Outrage as UK seaside city hits back after being named worst in Britain
Bangor in Wales has been named the worst seaside town in the UK, enraging locals.
A seaside city has hit back after being named the worst in Britain.
Bangor in Gwynedd, Wales, came out at the bottom of a survey to determine the UK’s best and worst coastal spots by consumer site Which?.
The city was described as "drab" and "run down", scoring just 42 percent which put it last of 100 cities.
While it was praised as a good base for visiting the "fabulous" scenery and coast of North Wales, it was given one-star ratings for food and drink, tourist attractions, and shopping, and received just two stars for everything else.
But locals have hit back, saying the survey results fail to capture Bangor’s “unique charm” and rich history.
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Bangor City Council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “It’s disappointing to see Bangor City named as one of the UK’s worst seaside towns. Such rankings often fail to capture the full picture and the unique charms that make Bangor City so special."
The council emphasised Bangor's historical significance, noting its upcoming 1,500-year anniversary in 2025, and highlighted landmarks such as St Deiniol’s Cathedral, the Pontio Arts Centre, and the Storiel Gallery and Museum.
“Bangor is the first and oldest city in Wales,” the council added. "With stakeholders like Bangor University and Coleg Menai, our city truly deserves to be known as a ‘city of learning, innovation, and vision'."
The council also pointed out Bangor’s views of the Menai Strait and its role as a gateway to the natural beauty of Eryri National Park (Snowdonia).
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"Our forebears recognised the lack of a suitable beach and found the perfect solution by building our magnificent Victorian pier at Garth Point, which now attracts over 80,000 visitors a year," its statement added.
The council acknowledged that the ratings highlight areas for improvement and offer an opportunity for Bangor to address its challenges.
Wales’ best seaside town Portmeirion, also in Gwynedd, scored 83 percent whilst Llandudno in Conwy was rated at 78 percent.
The best seaside town in the UK was Bamburgh, a Northumberland village with a population of around 400 people. It has won the title four years in a row.
