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Britain is an island. As a result there are quite a number of beach resort towns scattered all along the coast. Some of course are much better known than others. We have begun to compile information on quite a number of the different resorts. Hopefully our British readers will provoide us some information on their experiences at these resorts. They appear to have been very popular during the late-19th and early-20th centuries. We note people dressed rather formally during this era. The British today of course take off for the Canary Ilands and other foreign resorts where the water is a good bit warmer.
Bexhill-on-Sea or more commonly Bexhill is one of many English Channel seaside towns located in the East Sussex. It is located east of Brighton the most famous Channel resort. A major factor is that Bexhill is a little off the main rail lines from London to the Channel coast. Bexhill is a fascinating archaeological site dating back to the early-medieval era. It is close to wear Duke William landed at Hastings and the cruicial battle of Hastings was fought. Bexhill was in the middle of the area where the Germans planned to invade during World War II, but they did not get around to bombing the town until after the climatic Battle of Britain Day (September 15, 1940). Attractions include a Manor House in the Old Town, much Victorian and Edwardian architecture, and a museum. The notable De La Warr Pavilion is now an important facility for modrn art. The town auditorium has attracted many pop artists. One source desribes 'bracing sea air', but that can describe all the Channel beaches. The Bexhill beach is a standard shingle beach that extends for 2 miles from Galley Hill in the west to the Polegrove in the east. It is offers a picturesque setting and stunning views of the Channel. We see the standard draw for sunbathers, swimmers, and the full range of water sports enthusiasts (kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and windsurfing). Tourists can have a leisurely stroll along the promenade. More enrgetic visitors can take a dip. There are designated swimming areas and lifeguards deployed during the summer tourist season.
Bridlington is a North Sea resort town south of Scarnborough. The town has pre-Ronan origins. It is located in East Riding near Hull. north of Hull. It is a minor fishing port and is especially known for its shellfish. It has a mix of small businesses, but the primry indstry is seasonal tourist industry. The fishing port was known as Bridlington Quay. When a chalybeate spring was discovered, the Quay ws developed into a seaside resort (19th century). The first hotel opened (1805). Wih the advent of the railroad, Birdlington became a popular holiday resort for industrial workers from the West Riding of Yorkshire. After World War II, the tourist industry was hurst like many English resorts by the advent of inexpensive air fares to pain and other warm weather destnations. Sport fishing continues to be a popular attration. A HBC reader recalls family holidays at Birdlington.
Blackpool is another very well known resort along the northwestern Irish Sea coast. It is perhaps the busiest holiday resort on England. Blackpool was traditionlly part of Lancashire but since 1998 has been an independent unitary authority. There are many nearby towns with popular beach resorts (Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Thornton, Poulton-le-Fylde and Lytham St Anne's). Blackpool was enormously popular in the first half of the 20th century. Geographically it was accesable to the industrial Midlands, northern England, and Glasgow. Factory workers took their annual holidays in Blackppol and other neaby resorts. Huge number of inexpessive accomodations were built for working-class families. Photograph from that era show working-class families and huge crowds on the beach and promenade. One source reports that Blackpool still has more accomodations than the entire country of Portugal. Blackpool itself is the most heavily urbanised of the Irish Coast resort. English seaside resorts are famous for their holiday piers with a range of attractions. Blackpool has three piers. The North pier is the oldest built in 1863. The Central Pier was built soon after in 1868. The South pier is the newest, built in 1893. Blackpool also has a Tower, built in 1894. The Blackpool Tower is a 518-foot replica of Paris' Eiffel Tower. It was painted gold in 1994 as part of a centenary celebration. Blackpool has a popular tramway (trollie) that runs along to the coastvto some of the other beavh communities. The Blackppol Tramway was for many years England's only working tramway. There has been a revival of tramways in England and several other cities in recent years have rebuilt their tramways. Blackpool and other English resorts were adversely affected when cheap air travel became available in the 1960s. Until the 60s working class Britons did not commonly cross the Channel. This changed dramatically when the average Briton found that for aout the same cost he could vacation abroad (especially Spain) where the water was actually warm! Blackpool was especially affected because it was such at important beach resort and the economy was so completely devoted to tourism. There has in recent years, however, been a recival. Blackpool can't compete woth the Mediterrean weather. Onstead to foucus now is on entertainment. Blackpool
specializes as a summer entertainment venue. There are popular variety shows. And it is no longer just a summer vacation resort. Blackpool's Winter Gardens routinely hosts conferences and is especially known for political events. The Blackpool Illuminations (fireworks) held during September and October are extremely popular even after the main tourist season.
