A popular seaside town in Fife has been named one of the top three in the UK by a well-known consumer champion.

Which? surveyed over 4700 people about their experiences at coastal towns up and down the country to find the very best.

The watchdog said: "The survey results spotlight coastal gems from all four nations, with Bamburgh, Northumberland taking the top spot, Portmeirion, Gwynedd in second place, St Andrews, Fife in third place and Portstewart, Derry/Londonderry, the favourite Northern Irish resort, also featuring in the top 20.

"This year's survey once again saw many lesser-known destinations beat their more popular counterparts to the top of the table."

St Andrews is well known for its ancient universitySt Andrews is well known for its ancient university (Image: Getty)


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Why St Andrews is one of the best seaside towns in the whole of the UK

St Andrews was dubbed the third-best seaside town in the UK and was praised for being a "wonderfully scenic" destination.

Discussing the location in Scotland, Which? said: "In third place was St Andrews, with a destination score of 82 per cent. The “wonderfully scenic” Scottish town received five-star ratings in a range of categories including tourist attractions, seafront, beaches and scenery, as well as four stars for shopping and food and drink."

Commenting on the research Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel said: “From wild, unspoilt stretches of remote coastline to charming traditional bucket and spade resorts, the UK’s seaside towns offer something for everyone.

“While you may have your own favourite coastal spot, this year’s survey shows that it’s worth looking beyond the most famous resorts this summer, to the lesser-visited hidden gems  in every corner of the UK.”

Other Scottish locations were featured on the list with Crail (also in Fife) and North Berwick making the cut.

See all the Scottish seaside towns named among the best in the UK

Other places in Scotland like North Berwick and Ayr were also named among the best seaside towns in the UKOther places in Scotland like North Berwick and Ayr were also named among the best seaside towns in the UK (Image: Getty)

Here are all of the Scottish seaside towns named among the best in the UK.

  • St Andrews, Fife - 82%
  • Crail, Fife - 77%
  • Nairn, Scottish Highlands - 75%
  • North Berwick, East Lothian - 74%
  • Pittenweem, Fife - 72%
  • Oban, Argyll and Bute - 71%
  • Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway - 71%
  • Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire - 71%
  • Tobermory, Isle of Mull - 71%
  • Ullapool, Ross and Cromarty - 69%
  • Dunbar, East Lothian - 65%
  • Largs, Ayrshire - 65%
  • Ayr, Ayrshire - 57%

Regions like Fife, East Lothian and Ayrshire dominated the list for Scotland with three destinations being found in 'The Kingdom'.