UK Seaside Arcades: 35 Best Arcade Towns for a Proper Day Out
Some seaside towns have an arcade. Others have a whole seafront of them, wall-to-wall lights, pushers clattering in every doorway and prize windows stacked with giant teddies. This guide is about the second kind: the British resorts where you can spend a whole afternoon hopping from one arcade to the next, with chips, rock and a sea view in between.
We've picked 35 of the best seaside arcade towns in the UK, grouped by coast, and named some of the standout family arcades in each one. Some are giants like Blackpool, Skegness and Great Yarmouth. Others are smaller, friendlier spots where the arcades are just one part of a classic day by the sea.
Click through to each town for the full picture: arcades, places to eat, things to do and where to stay.
Lincolnshire coast
Lincolnshire's coast might just have more arcades per mile than anywhere else in Britain. These four are the heavy hitters.
Skegness Skeg is the big daddy of the East Coast. Grand Parade is a solid run of lights and noise, with Lucky Strike's three floors of pushers and mini bowling, the Plaza with its indoor dodgems and Skegness Pier Arcade stretching right out over the sand. Add donkeys, Botton's rides and the clock tower and you've got a classic day. Explore Skegness →
Cleethorpes Cleethorpes packs a lot of fun into a compact prom. Kingpin opposite the pier has mini bowling and a Prize Zone, The Empire fills a restored Victorian theatre with classic pushers, and Fantasy World near the station is a big one for cranes and ticket games. The light railway and the wide sands are right there too. Explore Cleethorpes →
Mablethorpe Smaller than Skegness but full of character, Mablethorpe's High Street and beach corner are loaded with amusements. Jacksons has been entertaining families for around a century, The Mirage adds bowling and soft play, and Emojiplanet is a bright, modern spot that younger kids adore. The sandy beach is among the best on this coast. Explore Mablethorpe →
Ingoldmells Just up the road from Skegness, Ingoldmells is caravan park central, and Sea Lane is lined with arcades. BJ's Leisure World and Planet Fun both stretch over two floors, while Ingoldmells Point Arcade at Sun City sits closest to the beach. Fantasy Island's rides and the big Ingoldmells market are right on the doorstep. Explore Ingoldmells →
Yorkshire and North East coast
Grand Victorian resorts, fishing harbours and plenty of pushers. The arcades here come with cliffs, castles and some of the best fish and chips in the country.
Scarborough Scarborough's Foreshore Road on the South Bay is one of the great arcade strips. Gilly's has upstairs pinball and Bowlingo, Coney Island fills the old 1859 sea baths building, and the Silver Dollar keeps some working vintage bandits for the nostalgia crowd. The castle on the headland and the harbour make it a full day. Explore Scarborough →
Bridlington Brid is a proper family resort with a busy harbour and two big beaches. The Forum is the all-in-one star with bowling and a cinema, Wilsons pairs pushers with doughnuts on the Esplanade, and Premier Amusements on Prince Street gets warm words for its staff. Grab a crab sandwich by the harbour afterwards. Explore Bridlington →
Whitby Whitby's arcades cluster on Pier Road by the harbour mouth. Pleasureland has a dedicated Claw Land and space-themed mini bowling, and Funland hides a brilliant retro zone upstairs with Daytona and light-gun games. Then climb the 199 steps to the abbey and reward yourself with fish and chips. Explore Whitby →
Seaton Carew A traditional little resort near Hartlepool, Seaton Carew punches above its weight. Golden Sands Amusements has 2p pushers, Pac-Man and Kidzone go-karts, while Talk of the Town on The Front is a ticket-lover's dream with prizes from sweets to gadgets. The long beach is great for a blustery walk. Explore Seaton Carew →
Whitley Bay Whitley Bay's revived seafront centres on the gleaming white dome of Spanish City. Close by on Marine Avenue, T J Leisure is a neon-lit family arcade with 2p pushers, grabbers and VR, and Tyne Tees Entertainments adds mini bowling and cranes. St Mary's Lighthouse is a lovely walk up the coast. Explore Whitley Bay →
North West coast
Home to the most famous seaside arcade strip in Britain, plus some quieter gems along the Lancashire and Merseyside shore.
