Pictured: The UK’s cutest harbours – from lost-in-time Cornish gems to fairytale seaside spots in Scotland and Wales

Thanks to its rich maritime history, the UK has over 430 harbours dotted around its coastline.

While not every harbour is a picturesque beauty spot, there are enough postcard-perfect places to satisfy even the fussiest of Instagrammers.

And here’s our pick of the bunch – spots cute enough to be the focal point of a well-earned summer staycation, from lost-in-time Cornish gems to a fairytale village surrounded by rugged cliffs in Yorkshire and a colourful coastal hamlet in Scotland you may recognise from the TV.

Wales makes the list, too, with a harbour garlanded with jewel-like houses. 

Which of these harbours do you harbour a desire to visit? Vote in our poll…

Tobermory

To reach Tobermory tourists can catch the ferry from Oban on the Scottish mainland

The colourful seaside town of Tobermory on Scotland’s Isle of Mull has one of the country’s prettiest harbours. And will be instantly recognisable to many millennials (and their weary parents) as the setting of the popular BBC children’s show, Balamory.

Long before the TV fame era, in 1588, a Spanish Armada ship sank carrying a consignment of gold bullion is said to have sunk in the bay, according to Visit Scotland.

Tourists might not see any gold, but treasure hunters will find locally produced arts and crafts on Main Street and traditional whisky at the town’s distillery. To reach Tobermory, tourists can catch the ferry from Oban on the Scottish mainland. 

Lymington

Lymington, across the water from the Isle of Wight, has a very cute harbour and is an easy drive from Southampton or Bournemouth

Lymington, across the water from the Isle of Wight and set within the New Forest National Park, has an incredibly cute harbour – and the Georgian town is full of picturesque buildings.

Visit Hampshire says: ‘Famous for its sailing history, there are two large marinas filled with fishing boats and yachts, as well as two sailing clubs. The town’s narrow streets are lined with pretty period cottages and houses, as well as plenty of local pubs and restaurants.’

The town, which lies on the River Solent, is an easy drive from Southampton or Bournemouth and has railway connections to Reading and London Waterloo.

Crail

‘Charming cobbled streets tumble down to the miniature harbour in Crail,’ says Visit Scotland

It’s not hard to see why picturesque Crail is Scotland’s most photographed harbour.  Visit Scotland says: ‘Charming cobbled streets tumble down to the miniature harbour, which is sheltered by cliffs and surrounded by historic fishing cottages.’

Grab an ice-cream on the harbourfront or explore the town’s pretty alleys (or wynds, as they’re known in Scotland).

The market town is so picture-perfect it’s even been recreated out of Lego and exhibited in miniature at Legoland, Denmark.

Situated on the East Neuk of Fife coast, Crail is an hour and a half’s drive from Edinburgh.

Mousehole

Often described as one of Cornwall’s prettiest villages, Mousehole (pronounced Mow-zul) has a perfect harbour

Visit Cornwall says: ‘[Mousehole’s] picturesque harbour is surrounded by narrow streets and lichen covered houses’

Often described as one of Cornwall’s prettiest villages, lost-in-time Mousehole (pronounced Mow-zul) has a perfect harbour, with views to St Michael’s Mount and a pair of family friendly beaches.

Visit Cornwall says: ‘Its picturesque harbour is surrounded by narrow streets and lichen covered houses, which huddle together creating a stunning location.’

Mousehole’s nearest train station is Penzance, where tourists can catch a bus to the village. 

Blakeney

Blakeney is a popular place to go crabbing and children can try their hand at catching the crustaceans at the village harbour 

Visit North Norfolk says of Blakeney (pictured): ‘The village has pretty flint cottages, once home to local fishermen’

The cute harbour at pretty Blakeney was a fishing hub in medieval times and used to transport spices and Oriental cloth.

These days, visitors will see children crabbing and tourists setting off on seal-watching trips.

Visit North Norfolk says: ‘The village has pretty flint cottages, once home to local fishermen, and there are plenty of places to eat and stay as well as pubs, gift shops and art galleries to visit.’

The seaside spot is under an hour’s drive from Norwich. 

Staithes

Staithes is a popular weekend harbourside destination for holidaymakers looking to explore Yorkshire’s wild coastline

The Staithes Harbour Commission website says: ‘This village’s unique charm, with its huddled cottages, towering cliffs and choppy sea’

A village in North Yorkshire surrounded by rugged cliffs, Staithes was once a major fishing base.

Nowadays, it’s a popular weekend harbourside destination for holidaymakers looking to explore Yorkshire’s wild coastline.

The Staithes Harbour Commission website says: ‘This village’s unique charm, with its huddled cottages, towering cliffs and choppy sea, has long been a powerful draw for those interested in fine art, geology and getting back to nature.’

The team adds that the village’s ‘higgledy-piggledy cottages and winding streets’ give it the air of ‘being lost in time’. 

The nearest train station is in Whitby, where tourists can catch a bus to Staithes. 

Aberaeron

The colourful houses surrounding Aberaeron’s harbour in Wales ‘adorn the town like jewels’

The colourful houses surrounding Aberaeron’s harbour ‘adorn the town like jewels’, says Visit Wales.

And it’s not just easy on the eye – it’s ideal for ‘mooching around’ with its independent shops and craft centres.

Visit Wales recommends visiting a harbourside restaurant for fresh seafood, including local Carmarthenshire mussels. 

The seaside town is just 25 minutes drive from Aberystwyth and is on the Wales Coast Path.

Lyme Regis

A popular Jurassic coast seaside resort, Lyme Regis has one of the UK’s prettiest harbours, framed by The Cobb (pictured above) 

Lyme Regis is a popular Jurassic coast seaside resort. Above – the town’s colourful beach huts

A popular Jurassic coast seaside resort, Lyme Regis has one of the UK’s prettiest harbours. 

Located on the west of the town, Lyme Regis’ harbour is framed by The Cobb – a stone-built breakwater and jetty.

Visit Dorset says: ‘The steps connecting the lower part of the Cobb to the upper part, are made from protruding stones known locally as “Granny’s Teeth”.’ The steps appear in Jane Austen’s novel Persuasion and are a featured location in the film adaptation of The French Lieutenant’s Woman. 

Axminister train station is the closest hub to Lyme Regis, with connections to London Waterloo.

Portloe

Portloe (above)  is considered ‘the jewel in the crown of the Roseland peninsula’, according to Cornwall Guide

The 20th-century poet Sir John Betejman once described Portloe as ‘one of the least spoiled and most impressive of Cornish fishing villages’

In competition with Mousehole for the title of Cornwall’s prettiest village, Portloe is considered ‘the jewel in the crown of the Roseland peninsula’, according to Cornwall Guide.

As was the case in much of Cornwall, Portloe was once frequently used by smugglers transporting French brandy – the most commonly smuggled contraband in the 18th century.

In the modern era, Portloe is much more likely to attract the attention of movie scouts and featured in Disney’s Treasure Island and Channel 4’s The Camomile Lawn. It’s not hard to see why. 

The 20th-century poet Sir John Betejman once described Portloe as ‘one of the least spoiled and most impressive of Cornish fishing villages’ and its secluded location means it has stayed that way. 

Portloe is under an hour’s drive from Falmouth or Newquay.