Underrated UK seaside town where biggest fish and chip shop serves thousands (2025)

With four miles of golden beach, a string of arcades, long-stretching promenade and the country's 'best' fish & chip shop, this underrated UK seaside town really does offer something for everyone

A tiny Victorian seaside resort with four miles of soft golden sands has been a tourist 'magnet' since its railway opened back in 1863. While many of the UK's coastal gems have fallen into disrepair following the boom in holidays over to sunny Spain, Cleethorpes has managed to preserve its glamorous nostalgia.

Snuggled on the estuary of the Humber in North East Lincolnshire, the town ticks all the coastal must-haves. There are swathes of bright-light arcades, a string of souvenir shops flogging rock (the sweet kind) and fridge magnets, and a long-stretching promenade offering stunning sea views.

But, Cleethorpes has also become a haven for water sports enthusiasts, bird-watchers, and adrenaline seekers alike. On a sunny day, the town is a great place to spot wildlife on the saltmarsh, paddle-board or kite surf out into the sea, or make your stomach churn on the funfair.

However, there is one huge reason Brits still flock to the town after all of these years: fish & chips. Often touted as Britain's best chippy, Papa's is conveniently located on Cleethorpes Pier - and regularly sees punters queuing for hours to get their hands on some well-deserved fried food.

"With phenomenal views and unrivalled access to Cleethorpes Central Promenade – Cleethorpes Pier is one of Lincolnshire’s most iconic venues," Papa's said. "It's is no coincidence that fish & chips taste better by the seaside – and now there is no better spot to pick up a portion of Britain's Best Fish & Chips, as seen on BBC.

"Frying award-winning fish and chips has been a way of life for the Papa family since 1966. While each generation has added something new, the philosophies of Mr Papa are still embodied with every meal they serve."

Papa's eclectic menu covers all of your chippy essentials, including haddock and chips (£8.99), scampi and chips (£11.99), and cod and chips (£13.99). There's even a tofu fish alternative for vegans (£11.99) and pub classics like steak and ale pie (£10.99) and battered halloumi (£10.99).

Want the latest travel news and cheapest holiday deals sent straight to your inbox? Sign up to our Travel Newsletter

The eatery has a slew of five-star reviews online, with many customers vowing to return on their next staycation. "Best fish and chips in the UK!" one person raved. "We had the big Papa's haddock to share and it was absolutely delicious and good value for money (£18.99). You can share it between 3-4 people. We also had mushy peas and curry sauce which were all amazing. Very friendly service too."

Another agreed, writing: "Great Fish and Chips at the end of the pier. So nice to see Papas using the pier, and seeing it so busy. The food is fresh, with good-sized portions," while a third hailed: "The staff very friendly food, excellent, wonderful views highly recommend. I'll be going again."

Almost 200 miles from London, you'll need to prepare for a gruelling four-hour drive to get to Cleethorpes from the Big Smoke. However, train journeys can cut the journey time down to under three hours. This tends to include a stopover in Doncaster, and costs as little as £28 for a single adult fare.

Cleethorpes has kept its reputation as an affordable holiday destination, with a plethora of accommodations catering to different budgets. For example, a weekend's stay (Friday, April 25-27) in a 'luxury' apartment on the beachfront costs £170, based on two adults sharing.

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

What's your favourite UK seaside resort? Let us know in the comments section below.