'I visited UK's worst seaside town and have just one thing to say'

A Which? evaluation has thrown doubt over the cherished British tradition of coastal excursions, ranking one "classic bucket-and-spade destination" amongst the nation's most disappointing seaside locations.

Clacton-on-Sea, situated along the Essex coastline, offers all the elements for an affordable coastal getaway with its entertainment pier, gaming arcades and stretch of sand.

However, tourists taking part in the Which? study found themselves "underwhelmed" by what they encountered, pushing Clacton-on-Sea towards the bottom of the league table alongside Bognor Regis, Bangor and Southend, reports Cornwall Live.

The assessment noted that whilst the beaches managed a reasonable three-star score, the waterfront area left much to be desired.

The resort also scored particularly badly for serenity, achieving just a one-star rating for calm and quietude, reports Devon Live.

Tripadvisor comments from previous guests characterise Clacton-on-Sea as "underwhelming".

One British visitor expressed their disappointment, having anticipated more attractions and entertainment options, especially for youngsters, and believed that "everything was just a bit underwhelming".

Nevertheless, Clacton-on-Sea does possess certain qualities.

Several respondents in the Which? study commended the resort's delightful waterfront gardens and the "fantastic" yearly air display. Clacton-on-Sea's coastline is earning rave reviews on Tripadvisor, boasting an impressive 4.5-star rating out of five.

The beach's pristine condition has been consistently praised by holidaymakers, with some even dubbing it the "jewel" of Essex.

One visitor said: "Clacton-on-sea has a lovely clean sandy beach with palm trees, and is a great place to visit while on holiday or just a day out; the kids will love it as there is so much to do."

Another radded: "It's sunny, has a sandy beach, there are patrol on hand in [an] emergency. People are coming [from] all over the place. Lots of attractions and places to eat... fish and chips and ice cream. The jewel of Essex."