This seaside town has been voted the worst in the UK by 26 percent of readers – and it might not come as a surprise. Express.co.uk asked readers which seaside town deserved to wear the unwanted title, with the majority naming Blackpool in Lancashire as their least favourite holiday destination.
Blackpool received 26 percent of votes, with Rhyl in Wales coming in second place with 15 percent. Skegness received eight percent, while Brighton and Clacton came in joint with seven percent. Bognor Regis and Bournemouth received just three percent of votes, while Newquay had just two percent.
Blackpool has been named the worst seaside town in the UK numerous times, despite still proving to be a popular spot for Britons looking for a staycation.
According to Blackpool Council, its tourism economy raked in an astounding £1.7 billion in 2022 – with estimations of at least 20 million people flocking to the area during that pivotal recovery year post-Covid.
In a statement released last year, the council said: “This year to date, the resort has seen record numbers attending its free events programme, including the two-day Air Show, three world fireworks events, the award-winning Lightpool Festival, and an Illuminations switch-on event that featured a Nickelodeon float parade along the Golden Mile.”
The beach itself is reportedly walked on by around five million visitors each year. But, despite its impressive visitor figures, reviews on TripAdvisor paint a different picture.
The reviewing platform describes it as: “the UK’s favourite holiday resort”, but its respondents aren’t as keen. And TripAdvisor reviews paint a similar picture, with one branding it the “worst place on earth”. Steph, from Crawley, wrote: “First time visiting Blackpool to take the kids to the pleasure beach after a week in the Lake District.
“Honestly the filthiest, most run down place I have ever visited in the UK. Dog poo everywhere. Litter everywhere. Everything was grubby and dirty including the cafes. Never again.”
Another said: “Don’t go, it’s a s*******.” Kat added: “Blackpool use to be this lively place, it use to scream FUN.” The council announced a regeneration project last year, with plans to build new housing to replace some of the rundown properties in the town centre.
Despite the negativity surrounding its appearance, it hasn’t always been ridden with crime and a drab look. And work is in progress to try and bring it back to its former glory.
An injection of £2billion will, it is hoped, clean up Blackpool and return it to its once shining self which includes a new tram system among visual changes.
