Bognor Regis is, for many people, synonymous with Butlin’s holidays, sunburnt Brits and screaming children running amok.
So if you’re seeking a sleepy seaside haven to rival sunnier shores in Spain and Greece, perhaps it’s better to turn your attention elsewhere.
Bognor Regis was named by consumer group Which? as the joint-worst seaside resort in Britain last year, and has received many critical reviews from visitors.
But it wasn’t always this way.
It started out as a seaside resort with royal connections – and it all went downhill from there.
How – and why – did Bognor Regis morph from one of the best places to be during the summer months to a much-maligned destination?
Seaside resorts such as Bognor Regis became very popular 100 years ago
It soared to popularity – with images showing hordes flocking to the beach in 1933 during a heatwave
Until the 18th century, Bognor was merely a fishing village.
The addition of railway connections in 1864 and the building of the pier added to its success.
But it was created as a seaside resort by Sir Richard Hotham, who headed to the Sussex resort in 1784 in search of fresh air.
He built large homes to attract visitors to the resort – and clearly succeeded.
Bognor’s historical highlight was in 1929, when it was chosen as the destination for King George V to convalesce.
He stayed for four months, restoring his health sufficiently for another seven years of rule.
As a result, many other royals flocked to the town – cementing its royal credentials.
In June 1929, King George V approved the title of ‘Regis’ to be added to the name – and rumour has it the king’s last words were ‘Bugger Bognor’, hence its humorous nickname.
In the 1950s, it was a veritable holiday paradise
Bognor Regis was once one of the UK’s most coveted holiday destinations, with visitors dressing smartly to enjoy the seaside attractions, especially in the 1960s
A turning point for Bognor Regis was, naturally, the opening of Butlin’s in 1960.
Working-class families finally had a fashionable new holiday destination to select from – and its popularity soared, especially after the success of other Butlin’s resorts in Skegness and Clacton-on-Sea.
A visit to Bognor would ensure a glimpse of some of the country’s most attractive women, too – with Butlin’s Pageants, the famous ‘Miss She’ competition and the ‘Lady in Red’.
One such competition, Glamorous Grandmother, took place from 1957 in the resort town, celebrating the most glam of older British women.
Unfortunately, with the rise of cheap foreign package holidays in the 1960s – and an increasing desire to head further afield – Bognor Regis slid into decline.
Storms and fires contributed to the pier’s dilapidation, while many Victorian buildings were demolished for redevelopment in the 1990s.
A waste water outflow pipe at low tide on Pagham Beach in Bognor Regis in 2023
High street decline, as well as crime, have caused Bognor to go from ‘bougie’ to bad.
One beach in the region is even considered unfit for swimming; the bathing water at Aldwick beach has been classified as poor since 2022.
The Environment Agency has said: ‘The surface water drainage is suspected of being a significant source of contamination to the bathing water.
‘The investigations have involved sampling the numerous surface water outfalls to the beach during wet weather events.’
In 2025, it scored just 36 per cent in a ranking of the worst British beaches – taking the title as the worst overall.
Bognor’s beach received two stars out of five. Other key categories such as food, drink, scenery and peace and quiet earned one star.
Many blame underinvestment and the rise in overseas travel for its decline, but perhaps the biggest issue is rising crime and antisocial behaviour.
Nowadays, Bognor Regis is much less glossy than during its heyday
The overall crime rate in Bognor Regis, according to the latest stats, is 133 crimes per 1,000 people.
In comparison to West Sussex’s overall crime rate, this is 122 per cent higher. For England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, Bognor Regis is among the top five most dangerous medium-sized towns.
The most common crimes in Bognor Regis? Violence and sexual offences, with 1,391 offences during the year ending 2026, just higher than 2025’s figure of 1,390.
This doesn’t bode well for the seaside town – can it make a swift turnaround?
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