The sunniest places in the UK are prime spots for solar panels and can be ideal locations for generating sufficient solar power to reduce your electricity bills significantly.
Grey skies and drizzle are the images most people associate with the UK. However, Spring 2025 brought more sun than most folks expected.
Almost all regions are basking in the sun in 2025, with Met Office data showing Spring broke historical climate records with 630 hours of sunshine across the UK.
In some areas, sunshine levels increased by over 40%. The south and east saw the most considerable boost, but plenty of the coastal regions across the UK basked in clear skies for days on end.
Quick Takeaways on the Sunniest Places in the UK:
- West and East Sussex, Essex, and Hampshire are among the sunniest counties
- Shanklin, Isle of Wight, is the UK’s sunshine capital with around 1,923 hours/year.
- Eastbourne and Bognor Regis follow closely, each averaging around 1,900 hours/year.
- 2025 broke records with over 600 hours of sunshine recorded across the UK between March and May
- The south coast consistently wins for clear, dry, sunny days, especially in April.
- Tenby (Wales) and Cambridge rank among the brightest in their regions.
- Sunshine matters not only for mood and tourism, but it’s also powering growing solar adoption
Eastbourne, East Sussex
Nestled at the foot of the South Downs and opening onto the English Channel, Eastbourne consistently ranks as one of the sunniest places in the UK.
Spring hit Eastbourne early this year. March started dry and stayed that way. The skies barely blinked. According to Met Office records, East Sussex saw a 40% jump in sunshine hours during April.
For a town that already gets around 1,900 hours a year, that’s a big leap. Eastbourne’s spot on the coast means it’s one of the first to catch sunlight when conditions settle—and in spring 2025, they settled often.
There’s no need for forecasts; you can tell by stepping outside. The daylight was warm, bright, and consistent, with an abundance of light throughout the season.
Bognor Regis, West Sussex
It’s hard to talk about the sunniest places in the UK without Bognor Regis coming up. Once famously endorsed by King George V, Bognor Regis lives up to its royal ‘Regis’ title with some of the highest sun counts in the country. This spring made that even clearer.
The Met Office reported that West Sussex experienced more than 40% above its average rainfall in some weeks.
In Bognor, days felt longer and lighter from early March. Sea air and low inland hills kept clouds from settling. Typically, the town experiences around 1,920 hours of daylight a year.
This season added more than its fair share. People spent more time outdoors, and it remained mild even as other parts of the country cooled off. While it’s often lumped in with other traditional seaside towns, its numbers speak for themselves.
Shanklin, Isle of Wight
Shanklin’s sheltered location and position to the south help it avoid some of the gloom that hits mainland towns. Located on the southeast edge of the Isle of Wight, it got a generous share of sunshine this spring.
With almost 2,000 hours of sun each year, the island as a whole logged over 30% more daylight hours than usual, with the southeast corner leading the way.
High pressure hung around for most of April, keeping things calm and clear. Shanklin’s position means it picks up the sun early in the day and holds onto it. Locals noticed. Mornings started bright and stayed that way.
Hastings, East Sussex
Hastings receives a generous slice of sunlight compared to other coastal towns in the UK, with nearly 1,850 hours of sunshine per year.
Not far along the coast from Eastbourne, it saw its stretch of good weather this spring. East Sussex as a whole did well, with the Met Office noting over 35% more sun than usual.
Hastings sits on sloping ground with a broad coastal face, making it great for capturing early and late light. In April, especially, cloud cover was minimal. Skies were often blue from breakfast to dinner.
The town has been installing solar panels across its council properties for years, but this season reminded everyone that sometimes, the weather takes the lead.
Southend-on-Sea, Essex
Southend made the most of a very dry, very bright spring. Essex appeared on Met Office anomaly maps as one of the significant gainers, with increases of 30% or more in some areas.
Southend, with its vast coastal stretch, received the early morning sun and held onto it past teatime. The town averages around 1,850 sunshine hours each year, but 2025 looked likely to top that.
Dry days came in long stretches, and there weren’t many full cloud-outs through March or April. Local net-zero plans include solar where possible, but this season’s boost came straight from the skies.
Weymouth, Dorset
Weymouth had one of those years where the weather mostly stayed out of the way. That is, sunshine did the talking. The Dorset coast often gets good light, but this time the skies outdid themselves.
The Met Office flagged the south coast as a hotspot, and Weymouth was right in the middle of it. April saw very few interruptions. Days started bright and often stayed that way. The town’s spot on the curve of the bay means it catches sun from morning through afternoon.
You could feel it. Whether on the seafront or further inland, it was clearer, drier, and better. Weymouth is hard to beat for sun and scenery, with locals taking advantage with regular festivals, boat tours, and events that make the most of the weather.
Tenby, Pembrokeshire
Tenby stood out in Wales this year. While the West doesn’t always top the sunshine tables, Pembrokeshire came through with a strong showing. The city sees around 1750 hours of sunshine annually. The Met Office listed a 30% bump in daylight hours, and Tenby, with its sheltered bay and southeast-facing shore, soaked it up.
Mornings kicked off with light and kept going. Winds stayed low, and the cloud didn’t hang around. It wasn’t a loud weather, just steady, dry, and calm.
Pembrokeshire’s energy plans prioritise solar energy, particularly on farms and public buildings. With its extensive walking trails, wildlife tours, and sunny picnic spots, it’s a place where light matters.
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Cambridge may be far from the coast, but it’s not short on sun. It had a better run of clear skies than many expected. Eastern England, in general, did well. The flat land helps by keeping the horizon wide open. March through May brought dry air and plenty of daylight.
