North Wales city ranks among five worst seaside resorts in the UK
Regrettably, not all coastal towns have the same picturesque allure. While many resorts are striving to enhance their appeal, there remain some seaside towns that fall short of expectations.
Which? recently conducted a survey involving nearly 4,000 members about their experiences at popular UK resorts, compiling a list of the top and bottom-rated seaside towns.
Which? participants were asked to evaluate aspects ranging from the beach to the pier/promenade area, the calibre of tourist attractions, food and drink, and overall value for money. This enabled them to formulate a destination score as a percentage, leading to the the creation of their rankings.
Bangor in North Wales was ranked second worst in the survey with a disappointing score of just 38%. This could be attributed to the small sample size, which resulted in no ranking being available for the beach and seafront.
Bangor had previously been ranked last in a similar survey by Which? in 2024, so this represents a slight improvement. The city did manage to secure a respectable three stars for scenery, and two stars for parking.
However, Which? readers who visited the city for its seaside charm ended up only awarding Bangor one star for value for money, leading to it being so low in the rankings.
The city was only beaten to the dubious honour by Bognor Regis, which took the unfortunate title of the worst seaside town in the UK, according to Which? members.
The West Sussex town, home to a large Butlins resort that accommodates nearly 6,000 holidaymakers at peak times, scored poorly for its seafront/pier, food and drink options, tourist attractions, and scenery, resulting in an overall score of just 36%.
The survey saw Fleetwood in Lancashire and Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset in joint fifth place with a 46% score each. Both towns received a mere two stars for their beaches and a disappointing one-star for their seafront/pier and food and drink offerings, reports the Mirror.
However, they did achieve average scores for parking and tranquillity, earning them two star ratings for overall value for money.
Essex seaside towns, Clacton-on-Sea and Southend-on-Sea, secured third and fourth place with scores of 42% and 43% respectively. Southend's beach was particularly criticised, earning just one star, while Clacton received one-star reviews for its tourist attractions and scenery.
Both Essex towns only managed to score a single star for value for money.
5. Fleetwood and Burnham-on-Sea (tied) 46%
4. Southend-on-Sea 43%
3. Clacton-on-Sea 42%
2. Bangor 38%
1. Bognor Regis 36%
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
4 hours ago
- Metro
One of UK's 'most beautiful' beaches closed off over safety concerns
One of Britain's most beautiful beaches has been closed off to sunbathers due to safety concerns. Pedn Vounder in Cornwall has been cut off by the National Trust as the path to access it is in danger of erosion. The idyllic spot is known as an unofficial nudist beach with clear turquoise waters. It also featured in the BBC drama Poldark as the fictional location Nampara Cove. Access to the beach on the Penwith Peninsula is either by boat or, during low tide, via a path running from Porthcurno beach to the west. However the National Trust has said that coastal erosion had left it with no choice but to close off the footpath. Locals have said the sudden decision 'makes no sense' and that the access route had not significantly deteriorated in recent weeks. Rebecca Foy, 46, said she visited the cove last weekend with her nine-year-old child. She told heT Independent: 'Getting down was always a bit challenging, it's definitely not one for flip flops, but I can't say I noticed a massive difference from when I was a child.' The National Trust said it had taken the decision to close the beach in consultation with the local authority, adding that the cove had become 'increasingly unsafe'. More Trending A spokesperson for the charity said: 'Due to increasing coastal erosion, an unofficial and steep pathway across National Trust land leading to Pedn Vounder beach in Cornwall has become increasingly unsafe and is now temporarily closed. 'This decision has been made due to the significant increase in potential for serious injury and has been made in consultation with local authorities, emergency services and other partners. 'We understand this closure may disappoint visitors and the local community and have not taken the decision lightly. 'As a charity that promotes access to nature and culture we always try and maintain access wherever it's possible to do so, but due to the increasing erosion undercutting the cliff we have made the difficult decision to close it.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Disturbing horror that left fans 'too scared to sleep' now streaming for free MORE: 'Lots of unexpected twists and turns': Your favourite British TV thrillers MORE: 'The worst show on TV' might finally be ending and viewers are surprisingly sad
Metro
6 hours ago
- Metro
Brit mum steals towels from sunbed hoggers at 1.30am because 'they deserve it'
