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Would you like to live beside the seaside?
If you've ever dreamed of having the glistening ocean on your doorstep, you'll maybe have wondered which coastal town would work best for you. To help you choose, a recent study has determined 10 of the best coastal regions for those thinking about living beside the sea.
The research, conducted by mortgage experts at money.co.uk, took into consideration over 100 seaside towns and factors such as the average temperature and rainfall levels, beaches and restaurants, as well as the average house price and median average pay to establish its top 10.
First place goes to Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey in North Kent, England. It scored highly across the board but especially when it came to average wages, at £26,165 a year and its beaches, which scored 3.83 out of a possible five.
In second place we have the Isle of Wight resort of Shanklin. Benefiting from average temperatures of 11.6°C, it also has one of the highest beach review scores too, with four out of five.
Rounding out the top three we have a town located just down the coast from first-placed Sheerness, Minster. With a Blue Flag award-winning beach and an average temperature of 11.2°C, this coastal town sees only around 709 mm of rainfall a year, making it another great pick.
Take a look at the full list below...
In addition to the top 10, the study also revealed that the cheapest coastal town for housing in the UK is Peterlee in County Durham, with an average house price of under £100,000. When it comes to the coastal town with the best average wages, Seaford and Newhaven in Lewes takes that with a median annual wage of £27,142.
And for the most restaurants per person, Cornwall is the town to head to if you love to dine out and sample different cuisines.
A traditional wicker picnic basket with added essentials. Inside you'll find a cooler bag, crockery and cutlery for 4, and a handy corkscrew. A quintessentially English accessory.
This BBQ Bucket from Olivia's is the perfect solution for outdoor grilling at the beach, park, or on your patio. It is portable and lightweight, made from powder-coated steel with heat-proof acacia handles.
This full bamboo picnic set is wrapped in a handy cloth bag and comes with a detachable carabiner clip. No need for plastic cutlery, this set is reusable, and fully biodegradable.
Convenience is key for a fuss-free picnic. This set of lightweight plastic tumblers with a subtle rainbow lustre effect can stack together to save storage space in your picnic basket.
For the premium picnic host. This UV-protected and water-resistant picnic tent is perfect for shading guests whilst they feast. It also comes with a matching carrier.
When plastic mugs just don't cut it. Embrace a countryside theme for your picnic – even if it's in your garden – with this sweet hand-illustrated rabbit mug by Jennifer Chance.
For the stylish picnic hosts. Anya Hindmarch's recycled canvas picnic tote will easily hold a bottle of wine and some nibbles - the perfect holdall for an intimate picnic for two.
A charming and durable melamine dinner plate, for when paper plates just won't cut it. Matching side plates, bowls and beakers are also available.
No picnic would be complete without a few blankets to stave off the chill of our notoriously fickle British summer. This large, 100% wool throw could warm up a couple in a pinch.
The Ooni Koda portable pizza oven at John Lewis has a bit of a cult following, and for good reason. Compact and lightweight, it can produce Neapolitan-style pizzas in 60 seconds flat.
This handy set includes a stainless steel thermos bottle and two matching tumblers. The thermos keeps cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot drinks hot for up to 12 hours.
Washable cushions in a classic nautical stripe. Perfect for scattering over your picnic blanket as extra comfy seating, and to add a splash of colour to your set up.
These clever mesh food covers can fit the largest cakes, salads or other serving bowls to keep insects away from your food. And they fold flat to save on space in your picnic basket.
A practical fold-away butterfly chair to encourage relaxation post-picnic. Made from FSC-certified beech and cotton canvas.
This luxurious picnic blanket is made of pure new wool, in the iconic Fortnum & Mason colour way. Features a waterproof backing, and is held together using British leather bridle straps.
We couldn't forget about our four-legged friends. This pet travel bag contains collapsible silicone bowls and placemats, space for water bottles, and lined carriers that can be used for food or treats.
This cheerful set of 4 side plates are made from shatter-proof melamine for durability, and are dishwasher-safe for hassle-free cleaning.
Just the ticket for transporting oats or muesli to your picnic. Kilner’s super smart Breakfast Jar Set comes complete with a stainless steel spoon stored in the silicone cuff around its top.
A playful, rainbow-coloured picnic set for an instant picnic set up. Contains a pure new wool picnic blanket, four outdoor cushions, and a portable champagne bucket with a matching leather strap.
The perfect accessory for afternoons spent in the sun, this deck chair has a sling canvas seat and comfy padded headrest on a solid hard wood frame. Available in a selection of colourful shades.
Create a shaded retreat for cool picnics on a hot summers day. Designed with a birch wood pole and polyester canopy.
A premium cooler bag to keep your food and drinks cold and crisp, from sunrise to sunset. Made from a vintage look beach umbrella canvas, with stylish leather detailing.
Introduce a little luxury by scattering these 100% pure new wool cushions onto your picnic blanket. For extra seating, lounging and cosying up of a summer's evening.
Made from stainless steel, this khaki green thermal water bottle is great for taking tea or coffee on your picnic. And the leak-proof lid means you don't have to worry about spillages.