Clacton Pier has been shortlisted for a top accolade in the UK Theme Park Awards for 2026.
The attraction is in with a chance of picking up the Best Seaside Theme Park – but it needs people’s votes to succeed.
The pier is up against 11 others which include Brighton Palace Pier, Dreamland Margate, Adventure Island in Southend, Skegness Pleasure Beach and Codona’s in Aberdeen.
The winner will be decided by the public vote combined with the scores from the judging panel.
The vote opened today (July 20) and it runs through until August 28 with a winner to be announced at an awards ceremony to be held at Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort on September 10.
The public vote can be found at ukthemeparkawards.com
Harry Peek, general manager of Clacton Pier, thanked everyone who has voted for the attraction in previous years and asked if they could do so again.
“We are very fortunate to have a very loyal following and guests both local and from further afield who support us year in and year out,” he added.
“We now need them to show that support by giving us their vote in this very prestigious national award.
“It would be recognition of all the hard work the team puts in to ensure everyone has the best possible time when they visit us.”
The National Theme Park Awards were set up to recognise, reward and promote the very best theme parks across the whole of the UK and are seen as a benchmark for quality innovation and unforgettable experiences.
“It is an honour to be shortlisted once again but it would be even better if we could bring the award back to Clacton later this year,” said Mr Peek.
The awards are now in their 7th year and are organised by Theme Parks UK.
This weekend sees the pier celebrate its 155th birthday with the chance for 155 guests to win Big Day Out Bands for £1.55 in a lottery, 155 free celebratory cupcakes will be handed out at intervals across the weekend and a new history trail unveiled at 12 locations around the site.
The pier’s biggest firework display yet will be staged on Saturday (July 25) at around 9.30pm.
