Clacton-on-Sea, once home to a massive Billy Butlin's holiday camp that drew thousands of holidaymakers, has plummeted to third from bottom in Which?'s annual ranking of the UK's finest seaside destinations, scoring just 42% in 2025 – far behind top-ranked Bamburgh's 84%.
From golden era to decline
In 1936, Billy Butlin purchased the West Clacton Estate, which already boasted a miniature golf course and boating lake, transforming it into the legendary Red Coat resort. The camp closed during World War II when the Army commandeered the site, but reopened in 1946 and expanded by purchasing neighbouring land.
"By the late 1950s, Butlin's had become a national institution and to some extent, Clacton was able to bask in its reflected glory," explained Clacton History. "The combination of Butlin's and Clacton had become firmly established and for both their futures as family holiday venues seemed unshakeable."
Butlin's closure and failed redevelopment
The camp offered snug chalets, a massive outdoor swimming pool, fairground attractions, a ballroom, a bowling green, shops, a miniature railway and top-notch entertainment. Renowned acts such as the Beverley Sisters, Michael Holliday and Jack Douglas performed there early in their careers. However, unable to compete with budget flights to Spain and plagued by rowdy youths, Butlin's shut permanently in 1983 – the same year Filey resort closed.
According to Butlin's Memories, the site was sold for approximately £2 million to Amusement Enterprises Ltd, which planned a 'Disneyland'-style theme park. Rebranded as Atlas Park, it reopened in 1984 but remained largely unchanged. The enterprise lasted just four months before financial troubles forced another sale, and by 1987 the entire site was flattened. Today, it functions as a housing development near the coastline.
Current challenges and regeneration
Despite sitting only 60 miles from London, Clacton and neighbouring Jaywick suffer from modest earnings and a damaging public image, with disaster tourists and American social media personalities visiting to document struggles. However, substantial optimism exists. Tendring District Council secured £20 million from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in late 2024 as part of a Community Regeneration Partnership.
Plans include renovating the 200-year-old Martello Tower on Clacton seafront into a cultural venue, converting a disused public convenience near Clacton Pier into a vibrant venue, and providing a free-to-use BMX pump track, learn-to-cycle and climbing facility at Clacton Leisure Centre. An additional £20 million from the Local Regeneration Fund (formerly the Levelling Up Fund) will create a new 'Clacton Civic Quarter' in the town centre. Clacton Library is also set for a significant revamp, with a new multi-storey building housing Adult Community Learning and local registration services.
