The Telegraph has unveiled its rundown of the ‘five British seaside towns that haven’t been spoilt’, with a Yorkshire treasure claiming the top position.

Initial assumptions might point towards North Yorkshire’s historic Scarborough, widely acknowledged as Britain’s original seaside resort.

Alternatively, many would plump for Whitby, which boasts the UK’s finest fish and chip restaurant for 2026 and offers endless scenic splendour. Both predictions would miss the mark.

Britain’s most unspoilt coastal destination is in fact the modest resort of Filey. With fewer than 7,000 residents, Filey embodies the quintessential British seaside getaway.

The rhythm of life here maintains a leisurely tempo, eschewing the chaos and frenetic energy found in larger coastal hubs such as Scarborough, Brighton or Blackpool.

For those in search of a peaceful coastal retreat surrounded by natural beauty with spectacular vistas – Filey stands unrivalled.

This pristine seaside jewel sits on Filey Bay, positioned between the thriving towns of Scarborough and Bridlington in North Yorkshire. Characterised by visitors as ‘classy’, ‘sophisticated’ and ‘untouched’, Filey represents the ideal British destination for complete escape, reports Yorkshire Live.

Featuring a magnificent sandy bay with five miles of golden shoreline, striking natural features, Edwardian structures and a lively promenade and town centre, it’s hardly surprising that Filey has secured The Telegraph’s number one spot.

The Telegraph‘s assessment of Filey states: “It’s hard to say anything unkind about Filey. She’s the sweet, sensible sister of brassy Scarborough, eight miles up the road… The town still trades on those natural attributes – salty sea air, pancake-flat sands, safe waters, bracing cliff-walks – that first attracted the Victorians when it changed from a fishing and farming village into a seaside resort.”

Describing Filey as ‘absurdly nice’, The Telegraph suggests exploring the ‘Quiet Garden, with its book-swap cabinet, and the navy-and-gold bandstand in the Crescent Gardens, which holds Sunday concerts throughout the season’.

With plenty to experience, the coastal town can be reached easily via train, car, or bus, and serves as an ideal starting point for discovering the Yorkshire Coast.

Visit Scarborough describes Filey’s pristine beach as the ‘crown jewel of the town’ – and it’s clear why. The breathtaking five-mile stretch of golden sand stands as the town’s premier attraction.

Regularly ranked amongst Britain’s finest beaches, Filey Beach consistently appears in such distinguished lists. It provides ideal conditions for extended, refreshing walks along the shore, kite flying, and safe bathing.

Providing a tranquil escape for guests, visitors constantly praise the mesmerising sunsets witnessed from Filey Beach’s shoreline, while celebrating the harmonious combination of unspoilt scenery alongside quintessential seaside character.

One Tripadvisor review of Filey Beach reads: “Lovely Filey Beach. Stunning beach ideal for families. It’s so calming and peaceful just walking by the waves rolling onto the shore.”

While another visitor said: “Fantastic beach. What a brilliant beach. Huge! Tide goes out a long way, but great café and lovely walk down from the town/ car parks. No waves, but lots of privacy if you want a quiet spot.”

Filey encompasses far more than simply its award-winning shoreline, however. This coastal resort boasts considerably more for those keen to explore. From charming boutiques to delightful independent cafés and picturesque rambles along the Cleveland Way, North Yorkshire’s Filey caters to all tastes.

For wildlife enthusiasts, two principal attractions stand out – Filey Brigg and Filey Dams Nature Reserve. Both locations represent an absolute haven for ornithologists and countryside admirers.

Filey Brigg constitutes an impressive rocky headland extending into the ocean, featuring remarkable fauna. It’s an ideal destination for rock-pooling and fossil hunting enthusiasts, while also marking the terminus for both Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trails and Cleveland Way.

Filey Dams Nature Reserve stands as the final remaining freshwater wetland of its type throughout the region, representing a birdwatcher’s dream destination.

The Promenade stands out as another jewel of the compact town of Filey. It comprises a level and easily navigable pathway adorned with vibrant beach huts and showcases an intriguing sculpture trail inspired by the town’s rich fishing legacy and heritage.

