Bognor Regis has been named the worst seaside destination in the UK for the third time in a Which? survey, but local residents and visitors have strongly defended the West Sussex town. The consumer group surveyed over 3,800 people, ranking Bognor Regis last with a destination score of 36%, while Bamburgh in Northumberland took top spot.
Julia Smith, a 58-year-old carer who has lived in Bognor Regis for nearly 20 years, dismissed the ranking as 'snobbery'. She praised the town's beach, dining options, and friendly atmosphere, saying, 'There's so much here, the sea is amazing.' Despite acknowledging poor shopping, she insisted, 'Do you come to the seaside for the shopping or for the sea?'
Visitor Nabil Awan, 39, celebrating his 40th birthday with friends, was surprised by the low ranking. He described the beach as 'really clean' and the locals as welcoming, adding, 'I'm sure there's probably worse places.' Ray Craddock, 85, who recently moved from the Midlands, called the town 'alive' and 'a happy town', urging critics to 'come and look' for themselves.
The town received one star in categories including food and drink, tourist attractions, scenery, and value for money. However, it has been recognised as the sunniest place in Britain by the Met Office, with over 1,900 hours of sunshine annually. A £40m regeneration project is underway, with improvements to the seafront esplanade recently completed.
Bognor Regis has a rich history, having hosted King George V and inspired James Joyce's 'Finnegans Wake'. Jane Austen's unfinished novel 'Sanditon' is also believed to be set there. Despite the survey results, locals and visitors remain proud of their seaside town.
