Bognor Regis no longer UK's worst seaside destination
But the research from Which? still doesn't make good reading for the West Sussex town
Last updated 28th Apr 2023
Bognor Regis has moved off the bottom of the list of the best UK seaside destinations.
But research by the consumer group Which? has still placed the West Sussex resort in the bottom 10 of the 118 locations surveyed.
It scored a total of 54%, receiving just one star out of a possible five for its seafront and pier, and two out of five for food and drink, tourist attractions, scenery, shopping, peace and quiet and value for money.
That was only enough to place 113th out of 118 - but still marks an improvement on the 117th from last year, level with Skegness.
None of the South's seaside towns broke the top 20 of the list, with Lyme Regis and Swanage in Dorset placing as the best in our region with 77% each.
Lymington was named as Hampshire's best seaside destination with a score of 73%, while Ventnor on the Isle of Wight managed 72% and Worthing was named best in West Sussex at 65%.
The Northumberland seaside village of Bamburgh topped the poll for the third consecutive year, scoring 88% and receiving the maximum 5 stars for its beaches, seafront, peace and quiet, accommodation, value for money and scenery.
Clacton-on-Sea in Essex and Skegness in Lincolnshire were tied for last place (both 48%), closely followed by Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset and Bangor in County Down, Northern Ireland (both 49%).
Despite their lowly rankings, some visitors found things to praise about these destinations.
Multiple respondents enjoyed Clacton’s “lovely” seafront gardens and its “fantastic” annual air show, while Skegness drew plaudits for its “old-fashioned charm”.
Rory Boland, editor of magazine Which? Travel, said:
“Few countries can be home to such a diversity of brilliant seaside breaks.
“Whether you want world-class beaches and utter wilderness, or the bright lights and bucket and spade atmosphere of a resort, the UK has a seaside break made for you.
“What our survey shows is that it’s rarely the most famous destinations that visitors enjoy most.
“Try somewhere new this year and our survey shows you should find fewer crowds and better value.”
Here's how resorts across Dorset, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and West Sussex fared:
77% - Lyme Regis, Swanage
73% - Lymington
72% - Ventnor
71% - Weymouth
70% - Poole
69% - Bournemouth
68% - Shanklin
67% - Barton-on-Sea
66% - Southsea
65% - Worthing
57% - Littlehampton
54% - Bognor Regis