The seaside town, previously dubbed as one of the ‘worst seaside towns in UK’, has turned its fortunes around.
In a pleasantly surprising (some might even say shocking) turn of events, a Kent seaside town that was previously dubbed one of the worst in the UK has been crowned one of the best.
Margate was previously awarded the (dis)honour of being the fourth worst beach resort in the UK following a study by Which?. The Kentish town earned a dismal satisfaction score of only 57 per cent from visitors. Now, in fresh research conducted by My Baggage, the picturesque seaside town has been deemed the UK’s most desirable place to move to in 2025.
Those looking to relocate need not look further than the Kentish coastline.
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A thorough analysis looking at house prices, salaries, climate, connectivity and amenities has placed Margate, now often dubbed the UK’s ‘coolest’ seaside town, at the pinnacle. With a relocation score of 98.83, the charming Kentish locale secured the top spot as the UK’s most desirable seaside town in the research.
Margate edged out stiff competition from Yorkshire’s holiday hotspot Whitby, which secured second place with a score of 97.60, and was closely tailed by another Kentish gem, Whitstable, boasting a relocation score of 90.53.
My Baggage CEO Paul Stewart, whose team spearheaded the research, commented: “Margate leads convincingly as the UK’s premier coastal relocation destination for 2025. Its first-place ranking in our Coastal Relocation Index demonstrates the perfect balance of affordability, quality of life and seaside charm. Particularly noteworthy is the strong showing from Kent, with two towns in the top three, suggesting the county’s growing reputation as the UK’s premier coastal living destination.”
Margate is celebrated for providing the “ideal coastal lifestyle without the premium costs”, thanks to its superb mix of sunshine hours (1,846), moderate rainfall (612.64mm), and top-notch broadband speeds (210.1 mbps).
The annual salary across the quaint seaside town averages at £32,415, while the average real estate costs are just over £333,000 for a house.
Despite Margate Main Sands’ impressive four out of five rating on Tripadvisor, some visitors have reported a faint seaside odour and occasional whiffs of sewage. This comes even as the beach proudly holds the prestigious Blue Flag award, symbolising its compliance with the stringent standards set by the Foundation for Environmental Education.
Margate offers a wealth of unique attractions for those looking to explore. From the historical Margate Museum and the unusual Crab Museum to the magical Shell Grotto and Margate Caves, there’s something to pique everyone’s interest. The Old Town area of Margate also features smaller museums and a variety of independent, retro, and modern shops for visitors to peruse.
In a charming tribute to its seaside roots, the town is home to numerous fish and chip shops, ice cream vans, and pubs along the seafront. It also boasts two adventure golf courses for those seeking a bit of light-hearted fun. However, the real star of the show is Dreamland, a much-loved amusement park and entertainment centre that encapsulates the spirit of a classic English seaside fairground, conveniently located just a short walk away.
Just under two miles from the town centre is Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, reputedly the UK’s largest tidal pool, complete with fresh water springs. This jewel of Kent’s coastline provides a refreshing spot for visitors to cool down, breathe in the crisp sea air, and enjoy some physical activity.
Top 10 UK coastal towns for relocation in 2025
- Margate, Kent
- Whitby, Yorkshire
- Whitstable, Kent
- Llandudno, Conwy
- Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway
- Fishguard, Pembrokeshire
- Brighton, East Sussex
- Aldeburgh, Suffolk
- Penzance, Cornwall
- Portrush, Co Antrim