Bamburgh Reigns While Bognor Regis Battles Perception in UK Seaside Rankings
So the results are in, and once again, Bamburgh in Northumberland has been crowned the UK’s top seaside destination in the latest Which? survey—an accolade it has held now for five years straight. It scored an impressive 84%, raking in five stars for its breathtaking scenery and seafront. Honestly, if you’ve ever visited, you’ll get it immediately. There’s this postcard-perfect stretch of sandy beach backed by a dramatic medieval castle—it’s like stepping into a movie set.
But while Bamburgh continues to shine, there’s been a more controversial headline grabbing attention: Bognor Regis has landed dead last in the rankings—again. It received a destination score of just 36%, with a string of one-star ratings across categories like food and drink, tourist attractions, scenery, and value for money.
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Now, here’s where things get interesting. On paper, that looks bad—really bad. But when you actually talk to the people who live there or visit regularly, a very different picture emerges. Julia Smith, a lifelong local, was out enjoying the sea when she heard the news. Her response? “It’s a bit of snobbery. You need to come down and see it for yourself.” And that really resonates. There’s a charm in Bognor that statistics just can’t quantify.
The town has history—it was developed as a resort as far back as the 18th century. It even played a role in literary history, with James Joyce writing Finnegans Wake there and Jane Austen likely setting her unfinished novel Sanditon in the town. Add to that the fact that it’s officially the sunniest place in the UK, and it’s hard to believe it consistently ranks so low.
Tourists visiting Bognor recently weren’t complaining either. One group of friends celebrating a birthday described the beach as “really clean,” and said the people were incredibly friendly. Another recent transplant to the town, 85-year-old Ray Craddock, summed it up nicely: “It’s alive… it’s a happy town.”
Sure, it’s not perfect. Locals admit the shopping isn’t great, and it could use a bit of TLC—but a £40 million regeneration project is already underway to upgrade the esplanade and inject some fresh energy into the place.
Ultimately, this survey reminds us how much public opinion can differ from personal experience. While Bamburgh rightfully earns its spot at the top, perhaps it’s time we reconsider how we look at places like Bognor Regis. It might not have five-star polish, but it offers something raw, real, and deeply British—and for many, that’s more than enough.
So before writing off Bognor based on a survey score, maybe take Julia Smith’s advice: come down, feel the breeze, have a cuppa by the sea, and judge for yourself.
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