'Rundown' seaside town's £1.8m boost as Butlin's unveils huge transformation
A once regal seaside town loved by Brits has watched its glitzy reputation slowly wash away. Snuggled on England's south coast in West Sussex, some 70 miles from Central London - lies the coastal town of Bognor Regis.
Boasting half a dozen golden sandy beaches, crystal-clear water, and a Victorian pier originally built in 1865 - Bognor Regis attracts a whopping four million tourists every single year. Like any quintessential seaside resort, it's filled with all of your staycation essentials: Fish & Chip shops, ice cream vans, arcades, and souvenir shops.
But, the town was recently snubbed in Which?'s seaside league tables, where it came joint fourth from last with Burnham-on-Sea. Scoring a measly 47 per cent out of 100, survey participants gave the town just two stars for its beaches, tourist attractions, scenery, and food and drink offerings - and a brutal one-star rating for its pier and range of shops.
Bognor Regis, known as one of three UK homes to Butlins, opened its resort back in 1960, during the UK's coastline glory days. It was the third complex to be built in England and reportedly witnessed a staggering 3,000 visitors on the opening day.
And just last month, Butlin's announced it had finished a huge £1.8 million upgrade to the resort - helping to bolster tourism in the region. The transformation means Bognor Regis is now home to Butlin's biggest-ever indoor Soft Play centre and Puppet Theatre.
Opening in time for the busy Easter half term, the four-storey soft play centre, which is a whopping 3,000 square feet, has the capacity to entertain up to 200 children - while adults can kick back and relax in the new 100-person eating area. The Soft Play centre features new slides, climbing challenges, log ramps, cargo nets, and a multi-sensory area for babies. The Puppet Theatre will put on new shoes for guests, including Under The Sea, Jingle in the Jungle and Christmouse.
Jon Hendry Pickup, CEO at Butlin's, said he was 'delighted' to open the Soft Play and Puppet Theatre at Bognor Regis. "Both are included in the price, providing incredible value for our guests," he added. "They have always been popular with guests, and these incredible new spaces are full of personality, just like the Skyline Gang and their performances which are always a standout part of family's breaks."
It takes around two hours and 17 minutes to drive to Bognor Regis from London, but direct trains can slash the journey time down to just one and a half hours. If you're flexible with dates, you can grab single adult fares for as little as £10.
Accommodation in Bognor Regis varies depending on your budget. For example, a weekend's stay (Friday, June 13 -15) at the four-star Beachcroft Hotel will set you back £322, based on two adults sharing. But, the Keedwell Studio Apartments offer a double room on the same nights for just £198. Butlin's offers weekend breaks for the May Half Term for as little as £253.
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