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This quaint city has a vibrant shopping scene, stunning architecture, and rich heritage – and is a mere stone’s throw from one of the UK’s most infamous seaside resorts

Take a ‘step back in time’ in this quaint UK city that can be seen all the way from the coast. England’s South East was recently dealt a huge blow after the iconic town of Bognor Regis was crowned the ‘worst’ seaside resort in the country by Brits. #

The savage ranking saw the hotspot receive a measly 36 per cent overall destination score, with holidaymakers giving the town just one star for its seafront, pier, tourist attractions, scenery, shopping offerings, and value for money.

However, just a stone’s throw from the ‘rundown’ resort lies a charming city that has managed to perfectly preserve its rich heritage and squeaky clean reputation. Constantly named as the best and happiest place to live in the UK by the likes of the Guardian and Sunday Times, this genteel region has marginally escaped becoming a commuter belt due to being 90 minutes away from London on the train. However, it still makes for the perfect staycation.

READ MORE: UK seaside town home to huge Butlin’s site named the ‘worst’ by Brits

If you haven’t guessed already, we’re talking about Chichester – a Roman cathedral city steeped in history – and the only city in the West Sussex county. Evidence of its fascinating past can still be seen on the streets today, including the Roman baths, a city wall (which was replaced by a Georgian wall), and an amphitheater which now serves as a park.

“[The city] has a plethora of grade II listed buildings and other points of interest include the Chichester City Cross which is a type of butter market and sits in the centre of North, East, South and West streets,” hails Discover Sussex. “The City Cross was built in 1500 by Bishop Edward Storey as a shelter for people who sold their wares on market day.”

The city is renowned for its 11th-century cathedral which soars into the sky – and can be spotted all the way over from the coastline on a clear day. This impressive architectural wonder attracts thousands of visitors and pilgrims every year – and hosts organised tours for those wanting to learn more about the building.

But if you’re not a huge history buff, don’t worry. Chichester has a vibrant shopping scene with a bustling high-street that is mainly pedestrianised. You’ll also be spoilt for choice when it comes to grabbing a coffee or having lunch after a hard day of retail therapy.

And of course, a trip to Chichester isn’t complete without heading over to Bishops Palace Gardens. “If you want a peaceful area to sit and relax, then this is the ideal spot and we love visiting the gardens to enjoy a coffee and sit and listen to the birds and enjoy the beautifully maintained gardens,” adds Discover Sussex. “The gardens are open from 8am till dusk and just a short walk through the cloisters which open onto Canon Lane.”

Chichester is located just over 80 miles from London, meaning it’ll take around two hours and 14 minutes in the car. However, direct trains can slash the journey time down to just one hour and 25 minutes. If you’re flexible with dates, you can grab single adult fares for as little as £10.

If you’re coming from Bognor Regis as a day trip, you’ll only need to drive 7.1 miles north (which takes less than half an hour) or hop on a 23-minute train, which usually involves a stop at Barnham. Single adult fares start from just £6.40.

Chichester is home to a range of accommodation types, meaning you’ll easily be able to find something within your budget. For example, a weekend’s stay (Friday, July 25-27) at the Cherry End B&B will only set you back £239. This is based on two adults sharing a Deluxe Double Room.

However, if you’re after something a little more luxurious – check out Harbour Hotel and Spa. This stunning 18th-century building is just a few minutes’ walk from the cathedral and features its own brasserie offering locally-sourced meals. Staying here on the exact same nights will set you back £390.

*Prices based on Trainline and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.

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One seaside town has been ranked the best in the country, receiving five-star ratings for its impressive views of the Northumberland coastline and serene atmosphere.

One Northumberland village has been named the best seaside town in the UK four years in a row. The UK’s top consumer champion, Which?, conducted its annual seaside survey of over 120 UK towns and villages across the UK and the results reveal a clear winner.

Bamburgh is the landslide victor, retaining its title as the most beloved seaside town among travellers. According to the results of Which’s survey, Bamburgh received five-star ratings across the board for its beach, seafront, scenery, tourist attraction and its tranquil atmosphere.

The village achieved an 86% overall destination score in the recent survey, which was the consumer group’s biggest seaside survey to date. The results reflect the opinions of 5,000 Which members, many of whom cited the spectacular views of Bamburgh Castle in their reviews.

READ MORE: Charming UK market town with no tourists ‘perfect for a staycation’

Bamburgh is situated within the Northumberland countryside, at the midway point between Berwick upon Tweed and Alnwick. Part of the reason it’s so popular among British holidaymakers is due to its close proximity to Newcastle airport and the Chathill train station (only a 30-minute train ride).

The most famous fixture of Bamburgh is, naturally, its namesake landmark: Bamburgh Castle. Even if you haven’t visited the castle in-person, you may have seen the iconic fortress in television shows or films like The Last Kingdom, Transformer: The Last Knight, or Frontier.

The award-winning castle is hailed as “the real Last Kingdom of Bebbanburg”. Today, the Anglo-Saxon citadel is owned by the Armstrong family, and their love of pets is the reason the grounds are now dog-friendly.

The Castle has become a huge attraction for the area, hosting a range of activities including Dragon Hunts, Ghost Tours and Outdoor Cinema Screenings. Fans of the Netflix series The Last Kingdom can also partake in the Uhtred of Babbenburgh Tour which runs between February and November to learn about the castle’s history.

Bamburgh Castle has become a distinguishing feature of the Northumberland coast and is one of the largest inhabited castles in the country. Not only is the fortress filled with 3,000 years of history and tales of Vikings and The Last Kingdom, but it also offers stunning views of the sea beyond.

Bamburgh Beach sits just beyond Bamburgh Castle and is notable both for its sand dunes and sea views. The beach has also become a huge draw for surfers, considered one of the most consistent spots along the coast. For those interested in learning, there are multiple surf schools operating on the north end of the beach from spring until autumn.

Travellers venturing north along the beach will come across the famous ‘Stag’ Rocks. This coastal landmark gets its name from the white stag painted on the rocks. While the origin of the painting is unknown – some locals say it appeared after a stag jumped into the sea – today, the rocks are regularly painted to keep up the local history.

Stag Rocks have also become a popular vantage point for birdwatching. This portion of the coast also offers unique views of the protected Farne Islands – a small group of islands a few miles off the coast of the Northumberland between Bamburgh and Seahouses.

If you’re in the area, a visit to the nearby fishing village of Seahouses is certainly a must. Regular boat tours leave from Seahouses’ harbour to the Farne Islands where travellers can see puffins and a large colony of grey seals.

Travellers can even walk straight from Seahouses harbour to Bamburgh Castle to enjoy a stunning stretch of the Northumberland coastline. The roughly three-mile walk is predominantly on golden sand.