UK: Beautiful seaside town where Brits live longer

London: Britain is blessed with an incredible mix of beautiful places to live – including one seaside town where people live longer than anyone else, a new report has shown

Lymington in the beautiful New Forest National Park in Hampshire boasts postcard-worthy high streets and a wonderfully scenic, boat-filled harbour. Its High Street has several independent shops and designer boutiques as well as a historic market held each Saturday which dates back to the 13th century.

It is full of places to relax, in particular areas of great natural beauty – not least of all Solent Way, a footpath with great views of the Needles and the Isle of Wight. This natural lifestyle clearly has an effect on the local population, as the average life expectancy is 85 for men and 87 for women – compared with the national average of 81.

The town’s proximity to the ocean also brings with it some great things to do for people of all ages, including the 110m Sea Water Baths. There is plenty of space to swim or try kayaking or stand-up paddle-boarding, and even an inflatable obstacle course as well as water zorbing.

Meanwhile the marina is home to hundreds of yachts and boats, with the Yacht Haven also having its own restaurant, where you can look over the water from the terrace. In comparison, Residents of seaside town Blackpool, famous for its Christmas lights and long sandy beaches, have the lowest life expectancy in the UK, according to official figures.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says the resort’s residents have the lowest life expectancy from birth of any local authority in England. Figures from 2018-2020 show Blackpool men live on average 74.1 years and women 79, both lower than national averages of 78.6 years for males and 82.6 years for females.