Blackpool came first in the survey with Brighton close behind, we've never been to Brighton so can't comment but we are glad that Whitby doesn't resemble Blackpool except that it is in the north and has sea and sand! More importantly Whitby is ahead of Scarborough which was voted fifth favourite.
In 2006 Whitby was voted Britain's best seaside resort in a poll of seaside destinations by Holiday Which?. See the report in Whitby Gazette
I (Stephen) was interviewed on Radio Tees today and you can hear the broadcast by clicking on the link and fast forwarding to around 2.21 into the programme.