The town’s Seafront Sculpture Trail runs along the promenade and displays a collection of maritime-themed steel artworks, including the renowned ‘A High Tide in Short Wellies’. The Filey Paddling Pool represents a well-loved, complimentary seaside feature positioned on the Royal Parade promenade, merely a stone’s throw from the principal beach.

For those passionate about history, a visit to Filey Museum proves an excellent choice for gaining deeper insight into the town’s multifaceted heritage. The museum occupies a 17th-century cottage and provides a more comprehensive look into the coastal town’s past, from its angling origins through to its Victorian golden era.

A further point of interest is the St Oswalds church, a Grade I listed parish church recognised as the town’s most ancient structure with a heritage extending beyond 800 years.

A trip to Coble Landing creates the sensation of travelling through time, and this traditional slipway remains the launching point for the town’s customary fishing vessels (cobles) to this very day. It serves as an ideal location to enjoy a freshly prepared crab sandwich while observing tractors drawing boats from the glistening waters.

Another prominent tourist draw, as highlighted by The Telegraph, comprises the clifftop Crescent Gardens. During summer, visitors can enjoy brass band concerts at the bandstand.

Glen Gardens, an immaculately kept park boasting a boating lake, adventure playground and putting green, represents another leading attraction within the town.

The town centre deserves attention during any visit to Filey, with the added benefit of being easily navigable by foot. It features numerous independent retailers, cafes and public houses, alongside traditional seaside offerings including gift shops stocking beach essentials. Charming bakeries and exquisite homeware boutiques provide excellent opportunities for local retail therapy.

The Filey Food Festival remains a consistent favourite amongst residents and tourists alike, with forthcoming dates scheduled for October 10 and 11. The Filey Steampunk Weekend, essentially an enormous fancy dress celebration complete with processions, beach tank excursions and phenomenal musical entertainment, stands as another unmissable occasion.

Filey’s renowned Kite Festival will run from 18 to 20 September this year, showcasing expert kite enthusiasts demonstrating their enormous, vibrant kites at Filey Brigg.

Visit Scarborough advises prospective visitors: “Most of the seafront is accessible, though visitors should note that some public facilities on Royal Parade are currently undergoing structural repairs, with temporary toilets provided by the council. Filey is also incredibly welcoming to dogs, though seasonal restrictions apply to the main section of the beach from May to September.”

Finally, no trip to the seaside would be truly complete without indulging in some locally sourced fish and chips and ice cream. With much of Filey’s seafood hauled straight from the waters off Yorkshire’s coastline, it undoubtedly ranks amongst the finest culinary fare you’re ever likely to sample.

A pretty UK village has been compared to Italy’s Amalfi Coast and it’s a place Brits can’t get enough of. The town is a popular place for tourists, and it’s hardly surprising. With its pastel-coloured buildings, subtropical gardens and waterfront setting, Portmeirion is an enchanting Italianate style village on the coast of North Wales. From the central piazza with its fountain pool, Gloriette, Gothic Pavilion, Bristol Colonnade and giant chessboard, to the 70-acre subtropical woodland garden, Japanese gardens, sweeping views of the estuary and homemade gelato at Angel Ices, there’s plenty to enjoy at Portmeirion.

The village has also earned a spot among the UK’s prettiest towns and villages for a day trip or staycation. According to a recent ranking by The Independent, Portmeirion came second, behind Castle Combe in the Cotswolds. The publication said: “The coastal village was created by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis in 1925, with the project completed around 50 years later, as an example of architecture’s ability to enhance natural beauty rather than destroy it. The pastel buildings, piazza and Gwyllt Japanese gardens will take you from rural Wales to Italy, Japan and back without ever having to leave the UK.”

Visitors on TikTok have been equally impressed. One person described the experience simply: “We found Italy…in Wales. I genuinely forgot I was in North Wales for a minute.” Another TikTok user, @rachelsedit_, called Portmeirion a “mini Italy”, adding that she “genuinely can’t believe how beautiful every corner was.”

Built by architect Sir Bertram Clough Williams-Ellis from 1925 to 1976, the village remains full of aesthetic wonders, from its architecture to its gardens. It now welcomes over 200,000 visitors every year, according to its website.

One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor about their visit: “Picturesque and charming. A great place to visit with views around every corner.