Blackpool Nowhere does arcades like Blackpool. The Golden Mile is wall-to-wall amusements, with Coral Island's pirate-themed halls, Blackpool Amusements in the old Woolworths by the Tower and the old-school arcade at the front of North Pier. Add three piers, the Pleasure Beach and the Illuminations, and you'll struggle to fit it all in. Explore Blackpool →
Southport Southport is the more genteel cousin to Blackpool, but Nevill Street still delivers. Silcock's Golden Sovereign is a big red-brick arcade full of ticket pushers and cranes, Silcock's Funtime adds pool tables, and Silcock's Funland sits on the pier forecourt. Finish with a wander along elegant Lord Street. Explore Southport →
Morecambe Morecambe's wide prom looks across the bay to the Lake District fells. Pleasureland on Marine Road Central has pushers, cranes and a diner, while Treasure Island is a friendly spot with a well-reviewed prize counter. Don't leave without a photo with the Eric Morecambe statue and a sunset over the bay. Explore Morecambe →
Norfolk and Suffolk coast
East Anglia's coast is a treasure trove of arcades, from the dazzling Golden Mile to sleepy Victorian resorts.
Great Yarmouth Great Yarmouth's Golden Mile is one of the busiest arcade strips anywhere. Britannia Pier has a huge revamped arcade, The Mint adds Quasar laser tag upstairs, and Williamson's Old Penny Arcade at Merrivale Model Village is packed with restored vintage machines. Throw in the Pleasure Beach, two piers and miles of sand. Explore Great Yarmouth →
Hemsby Tiny Hemsby is wildly arcade-rich for its size. Beach Road is lined with big halls like Oasis and The Mirage, Richardson's Play & Bowl adds bowling and soft play, and the pirate grotto at Treasure Island on Newport Road is a favourite with kids. The dunes and beach are just beyond. Explore Hemsby →
Hunstanton Sunny Hunny faces west, so you get gorgeous sunsets over the Wash. The Showboat is the big family arcade with classic round pushers and a giant Super Grab, Vegas Amusements has a rare Track & Field roll-down, and family-run Golden Sands gets top marks for friendly owners. Don't miss the striped cliffs. Explore Hunstanton →
Cromer Cromer is a charming Victorian town with a proper pier and famous crabs. Dunes Amusements on the lower prom has generous pushers and roll-downs, and Leisureland on New Street adds rows of cranes and a big prize shop. A crab sandwich on the pier makes the perfect finish. Explore Cromer →
Lowestoft Britain's most easterly town has two piers worth of fun. Claremont Pier's arcade sits right on South Beach, South Pier's big hall has over 200 machines, and Richards Family Entertainment Centre adds bowling and a pier-themed Game Zone. The beaches here are some of the best in Suffolk. Explore Lowestoft →
Essex and Kent coast
London's traditional seaside playgrounds still deliver loads of family fun, with piers, funfairs and prize shops galore.
Southend-on-Sea Southend's Marine Parade is an arcade marathon. Circus Circus at the foot of Pier Hill is one huge fairground-lit hall, New York New York is a ticket-lover's dream with skee ball and basketball, and Funtopia sits inside Adventure Island. Walk or ride out along the famous pier afterwards. Explore Southend →
Clacton-on-Sea Clacton is all about the pier. Clacton Pier Amusements has over 200 games, with rows of 2p pushers and grabbers full of big-name plush, and there are rides further out over the water. Magic City on Pier Avenue adds more pushers and cranes, and the sandy beaches stretch both ways. Explore Clacton →
Leysdown-on-Sea On the Isle of Sheppey, Leysdown is a short promenade bursting with arcades. Jimmy G's is the giant with Bowlingo, soft play and kids' rides, the big yellow Coin Castle greets you at the start of the prom, and Playtime Amusements has rare roll-downs at the beach end. Explore Leysdown →
South coast
From Sussex to Dorset, the south coast mixes iconic piers with family-friendly seafronts and harbour towns.
Brighton Brighton Palace Pier is the place for arcades here, with two big halls: the Palace of Fun by the gates and the Dome at the far end, both loaded with pushers, tickets, racers and dance machines. Add the rides, the Lanes and the pebble beach and it's a cracking day. Explore Brighton →
Bognor Regis Bognor's pier is home to Neptune's, a proper arcade with a family floor of tickets, prizes, cranes, racers and shooters. It's the heart of a traditional seafront with a long shingle-and-sand beach, and a big holiday resort just along the prom. Explore Bognor →
Southsea Portsmouth's seaside side has two piers. Clarence Pier has Billy Manning's funfair and arcades plus The Games Wharf prize arcade, while the restored South Parade Pier has pushers, grabbers and simulators. Combine with the Historic Dockyard or a hovercraft view across the Solent. Explore Southsea →
Weymouth Weymouth's golden beach and Georgian seafront are a family magnet. Alexandra Gardens is part arcade, part mini fairground, the family-run Royal Arcade sits on the Esplanade, and Southside Funfair at Bowleaze Cove adds rides and a modern arcade. The harbour is perfect for a crabbing session. Explore Weymouth →
Bournemouth Miles of golden sand and a lively pier. Bournemouth Pier Amusements has Mario Kart, VR and prize games right at the entrance, Happyland on West Beach is a traditional seafront arcade, and Bowl Central on Westover Road adds bowling and a card-based prize arcade. Explore Bournemouth →
South West coast
Sandy beaches, sunny piers and big family resorts. The South West has some brilliant arcade towns, from Somerset to Cornwall.
