I visited the UK's 'worst' seaside town and instantly fell in love

resorts across the UK have faced a steady decline since the rise of European beach . Holidaymakers now have the option of budget flights to countries like and Greece, which guarantee sunshine and affordable accommodation.

Meanwhile, costs have gone up across the UK, turning tourists away from once-thriving seaside towns. They have since become rundown due to a lack of tourism income, which has led to a decline in reputation. Weston-super-Mare, in Somerset, was labelled one of the "worst" UK seaside towns by the Telegraph in 2023.

As reported by , the seaside town has suffered from a dwindling public image in recent years. Intrigued by Weston-super-Mare and its apparent downfall, reporter Liam Gilliver visited the town to see if the criticism was justified.

He visited on a sunny Sunday last month, when temperatures hit a balmy 13C. Liam explained how expecting a town located just 23 miles from Bristol to offer pristine, white sands and turqoise waters is unrealistic.

He added: "The sea at Weston-super-Mare often appears brown due to high levels of suspended sediment and organic matter in the Severn Estuary. Does this deter children from building sandcastles? Absolutely not."

Liam continued: "Does it prevent you from enjoying the sun with an ice cream, walking your dog, or taking a romantic sunset stroll with your partner? Not at all."

Despite not exactly being Instagram-worthy, the Weston-super-Mare's beach certainly doesn't lack charm. The town is also known for its Grand Pier which charges a £2 entry fee.

The pier gives a stunning view of the beach and kids a chance to enjoy a host of arcade games. There are also a number of local vendors that sell ice creams and fish and chips.

Liam said: "While it may not boast an array of hip cafes serving exotic treats, or a diverse range of dining options beyond traditional fare, Weston-super-Mare's infectious energy is hard to deny. Stepping foot into this seaside town is like taking a step back in time, when humble shops selling souvenirs and kitschy novelties were enough to make a holiday special."

He added that a visit to Weston-super-Mare "has all the makings of a quintessential seaside experience". It's often busy with tourists and thee beach is spacious enough to enjoy on a warm day in the summer.

But what Liam liked the most was that Weston-super-Mare was unaplogetically authentic. It's a town that's proud of its identity.

Weston-super-Mare's MP Dan Aldridge said: "The town has so much to offer. Sure, it might not have the white sands of Barbados, but I've never seen an arcade this good - or had Fish and Chips as tasty - in the Caribbean.

"The Ultraviolet Crazy Gold and Dr Fox Tea Room are unmatched. I don't care what five-star resorts you might stay in, nothing beats the charm of Weston. It'll always be my favourite."

In an exclusive interview with the , Councillor Mark Canniford of North Somerset Council added: "The town has seen multi-million-pound investment in recent years, including the £20m award by the UK government which is enabling a programme of significant projects to improve the town.

"The Grade II Listed Birnbeck Pier now has a bright future and the Tropicana event venue is set to undergo major investment, subject to planning permission..

"The housing market is booming, with supply outstripping demand and house price increases exceeding the national average. All of this is attracting growing inward investment in the area including US tech giant Epic. There's so much going on, it's impossible to list it all!".