James Burton made the 250-mile trip to Bognor Regis after Which? named the seaside town the worst in the UK for a second year. He started his visit at Butlin's Resort and came away convinced the criticism was "absolute waffle".
Which? placed Bognor Regis bottom of its annual list of Britain's best and worst coastal spots for the second consecutive year. The ranking drew on responses from more than 5,300 people, who rated beach quality, scenery, food and drink, accommodation, tourist attractions, shopping and value for money.
A town that 'has lost its heart'
Levi Winchester, a Mirror writer who grew up in Bognor Regis, said the town had changed. She recalled: "I remember many happy summers playing down the beach in Bognor Regis. At low tide, you could see sand for miles, as the smell of fish and chips wafted through the air." She said the town was always buzzing with families enjoying trips to Butlin's, but added: "The town itself has lost its heart. The promenade lacks love and is in need of a serious revamp."
Bognor Regis once served as a home to George V for three months. Winchester said the town centre was now empty, with "hardly any shops left", and that she barely recognised it on her last visit.
Inside Butlin's Bognor Regis
James documented his visit on the By The Curb YouTube channel, starting at Butlin's Bognor Regis Resort. It is one of only three remaining Butlin's sites, alongside Minehead and Skegness, and has been transformed from a chalet-style camp into a modern family resort while retaining its heritage.
"Worst seaside town in the UK?" James asked. "Absolute waffle. It's lovely. I'm not going to say it's the best. But it is nice. Yet again, I've proved them all wrong, I just come here, walked around and proved them wrong." He also stopped for a beer, calling the £4.90 price "not bad value really with that spectacular view".
He arrived in time to see a redcoat leading children through "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" and said: "I'd have loved this as an eight-year-old." Peeking into one of the resort's restaurants, he added: "I've never seen so many chicken nuggets though, they must go through thousands of chicken nuggets."
Despite having trouble finding his way out, James left impressed. "I liked it. It looked good," he said. "I'm going to bring my daughter to a Butlin's...it's gone up in my estimation."
'Bognor was great'
Summing up his day, James said the town was tidy and the people friendly, and praised the beach despite its pebbles. "I know it's a pebbly beach, but that don't matter. You've got Butlin's. Butlin's was great," he said.
Butlin's Bognor Regis still welcomes more than 385,000 visitors a year, with 300,000 staying overnight and 85,000 coming for a day visit.