Brighton is perhaps the most well known English beach resort. It is located south of London in East Sussex. (Sussex has been divided into two portions, East and West and these are administered as two separate counties. Some little while ago, Brighton was amalgamated with its next door neighbour and great rival--Hove. The two became known as the City of Brighton & Hove, on top of that, the city is what is known as a Unitary Authority, which means that, although it is geographically in the County of Sussex, administratively it is entirely separate from county council control.) Elegant hotels were built facing the beach. More modest boarding houses were built in the town. We notice camping at Brighton as early as the 1880s. Brighton can be reached in a little over an hour by train making it very accessable to the people of London. Thus it is a major destination of day trippers. Brighton is quite famous for a number of other reasons. It was a famous venue for what were known as 'dirty weekends', in the old less-permissive days! The hotels and boarding houses were full of 'Mr & Mrs Smiths', which caused a lot of problems for real Smiths. A colleague of mine said he got quite a lot of 'funny looks' from the staff, when he was on his honeymoon, which does not mean that he had his honeymoon at Brighton. This was a general alias for this activity! Brighton is also famous for the annual rally of vintage cars, which was immortalised in the film "Genevieve" (1953). Brigton is also noted for a BBC film shot out of the train driver's cab, which was speeded up and purported to be "London to Brighton in Four Minutes" (1952). A British reader writes, "This was shown on TV quite a lot of times, but I haven't seen it now for a long time. It was quite impressive in those days as it apparently hurtled through towns and villages en route, at 840 miles per hour. I remember it aways impressed me as it slowed down and gently and sedately slid towards the buffers at Brighton". Another English reader writes, "We took day trips to London. I enjoyed both the beach and pier as well as the train ride. Brighton was also the scene of the 'Mods and Rockers' fights in the early 1960s."
Cleveleys is one of the smaller seaside resorts. It is located along the Fylde Coast of Lancashire. It is located close to the much better known resort of Blackpool. There is no long pier, but a charming promenade along the beach. The towns' website tells us, "... along the promenade you can enjoy the traditional seaside entertainment with amusement arcades and bingo halls, or take the children to Kiddies Corner where they can have hours of fun on all the mini adventure rides."
One of the most popular English seaside resorts was Eastbourne--because it was close to London. The attached postcard (figure 1) was mailed from Eastbourne during August, I would guess around in the early 1920s, which of course could be different then when the photograph for the card was taken. It was sent my a boy named Percy to a friend in London. It reads, Dear Frank, We bathe (Brit speak for swim) every morning now. Altogether we have had fairly nice weather. There have been two waterplanes down here. One has had a slight accident & is still here. Yours Percy. Some of the seaside towns have become noted esorts like Blackpool and Brighton. Others are lesser known but important locally.
Fleetwood is one of several beaches along the Fylde coastal plain. The other beaches include: Blackpool, Cleveleys, Fleetwood, Flyde, Poulton, Rossal, Thornton, ans Wyre. Vacationers fim Liverppol traveled via Bispham, Norbreck, and Cleveleys, a senic journey along Alantic (Irish Sea) coast cliffs. There was also a tram from Blackpool. The attractions at Fleetwood itself included the Promenade, Espplanade, Marine Walk, and Pier. There was also a Marine Garden. The principal street was Bold Street. The most prominant part feature of the beach front was Pharos Lighthouse designed by Sir Decimus Burton. The largest hotel was the North Euston Hotel. Agood view of the sea could be had at The Mount and surrounding gardens. There was also a steamboat ferry, Mona's Queen to the Isle of Man. The sailing was coordinated with the arrival of the 2:15 pm train. There were ships to Scotland and Ireland. Fleetwood was not just a beach resort, it was also a busy port, with freigters arriving from all over the world. There was also an active fishing fleet. There was a white monument to honor the fishermen Abram and Greenall, who lost their lives trying to save another fisherman.
We note a scene at Gordon Beach in 1950. It shows children's beachwear at the time. Notably many younger boys had bib-front suits. The children are mostly paddling in the water. We don't see many simmers. The cold water of course is a factor. And the Channel is in the south and the warmest water off Britain. We think Gordon's Beach is a Channel beach in Sussex, but are not positive at this time. It looks to be a working-class beach, perhaps day trippers from Londob. Hopefully our British readers will know more.
