Looking for a seaside escape without the driving stress? Experts have shared the top coastal towns to visit based on the ease of getting there and getting around.
The research analysed everything from roundabout numbers to traffic signals across Britain's beach destinations to find the beautiful locations with less stress.
Paignton in Devon emerged as the most hassle-free spot for families wanting a relaxing coastal break. This is according to research by Nationwide Vehicle Contracts.
It claimed the top spot with just 17 roundabouts and 66 traffic signals, making navigation remarkably simple. The town boasts minimal pedestrian-only streets too - only 28 compared to other coastal destinations.
Paignton is a beautiful part of Devon, which is easy to navigate by car
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Easiest coastal towns to navigate
- Paignton
- South Shields
- Barry
- Swansea
- Poole
With British holidaymakers increasingly choosing staycations, these destinations offer the perfect combination - stunning beaches, family attractions and roads that won't leave you pulling your hair out. It's brilliant news for anyone planning a spontaneous seaside adventure.
Families can enjoy Paignton Sands and its famous pier, or head to Goodrington Sands, which holds coveted Blue Flag status. The Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway offers scenic journeys, while harbour wildlife cruises provide maritime adventures.
The research found that searches for "where to go in Devon" jumped 43 per cent recently, suggesting more people are discovering this stress-free seaside gem. With such easy driving conditions, it's no wonder Paignton leads the pack.
South Shields in the north grabbed second place with excellent mobile internet speeds of 98 Mbps - perfect for keeping satnavs running smoothly. The town sees just 590 monthly searches about navigation difficulties, far fewer than many other coastal spots.
Barry in Wales, famous as the Gavin and Stacey filming location, ranked third with only 55 traffic signals and 77 roundabouts. The Welsh coastal gem recorded just 44 collisions last year and sits conveniently close to Cardiff and Bristol.
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Barry in Wales, famous as the Gavin and Stacey filming location, ranked third
| PASwansea and Poole rounded out the top five, both offering easy road access to beautiful beaches and family attractions without the typical seaside traffic nightmares.
Visitors to Barry can explore Whitmore Bay Beach, the starting point of the Wales Coast Path, which is ideal for walkers. The town's Pleasure Beach features nostalgic seaside attractions made famous by the TV show.
The experts said: "Paignton is the perfect spot for a stress-free seaside escape," while describing South Shields as "a relaxing choice with nearby Sandhaven Beach and the smaller Little Haven Beach, where you will find golden stretches of sand and plenty of ice cream shops".
With fewer roundabouts, traffic signals and pedestrian zones than typical coastal towns, these five destinations prove that British beach holidays don't have to mean traffic headaches.