Weston-super-Mare, often dismissed as one of the UK’s worst seaside towns, might surprise you. Having lived there for three years, I can attest there’s much more to this Somerset resort than its reputation suggests.
Ranked eighth-worst by consumer magazine Which?, Weston finds itself near the bottom alongside the likes of Bognor Regis, Bangor, and Clacton-on-Sea. But this classic British beach town has undeniable character: its expansive two-mile-long seafront, the striking second-highest tidal range in the world, donkey rides, countless chip shops, ice cream parlours, and the iconic Grand Pier—a structure famously rebuilt after a devastating fire.
Weston even boasts familiar comforts like a Wetherspoon’s pub and a Premier Inn, making it accessible and welcoming. Moreover, the town has a fascinating cultural edge. Banksy, the acclaimed Bristol graffiti artist, spent childhood holidays here, and his works have popped up around Weston over the years. He notably set up his Dismaland theme park parody in Weston-super-Mare, which brilliantly boosted the local economy by attracting thousands of visitors in 2015.
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Arriving at 21 to begin my journalism career, I became a local newspaper reporter covering everything from cider festivals and parish council meetings to Banksy sightings and beachfront tragedies. Weston can be a place of contrasts. For much of the year, the town felt deserted, with a high street dominated by charity shops, cafes, and older residents. Nightclubs often hosted rowdy stag parties, occasionally leading to street brawls.
Then, for a brief summer quarter, day-trippers would flood in, creating traffic jams, littering beaches, and filling every parking spot. Despite this cycle of quiet and chaos, there were memorable moments. T4 On The Beach brought sparkle in 2012 with performances by stars such as Rita Ora and The Wanted. And Banksy’s Dismaland provided a darkly humorous twist on theme parks that locals still remember fondly.
Westonians themselves take pride in their town—the “rough” areas I reported on are often more upscale than many parts of my hometown Sheffield. Yet, the true hidden treasure lies just a short distance from the main tourist hub: the quaint area of Uphill.
Uphill offers its own small beach, a playground, two pubs, and a cafe—all nestled in a picturesque setting. It hosts an annual scarecrow festival, reinforcing its charming, small-community feel. With roots stretching back over a millennium, the parish was once renowned as a place for convalescence in the 1700s, praised for the restorative sea air and coastal serenity.
No matter how busy or crowded Weston-super-Mare becomes, Uphill remains a peaceful retreat—a timeless sanctuary as calming today as it was centuries ago. For visitors willing to explore beyond the well-trodden promenade, Weston-super-Mare has hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.