Littlehampton is a Channel seaside resort and pleasure harbor, aboy 20 miles west of Brighton. Being only 50 miles south of Brighton. Littlehampton was a seaside resort available to London day trippers. Human settlement at Littlehampton dates back to prehistoric times. It was Celtic and Roman times port and appears in the Domesday Book we believe as a fishing port (1086). The name 'Little' was added to differentiate it from the larger Southampton port durther west. Littlehampston began to change from a fishing port to a holiday destination (18th century). The town's status as both a port and a holiday resort led to a railwayline (19th century). Littlehampton remained a popular holiday resort (20th century). It became known as 'The Children's Paradise' (1920s). After World War II large-scale building occurred on the outskirts of the town. The main attraction is the East and West Beach. Harbour Park is an amusement park opened in 1932, it is situated on the beach, adjacent to the working harbor and marina. The Park offers traditional rides plus other modern attractions. Mewsbrook Park offers pedalo and boat hire. The Long Bench is interesting. The orideof the town is the War Memorial.
Lowestoft is a North Sea coast port in Suffolk which is part of East Anglia. At the time it was a fishing port of some importance, but also had a pier and popular beaches. The center of the tourist trade was Claremont Pier built in 1903. It is Lowestoft's principal pier. It served the local community and touriss staying in local hotels as well as steamers coming from London. There would have been all kinds of entertaiment activities on the pier for these children, but here they are off the beach. The beaches are quite different than the Channel beaches. They are sandy and gently slopeing, ideal for children playing in the sand. And the water as at all North Sea beaches is really cold--even in the Summer. A British reader writes, "We went to the North Sea coast from Yorkshire (to Scarborough) and the North Sea is known for being freezing unlike the channel resorts on the South Coast. It is interesting that they ran steamers to Lowestoft from London!. I didn't know that before." A World War I naval battle was fought off Lowestoft. We have an image showing an unidentified family at Lowestoft durng the early 1930s. A few years after this photograph was taken, World War II broke out and the pier was taken over by the Army. After the War the Army kept it for several years and was then largely abandoned. Ut has since been partially restored. The local authorities explain the state in 2005, "Unfortunately, further damage over the years has left the pier somewhat the worse for wear. Although much has been done to restore the shoreward end, the pier head is very run-down and remains closed to the public. Still, there's a fair bit of entertainment to be had on what�s left of it, with an amusement arcade, take-away food and all the rest of it. Special mention should go to Captain Nemo�s Fish & Chips. Why not get a Blue Raspberry Slush Puppy to go with that battered huss?"
Margate is a southern North Sea seaside town located at the northeastern tip of Kent. The town's history has been from the beginning associated with the sea. Margate is just north of the entrnce to the Channel at Dover. Dover id of course the closr point between Englnd nd France. As aresult during world War II, small shipsfrom Margate participated in the Dunkirk evacuation. And Dunkirk was was in esence seen as a 'limb' of Dover in the ancient confederation of the Cinque ports. It joined the confederation in the late medieval period (15th century). Margate has been an important British seaside resort from the early period in which the seaside and bathing began to be popular in England during the 18th century. It was not until the coming of the railways (1846), however, that large numbers of Londoners began to take advantage of Margate' beaches. Margate like neighboring Ramsgate, has thus been a popular holiday destination for Londoners because of the wide sandy beaches. Margate's wonderful Victorian era pier was destroyed by a powerful Northsea storm (1978). We note an unidentified boy having his portrait taken in a classic sailor outfit at the W.G. Fair studio. They did not, however, use a beach backdrop or even beach toys. Like Brighton and Southend, Margate was infamous for gang violence between mods and rockers (1960s) and then mods and skinheads (1980s).
Morecambe is a resort town located right within the Lancaster city. The beach faces Morecambe Bay, a part of the Irish Sea. This protected location means that the waves are more gentle than many Brirish beaches. Morecomb provided a wonderful local venue for ciy residents attempting to escape the summer heat. It is easily accessible by bus frm anywhere in the city. Nearby Blackpool is much better known and the poredomant venue for holiday-makers from the Lancashire mill towns. Many visitors to Morecambe came from the nort, Yorkshire and Scotland. The beach in recentyears has has a facelift. There is now glistening golden sands replacing the pebble beaches and a 5 mile stretch of level promenade with innovative bird sculptures and public artworks. The Stone Jetty is now a prominant local attraction. The beach has the Lakeland Hills as a backdrop.