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Getting up early to rush out to the pool to beat the scramble to reserve sun beds has become a summer holiday ritual for many. But one British holidaymaker was caught on camera taking things to the next level. Samantha Cooper was captured visiting the poolside by night, to grab towels off loungers bagged by eager holidaymakers the night before. Despite hotel rules banning towels being put down before 9am, the mother from Manchester said she and her family struggled to find a spot during their holiday in Cyprus. And sure enough, the beady-eyed mum discovered exactly why when she spotted fellow tourists sneaking down to reserve beds at 1.30am from her balcony. Many of the sunbed hoggers actually had no intention of using the loungers until the afternoon, the mother insisted. Taking matters into her own hands, on the fifth day of her stay, Samantha removed the towels from all the loungers so they would be available the following morning. 'To be fair, they deserved it', her 25-year-old daughter Ellie Ikin said. 'They were never down there until at least 3pm.' She added: 'Every morning was a struggle. 'The hotel said they had rules of no one putting towels down until 9 am, but no one listened. 'My mum noticed they were putting towels down at 1.30 am from her balcony. 'We were annoyed because the people who were doing it didn't sit around the pool until later in the afternoon. 'I was happy she pulled them off so other people actually got a chance to get a bed when they wanted to sit around the pool in the morning.' Ellie insisted that her mum's actions had guaranteed early morning swimmers and sunbathers a bed. More Trending And while there was no drama – the towel owners going back to their old ways the very next day – the bold move made it easier to find a spot by the pool for a while. She said: 'It's selfish. 'I completely understand the need of getting a bed early, but 1.30 am putting towels out when you have no intentions of being there in the morning is ridiculous.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Is it safe to travel to Zante? Latest Greece travel advice amid raging wildfires MORE: Aldi reveals the quietest time to do your supermarket shop over summer MORE: Don't take cold showers and other expert tips to sleep better during a UK heatwave
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
The Yorkshire town that's been dubbed the ‘Italy of England' with historic viaduct and river boats
IN Yorkshire is one of the UK's most beautiful towns - and it's even been compared to Italy. Knaresborough has waterways and plenty of boats, so it's not too hard to see the comparison, especially in the summertime. 4 Knaresborough is a beautiful town in Yorkshire Credit: Alamy 4 It's even been compared to looking like Italy Credit: Alamy On social media, one visitor recently called Knaresborough "the Italy of England." It showed visitors paddling along the River Nidd looking up at the towering viaduct, and tourists pottering around the town's winding streets. In Knaresborough, you'll also find riverside cafes, steep little streets, and plenty of historic attractions too. It's widely considered one of the most beautiful places in the country. On the social media post, another person commented: "It's one of my favourite places in the whole world." Knaresborough is known for its stunning natural beauty, particularly along the River Nidd where locals and tourists can hire out boats and paddleboards - much like they do in certain Italian destinations. The town is known for having a huge viaduct which carries the Harrogate line over the River Nidd. It's a big attraction that draws in lots of visitors every year. Knaresborough is also home to the oldest tourist attraction in England, Mother Shipton's Cave. The cave is the birthplace of England's most famous prophetess, Mother Shipton. The UK towns with such magnificent scenery they're known as 'Little Switzerland' 4 There are plenty of riverside cafes and restaurants Credit: Alamy Mother Shipton predicted lots of historical events, including the great fire of London and the black death. Inside the cave is a Petrifying Well, where objects can be seen turned to stone. The attraction sits on the banks of the River Nidd and tourists have been charged to go inside since the year 1630. Knaresborough also has a ruined fortress which lots of visitors have said is the best place to get views "over the town, river and viaduct." Find out more about Knaresborough from someone who grew up there. She has all the top tips including where to hire out a boat to take it down the River Nidd. Her favourite riverside cafe is called Marigolds and she has a suggestion of pubs around the town. One of her favourites is Carriages, which she described as having a "cosy atmosphere and tasty food". In the summer, it's a great spot for pretty views of Knaresborough train station. Plus, discover the UK's best seaside destinations revealed – with a small English resort making the top 10 for the first time. And see more quaint British villages with toy-town cottages, car-free roads and cosy pubs – handpicked by our travel writers.
