Bognor Regis has been named the UK's worst seaside town for the second year in a row.
The Sussex resort finished bottom in a new Which? survey conducted earlier this year, ranking 135 coastal destinations across the country based on almost 12,000 visits by Which? Connect panel members.
The survey asked members about their satisfaction with the towns, likelihood to recommend them, and specific factors such as beach quality and scenery.
Bamburgh in Northumberland was named the best seaside town in the UK, but at the bottom of the pile was the coastal resort in West Sussex.
Why Bognor Regis was named worst seaside town in the UK
Bognor Regis scored a destination score of just 41% in the Which? survey across categories including food and drink, scenery, beach, pier, and more.
Respondents gave the town 1/5 stars in every category except for 'parking' and 'peace and quiet,' which earned two stars each.
Just above Bognor were Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth, Fleetwood, Blackpool and Bangor, all of which had a 46% destination score.
It is not the first time Bognor Regis has been named the worst seaside town in the UK, with it earning the unfortunate title in last year's Which? survey too.
Its beach score has gone down from 2.5 to a 1/5 this year, with its parking and peace and quiet going up to a 2/5.
Last year Which? said that survey respondents described Bognor as 'dirty', 'run down', 'depressing', and 'a seaside town that's forgotten it's next to the sea'.
It added that some visitors had a "more positive view", with one saying they "loved the lights along the pier at night" and another arguing that investment in Bognor Regis "could recover its glory days".
Explaining its methodology, Which? said: "Which? Travel works on behalf of UK holidaymakers. We carry out surveys of both companies and destinations to provide advice on the best holidays and the best holiday providers.
"For this survey, we gathered the opinions of thousands of Which? Connect panel members about their recent trips to UK seaside towns.
"To calculate overall customer scores, we asked the members whether they recommend the town and how satisfied they were with their trip.
"We also asked about specific aspects of the towns – such as the beach or the scenery – to calculate star ratings."
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel adds: "It’s not just one writer’s opinion on where is best, but the opinions of more than 5,000 people.
"With so many respondents, we get a truly objective view of the best – and worst – seaside towns in the UK."
In contrast to Bognor’s struggles, the winners were concentrated in the north of England and Scotland, with survey organisers noting that the best-rated destinations tended to be less crowded than their southern counterparts.
Bamburgh, named the best seaside town in the UK, with second place going to Tynemouth in Tyne and Wear, followed by St Andrews in Fife.
Why Bognor Regis is worth visiting
Despite Bognor once again claiming the title of the UK's worst seaside town, many say the town has much more to offer than the ranking suggests.
Tourism website Love Bognor Regis describes it as "the home of sea views and coastal panoramas, where the natural backdrop and unspoiled charm inspire blue-sky thinking and bright ideas."
The website highlights the variety of attractions available, including shops, restaurants, seaside attractions such as crazy golf, and the "award-winning Butlin’s Holiday Resort."
Visitors are encouraged to explore nearby villages, rolling hills, and castles, or venture along the coast to discover "sand dunes, sailing clubs, and an abundance of wildlife."
Bognor Regis’ position near the South Downs National Park also provides "easy access to open space, greenery and sea views."
The town is promoted as an ideal place to "reactivate childhood memories," with "wealth of exciting cafes and restaurants" and a "lively evening scene."
In a separate review, Visit South East England describes Bognor Regis as "a fantastic place for a family holiday by the seaside" and has long been one of the UK’s favourite coastal towns.
The town offers a range of activities, from amusement arcades and crazy golf to scuba diving and parascending.
There are also cafés, restaurants, late-night bars, clubs, high street stores, and "chic boutiques," according to the tourism board.
Recommended reading:
- 'It's the best place in the world' - seaside town dubbed UK's worst hits back
- Butlin's Bognor Regis claims Guinness World Record
- 5 reasons Bognor Regis is worth visiting and is not the UK's worst seaside town
Visit South East England recommends Bognor Regis East Beach as a spot to "cool down in the summer sun," with indoor swimming available at Arun Leisure Centre.
Hotham Park, Bognor Regis Museum, and the Butlins resort are all listed among the best things to do.
One visitor described Hotham Park as "the highlight of Bognor Regis."
What do you think about Bognor Regis once again being named the worst seaside town in the UK? Let us know in the comments.
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