King George V recuperated at Bognor in 1929 after a long illness, earning him the suffix ‘Regis’, but it also gave rise to the irascible monarch’s most infamous quote. Clue: the word rhymes with ‘rugger’.
To please His Majesty, he arrived in February. If he had come in the warmer months, he might have had a more positive opinion of the city.
Because Bognor is the ideal place for a summer getaway – which Which? magazine also said last week, naming it the fourth worst seaside resort in the country.
What do they know about it? For starters, it doesn’t seem to get overcrowded. We arrived on a Saturday in late June and found plenty of parking spaces on the coast.
The esplanade is over two miles long and it was easy to find a bench to look out over and ponder big decisions, such as whether to have scampi or cod and chips for lunch. And the beach is safe with plenty of sand at low tide if you fancy a dip.
Which? magazine ranked Bognor Regis (above) as the fourth worst seaside resort in the UK – but Neil Clark says it’s ‘ideal for a summer getaway’
Neil finds that Bognor Regis ‘doesn’t seem to get overcrowded’, even on a Saturday in late June. Here you can see the offshore sea defences at Bognor
With so many traditional seaside towns in disrepair, it was refreshing to visit a place that had been given some love and attention.
The historic Grade II listed bandstand on the seafront has been beautifully restored. The 1865 pier has survived storm damage, fires and the threat of demolition.
The Victorian charm is enhanced by the fact that there is a miniature train that runs along the promenade. There are also ice cream parlours, a mini golf course and beautiful gardens in Hotham Park, named after Sir Richard Hotham, who transformed the town from a small fishing village in the late 18th century.
As well as royalty, Bognor has also attracted its fair share of literary and artistic visitors over the years, including James Joyce, William Blake, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and composer Eric Coates, who wrote By The Sleepy Lagoon, the signature tune of Desert Island Discs.
“The old town has some beautiful Georgian and Regency architecture,” says Neil, seen here on Bognor’s high street
The old town boasts some fine Georgian and Regency architecture, a particularly fine example being Dome House, a Grade I listed building built by Sir Richard to lure George III from Weymouth.
This is a beautiful part of the world. Historic Chichester is just six miles away, and to the north lie the glorious South Downs.
If, like me, you enjoy horse racing, Fontwell Park, a show jumping circuit that recently celebrated its centenary, is close by.
And nearby is Goodwood, which has perhaps the most beautiful Arcadian setting of any racecourse in Europe. Here the ‘Glorious’ five-day flat race meeting starts on Tuesday.
A morning at Bognor followed by an afternoon at the racecourse? Even grumpy old King George would have approved.
Neil says: ‘The historic bandstand on the coast, which is listed, has been beautifully restored’
Children enjoy afternoon tea at Ballifscourt, a ‘luxury’ B&B in nearby Climping
Where to stay
The Royal Norfolk Hotel is a Regency hotel dating from the 1830s, once home to Emperor Napoleon III. Double rooms cost from £90 per night, including breakfast (leisureplex.co.uk).
For something a little more luxurious, Bailiffscourt in the nearby village of Climping has double rooms from £325 B&B (hshotels.co.uk).
