A holiday park in Somerset, once part of a large nationwide chain but now one of the last remaining resorts of its brand, has been named the worst holiday park in the UK according to research by consumer group Which?.
Pontins, which previously operated 30 locations but now has only one site left - Sandy Bay Holiday Village in Weston-super-Mare near Sand Bay Beach - received a disappointing overall score of 61% from Which? readers. The company was awarded just two stars across a range of categories including customer service, accommodation quality, cleanliness, and food and drink.
Despite offering some of the most affordable holiday options in the survey, with an average price of £38 per person per night, the park only received two stars for value for money.
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This marks a stark decline from Pontins’ golden era when it was known for lively family holidays and entertainment from its well-known Bluecoats, launching the careers of performers such as Shane Ritchie and Bobby Davro. The company was rescued from collapse 15 years ago when it was bought by Britannia Hotels, a group that Which? has frequently ranked as the worst hotel operator in the UK.
Today, Sandy Bay functions as an adults-only resort and appears to have distanced itself from the Pontins brand, with no mention of the historic name on its website. Facilities include a heated indoor swimming pool, games room, live entertainment, and various daily activities.
The holiday village holds a 3.6-star rating out of five on Google Reviews, with mixed feedback from visitors. Some praised the location and accommodation, noting the proximity to the beach and upgrades available. However, others described issues such as poor cleanliness and dated facilities.
Pontins has previously been in the spotlight for complaints about unclean conditions and inadequate amenities. Before multiple site closures, guests reported problems like ant infestations, leaking bathtubs, and even finding used condoms in rooms. In 2022, the now closed Brean Sands site faced significant criticism, with many reviewers giving poor ratings due to mould, unpleasant smells, cold rooms, and overall unsatisfactory conditions.
Further setbacks include the abrupt closure of Pontins Holiday Park in Southport in 2023, which took visitors and locals by surprise.
On a more positive note, the Which? survey named Potters Resorts as the top-rated holiday park, with its all-inclusive locations in Norfolk and Essex praised for quality. Hoburne Holidays, operating in southern and south-western England including sites in the Cotswolds, Dorset, and Somerset, was placed second.
Which? highlighted the family-run Hoburne’s seven parks as ideally situated and commended their emphasis on local, seasonal produce and unique activities like guided bat walks and kayaking, which contribute to their five-star food and drink rating.
The findings are based on a survey conducted in early 2026 involving 2,221 members of the Which? Connect panel and the general public.