office, and a church that was restored in 1897 in the Arts and Crafts style. A country lane and a couple of footpaths link to village to Hive Beach, a stretch of sand and pebbles. The northern end of the beach is flanked by limestone cliffs with a yellow hue to them – they glow a lovely gold colour in the sunlight. The village borders Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, with fossils often being exposed in the cliff face after rock falls. A beach café and a seaside restaurant are placed next to the shore.

Burton Ferry is a small and elongated village that runs along the northern side of the Daugleddau estuary. Much of the village is a collection of cottages and larger homes, many of which overlook the water. A short waterfront runs along the side of the estuary, providing great views of the A477 Cleddau Bridge, a road crossing that runs through the western side of the village. A pub named the Jolly Sailor is located on the waterfront, with a beer garden next to the shore.

A small collection of farmhouses and a church makes up much of Burwick, a small village close to the southern tip of the Orkney island of South Ronaldsay. It is most known for its summer-only passenger ferry crossing, which links the isle with John o’ Groats.