With idyllic villages, breathtaking  beach views and cleaner air, it's no wonder Brits are beginning to flock to the country’s seaside towns. A recent study carried out by My Baggage took into account house pricing, salaries, climate conditions and more to determine where in the UK offers the best place to relocate. While Margate came out on top as the best seaside town to live, this dreamy location didn’t fall far behind at number two.

Known for its rich maritime history, Whitby is the Yorkshire seaside town that came in second place with an impressive overall score of 97.6. In the North of England, the town is home to a number of interesting artefacts, including the Gothic Whitby Abbey, which was the inspiration behind the Bram Stoker novel Dracula. What helped it to rank so high, however, was the staggering average salary of £77,628, paired with its average house price of over £306,000. 

To put this into perspective, Portrush at number 10 has an average house price of £245,531.82, while only having a median annual salary of £30,553.

Not to mention, those living in the Yorkshire town are pleased to soak up 1492.78 hours of sunlight each year and approximately 793.1mm of rainfall. Comparatively, towns such as Penzance aren’t quite as lucky, as on average they are receiving 1075.84mm of rainfall per year.

The coastal haven has plenty to offer for those visiting and living in the area. As mentioned, Whitby Abbey is a famous landmark, but forming part of it is the iconic 199 Steps, a walk that reaches both St Mary's Church and the abbey, offering panoramic scenic views.

As well as this, Whitby is known and loved for its bustling harbour, at the heart of the town, alongside its spacious beach. For those wanting a quiet life by the sea, Whitby has plenty of space on its beach for days out with the family, whether it's long walks, fossil hunting or simply kicking back and taking it all in.

When it comes to seaside cuisine, Whitby didn’t come to play. They have classic fish and chips down to a T, and many flock to the town to savour the flavour of the much-loved seafood dishes.

Coming in at number three on the list was the peaceful town of Whitstable in Kent. The study showed that amongst the beauty of the area, there were only an average of 4 residents per 1km, making it a peaceful place to reside for those wanting a quieter life. 

Whitstable offers scenic strolls along its sandy shores, with up to 45 beaches to choose from, including the likes of Tankerton Beach, Seasalter Beach, and West Beach. Another charming aspect of living in the town is that it is known for its tasty oysters and hosts a number of specialist bars serving the seafood.

Speaking about the survey they have conducted, the CEO of My Baggage, Paul Stewart said: “The study highlights the diverse appeal of the UK's coastline, with top destinations spanning from Kent to Yorkshire and Wales to Northern Ireland. 

“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.”