Bognor Regis in West Sussex has been named the UK's worst seaside town for 2026 by consumer guide Which?, scoring just 41% overall and one star out of five in almost every category. It is not the first time the town has ranked this low, having been voted the worst seaside town in previous years.
Which? survey details
The Which? survey gathered opinions from thousands of Which? Connect panel members about their recent trips to UK seaside towns. Overall customer scores were calculated by asking members whether they would recommend the town and how satisfied they were with their trip, while star ratings were based on specific aspects such as the beach and scenery.
Key categories included average hotel price, beach, seafront and pier, food and drink, tourist attractions, peace and quiet, scenery, shopping and value for money. The travel guide explained: "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."
Local and visitor perspectives
Despite the low scores, many locals and tourists disagree with the assessment. The survey's comments suggested the town is "a seaside town that's forgotten it's next to the sea", but local Julia Smith told The Guardian: "There's so much here, the sea is amazing. There's loads of places to eat as well, whether you've got a tenner or 100 quid to spend."
Smith attributed the negative opinions to "a bit of snobbery", adding: "You need to come down and see it for yourself, don't rely on so-called reports." A TripAdvisor review of nearby Pagham Beach praised it as "so beautiful" with "amazing" sea and locals who "really care about the area".
Bognor Regis attractions
The town is home to a sizeable Butlin's site, one of three such resorts in the UK, the others being in Minehead and Skegness. Its beaches include the more secluded Pagham Beach, which offers a pebbled stretch with a small arcade nearby.
