Beautiful seaside town named 'beer garden capital of UK'

has been officially crowned the capital of the UK, new research reveals. The bustling Essex seaside town, already , traditional pier, and vibrant summer vibe, has now earned another feather in its cap after a study by credit card brand found it to be the best place in Britain for beer garden lovers.

Southend topped the rankings thanks to a winning combination of cheap drinks, glorious sunshine, and an astonishing number of beer gardens. The research, which looked at everything from drink prices and average temperatures to sunshine hours and rainfall, found that Southend offers a staggering 821 beer gardens per 100,000 people, more than enough to keep every sun-seeker refreshed.

With an average pint setting drinkers back just £4 and soft drinks a very wallet-friendly £1.12, enjoying an afternoon in one of Southend's many gardens won't break the bank either.

On top of that, the town basks in an impressive 241 hours of sunshine in May alone, making it one of the sunniest spots in the country during the crucial beer garden season.

The rainfall is also mercifully lower, at just 42mm across May, Southend's skies stay clear far more often than not, giving locals and visitors plenty of chances to raise a glass outdoors.

Prime spots along the seafront and hidden gems tucked away in side streets offer something for everyone, from traditional pubs with sprawling terraces to trendy bars with panoramic views over the Thames Estuary.

And after a refreshing drink, visitors can wander along the world's longest pleasure pier, stretch out on the beach, or take in one of Southend's buzzing festivals.

Trailing behind Southend in the beer garden league were Portsmouth, Crawley, and Northampton, all praised for their sunny weather and impressive pub scenes.

Blackpool may boast the cheapest pint in Britain at just £3.25, and Crawley may offer the sheer highest number of beer gardens relative to population, but when it comes to the ultimate beer garden experience, Southend reigns supreme.

So whether you're a craft ale connoisseur, a cider sipper, or just in the mood for a soft drink in the sun, Southend-on-Sea is the place to head this summer.