A surprising seaside town has been named one of the best places to live in the UK. While most people consider the usual candidates like St Ives in Cornwall and Deal in Kent as the best coastal towns in the nation, a recent list included more unusual locations.
Despite being named among the UK’s worst seaside towns by Which?, The Times said New Brighton, in Merseyside, is “the opposite of a fading resort”. The publication said the coastal town has benefitted from long-term planning and investment in recent times. It now has a number of “cool new independent businesses” and has become a “lively rival to fancier Wirral neighbours such as Heswall, Hoylake and West Kirby.” As reported by Time Out, the average house price in New Brighton is currently £183,869. Meanwhile, Land Registry data shows that a four-bed Victorian semi will set you back around £250,000.
The town is around 25 minutes away from Liverpool Central on the train. There is also a golden beach looking across the river to Liverpool docks and a number of vintage shops, bars and restaurants.
One local business owner said: “New Brighton is a beautiful place to be throughout the year, full of vibrant life, natural beauty, and a remarkable sense of community.
“Groups like the New Brightoners and the Friends of the Marine Lake work tirelessly to keep our town beautifully clean and tidy. They take huge pride in the area—and rightly so. Their efforts ensure New Brighton remains a welcoming, vibrant place for both residents and visitors.”
There are a number of popular attractions in New Brighton, including Fort Perch Rock, a fairground and a lighthouse. Fort Perch Rock, a red sandstone fort, was built in the 1820s and is open to vistors seven days a week.
The promenade is a lovely spot for a walk, offering stunning views of the Liverpool city skyline. Ships can also be seen entering the Mersey.
New Brighton Lighthouse, standing on the western foreshore of the River Mersey, is also a popular landmark in the town. It is possible to walk out to the lighthouse at low water.
A number of new trendy cafes and pubs have opened in New Brighton over recent years. The Waiting Room cafe is ranked with a perfect five stars on Tripadvisor while the seaside cafe is known locally for its fish and chips.
The stunning golden beach also has a number of positive reviews on Tripadvisor. One said: “I visited New Brighton Beach on a Sunday. It was rather busy but nonetheless a buzzing and enjoyable atmosphere.
“There were many families who were also enjoying the rare sighting of sunshine along with me, and it was nice to experience a classic beach day – giving me nostalgia to the outings I would enjoy in my childhood. The beach was very clean and well maintained even with the large quantity of visitors on the day.”
A second added: “My twin brother Stephen and I decided to have a day out in New Brighton and it was good walking down the promenade taking in the views, New Brighton Lighthouse, Fort Perch Rock and of course the beach.
“New Brighton Beach is a nice expanse of sand. It is really clean and on our visit the beach was busy with lots of young families enjoying not just the beach but swimming in the Mersey and Liverpool Bay.”
