King George V’s convalescence at Bognor in 1929 after a long illness earned him the suffix “Regis”, but also gave rise to the irascible monarch’s most infamous quote. Hint: the word rhymes with “rugger”.
To be fair to His Majesty, he arrived in February. Had he come during the warmer months, he might have had a more favourable opinion of the city.
Because Bognor is the ideal place for a summer getaway, no matter what Which? magazine said last week, ranking it the fourth worst seaside town in the country.
What do they know? For a start, it doesn’t seem crowded. We arrived on a Saturday in late June and found plenty of parking spaces along the seafront.
The esplanade is more than three kilometres long and it was no problem to get a bench to take in the view and ponder important decisions (such as whether to have prawns or cod and chips for lunch). And the beach, if you fancy a dip, is safe and has plenty of sand at low tide.
Which? magazine has ranked Bognor Regis (above) as the fourth worst seaside town in the UK, but Neil Clark says it is “ideal for a summer getaway”
Neil finds that Bognor Regis “doesn’t seem crowded” even on a Saturday in late June. Here you can see Bognor’s sea defences
With so many traditional coastal villages abandoned, it was refreshing to visit a place that has received some TLC.
The historic Grade II listed bandstand on the seafront has been beautifully restored. The 1865 pier has survived damage from storms, fires and a threat of demolition.
Adding to the Victorian charm, a miniature train runs along the seafront, and there are ice cream kiosks, a mini-golf course and beautiful gardens at 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 attracted its fair share of literary and artistic visitors over the years, including James Joyce, William Blake, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and the composer Eric Coates, who wrote By The Sleepy Lagoon, the signature tune on Desert Island Discs.
“The old town boasts some splendid Georgian and Regency architecture,” says Neil, as seen here on Bognor’s main street.
The old town boasts splendid Georgian and Regency architecture; particularly beautiful is the Grade I listed Dome House, 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 are the glorious South Downs.
If, like me, you love horse racing, Fontwell Park, a show jumping track that recently celebrated its centenary, is just around the corner.
And nearby is Goodwood, which has arguably the most beautiful arcadian setting of any racecourse in Europe. This is where the “Glorious” five-day flat race begins on Tuesday.
A morning in Bognor followed by an afternoon at the races? Even grumpy King George would have approved.
Neil says: ‘The historic Grade II listed seafront bandstand 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 an 1830s Regency hotel that once housed Emperor Napoleon III. Double rooms cost from £90 per night including breakfast.Leisureplex.co.uk).
For something more luxurious, Bailiffscourt, in the nearby village of Climping, has double rooms from £325 including breakfast (hshotels.co.uk).