The UK has its fair share of brilliant seaside towns. From Bude to Bamburgh, Southwold to Salcombe, Britain’s coast is packed with beauty spots.
However, some sadly fall short, which is what has been said about Bridlington. The Yorkshire seaside spot has been labelled the ‘worst’ resort in the region by a recent Which? survey. The once thriving seaside town is reportedly on a downward trajectory, with growing concerns about its future.
The seaside resort is allegedly losing hundreds of businesses due to high crime rates, as locals express their fears over safety, insufficient healthcare facilities and drug-related problems. Despite the yearly surge of tourists during the summer months, there are fears that Bridlington’s once flourishing tourism industry is on the decline.
However, mum Megan Shaw’s visit told a different story On a sunny Wednesday afternoon, she found the Bridlington Park and Ride car park filled to the brim, forcing her to park on the main road, reports Yorkshire Live.
Megan said that, as a newcomer, she decided to take her three year old for a day trip to Bridlington. Despite the negative reviews online, she says she kept an open mind.
After unloading the car, Megan and her son headed towards Princess Mary Promenade. She said they were welcomed by stunning coastal views, the sound of seagulls and children playing, and the faint scent of fish and chips.
They then descended the steps to find a bustling Promenade teeming with families of all shapes and sizes. Megan says children were running up and down, shrieking with joy in the paddling pools, while grandparents sat comfortably in striped deck chairs, enjoying a cup of tea or an ice cream.
Couples were spotted lounging on beach towels, their arms lovingly intertwined, said Megan. She found The Promenade was beautifully decorated with stylish beach huts available for rent at £50 per day, offering the perfect base for a seaside day out and boasting stunning views of South Bay.
One family had festooned their hut with birthday banners and balloons, enjoying the festive atmosphere as they opened presents and savoured a celebratory cake. The prevailing mood was one of sheer joy, said Megan.
Each beach hut features its own quaint paddling pool at the front, but children gleefully dart between them all, their laughter filling the air. Megan and her son then popped into a local shop to grab a bucket and spade.
She said the staff were exceptionally welcoming, taking great pleasure in interacting with customers, especially the little ones, whom they happily entertained with a display of beach toys. The prices were surprisingly fair, unlike some tourist shops that take advantage of forgetful visitors, added Megan.
She said they spent a wonderful day at the beach, with her three year old delighting in the paddling pool and building sandcastles. A charming little orange train offered rides along the seafront, providing tourists with a unique way to appreciate the beauty of Bridlington.
However, the irresistible charm of the beach kept Megan’s son firmly planted in the sand. After some persuasion, she managed to lure him away from the beach and took a leisurely stroll down to the pier.
They indulged in some traditional fish and chips from a bustling local chippy and sat by the harbour to enjoy them, taking in the sight of boats moored in the bay. Before returning to their car, they treated themselves to some ice cream – which she said made the lengthy promenade walk even more pleasurable, as they watched the sun dip below the horizon.
Reflecting on their day out, Megan said she found herself questioning the negative reviews Bridlington often receives. Yes, it could benefit from a lick of paint here and there, but overall, it’s clean, well-facilitated, and the locals are friendly.
“In my eyes, Bridlington is a charming, traditional seaside town that’s perfect for families,” said Meghan. “Judging by my son’s reaction, we’ll definitely be returning!”