How UK seaside town with 6m visitors a year has been branded the 'worst place on Earth'
This seaside destination has been branded as one of the worst in the country by visitors, despite it being one of the most visited seaside resorts.
Southend: Views show seafront in Essex town
The UK is home to a number of beautiful coastlines and beaches perfect for a lovely staycation. But some places divide opinion, as seen down in Southend-on-Sea. The Essex destination, which recently earned city status, was named one of the UK's worst seaside resorts after it was ranked 41st place out of 50 in Which? magazine's 2024 survey of the nation's best seaside destinations. Southend-On-Sea bagged only one star for its scenery and a mere two stars for its beach.
Despite the criticism the seaside destination faces, Southend-on-Sea welcomes over six million visitors each year, making it one of the country's most popular destinations. However, like many seaside locations, Southend has endured a period of decline.
Green Party member, Simon Gittus has called for more public toliets to be installed in the area, reports Essex Live. He said: "Residents, especially along the seafront and on roads near to the city centre will often suffer anti-social behaviour through people using their gardens and alleys as a toliet."
Independent councillor Ron Woodley who also defended the appeal after raising concerns about the lack of facilities shared that more toliet are required along Thorpe and Eastern Esplanade.
He continued: "There’s lots of toilets along the western side but we’re very limited in the east of the city. It does deter people from going for a walk and we want people to walk, especially as they get older. They need that gentle exercise. If you don’t have the facilities it puts people off."
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The toilet problem has emerged as a big problem with visitors lamenting the "poo" found on the beach.
One Trip Advisor reviewer said: "Went with my family on a trip to southend. A few years back this beach was in an absolute horrible state, so we came back to this beach to see if there were any improvements. However, results were very unexpected and shocking."
Another reviewer said it was the "worst place on Earth", adding: "Avoid the beach, avoid the city, avoid the people."
Not everybody has a negative view, though. One review gave the beach fiver stars and said: "The beach is generally kept clean and tidy, if you're local it's nice to visit early in the day or later in the evening when the tourists aren't swarming the place but on a sunny bank holiday it is absolutely packed with people from out of the area."
In 2023, Councillor Daniel Nelson told the Southend Echo that the town has "a tourist industry like Miami does, which we should support and cherish.”
Some have highlighted problems related to anti-social behaviour and inadequate public facilities; the area is one of the most dangerous places to live in Essex, with it experiencing 98 crimes per 1,000 people.
However, the coastal destination has proven to not be all bad and might be in the midst of a turn around. With the pier and railway rated four stars on TripAdvistor, a number of vistors had good things about their trip to the resort.
One person who visited said: "Decided to walk to the end of the pier and take the train back. Very pleasant walk down to the end despite it being a very windy day. Plenty of seats along the way too. Love the fact you can ride back. Train appeared well maintained, as was the pier. Worth doing at least once to say you've been on it."
Another added: "Worth making a visit. Train and walking - both require ticket. Lovely views at the end of the pier. Cafe is clean, good scampi , lovely service."
