Brighton is perhaps one of the UK’s most popular seaside towns.
From Hove’s colourful beach huts, to the beautiful Royal Pavilion, and the biggest Pride event outside of London, this creative hub is a well-loved favourite among tourists, and perspective home owners.
And while it’s still a magnet for London leavers, it doesn’t exactly come cheap. In fact, rents in Brighton are the highest in the UK outside of the capital.
But did you know there’s actually a second Brighton, almost 300 miles away?
Those in the north west will already be familiar with New Brighton, a Victorian resort originally intended to emulate the experience of its East Sussex namesake. And, prices here are more than £45,000 cheaper than the UK average.
It ‘s not exactly as picturesque as its East Sussex sibling, but that has’t stopped the place from making it onto The Times’ list of the UK’s best coastal towns to live in 2025, hailed for its sprawling beach, street art, and vintage shops.
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Other honourable mentions went to the likes of Falmouth, Tynemouth, Beer, Deal and Hunstanton, while Edinburgh’s hidden gem, Portobello, was recognised as a newly ‘revitalised hipster hub’ just 20 minutes outside the Scottish capital.
House prices in New Brighton
Wanting to settle by the seaside for a little bit less? You’ll be able to get a bit more for your money in New Brighton, as over the last year, house prices have averaged £222,615.
That’s £45,785 cheaper than the going rate across the UK (£268,400), which frees up some extra cash for any renovations or fun pieces of furniture.
Things to do in New Brighton
If you’re wanting to get a bit of fresh air, New Brighton’s main attraction is undoubtedly the beach, with its sands (a one-up on Brighton’s pebbled beach, perhaps?) stretching out for around three miles.
And even on a slightly grey day, visitors have good things to say. ‘Weather wasn’t the best but there were still plenty of people out enjoying the beach, and even some kids in the water bodyboarding and paddling,’ wrote one Tripadvisor reviewer.
Another remarked: ‘It’s not always a beach day in England, but when it is, New Brighton beach is definitely a lovely spot to enjoy the sun with a Solero in hand.’
There’s a hint of the city on the beach’s skyline too, as Liverpool is visible from the shoreline, as well as the New Brighton Lighthouse, dating back almost 200 years to 1830.
If it’s really not beach weather, the Victoria Quarter is home to a range of independent vintage shops, bars and restaurants. Head to Rockpoint Apparel for a shopping spree, Habibi for kebabs and cocktails, or The James Atheron for a tipple or two.
For a spot of entertainment, The Floral Pavilion is a must-see, and as the largest events space in the Wirral, has hosted the likes of the New Brighton Arts Festival.
Just 15 minutes away by car, Birkenhead is also a growing property hotspot – as a recent study showed that it’s experiencing some of the highest house price gains across England.
There are 140 acres of space at Birkenhead Park, which famously inspired the design of Central Park in New York City.
As the world’s first publicly funded park, architects in the Big Apple took notes on Birkenhead’s lakes specifically, as well as the concept of creating a calm oasis right in the middle of an urban area.
There’s also the Williamson Art Gallery and Museum, which will no doubt be on the radar of pottery fanatics as the home of the largest public Della Robbia collection in the UK.
What locals are saying about New Brighton
Locals have long been enamoured with New Brighton, with many praising it for being so close to Liverpool and yet harbouring a completely different vibe.
Over on the r/Wirral Subreddit, @Savings_Rip_4646 moved up from London in 2003 and lived in the L4 area for 10 years, around three miles north of Liverpool city centre. They eventually moved across the River Mersey in 2013 and haven’t looked back.
‘I love coming through the tunnel after a night out into the calm location of Wallasey. Definitely the best of both worlds,’ they penned.
@3xtr0verted1ntr0vert grew up there throughout the 1990s and 2000s, and ‘loved it.’
‘My mum still lives there. So much happening. Get a lot more house for your money there too than [in] other nicer parts of the Wirral,’ they reflected.
For @am_a_stormy_creature, the beach serves as ‘your own backyard.’ Some days, you’ll even be the only person there at all.
@Rare-Airport4261 grew up in the Wirral and loves New Brighton for its vast array of ‘excellent’ coffee shops (including Social 114 and Sea Shanty), as well as its cafes, pubs, and cinema.
‘There’s a real sense of community, and I just love it. While it’s traditionally working class, there’s also a kind of alternative and arty vibe,’ they wrote.
Transport links in New Brighton
Thinking about your commute into Liverpool? New Brighton is 25 minutes (or nine stops) from Lime Street on the Merseyrail, or a 19-minute drive through the Kingsway Tunnel.
It’s also well-connected to Manchester, which is 34 minutes away from Liverpool on the train, while Leeds also has a direct connection, taking around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
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