Want your fish and chips to be cheap as chips? Here’s where you should go for your next UK seaside trip.
A recent survey has revealed you’ll get the most bang for your buck at chippies in Southwold, Suffolk – and that’s not all it has to offer holidaymakers either.
Recent research by Capital on Tap said it ‘offers the most budget-friendly option for fish and chips among all locations, with the meal costing just 1.06% of an average weekly salary.’
Here, an average chippy tea will set you back £8.35, which is £6 cheaper than the most expensive, in Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire.
The study continued: ‘Impressively, despite the lower cost, Southwold’s fish and chips boast a rating of 4.5 out of 5, indicating that customers are consistently pleased with their dining experience. For those seeking affordability without sacrificing taste or satisfaction, Southwold stands out as a top choice.’
And despite it not being as well-known as coastal resorts like Brighton or Blackpool, there are plenty of other reasons to make Southwold the location for your next break.
A separate study by The Camping and Caravanning Club put it top of the list of the country’s best seaside towns, commenting that it’s a ‘great destination year-round, whether you plan to visit during the summer for an ice cream or in the winter for blustery walks and cosy pub lunches.’
Tripadvisor reviewers agree, including June A who described Southwold’s Denes Beach as ‘iconic’, adding, ‘Lined with those wonderful and colourful huts with lots of cafes and ice cream shops too – and dog friendly. Great for a warm day.’
‘Such a find,’ wrote Margaret J, who visited in June, while GoingGuide said Southwold was a ‘perfectly unspoilt coastal town.’
Thinking of heading there for a budget-friendly seaside stay? Here’s everything you need to know.
Things to do in Southwold
The main attraction in Southwold is its expansive beaches, Denes Beach and Southwold Pier. The former provides a more old-fashioned feel, with huts and plenty of space to walk the dog, and the latter is more bustling.
On the pier, which stretches out 190 metres into the sea, you can enjoy a range of shops, eating places and classic amusements – including some unique attractions designed by engineer and cartoonist Tim Hunkin.
Once you’re done with sunbathing and watersports, have a wander around the quaint shops and eateries, or do a tour of the Grade II lighthouse – still in operation guiding boats around the East Coast.
Little ones will also love the Southwold Maize Maze, which has plenty to keep them busy, from tractor rides to sandpits and a zip wire.
And for the grown-ups, Southwold is home to the Adnams Brewery, winner of The Good Pub Guide 2011’s ‘Brewery of the Year’. Here you can take a tour, visit the distillery, or get your hands on some of your favourite tipples right where they’re made.
Getting there
To get to Southwold from London, you have a couple of options. If you’re travelling by train, the nearest stations are Halesworth or Dalesham, both of which are about 10 miles away. Regular services run from Liverpool Street on the East Suffolk line, changing at Ipswich, with the journey taking around two-and-a-half hours and costing from £11 each way.
Your Daily Horoscope
If you’re going by car, you’re looking at a drive of just over three hours from London, two hours from Cambridge, or four hours from Birmingham. You should be able to find parking near the beach, but check with your hotel or B&B when you book to make sure.
The UK's cheapest seaside fish and chips
- Southwold
- New Brighton
- Portmeirion
- Folkestone
- Whitstable
- Llandudno
- Tenby
- Hastings
- Padstow
- Shanklin
Via Capital on Tap.
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