The city receives 1,660 hours of sunlight per year, which is significantly above the national average. The Met Office recorded well above-average totals for the region, and Cambridge received a healthy share. Parks, courtyards, and rooftops all got more light than usual.
The city does have solar projects in place, but for most people, the fundamental shift was in the feel of the days. Lighter, longer, and noticeably less grey.
Jersey, Channel Islands
Jersey led the sunshine race again. Its southern location gives it a head start most years, and 2025 was no exception. Reports from Jersey Met showed totals comfortably above the 2,000-hour mark, with many dry stretches across March and April.
The sea keeps the climate steady, and the skies mainly stayed clear. Days blended into one another in the best way with light mornings, quiet air, and long afternoons.
It’s one of the sunniest places in the UK and a good bet if you’re chasing consistent warmth and brightness without leaving the British Isles entirely.
Portsmouth, Hampshire
Portsmouth receives plenty of sun, upwards of 1,700 hours a year, and it didn’t fall behind this year. Hampshire’s southern edge saw regular clear skies, especially in April. The city’s position, jutting slightly into the sea, helps catch light from multiple angles.
This year, the air stayed dry, the skies stayed open, and the wind didn’t get in the way. Met Office data showed substantial gains across the coast, with Portsmouth among the top scorers.
There’s a local push toward solar in schools and community buildings, but much of this season’s benefit came simply from daylight. It arrived, stuck around, and kept things bright.
Chichester, West Sussex
Chichester is situated close to the sea and is flat enough to catch good light on most days. 2025 turned up the dial a bit more. West Sussex logged higher-than-average sunshine totals, and Chichester picked up that pace.
The South Downs to the north helped block any wandering cloud, while the coastal air kept skies moving and clear. April was exceptionally bright with fewer grey starts, and more days with late evening light.
It receives around 1,800 hours of sunshine a year. Its beach stretches out and often basks in golden light when nearby towns remain cloudy, earning it a spot among one of the sunniest places in the UK.
Torquay, Devon
With an annual sunshine of 1,750 hours, the English Riviera lives up to its name. Torquay had one of its better runs of sunny weather in recent years. The town’s south-facing bay caught the light, and the weather didn’t get in the way.
Devon’s coastline showed up on Met Office sunshine maps with a strong anomaly, and Torquay sat right in the bright zone. Morning mist was rare, and many days started and ended clear.
The region has been active in rooftop solar for public buildings, but most residents likely noticed the glow long before looking up the data.
Falmouth, Cornwall
Sitting on the south coast, this harbour town picks up plenty of sun throughout the year, reaching around 1,750 hours. Cornwall had a good season overall, and Falmouth was one of the standouts.
The town’s south-facing harbour helped it catch clear skies and make the most of the long days. Met Office readings indicated a 25–30% increase in sunshine across southern Cornwall, and it was evident. From the docks to the hills above town, the light didn’t quit.
Rain stayed away, and daylight lasted well into the evening, keeping the sky open and welcoming.
Lymington, Hampshire
Lymington might not shout for attention, but it quietly clocks impressive sunshine numbers, reaching around 1,760 hours annually. It had more than its share of bright days in 2025.
With high pressure settling over the south coast during key weeks, skies held steady and rain barely made an appearance. The Met Office marked the area as having above-average sunshine, especially in April.
Lymington’s spot near the water helps keep things calm, and this year, that worked in its favour. Its position means it benefits from both coastal brightness and inland calm, and it punches above its weight in terms of clear skies and sea breezes.
What Makes These Regions the Sunniest Places in the UK?
Several factors help these towns and cities hog more daylight:
- Geography: Coastal locations, especially those with southern exposure, avoid cloud build-up.
- Elevation and shelter: Hills and cliffs can protect towns from inland rain patterns.
- Wind direction: Towns with prevailing winds from the sea often clear out cloud cover more quickly.
- Urban heat: Some cities naturally hold warmth, nudging away early morning fog or mist.
Final Word
The sunniest places in the UK saw record sunshine hours across March to May 2025. Some counties experienced 30–45% more sunshine than usual, particularly in April.
Most of these places weren’t new to sunlight, but the consistency and clarity this time were hard to miss.
FAQs on the Sunniest Places in the UK
Which Part of the UK Gets the Most Sunshine?
Met Office data shows that the Isle of Wight gets the most sunshine in the UK, with over 1,976 hours of sunlight per year.
Is Eastbourne the Sunniest Place in the UK?
Not technically. While Eastbourne is one of the sunniest mainland towns, the Isle of Wight (particularly Shanklin) holds the top spot. Hastings may record slightly more in some long-term averages, but all three coastal spots consistently rank at the top.
Does the South Coast Get More Sun than the North?
Yes. Decades of Met Office data show that the south and southeast coastlines, from the Isle of Wight through Sussex, Kent, and Essex, consistently record the highest sunshine hours.
Where Is the Sunniest Place in Wales?
The Pembrokeshire coast, especially around Tenby, ranks among Wales’s brightest spots, with sunshine hours about 30% above the Welsh average in recent years.
What is the Sunshine Capital of the UK?
Shanklin holds the highest recorded average annual sunshine hours of any location in the country, receiving more sunlight year-round, making it sunnier than other well-known bright spots, such as Eastbourne, Bognor Regis, and Hastings.
Sources and References:
- Met Office – 2025 is already the UK’s sunniest spring on record
- Met Office – Sunniest April on record for the UK
- Essex Climate Action Commission – New large-scale solar energy development to benefit net zero
- Pembrokeshire County Council – Our Action Plan
- Met Office – Location-specific long-term averages – Station: Wight: Shanklin