1. Brighton, Sussex

Brighton is one of England's most attractive cities as well as a popular seaside resort. It has been a fashionable coastal destination since Regency times in the early 19th century when it was the home of the Prince of Wales, the future King George IV. The Palace Pier was built at the end of the 19th century and is a listed building. You can still see the eerie remains of Brighton's West Pier. Closed in 1975 it has been ravaged by fires and storms. All that remains is the partial metal structure lying just off the beach.

2. Clevedon, Somerset

Clevedon is a charming seaside town enjoying glorious views across the Bristol Channel. The pier is the jewel in the crown, one of the finest and most important Victorian piers in the country. Disaster struck in 1970 when the end section collapsed. It has now been restored to its former glory and a stroll on the pier is a must for every visitor to Clevedon.

3. Cromer, Norfolk

Cromer is a classic British seaside town. Beautiful landscaped cliff gardens and the promenade overlook fine sandy beaches and the delightful Victorian pier. As befits such a resort, Cromer claims that its annual summer show is the last remaining end-of-pier show. Providing old-fashioned, family entertainment, the show is a throwback to the British seaside's heyday. From the pier you can try and catch your own Cromer crab, a delicacy the town is famous for.

4. Great Yarmouth, Suffolk

Great Yarmouth offers everything you would expect from a traditional English seaside resort. There are over 15 miles of sandy beaches within the Greater Yarmouth area. The seafront, known as the 'Golden Mile', has many traditional seaside attractions including a Victorian pier. Great Yarmouth has been a port since Medieval times and today the South Quay at the heart of the town has a wealth of museums and fine old buildings whilst the port remains a hive of activity.

5. Ryde, Isle of Wight

Ryde has six miles of glorious sandy beaches and shallow coastal waters which are ideal for swimming. A broad seafront promenade runs alongside the esplanade with the pier at its centre, which at nearly half a mile is one of the oldest and longest piers in the country.

6. St Annes, Lancashire

Just three miles from the bright lights of Blackpool, Lytham and St Annes-on-Sea are worlds apart in both character and atmosphere. The dual seaside towns are nestled along a picturesque stretch of coastline lined with well-tended lawns, a boating lake and pretty parks. St Annes-on-Sea boasts a beautifully restored Victorian Pier, originally built in 1885 and now home to amusement rides, shops and cafes.

7. Southend, Essex

Situated on the north bank of the Thames estuary and a tourist attraction since Georgian times, partly due to its close proximity to London, Southend on Sea remains a popular seaside destination to this day. In the last few years it has being undergoing a transformation, including its famous pier - the longest in the world - which has been restored to its former glory.

8. Southwold, Suffolk

Southwold is a quintessentially English seaside resort. Its sandy beach, with brightly coloured beach huts and sprawling dunes, is one of the most popular in the area. The recently refurbished pier offers a wide range of shops, eating places and amusements from the traditional to Tim Hunkin's eccentric inventions.

9. Weston Super Mare, Somerset

Weston-super-Mare is the archetypal English seaside resort. It rose to fame in the Victorian era and many of its grander buildings date from that time though it remains a popular family holiday resort. Today the Grand Pier is the focal point on the seafront. The pier has been updated over the years but still retains its original character.

10. Worthing, Sussex

Worthing is a peaceful coastal holiday resort town, less built up than Brighton further along the coast. It retains much of its elegant seaside heritage architecture including the spectacular seafront Worthing Pavilion. The town sits at the centre of five miles of flat seaside promenade and has an award-winning pier. A particularly special feature of this seaside town is its stunning selection of ornamental gardens, both along the promenade and west of the pier.

Peter lives in the Yorkshire Dales and has worked in senior positions within the travel industry for nearly 30 years. He has a passion for exploring Britain and believes that staying in self catering holiday accommodation is one of the best ways to really get to know this beautiful island of ours. There is so much variety in the landscape, the architecture, the customs, the food and drink and the people. Despite increasing uniformity, he believes that you can still discover this rich diversity if you look hard enough and you will have a much more fulfilling holiday for that. The Good Cottage Guide have a great selection of luxury cottages on the coast, as well as in some wonderful inland areas of Britain.