With the summer holidays having kicked off and airport wait times continuing to be a problem, 23 million Brits have said they plan on spending a day at the seaside this summer. New analysis from credit card provider Vanquis has investigated the average cost of an ice-cream, fish and chips and half a day’s car parking in 20 of the UK’s biggest seaside towns, to identify which offers the best value day out at the beach.
Sunderland comes out on top – costing an average £12.09 per person – followed by Lowestoft at £12.89 and South Shields at £13.47. The most expensive is Southend-on-Sea coming in at £19.63 per person – 62% more expensive than Sunderland.
At a time when household budgets are stretched due to the spiralling cost of living, value for money is a key consideration for the two thirds of people (66%) when it comes to visiting the seaside.
A third (31%) have said they will take their own food and drink to save money, rising to four in 10 (41%) for parents with children under 18. One in five (19%) look for vouchers to bring down costs and 15% rely on free or local activities.
Victoria Heath, Marketing Director at Vanquis said: “The summer holidays can be an expensive time – especially for families – and this will be felt more noticeably this year due to the increasing cost of living. Visiting the seaside is a family favourite, so we've undertaken this analysis of seaside costs to help families budget for a day at the seaside and show the cost difference between the largest seaside locations. We'll also be launching weekly giveaways throughout August on social media, offering the chance to win a variety of exciting experience vouchers, to help people make the most of summer on any budget.”
Top tips to save at the seaside
Victoria Heath, Marketing Director at Vanquis shares five ways to save money on a trip to the seaside:
· Find free festivals and activities
Many seaside towns will have free festivals throughout the summer, such as East Beach Festival in Southend-on-Sea (13.08 - 14.08), Bournemouth’s Festival Coast Live! – a variety of free activities and events across the summer holiday period (22.07 – 04.09) – or the Eastbourne Vintage Festival (26.08 – 29.08). Free festivals are a great opportunity to have an entertaining day out without spending on tickets.
· Book travel in advance
If you're travelling by bus or train, plan ahead if you can. Buy your tickets in advance and travel off-peak to get the best discounts. This could save you up to 61% according to Trainline.
· Collect pennies for the arcades
Start collecting spare change for arcade games several weeks before you go, these can keep the whole family amused, for literally pennies. And, it’s good respite from the seafront if the British weather decides to take an unpredictable turn!
· Pop to the supermarket for picnic essentials
Before you hit the beach, pop to a value supermarket to pick up beach snacks and games (if you're not bringing your own with you). They'll be much cheaper there compared to buying them from a seafront vendor – who often add a premium – and there will also be more choice.
· Research parking before you go
Not only can getting a car parking space be tricky in the summer months, but parking along the seafront can be expensive too. Research roads slightly further away, check if there’s a park and ride nearby, or even use a parking app to find locals that rent out their driveaway to get a cheaper, guaranteed spot.
20 largest UK towns ordered by cost of a large fish & chips, one scoop of ice cream and half a day of parking (cheapest – most expensive)
1. Sunderland - £12.09
2. Lowestoft - £12.89
3. South Shields - £13.47
4. Grimsby - £13.68
5. Birkenhead - £13.71
6. Swansea - £14.06
7. Southport - £14.13
8. Tynemouth - £14.27
9. Hartlepool - £14.38
10. Weston Super Mare - £15.18
11. Paignton - £15.63
12. Gosport - £15.74
13. Blackpool - £16.01
14. Bognor Regis - £16.18
15. Hastings - £16.48
16. Worthing - £16.49
17. Exmouth - £16.50
18. Eastbourne - £17.14
19. Bournemouth - £18.03
20. Southend on Sea - £19.63
