Tourists are flocking to a seaside town ranked one of the worst in the “UK” thanks to it’s pier which is “unbelievable value” for money.
The UK has some truly beautiful beaches from the clear waters of Porthcurno Bay, in Cornwall, to the Jurassic Coast’s rugged cliffs, but the hey day of Britain’s seaside towns often seems long gone. Decades ago, tourists would flock to the beaches for donkey rides, Punch and Judy shows, fish and chips and a day spent basking on the sand, but with cheap holidays abroad this soon changed.
However that doesn’t stop some of the UK’s “worst rated” seaside spots from having a slew of fans who still love to visit any time the sun starts to shine. One such spot is Clacton-on-Sea, on the Essex coast, which was ranked one of the worst seaside towns by consumer group Which?
The seaside town has been slated over the years with one saying there’s a “nasty” atmosphere in the area. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, has recorded an average of 68 reports of anti-social behaviour for every 1,000 residents and residents also complain over finding canisters of NOS a recreational drug gas also used to make whipped cream on the streets.
However, despite its reputation, there’s a lot to like about the seaside town according to visitors. Over on Tripadvisor, plenty of tourists raved about the “clean” beach and amenities including pubs, restaurants, cafes, an arcade, bowling and, of course, a wide sandy shoreline.
One person wrote: “I [took] a ride from London to Clacton. Nice stroll on the seafront, winter or summer, you can stroll on the sea promenade, with some promenade cafes, or on the higher street level along the gardens. The pier is pleasant with a nice cafe/fish n’ chip place at the end, the Jolly Roger, also plenty of pubs on the street near the pier. Parking is easy and plentiful, with lots of free parking on the seafront.”
A second, from Dagenham, east London, noted: “The beach at Clacton is really a lovely beach. It is so sandy, it seems to go on for miles, plenty of places to get food while you are on the beach. It’s great to see families enjoying the sunshine on this beach. There are lots of beach huts along the beach with plenty of people using them.”
While another added: “Clacton-on-sea has a lovely clean sandy beach with palm trees and is a great place to visit while on holiday or just a day out the kids will love it as there is so much to do.” Of course, the big attraction is the beach where you can sunbathe, enjoy picnics or even brave the sea for a swim, but there’s more to do too.
A Hertfordshire tourist praised the pier arcades Clacton Pier and said: “I am a sucker for a 2p machine!! Donuts, ice cream, rides, fireworks, face painting, bowling, bars and fish and chips! Lots, lots more too!” One Brit added that it was “unbelievable value for money”.
They said: “Took our nieces in 2023. They love going on the rides. This year we up graded our wristbands to annual passes when we left. Prices the same as last year which was surprising given the cost of energy. A great day was had by all as always and unbelievable value for money £100 for four wristbands.”
“We estimated that it would have cost around £90 per child If we had paid an average £3 a ride which is probably the minimum at any funfair so was nearly buy one get three free. Clacton Pier must be taking a huge hit with energy prices but are resisting passing it on to their customers . Well done clacton pier!”
A West Midlander chimed in: “Clacton Pier is nothing short of amazing. It is and always will be a historic monument of tremendous importance during the golden age of the Victorian empire when these things were built and the Industrial Revolution was well underway in the UK.”
“Seaside towns were the place to be for holidays for everyone. Piers are the ultimate symbol of this and to keep them alive, relevant and still the place to be deserves massive respect. The owners of Clacton Pier are literally fighting the North Sea and constantly working and spending to keep this historic landmark in the amazing condition it is. Fantastic absolutely love the place.”
It won’t cost you a fortune to get to Clacton-on-Sea either you can book a train ticket there on Trainline and then find some well priced accommodation. Over on booking.com, you can find a double room just 150 yards from the beach for £56 a night. While a room at the Clacton-on-Sea Central Travelodge is priced from £34.99.