Weston-super-Mare Weston's Grand Pier is one of the most spectacular arcades in the country: a huge pavilion packed with pushers, cranes, racers and VR, played on a Fun Card. Golden Gate on Regent Street adds penny pushers and ticket games, and the vast beach is perfect for donkey rides. Explore Weston →
Brean Brean is a long strip of caravan parks and beach with loads of arcades. Stardust Amusements is the big bright favourite with themed pushers and a dance machine, Carefree Amusements opposite the old Pontins is well rated, and Brean Theme Park has its own Game Zone. Miles of sand await. Explore Brean →
Paignton Paignton Pier has over 300 machines plus adventure golf and fish and chips. Along Torbay Road, Enterprise Amusements is a traditional family arcade and Leisure 2000 has 2p machines and F1 racers. Paignton Zoo and the steam railway are both close by for a bigger day. Explore Paignton →
Newquay Cornwall's surf capital has arcades for when the waves aren't playing ball. Carousel Amusements on Fore Street is dog-friendly and great for small kids, and Slots Amusements on East Street has 2p pushers and a driving game. Fistral and the town beaches are a short walk away. Explore Newquay →
Wales
Welsh resorts mix stunning scenery with proper old-school seaside fun, from Victorian piers to busy holiday coasts.
Llandudno The Queen of the Welsh Resorts has a gorgeous Victorian pier with two arcades: Leisure Island at the entrance and The Deck in the old bandstand out at sea. In town, Mostyn Street has Royal Arcade and 5th Avenue, both with friendly staff. The Great Orme looms above it all. Explore Llandudno →
Rhyl Rhyl's West Parade is a classic North Wales arcade strip. Les Harker's is an old-school favourite with a prize counter, Palace Fun Centre adds soft play, laser and mini golf, and Bright Spot Arcade is loved for nostalgia. Rhyl's revamped seafront and SC2 waterpark make it a great family base. Explore Rhyl →
Barry Island Barry Island's Paget Road and prom are buzzing in summer. Stardust Arcade has a famous Dance Dance Revolution machine, Treasure Island Arcade sits by the Pleasure Park, and Fun Harbour gets rave reviews for generous prizes. Whitmore Bay's sandy beach is right in front. Explore Barry Island →
Towyn Towyn and neighbouring Kinmel Bay are packed with caravan parks, so the arcades are busy all season. Knightlys Amusements on Sandbank Road has ticket-paying 2p pushers and a VR arena, and The Black Cat is stuffed with vintage machines for retro fans. Rhyl is just along the coast. Explore Towyn →
Tenby Pastel-coloured Tenby is one of the prettiest seaside towns in Britain, with sandy beaches either side of a medieval walled town. For arcade fun, Continue Arcades fills the old Royal Playhouse cinema with free-play retro games, pinball and racers. A perfect rainy-afternoon escape. Explore Tenby →
Northern Ireland
The Causeway Coast's favourite resort has arcades that have been entertaining families for generations.
Portrush Portrush is Northern Ireland's go-to arcade town. Sportsland, also signed The Big Red Game Centre, is an old-school games hall on Main Street, Phil's Amusements offers pushers and bingo, and Goldrush on Dunluce Avenue adds soft play and a café. The Giant's Causeway and Dunluce Castle are a short drive away. Explore Portrush →
Planning your seaside arcade trip
Most seaside arcades are open all year, but summer weekends and school holidays are when they really come alive, with every machine lit up and the prize shops fully stocked. If you prefer a quieter visit, try a weekday in spring or autumn, when you'll have the pushers to yourself and parking is easier.
Many of these towns are close to big caravan and holiday parks, so you can easily combine a few nights away with daily trips to the front. Bring plenty of 2p coins (or load up a tap card), set a budget for the day, and save your tickets for a prize the kids will really love.
Don't forget to pair your arcade time with the other seaside classics: a walk on the pier, chips on the prom and an ice cream on the beach. Our piers and seaside food guides are packed with ideas.
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