Astro City in Southend-on-Sea has been named the UK's best seaside arcade, according to a new ranking by Live Casinos, while Blackpool Pleasure Beach failed to make the top 20. The list, released just in time for the summer season, highlights a shift in British holidaymakers' preferences toward alternative seaside attractions.
Top Arcade: Astro City in Southend-on-Sea
Astro City, located in Southend-on-Sea, secured the top spot with 56 games across 11 categories, earning a score of 9.85 out of 10. The arcade received glowing reviews on TripAdvisor, with one visitor writing: “I had my son's 8th birthday party at Astro City & they went above and beyond there to make sure his party was perfect. The man who owns the venue (think his name is Riya) is the nicest person. We cannot wait to come back for the Friday & Saturday night time slots. Highly recommended.” Another reviewer added: “Such a great place for kids to play all different types of arcade games and also the adults get to have a go. We've been a few times now and my little one absolutely loves it.”
Blackpool Falls from Favour
Blackpool, once a staple of British seaside entertainment, was notably absent from the top 20. The Pleasure Beach's arcades, known for their bright lights and nostalgic games, have reportedly fallen out of favour as Brits flock to other coastal destinations. According to Live Casinos, the ranking considered the total number of games and game categories to create a percentile score for each arcade.
Full Top 20 Arcades List
The UK's top 20 arcades, as ranked by Live Casinos, are:
- Astro City - Southend-on-Sea
- Golden Horseshoe - Southsea
- Wellington Pier - Great Yarmouth
- NQ64 - Cardiff
- ArCains - Liverpool
- The Arcade Warehouse - North Shields
- Funland - Whitby
- Gold Rush - Great Yarmouth
- Sandown Pier - Sandown
- Grand Pier - Weston-super-Mare
- Totton Arcade - Southampton
- Merrivale Model Village and Old Penny Arcade - Great Yarmouth
- Butlins Minehead - Minehead
- Gilly's Leisure Centre - Scarborough
- Brighton Pier (Palace of Fun) - Brighton
- Butlins - Bognor Regis
- Continue? - Tenby
- Haven - Primrose Valley
- Namco - Hastings
- Mirage - Mablethorpe
Other Notable Entries
Wellington Pier in Great Yarmouth came in third, while the Golden Horseshoe in Southsea took second place. The list also includes arcades in Cardiff, Liverpool, North Shields, Whitby, and Brighton, among others. Southend-on-Sea, which boasts the nation's longest pier, also offers arcades to match, making it a popular destination for summer visitors.
Summer Weather Boosts Appeal
The ranking comes as the UK is set to experience warm weather, with temperatures expected to peak in the mid-30s Celsius in parts of the country. This has encouraged Brits to make the most of seaside attractions, with many arcades offering respite from the sun and a variety of games from 2p machines to zombie simulators.
