Britain's best and worst beach towns revealed - with popular South Coast resort labelled 'run-down' and 'tacky'
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Known for its coastal promenade, quaint beach huts and traditional arcade games, Bognor Regis has been a favourite among families and beachgoers since its establishment in 1784.
But the West Sussex resort has been named the worst seaside town in the UK in an annual poll.
Bognor, one of the sunniest spots in England, finished in last place in Which?’s poll of the UK’s best and worst seaside towns.
The survey asked 3,800 participants about their experience of 118 British coastal spots.
The resort earned a paltry one-star rating in most categories, including ‘Food and drink’, ‘Value for money’ and ‘Scenery’.
It was described by one visitor as being simply: ‘a run-down seaside town’ and received a destination score of just 36 per cent.
Just ahead of Bognor was Bangor in Gwynedd – up one spot from its bottom place result in 2024’s survey.
Perhaps on account of its lack of proper beach, Bangor earned a destination score of only 38 per cent and was described as ‘shabby’ by one visitor.
Clacton-on-Sea in Essex was also poorly received by holidaymakers in the past year. Despite being home to the largest pleasure pier in Europe, measuring 6.5 acres, the seaside resort was awarded only one star for its tourist attractions as well as food and drink and scenery.
Indeed, many of the UK’s better-known seaside towns performed poorly in this year's survey; Skegness and Blackpool earned 54 per cent and 48 per cent destination ratings respectively, both winning only one-star for their scenery.
Even more ‘fashionable’ seaside hotspots failed to win the hearts of the British public, with artsy Margate scoring 56 per cent, and upmarket Brighton 61.
It was better news further north of the country, however, where Bamburgh in Northumberland retained its place as the nation’s favourite coastal destination for the fifth year in a row.
Bamburgh scored an overall destination score of 84 per cent and was awarded five stars for its seafront and scenery.
One visitor declared Bamburgh a ‘gem’, praising its ‘sandy, clean beaches’. The town was also rewarded for its good value for money; according to Kayak.com, an average night’s stay in Bamburgh costs £130.
While Bamburgh has once again maintained its top spot, second place saw a massive jump in rankings. Despite finishing 18th last year, Beer on the Jurassic coast was given this year’s silver medal.
Visitors were impressed by its five-star scenery, as well as its ‘peace and quiet’ and ‘value for money’, for which it earned four stars in both categories.
Several towns in Wales also proved popular with visitors. Known for its Italian-inspired architecture, Portmeirion in Gwynedd, north Wales, came in third and was pronounced by one seaside-goer as ‘superb in every way’.
It scored five stars for its scenery and seafront, and 79 per cent overall.
St David's in Pembrokeshire came in fourth place and was similarly praised for its ‘excellent facilities, lovely seafront, nice walks and excellent hotels’. The UK’s smallest city also earned a 79 per cent destination score.
Reflecting on the results of this year’s survey, Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel said: ‘From beautiful coastlines to peaceful walks and charming traditional bucket and spade resorts, the UK seaside offers something for everyone – whatever the weather.
‘While you may have your own favourite destination, as well as the top spots in Devon and Wales, our survey shows there are still plenty of beautiful hidden gems across the UK to explore.'
THE LOWDOWN ON THE UK'S BEST AND WORST SEASIDE TOWNS
By Jo Tweedy
THE BEST
Bamburgh, Northumberland
Small but mighty, Bamburgh village, nudged up to a particularly beautiful stretch of the Northumberland coast only has around 400 residents - but, according to Which?'s latest poll the prettiest sands in the land.
The downside? It attracts more than 150,000 visitors each year because of it, with locals swamped by tourists in the summer months - and parking spaces rare as hen's teeth.
Its imposing castle is regarded as one of the world's most important Anglo-Saxon archaeological sites.
Zoopla average property price: £464,500
Beer, Devon
Another tiny village with a divine crescent of beach, this time shingle, Beer lies in Devon's East and is flanked by limestone cliffs.
Once a smuggler's haven, this fishing village's closest town is Seaton, with the South West Coast Path accessible for walkers.
Zoopla average property price: £454,000
Portmeirion, North Wales
So inspired was Noel Coward when he visited the folly village of Portmeirion that he wrote his play, Blithe Spirit, in just six days.
This Italianate village sits against a rocky headland in North Wales and is so well preserved you have to pay to get in - £20.00 for adults, £13 for children.
The beach? It's full of white sand, plus hidden caves and views out across the Dwyryd Estuary.
Zoopla average property price: £171,969
St David's, Pembrokeshire
St David's main beach, known as Whitesands Bay, is made up of fine, alabaster sand that merges into a rockier portion of coast, which reaches a crescendo at the craggy headland that is St David's Head.
Walkers love it, as do surfers. St David's is famously the UK's smallest city with a population of around 1,750 people.
Zoopla average property price: £326,108
Sidmouth, Devon
At the mouth of the River Sid, 14 miles from Exeter, Sidmouth was a fishing village until the fashion for coastal resorts grew in the Regency period from 1811 to 1820.
Edward VII checked into the Royal York Hotel in 1856, and when the Devon town was connected to a railway (no longer running) in 1874, well-heeled Victorians flocked there.
The esplanade is lined with Grade II-listed hotels, with the 240-million-year-old Jurassic Coast just beyond it.
Zoopla average property price: £489,333
AND THE WORST...
Bognor Regis, West Sussex
Bognor Regis is one of the UK's best-known bucket and spade seaside towns today - but it started life as a small fishing village.
The town's popularity soared in the late 1800s after a railway station was built in 1864 that made the seaside hotspot much more accessible.
In recent years, the resort has been known for cheap and cheerful UK breaks, with Butlins the beach's most famous place to stay.
Zoopla average property price: £356,463
Bangor, North Wales
The historic Welsh resort of Bangor took the unwanted number one spot in the Which? survey of worst seaside town in Britain back in May.
Bangor has fallen since its heyday, with historic photos showing hundreds of people gathered to watch the opening of the pier during the Victorian period in 1896.
Even as recently as 30 years ago, the area was still a beloved hub for tourists and holidaymakers, and even featured in a popular song by folk group Fiddler's Dream in 1979 named Day Trip to Bangor (Didn't We Have a Lovely Time).
Away from the beach, Bangor has the longest high street in Wales, and is also the oldest Welsh city.
Zoopla average property price: £204,661
Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
Another resort that's a shadow of its former self, Clacton-on-Sea was once one of Britain's thriving seaside towns - popular with Londoners who would flock to the Essex coastline for a day at the beach and fun on the pier.
A decline has seen the town battling spiralling unemployment, drug use and crime - with shops on the beachfront and in the town centre closed.
Zoopla average property price: £251,103
Southend-on-Sea, Essex
One travel guide described this Essex coastal resort as 'Pugnacious and brash', saying 'Unless you're after tacky arcades, flash amusement rides or sleazy nightspots, there's not much to do'.
There's no getting away from the fact it's still very popular though: Essex's largest town, with a population of some 175,500, hosts nearly three million visitors each year.
Zoopla average property price: £339,634
Fleetwood, Lancashire
Just 25 minutes from Blackpool, Fleetwood has long attracted holidaymakers with its low prices - including hotel stays that average around £73 a night - and old-school seaside charm.
And while it's fared badly in Which?'s latest poll, it is in line for a £16million upgrade, including a major overhaul of the town's iconic Art Deco Marine Hall and the local leisure centre.
Zoopla average property price: £145, 744
