Weymouth has been hailed as one of the UK's best-connected seaside locations. 

With warm weather forecast this weekend, O2 has released a guide to the UK’s top seaside locations with the best connectivity, with Weymouth hitting one of the top spots.

O2’s research also reveals over a third of beach-goers from the South West consider their smartphone the most essential item for a day by the sea - double the number who would opt for a book or a swimming costume. 

It seems a beach trip is no longer focused on building sandcastles or frolicking in the waves; almost one in five from the South West now spend at least two hours of their day at the beach surfing the internet, with 35 per cent spending at least an hour.

It comes as the Great British public continues to make the most of the beautiful beaches the UK has to offer, with half planning to enjoy a UK beach break in the next year. 

Derek McManus, chief operating officer at O2, said: “Our survey showed good internet connection is a top consideration for 39 per cent of Brits when planning a holiday, which is why O2 is working hard to ensure our customers have access to high-quality mobile and 4G connectivity, no matter where they are in the country – from major cities and rural communities across the UK, to our favourite British seaside destinations.” 

To assist British beach goers hoping to surf the internet, not just the waves, during the last of the summer sun, O2 has produced a guide to uncover the UK’s best-connected seaside locations. 

The UK’s top seaside locations with best connectivity include: 
•    Weymouth – Dorset 
•    Newbiggin-by-the-Sea – Northumberland 
•    Fistral – Cornwall 
•    Oxwich Bay – Swansea 
•    Porthminster – Cornwall 
•    Peterhead – Aberdeenshire 
•    Bournemouth – Dorset
•    Camber Sands – East Sussex 
•    Perranporth – Cornwall 
•    Rhyl – Denbighshire 

O2 invests over £2 million every day to develop its UK mobile network and its 4G now covers over 97 per cent of the UK population outdoors. 

Mr McManus added: "We know our customers rely on good connection while on the move, so we are also working to improve connectivity on Britain’s motorways.

"Holidays should be a stress-free break where our customers can make calls and access the internet, just like at home. So, we’re continuing to help our customers connect to our 4G network where it matters most to them.”