'Perfect' UK coastal town to visit is 'quieter and cleaner' than Blackpool

A UK coastal town has been hailed as a "quieter and cleaner" alternative to Blackpool, offering the perfect escape from the bustling holiday hotspot.

Holidaymakers are increasingly seeking out less crowded destinations, and it seems they've found an ideal spot.

A TikTok post recently highlighted this "quieter and cleaner" location, with many users expressing their intention to visit in the future.

Local residents were taken aback by their town being touted as an alternative to Blackpool.

The charming seaside town is just an hour's drive from Manchester and was described by one individual as a "fresh, quiet, and scenic" destination.

The post stated: "This was a lovely seaside town. Just one hour from Manchester. It's so clean, fresh, quiet, and scenic! So much better than Blackpool. There's also a lake that runs in front of the sea - such a lovely town."

The town in question, Southport, still boasts some beautiful spots according to locals.

The original post added: "POV: You find a seaside town quieter, cleaner and more scenic than Blackpool."

One local resident commented: "I live in Southport, the town centre has gotten worse the past few years but there are lovely spots. If you go five minutes down the road to Ainsdale beach, it's gorgeous! If people think Southport is vile, they clearly haven't travelled far."

Another resident lamented: "You make Southport look romantic. I've lived here all my life but I feel like it's gotten worse."

Yet another added: "I love Southport, I don't care what anyone says. "Lord Street is mint, Splashworld and the fair is mint and the gardens along Lord Street are heavenly."

Some locals argue that those criticising Southport are merely highlighting issues common to any UK town.

They penned: "Everyone always finds an issue with where they live. it's different when visiting a place for a couple of days. I like Southport but I've only ever been there to visit family. Blackpool was one of the best breaks we've been on also."

A few individuals suggested that Blackpool, famed for its tower and £1 burgers, was a superior destination to Southport. One person wrote: "Blackpool over Southport any day, in fact Southport's got to be 2nd on Top 10 "s***iest places to visit in the world."

Another added: "Blackpool is the best seaside place in the UK."

A third shared: "We all knew about Southport... and I prefer Blackpool. Cleaner and less busy, yes. But certainly not more scenic."

Others have proposed that Blackpool boasts the superior theme park between the two towns, which could be a deciding factor for families planning a day out.