While many British seasides are crowded during the summer, like Brighton and Blackpool, many gorgeous seaside destinations are lesser known and, more importantly, more peaceful. So you might be considering this year changing your favourite beach.

Worthing in West Sussex has just been named the best seaside town to move to in 2023 by lifestyle website Muddy Stilettos and also by The Sunday Times.

Located just ten miles west of Brighton, it seems Worthing may be the new UK’s favourite coastal hotspot. The city beat the usual holiday places like Dorset and Cornwall to take the title.

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A reputation as a sleepy retirement destination is a thing of the past, and the town is now home to a bunch of microbreweries, cocktail bars, independent boutiques and art spaces.

Excellent seafood served up in Crabshack on a stylish outdoor deck strung with lights and the beautiful art deco pier on Worthing’s colourful seafront, built in 1862, it survived a fire and World War II in the 1980s and also briefly operated as a nightclub.

In the 1930s, chalet studios beside Coast Cafe, East Beach, you can buy direct from resident artists. There’s also an artists’ hub with frequent exhibitions at Colonnade House, where you can catch free family-friendly outdoor performances on summer Saturdays.

Worthing is now notable for its affordable lifestyle and fewer tourists than popular seaside towns. According to Rightmove, the average house price in the area is around £370,000, making it significantly cheaper than London.

Author and photos: Patrycja Bodzek-Kurzyńska