Seven Cornish spots are named in list of UK’s best seaside towns, according to a new study.

With trips to the seaside a childhood highlight for many generations, researchers from dayoutwiththekids.co.uk used a variety of factors including number of beaches, average temperature, family friendliness, cost of an ice cream and number of Instagram hashtags to score Britain’s best coastal resorts - with St Ives, Newquay and Bude amongst the highest ranked.

The list was topped by Bournemouth, with Brighton, Torquay, Weymouth and Blackpool making up the top five. St Ives and Newquay finished in sixth and seventh, whilst Paignton, Whitby and Bognor Regis completed the top ten.

Bude was ranked 12th, Padstow 18th, Falmouth was 30th, Perranporth 33rd and Polperro 39th, as the full list of 50 was revealed.

Malcolm Bell, CEO at Visit Cornwall, said: “Cornwall has been a favourite destination for families on holiday for decades, it is safe, beautiful, friendly and where lifelong family memories are made.

"We are delighted that so many Cornish towns are included in this list and we look forward to welcoming even more families in the future.”

For more information about the UK’s best seaside towns for families, including the cheapest place to enjoy a Mr Whippy ice cream, visit www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/best-seaside-towns-resorts-uk.

As well as revealing the best seaside destinations in the country, the study by dayoutwiththekids.co.uk also revealed the key elements making up the ideal seaside holiday, with a survey of over 2,000 people.

Beaches were most important with 85 per cent of the nation saying clean, sandy beaches are key to an unforgettable ideal UK beach holiday.

Child-friendly places to grab a bite to eat and great fish and chips were both considered equally important too (70 per cent), all factors that are synonymous with a Cornish seaside break.

There are plenty of activities to keep us busy at the seaside too, with building sandcastles topping the list of the best seaside pastimes (78 per cent), followed by scoffing fish and chips (75 per cent) and collecting shells and stones (73 per cent).

Having an ice cream on the beach (72 per cent), tucking into a picnic (65 per cent) and simply listening to the sound of the sea (65 per cent) were also on the list of the nation’s favourite seaside activities.

Lisa O’Keeffe, senior brand and content manager at dayoutwiththekids.co.uk, said: “Going to the seaside is a staple part of British childhood, and as the research shows, it's still a firm favourite for families. UK seaside resorts have benefitted hugely from the rise in staycations in recent years, and as the trend continues to grow, it’s really exciting to see all the towns on this list really embracing family visitors and improving their offer.

“Cornwall is one of the first counties you think of when considering a seaside staycation, so we’re delighted to name so many Cornish resorts on our list of the best seaside towns.”

The Nation’s Best Seaside Towns - top 25

1. Bournemouth - Dorset

2. Brighton - Sussex

3. Torquay - Devon

4. Weymouth - Dorset

5. Blackpool - Lancashire

6. St Ives - Cornwall

7. Newquay - Cornwall

8. Paignton - Devon

9. Whitby - North Yorkshire

10. Bognor Regis - West Sussex

11. Weston Super Mare - Somerset and Bristol

12. Bude - Cornwall

13. Southend-on-Sea - Essex

14. Skegness - Lincolnshire

15. Hastings - East Sussex

16. Tenby - Pembrokeshire

17. Llandudno - Conwy

18. Padstow - Cornwall

19. Woolacombe - Devon

20. Exmouth - Devon

21. Shanklin - The Isle of Wight

22. Dawlish - Devon

23. Robin Hood's Bay - Yorkshire

24. Margate - Kent

25. Southwold - Suffolk