Seaside tops new retirement study

Skegness topped the poll despite its "bracing" reputation

Skegness is the most popular place in Britain to retire to, according to a new study.

Southend-on-Sea in Essex came second in the research by over-50s magazine Yours followed by King's Lynn, Norfolk, Spalding in Lincs and Llandudno.

Top 10 choices included Fakenham in Norfolk, the Shetland Islands, Exmouth in Devon and Poole in Dorset.

Sixty locations were judged on house prices, hospital waiting times, crime rates, council tax and ease of access.

Skegness topped the poll despite its connection with the "bracing" winds of the North Sea Coast.

RESEARCH FINDINGS SKEGNESS Hospital waiting time for knee replacement is four months SOUTHEND-ON-SEA Below-average rainfall but above-average house prices KING'S LYNN Very few burglaries and house prices well below the national average SPALDING Numerous clubs and societies, very low burglary rate and affordable housing LLANDUDNO Easy to get around town, with good house prices

Yours editor Valery McConnell said: "Who'd have thought it? Skegness followed by Southend-on-Sea - two of our most traditional seaside towns which are suitable for so much more than a day trip.

"Both are real winners on the cost of living, the ease of getting around and the huge range of leisure activities, clubs and societies which make them great places for year-round retirement living.

"And despite Skegness's bracing reputation, its average weather statistics are actually on a par with Gloucester (which came 10th)."

Other regional winners included the coastal resorts of Rhyl in North Wales, Weston-super-Mare in Somerset and Herne Bay in Kent, Dunfermline in Scotland, Bangor in Northern Ireland, Kendal in the Lake District, Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland, Malvern in Worcestershire, and Mablethorpe in Lincolnshire.