Jessica Lindsay
Published December 1, 2025 4:25pm
Updated December 1, 2025 4:26pm
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Blackpool is among the resorts attracting fresh investment (Picture: Getty Images)
Once synonymous with decline and despair, the UK’s seaside towns are getting a welcome cash injection.
Ambitious regeneration projects are breathing new life into a number of the country’s coastal gems – and given the increasing cost of flights, it couldn’t have come at a better time.
These investments conveniently also coincide with a wave of obsession for all things nostalgia, from low rise jeans to vinyl records.
National treasure Danny Dyer is among those harking back to the era of domestic travel being the norm, saying he hopes his upcoming show The Dyers’ Caravan Park will ‘save the great British holiday’.
Give it a few years, and even the cynics may end up swapping Seville for Skegness, the Balearics for Bognor, or the Greek Islands for Great Yarmouth.
Blackpool
Despite welcoming almost 20 million visitors each year, with its iconic Pleasure Beach being ranked among the UK’s most popular tourist attractions, Blackpool has been called ‘bleak’, ‘tired and’ ‘run down’ by online reviewers.
The Lancashire town has certainly changed a bit since its post-war heyday, when JB Priestley described it as a ‘great, roaring, spangled beast’. Following the rise of cheap foreign holidays, Blackpool struggled to compete, and its stereotypical offering of B&Bs, arcades and stag parties earned it a reputation (at least in certain circles) as ‘tacky’.
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You could win a trip to explore Krakow's UNESCO-listed Old Town (Picture: Getty Images)
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The Lancashire town isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (Picture: Getty Images)
For some though, it’s the lack of snobbery that makes the place so special, with Metro‘s Jess Hamilton writing: ‘Yes, it might be rough around the edges. But it’s hard not to admire Blackpool’s kitschy charm and determination to stay alive.’
Since 2010, the council has been working on a major regeneration plan ranging from tourism to housing, and is now seeking investment for its latest project, The Blackpool Central Development.
Proposals for the 10-acre site near the Golden Mile show a wide-ranging leisure complex including a 200-bedroom hotel, a flying theatre, two indoor theme parks, a public square, and various bars and restaurants.
@welcometoblackpoolIn pictures: Everything happening this Christmas at Pleasure Beach Resort As the final weekend fast approaches at the Blackpool attraction, Pleasure Beach has announced a line-up of festive events and activities for families and friends to enjoy this December. While the theme park is open for a final weekend, with a spectacular fireworks display on Saturday 29 November, the Resort doesn’t completely shut down as the weather gets chillier. Here’s a round-up of what’s happening over the festive period: Cinderella The Pantomime Will Cinders ever make the ball? Will Prince Charming let go of his ego? (And air fryer…) West End stars and local talent take to the stage in this the hilarious twist on the fairytale classic. Expect outrageous jokes, breath-taking costumes, and mesmerising special effects. Prices from £12, until 24 December, book here: https://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/shows/cinderella-the-pantomime-2025/ Christmas Grotto Wonderland Children will walk through a magical interactive grotto, complete with elves and a meeting with Santa Claus. Guests also get a ride on Alice in Wonderland included in the price, as well as a packet of reindeer food, and a present from Santa. Prices from £17.99 per child (two adults go free with each child), dates from the 15 November – 24 December, book here https://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/events/christmas-grotto/ Ice skating at Pleasure Beach Resort Arena Over the Christmas period, seasoned skaters or ambitious newbies can take to the ice at Pleasure Beach’s ice area. Guests can join lessons, group sessions or free skate. Prices from £10.50, throughout December, book here https://www.pleasurebeacharena.co.uk Festive lunches at White Tower restaurant (with special Santa visits!) White Tower is a traditional restaurant with views of the coast, an open fire and live pianist, offering festive lunches throughout December. Guests can dine with Santa on Saturdays – he’ll visit at 2pm and 4pm every Saturday in the lead up to Christmas, and children under 11 will recieve a gift. £29.95 for two courses, throughout December, book here https://whitetowerrestaurant.com/events/ Christmas Day lunch at Boulevard hotel Dine for Christmas Day lunch in Northern Europe’s Best Luxury Hotel, Boulevard. Guests can indulge in a three course traditional lunch, and enjoy a local cheeseboard to finish the day. Prices start at £95 per adult and £55 per child, book here https://www.boulevardhotel.co.uk/christmas-day-lunch-2025/ New Year’s Eve party at Big Blue Hotel Enjoy champagne, dinner and live entertainment to bring in the New Year. One night package starts at £325 per couple, book here https://www.bigbluehotel.com/offers/ BIDCA Aladdin on Ice Christmas Show Talented young skaters, ranging from ages 4 to 18, bring the story of Aladdin to life on the ice. Prices start at £10, and runs from 6 – 26 December, book here https://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/shows/bidca-snow-white-a-fairytale-adventure-on-ice/ Gatsby Christmas Party Nights A fabulous stage production filled with sequins, feathers and a whole lot of glitz and glamour. Guests can choose to watch the show, or select a dining package which includes a three course dinner. Prices start from £25, 5 – 20 December, book here https://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/shows/gatsby-christmas-party-nights-perfect-for-xmas-parties-office-parties-festive-parties/ Adventure Golf Who said golf was a summer sport? Guests can wrap-up warm and play a round of winter mini golf, navigating their way through bumps, jumps, waterfalls and maybe even some ice. £12 for adult tickets, throughout December, £10 for juniors, read more here https://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/adventure-golf/ Guests who want to experience the season finale at Pleasure Beach Resort this Saturday, complete with a spectacular firework display, can do so by booking online here https://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com #welcometoblackpool #christmas #blackpool #pleasurebeachresort #2025
♬ Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Darlene Love
Businesses are doing their part in changing Blackpool’s perception too, with the likes of Hampton by Hilton and a Holiday Inn opening up in recent years – and proving a welcome addition to a seafront dotted with dated B&Bs.
Visitors next summer can also expect a new £1.5million big cat facility at Blackpool Zoo and the long-awaited Aviktas ‘gyro swing’ ride at Pleasure Beach, scheduled for launch at some point in 2026.
Skegness
Headlines have called it a ‘vulgar hellhole’ and a ‘ghost town’, and in 2023, it ranked bottom in Which?’s poll of British seaside destinations, yet a new study has identified Skegness as one of the UK’s top rental hotspots.
The investment it’s attracting could definitely point towards a comeback on the horizon; earlier this year, a £23 million project by East Midlands Railway was confirmed to improve the town’s train links, a new Travelodge is being built by the aquarium, and the Embassy Theatre – which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026 – recently received a complete makeover.
Skegness is proving a hit with renters (Picture: Getty Images)
Speaking about the Lincolnshire town’s apparent renaissance, 43-year-old local, Justin Tai, told Metro: ‘I think it’s on the up because they’re doing work towards making things better. A lot of places struggled after Covid but there seems to be a positive attitude.
‘I honestly think it’s a lovely seaside town. It’s got a very lovely sandy beach, there’s lots of stuff to do even if it’s raining, and there are lots of places to visit, like the nature reserve for walks.’
Bognor Regis
Bognor Regis, on the south coast of England in West Sussex, came last in Which?’s latest league tables for UK seaside resorts, scoring a meagre 36% ‘overall destination score’. The 4,000 Brits polled gave it just one star for most categories – including its pier, tourist attractions, scenery, shopping and value for money (although the beach and accommodation options did receive a slightly less damning two stars each).
That hasn’t stopped Butlin’s – which has been a major presence in the town since its first park there opened back in 1932 – spending £40 million on a new Splash Waterworld attraction at the Bognor site, followed by a further £15 million on its PLAYXPERIENCE indoor gaming activity centre.
