Bognor slips to last place in latest national rankings
Bognor Regis has again found itself under the spotlight after a new nationwide survey by consumer group Which? placed the town at the foot of its list of Britain’s seaside destinations. Drawing on responses from almost 12,000 participants, the poll scored towns, cities and villages on everything from the beach and seafront to food, attractions and value for money. Bognor’s overall destination score was reported as 41%.
The findings will disappoint those who have argued that perceptions are slowly shifting, particularly following recent positive coverage for a seafront hotel and signs of fresh investment. But the survey results suggest that visitors remain unconvinced, with low marks given across several categories.
How the town was rated
According to the survey, Bognor Regis received one-star ratings for its beach, seafront and pier, food and drink, tourist attractions, scenery and value for money. The town achieved two stars for shopping and for peace and quiet. The survey also noted an average hotel price of £110 per night.
| Location | Score |
|---|---|
| Bognor Regis | 41% |
| Bamburgh (Northumberland) | 84% |
| Tynemouth (Tyne and Wear) | 82% |
| St Andrews (Fife) | 81% |
At the other end of the table, Bamburgh, Tynemouth and St Andrews topped the rankings. The consumer group said northern resorts performed strongly this year, citing their space and atmosphere away from the most crowded spots.
“The famous seaside towns and resorts of Devon, Cornwall and the south coast may grab the headlines and the crowds but, according to our survey, you'll have a better time next to the North Sea.”
Perception versus progress on the seafront
While the town has drawn criticism in previous iterations of the same survey, there have also been flashes of national attention for improvements along the shoreline. A seafront hotel was recently highlighted by a national newspaper for reflecting investment and change, a sign supporters say shows the town is edging in the right direction.
Even so, this latest set of rankings is likely to open a fresh round of conversations about the town’s offer to day-trippers and holidaymakers. For a coastal community where seasonal trade matters, reputational scores of this kind can influence where visitors choose to spend a sunny weekend—or not.
What visitors judged—and what it means locally
The survey asked people to rate places in categories that are central to any seaside trip. Bognor’s weakest areas in this exercise were its beachfront experience and perceived value for money—two factors that tend to shape first impressions. Although the ratings represent the views of respondents rather than objective measures, they provide a useful snapshot of how the town is being experienced by visitors in 2026.
- Beachfront and amenities: The town’s beach, seafront and pier drew low marks, suggesting expectations for facilities and upkeep were not met by a share of visitors.
- Food, attractions and scenery: Ratings indicate visitors felt choice or quality could improve, and that the wider setting was less compelling compared with higher-ranked resorts.
- Costs and calm: Value for money was scored poorly, while shopping and peace and quiet were judged slightly better, albeit still mid-table.
Reading the results in context
Surveys such as this are influential but not definitive. They capture sentiment at a moment in time and can change as investment beds in or new attractions emerge. The note from Which? that northern resorts excelled this year hints at broader patterns—visitors seeking space, perhaps cooler temperatures and less crowded sands—rather than a single-place story.
Locally, the challenge is to convert isolated bright spots into a broader experience that persuades survey-takers next time round. For residents and businesses, that is about the everyday details that stand out to a day visitor: the look and feel of the promenade, the ease of getting a decent meal without queuing for hours, the sense that a weekend by the sea offers good value.
What happens next
With the main school holidays approaching, the town will be eager to show a different side than the league table implies. The months ahead will test whether the momentum some residents point to on the seafront can translate into better word of mouth—and, in time, a better showing when the clipboards come round again.
