The English coast is home to some sprawling sand beaches and dramatic white cliff edges, yet there’s one UK seaside city that rivals the likes of Los Angeles.

Travel writer Ben Aitken, 39, spends much of his time exploring destinations all over the UK that are often overlooked as desirable places to visit. From the likes of Newport, Wales, to Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, Ben has visited a catalogue of UK gems with an open mind to delve deeper into their somewhat underrated qualities.

During a trip earlier this year, Ben, who hails from Portsmouth, believes he found England’s answer to LA without the jet lag and hefty price tag. “Sunderland has a beautiful beach. It’s a place where I went skiing and skinny-dipping on the same day. I did not expect that,” he exclusively told the Express.

“I turned up, discovered this place and pulled my curtains open on the first morning to see a long sandy beach and a couple rollerblading along the promenade holding hands. I thought, ‘Where the hell am I? Am I in LA? I did not expect it.”

The port city in North East England is situated at the mouth of the River Wear on the North Sea, around 10 miles southeast of Newcastle upon Tyne. Aside from its sandy beaches with seafront bars, such as Roker and Seaburn, Sunderland has a thriving city centre with around 77 shops and a diverse range of eateries.

Ben shared: “I encountered excellent independent restaurants. There was a Mexican place called Mexico 70 and a cafe come venue called Pop Rex.”

Sunderland also boasts a number of historical sites, including the Penshaw Monument and Hylton Castle, as well as the Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens. One notable museum is the National Glass Centre, which Ben visited after going skiing at the Silksworth Sports Complex and Ski Slope.

“On the same day, I went skiing and to the glass factory to watch a glass-blowing demonstration. It was beautiful, beguiling and majestic,” he said. “This guy was turning red-hot molten glass, swinging it around, blowing into it, and transforming it into a vessel or a vase for tulips.

“People travel to Venice to watch the glass makers there, and yet, we’ve got a glass-making facility and museum in Sunderland. It used to be the home of the glass industry, and yet, not enough people know about it. There’s a risk of closure because of that.

“But that was a lovely thing about Sunderland, it’s a very historic place, with the shipbuilding and the glass-making.”

Elsewhere in the city, there is a vibrant nightlife, featuring live music venues such as The Fire Station and the Sunderland Empire Theatre. There’s also the Souter Lighthouse to admire along the coast, the Victorian Mowbray Park for a leisurely walk or the nearby Herrington Country Park for a little country escape.

Ben shared: “When I’m invited to think about Sunderland, you’re thinking about post-industrialisation and politics. It’s always discussed in terms of Brexit and politics, the message is never positive, hopeful or intriguing.” Yet, in his book, Sh**y Breaks, A Celebration of Unsung Cities, he revealed: “I could have been in LA”.

You can read more about Ben’s UK travels and treasured finds in his book, which was released earlier this year. Alternatively, you can visit his Instagram page.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com