A holiday park in Somerset, once part of a 30-location nationwide chain, has been named the worst holiday park in the UK according to a recent Which? survey. The company behind it, Pontins, now operates only one remaining site in Weston-super-Mare, near Sand Bay Beach.
The site, rebranded as Sand Bay Holiday Village and catering exclusively to adults, received a score of just 61% from Which? readers. It was awarded two stars across key categories including customer service, accommodation quality, cleanliness, and food and drink. Despite being one of the most affordable options in the survey, with prices averaging £38 per person per night, it earned only two stars for value for money.
Previously renowned for vibrant family holidays featuring entertainment by its famous Bluecoats, Pontins enjoyed a golden era with famous entertainers such as Shane Ritchie and Bobby Davro beginning their careers there. However, following its acquisition by Britannia Hotels 15 years ago and subsequent downsizing, the brand has struggled to maintain standards. Britannia Hotels itself has been regularly cited by Which? as Britain’s worst hotel group.
READ MORE: Glastonbury Festival Ticket Prices Surpass £400, Sparking Mixed Reactions
READ MORE: Weston-super-Mare councillor urges action over seafront flag installations
The Sand Bay Holiday Village no longer uses the Pontins name on its website, signalling a clear departure from its past identity. Facilities at the site include a heated indoor swimming pool, games room, live entertainment, and daily activities. Recent visitor reviews are mixed; some praise the location close to the beach and the cleanliness and availability of upgraded rooms, while others describe the accommodation as dirty and poorly maintained.
In the past, Pontins sites commonly faced guest complaints about unclean lodgings and inadequate amenities, including issues such as ant infestations, leaking bathtubs, and poor hygiene standards. For instance, a family visiting the now-closed Brean Sands location reported leaving soon after arrival due to mould and unpleasant odours. In early 2022, 16 of 22 guest reviews awarded the park one star.
Pontins’ Southport site closed permanently in 2023, marking the end of an era for what was once a popular holiday destination.
A spokesperson for Britannia Hotels Group said: “We are naturally disappointed by this ranking and take all guest feedback seriously as it plays an important role in helping us improve the experience we offer. While the report refers to ‘Pontins’, no Pontins holiday parks are currently open to guests. Our only holiday park currently open to the public is Sand Bay Holiday Village which is an adults-only destination.
“We recognise that some areas of the park’s accommodation reflect the site’s heritage, and we are already investing in a programme of improvements to upgrade the accommodation and enhance the overall guest offering. We remain committed to providing great value, warm hospitality and enjoyable breaks for our guests.”
At the other end of the scale, Potters Resorts took top place with its all-inclusive destinations in Norfolk and Essex, closely followed by Hoburne Holidays, which operates parks across southern and south-western England including locations in the Cotswolds, Dorset and Somerset.
Which? praised Hoburne’s seven sites for their excellent locations and food quality, highlighting restaurants such as the sea-view Pier House that source local seasonal ingredients. The company also commended the variety of activities available, from guided bat walks to kayaking.
The Which? survey gathered responses from 2,221 panel members and members of the public in February and March 2026 to rank UK holiday parks based on customer experience.