“Very reminiscent of the Amalfi Coast. Pleasant walk along the waterside back in to the village. Lots of steps and some stairs. Picnics allowed.”

Another added: “Unique, stunning, unusual, friendly, basically worth a visit. The place is very well maintained and the photo opportunities are huge. Nice walk too along the estuary.”

Someone else called Portmeirion a “magical place.” They added: “The grounds are beautiful, the views stunning and the architecture, out of this world.”

To visit, you’ll have to pay an entry fee as the village is a closed-off attraction. Tickets are available in advance by purchasing online, or you can buy them from a toll booth on the day.

Ticket prices are £20 for an adult, £18 for seniors over 60 or students, and £14 for children aged five to 15. For children under five, entry is free.

For a trip that will make you feel like you’re in Italy without having to take a flight, Portmeirion is a stunning spot to head to before the weather turns.

But even in the colder months, the colourful village has an enchanting charm that makes it well worth a visit. Portmeirion hosts a Christmas fair on the first weekend of December, taking place from December 4 to 6, 2026. The event is described as “a family-friendly event celebrating a diverse range of local food and crafts.”

The village is usually open every day from 9.30am to 5.30pm though it will be closed to day guests on December 25 and 26. From November 23 to December 11, some views may be affected due to the Christmas Fair set-up, the official village website states. Portmeirion also has two hotels: The Hotel Portmeirion and Castell Deudraeth.

If you’re planning on travelling in Europe soon, you may be nervous, as various reports have emerged of delays due to the EES system that’s been put in place. EES, which stands for Entry/Exit System is an automated digital IT system created by the European Union to register non-EU citizens each time they cross the external borders of participating European countries.

However, if you’re soon to travel and you’re yet to experience the process, there’s some advice you may want to listen to. It could just help to make your journey, and the start to your holiday, a lot less stressful.

It’s not the first time the matter has been brought to people’s attention either. Previously, someone documented how they managed to avoid EES delays at the airport.

What’s happening?

This year marked the first summer that the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) has been in place and, while you’ve probably seen reports about longer queues at some airports, for most holidaymakers, it’s simply another part of travelling that takes a little getting used to. If you’re heading to countries like Spain, France, Italy, Portugal or Greece, here’s what you need to know before you fly.

Travel expert Ricky Durrance, of package holiday specialists Teletext Holidays, says that, while everyone knows about the biometric checks, it’s the small rules that are catching people out. He issued some advice to help people.

Important information to know

One of the least understood parts of EES is that your registration is linked to your passport, not to you. So, if you’ve renewed your passport since you last travelled to an EU country, you’ll be treated as a first-time traveller, even if you completed biometric registration previously.

That means providing fingerprints and a facial scan again at the border. So, you’ll need to leave more time.

“Many travellers would assume once they’re already in the system that’s job done,” said Ricky. “But EES is tied to the passport, not the person, so don’t be caught out by unexpected enrolment.”

You may be able to start the process early

Depending on where you’re flying from, you may even be able to complete part of the process before you travel. The EU’s free Travel to Europe app allows travellers using participating border crossings to upload passport details and a facial image up to 72 hours before departure, helping make the process even smoother.

It’s worth checking whether your airport supports it before you travel. If you’ve booked a package holiday, border delays can have a knock-on effect on transfers, so check with your travel agent whether your departure airport supports early enrolment and allow extra time on arrival.

Children need their own scans

Families should also remember that every traveller has their own EES record, including children. Each child will need their own passport and facial image check, although under-12s don’t need to provide fingerprints, which helps speed things up a little.

EES doesn’t apply everywhere

The good news is that EES doesn’t apply everywhere. Popular holiday destinations including Turkey, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia sit outside the Schengen Area, so British holidaymakers travelling there won’t need to complete EES checks.

For anyone choosing between destinations, it’s simply another factor worth considering alongside weather, budget and the type of holiday you’re after. Research if your destination requires EES before you book.

“Like any new system, there’s always a settling-in period,” added Ricky. “The important thing is not to let the headlines put you off travelling. Millions of people are still enjoying holidays across Europe.

“If you know what to expect, allow a little extra time where needed and make sure your passport is up to date, the whole process should be straightforward.”