Revealed: The best UK coastal walks

Isle of Skye, Brighton, Bournemouth and Aberdeen are the most popular UK coastal walks according to new research. 

The study, conducted by clothing retailer, FatFace has revealed the coastal walks with the highest UK average monthly searches and which ones have generated the most geotags on Instagram. Jo Collins, head of womenswear design at the brand has also compiled her top walking clothing staples, exploring combinations that will work during the colder seasons. 

The UK’s most searched for coastal routes: 

Isle of Skye takes the top spot for the most searched for coastal walk with 1,610 monthly UK searches. The island is home to many beaches including Claigan Coral Beach and Talisker Beach and boasts 145,000 geotags on Instagram. Outside of beaches, it has many well known attractions such as the Old Man of Storr and The Fairy Pools. It is also Scotland’s second largest island after Lewis and Harris. 

Aberdeen follows in second place, generating an average of 1,410 monthly UK searches. Scotland’s third biggest city is home to many tourist hotspots including Aberdeen Beach and Queen’s Links. The city pulls in 964,000 geotags on Instagram and has various walks in the surrounding area including the Brimmond Hill route, Countesswells forest trails and the Elrick Hill circuit.  

Brighton is in third with 1,150 monthly average UK searches and is a popular destination with tourists due to its beach, pier and nightlife. The East Sussex city has racked up 3,600,000 Instagram geotags and has various walks such as the Undercliff Walk, Kipling Roedean and Rottingdean Circular and Stanmer Park and Falmer Circular.  

Some honourable mentions that appear in the top 10 are St Ives in Cornwall, Whitby and Scarborough. 

The UK’s most instagrammable coastal routes: 

For those who prioritise destinations by their picturesque scenes and Instagram worthiness, the study has also broken down the UK’s most instagrammable coastal walks.  

Brighton which appears again in this ranking is in first place as the most instagrammed coastal walk with 3,600,000 geotags. Bournemouth follows in second place with 1,600,000 geotags and Aberdeen is in third with 964,000 geotags. 

Portsmouth takes fourth place with 816,000 geotags and an average of 340 monthly UK searches. This Hampshire city is home to many beach and walking spots including Southsea Beach, Hotwalls Beach, Portchester Castle and Coastal Path, Hayling Billy Trail and Old Portsmouth to Southsea Seafront.  

St Ives in Cornwall completes the top five roundup with 756,000 Instagram geotags. The picturesque town boasts several beaches including Porthmeor which is its largest beach and is known for its surfing and Harbour Beach which is classed as the main beach. As well as beaches it’s home to many strolls including St Ives to Carbis Bay Walk, St Ives Island Walk and St Ives to Zennor.  

Other honourable mentions that complete the top 10 are Newquay, Margate in Kent and St Andrews in Fife, Scotland. 

As pleasant and scenic as a walk by the coast can be, it can be tricky to decide what to wear especially during chillier temperatures. So to help the nation out, head of womenswear design, Jo Collins at FatFace shares her coastal walk essentials. 

Prioritise comfortable shoes – preferably walking shoes or trainers for longer walks:

“Footwear is an important part of a coastal walk uniform and the wrong choice can turn a nice walk into a painful one. Depending on the difficulty of the walk and the factors involved such as if it’s uneven ground – walking shoes are always an appropriate choice that can be styled well. 

“Trainers are a great option for those shorter strolls, opt for a darker pair rather than a white one as this colour will hide the sand and mud better. You can also swap out trainers for wellies depending on how wet the walk will be.”

Choose layering options such as thermal tops, leggings and long-sleeved tops:

“UK weather can be unpredictable, especially during the first half of the year so layering options are a solution to combat this. For colder days, layering using thermal materials such as tops or leggings or even just popping a pair of tights underneath jeans will make a huge difference in adding warmth. Even adding an extra pair of socks or gloves is a quick way to stay warm.” 

Opt for a waterproof coat rather than water-resistant to provide extra protection: 

“The outer layer is just as important as the footwear choice, so make sure you pack a waterproof jacket for any unexpected showers. Make sure this is waterproof rather than water-resistant as this will protect you from heavy rain whereas the former is only suitable for light showers. Ideally, the coat should have a hood as this will help keep you protected from the weather elements.”

Create a mid-layer from knitwear, fleeces or sweatshirts:

“Opt for sweatshirts and fleeces to combat the wind and cold. Play with different shapes to create a silhouette and experiment with patterns to add some colour to your outfit. Depending on the temperature, a hooded sweatshirt can be an alternative to a hooded jacket. 

“For lighter days, opt for knitted jumpers and cardigans as these tend to be more breathable with the latter giving you the option to have it open to show off the layer underneath.”

“A lightweight puffa jacket is such a versatile piece to have in case of weather changes.

They’re super light weight and can roll up in a backpack easily yet offer insulation if things turn chilly”

Chuck on a beanie or sun cap to accessorise outfits whilst adding protection from the weather:

“Incorporating hats such as beanies or sun caps is a great way to accessorise outfits whilst protecting yourself and these smaller pieces can help with colour blocking.” 

For warmth, incorporate scarfs, snoods and gloves into the outfits: 

“Accessories are a subtle way to incorporate some new colours, patterns or textures into your outfits. Opt for a scarf that is made from thicker material for warmth and has a pattern such as checked to help balance out the neutrals and incorporate some new shades into your outfit. Snoods tend to be brighter colours or have bold patterns which helps to brighten up your coastal walk capsule wardrobe. Gloves are also essential for any outdoor walk and can make statement pieces if you limit other accessories to keep the focus on them.”

Choose jeans, linen trousers or leggings for the bottom layer: 

“Jeans are the perfect option to chuck on for a coastal walk if the weather is looking dry, however, they are not appropriate for heavy rain as they can take a while to dry which can result in you being cold. 

“Linen trousers are a casual option if the weather is sunny and warm as they are breathable and allow movement. Leggings are always a failsafe option, no matter the weather as they are light and dry quickly if they get wet.” 

In the summer season wear shorts as that’s the perfect choice for warm walks, and if you find yourself walking through the odd shower your legs will dry quicker than clothing.

Layer up overshirts over jersey for any change in temperature throughout the day.

Opt for a small backpack or a crossbody 

“A smaller backpack is ideal for carrying essential supplies such as food, water and extra layers. Choose a muted colour and opt for easy-to-clean materials such as canvas or leather. A crossbody made from nylon material can be used for shorter walks if you don’t need to carry much – opt for a dark or neutral shade as this will match the rest of your wardrobe so it can be used with other combinations.” 

For those looking to stock up on coastal walk essentials, check out FatFace’s wide range of women’s jeans, women’s tops, and women’s fleeces. 

10 reasons to love walking this May