Authorities and businesses hope to restore Bognor to its former glory (Picture: Getty Images)
Local authorities are also investing in a revamp of the area – portrayed in Jane Austen’s unfinished novel Sanditon – with a County Council spokesperson telling The Mirror: ‘Significant progress is already underway, including the recent £1.39 million Esplanade Public Realm Improvements. These works have enhanced pedestrian, cyclist and disabled access from the high street to the seafront, introduced traffic-calming measures and crossing facilities, added new planting, seating and litter bins.
‘The improvements are designed to create a more welcoming and accessible public space. They form part of a broader economic growth and investment strategy… Within the seafront area, nearly £40 million of approved investment in Bognor Regis is planned.’
The Regis Centre, said to be ‘the jewel in the crown’ of the regeneration programme, will turn the site of the Alexandra Theatre into a cultural hub with a range of family-friendly entertainment options. According to plans, the area around Bognor Regis station has also been earmarked as the ‘ideal location for a vibrant evening economy’, and could be home to a new ‘Café Quarter’ with various dining options, bars and a pedestrianised square.
Comment now Which UK seaside town do you think is the most charming?Comment NowGreat Yarmouth
Metro acting opinion editor Ross McCafferty said Great Yarmouth ‘changed [his] view on seaside towns’, with plenty of variety ‘and a sense of adaptability that nicely accentuates its old-fashioned charm.’
Still, the Norfolk spot received an overall destination score of just 50% in Which?’s latest study, earning just two stars for its seafront, food and drink and tourist attractions, and a paltry one star for both scenery and shopping.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council is hoping to turn things around for the resort though, with a multi-million pound regeneration of the North Quay Waterfront area – described as ‘the most significant development opportunity in a generation’ – featuring leisure facilities, retail space, residential areas and revamped public spaces.
The Golden Mile in Great Yarmouth is due to be upgraded (Picture: Getty Images)
Carl Smith, a Conservative councillor and leader of the local authority, said: ‘North Quay is a key site which will become a vibrant new destination and will further enhance the town’s already prosperous economic future.’
This project, which is currently in the early stages, forms part of a £60 million ‘Town Deal’ investment strategy designed to support ‘economic regeneration, recovery, jobs and growth across the borough’s main urban areas’. If funding is secured, it could see Great Yarmouth’s historic Ice House transformed into a National Centre for Arts and Circus, while the Winter Gardens (a grade II listed Victorian building which has been shut since 2008 after falling into disrepair) will become a year-round Seafront attraction. The plan also includes improvements to walking and cycling routes, alongside upgrades to the local train station.
On top of this, the promenade welcomed a state of the art new leisure facility in 2022, following the previous Marina Centre’s closure on October 2019. With a six-lane 25m pool, two flumes, aqua play area, panoramic sea view gym, climbing walls, InflataZone, and beachside café, it gives visitors an indoor alternative if the British weather doesn’t play ball.
Weston-Super-Mare
Featuring in various ‘worst seaside town’ lists over the years, this Somerset resort’s fortunes had been fading since the 1960s. Not only was it called ‘depressing’ and ‘bleak’ by Redditors, it even gained the nickname ‘Weston-super-Mud’ due to the murky colour of its sediment-filled Severn Estuary seas.
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Thankfully however, efforts to bring Weston-Super-Mare back to its former glory are starting to pay off.
The Somerset spot is hoping to attract tourists with the new projects (Pictures: Getty Images)
FlixBus recently crowned it the top trending destination for next year, commenting: ‘Search interest has surged as Weston-super-Mare continues to reinvent itself with refreshed promenades, restored attractions, and plenty of reasons to just hang out.’
Around £20 million has been poured into the area so far, with the rebuilding of Grade II* Birnbeck Pier (the only pier in the UK to connect to an island), a major town centre re-development, and the rejuvenation of the Tropicana, the former lido, which was the home of Banksy’s 2015 Dismaland exhibition, all underway.
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A new Weston Independent Market was also launched in 2025, bringing together the best artisan traders in the South West every Wednesday and Sunday, with seasonal events from live music to pop-up food festivals and fashion stalls.
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