Corwall was a source of tin in the ancient world, a vital ingredientb in making bronze. We do not known what part iof any St. Ives was involved, but there were maritime conndections with theMediterranean world. St. Ives first appears in history With the legdend of St. Ia or Hya. She was an Irish princess who introduced Christianity to Corwall (5th century AD). King Edward I granted St Ives a charter (1295). St Ives was an isolated fisjing village in southestern England for most of its history. It was accessable mostly by sea because of the poor roads in England. This how destinctive dialects and accents survived in Corrwall and other places. This only changed with the coming of the railway. The Great Western Railway began running its Broad Gauge trains on a new branch line (1877). This greatly increased the accessibility of the people in Cornwall to the rest of England. For St. Ives, the development was especually important. It went ffom being a relatively poor fishing village to a fashionable holiday destination. People in London could reach St. Ives in a few hours when graveling by rail. And it continues to be popular. St Ives was won the 'Seaside Town of the Year' in the annual Guardian contest (2007). St. Ives and Cornwall boasts Britain's mildest climate, There are wonderfull broad beaches that children enjoy, perfect for building sand castles.
Scarborough is a North Sea beach resprt. It was part of the North Riding of Yorkshire. The picuresque town rises steeply northward and westward from the harbor and beach onto limestone cliffs. The older part of the town lies around the harbour and is protected by a rocky headland. Lengend has it that the town was founded by Vikings. subsequently in the Middle Ages Scarborough Fair became one of the most imprtant European fairs. It was permitted in a royal charter (1253). It ws a 6-week trading festival that attracted large numbers of merchants from all over northern Europe. A stream of acidic water running from one of the cliffs to the south of the town became the beginning of what would become an important industry. Scarborough Spa develope ino a popular resort (17th century). Scarborough Spa became Britain's first seaside resort. The first rolling bathing machines, however, were not reported until later (1735). Scarborough became a popular getaway for wealthy Londoners. Transport was both aproblem and expensive. This all chnged with the coming of the railroad. The Scarborough�York railway began what was to prove a tidal wave of visitors (1845). As British ndustry grew, ordinary people could have summer holidays. Some businessseven organized them for their workers. Bass's Burton Brewery chose Scarborough for company outings. At its peak, fifteen trains would take between 8,000 and 9,000 employees of Bass's Burton brewery on an annual trip to the seaside. Scarborough became one of the most populr destination for holiday makers, despite its northerly location. Tourism continues to be a major component of the local economy. Scarborough is the second most-visited destination in England by British holidaymakers hich is impressive give that so many resorts are closer to London. A British reader, Bill, had grandparents in Yorkshire. He tells us his experiences along the Yorkshire coast where he especially liked to hunt seashells. He also noted the water was colder than the southern beaches he was used to-although once in the water he didn't seem to mind. Another British reader, also named Bill ewmbers family holidays at Scarborough.
Shanklin is a popular Channel seaside resort on the Isle of Wight near Sandown along the south coast. In addition to the sandy beach are a charming old village and the chine. Hotels and restaurants are located at the esplanade along the beach. We note an unidentified boy having his portrait taken at the Brown studio some time around the turn of the20th century. The studio of course has seaside backdrops. The boy wears a sailor outfit, popular wear for both boys and girls at these resorts.
Skegness is a beach resort in Lincolnshire along the eastcoast. It was until the 19th century a virtually unknown coastal village where fishing in the North Sea was the major economic activity. The development of the railroad in the mid-19th century was key factor in making Slegness and other coastal towns important beach resorts. The rilroads meant that working people could inexpesively travel to the coast for a seaside vacation. The railroad put workers from the industrial Midlands within esy traveling distance of Skegness. It was a very popular beach resort by the turn of the 20th century and at the height of its popularity in the 1920s and 1930s. After World War II more English families acquired cars opening a wider range of vacation trips. This affected the popularity of Skegness.
South Shields is a town in Northeast England, which stands on the south bank of the River Tyne estuary. South Shields was part of the County Durham until local government reorganisation in 1974, when it became part of the Metropolitan County of Tyne and Wear. It is a town steeped in history that goes back to the time of the Romans who had a settlement here in an area of the town called the Lawe Top. The settlement had fort known as Arbeia and here was a vast stone built granary. The fort also played an important part as a supply centre for Hadrian's Wall, which stretched from the Soloway Firth in the west of England, to Wallsend in the east. A replica of the fort has been built along with a museum of Roman artefacts on the site of the original fort. At the mouth of the Tyne are the two piers, one on the north side at Tynemouth, which is much shorter than its southern counterpart at South Shields, which measures one mile from beginning to end. While the north pier is straight, the south pier is winding. At the end of the two piers are unmanned lighthouses.
Southend-on-Sea boasts of 7 miles of broad, sandy beaches. The best known is the Jubilee Beach--always above high tide. The cornerstone of Victorian beach resorts was the amusement piers that jutted out into the sea. Southend-on-Sea has the longest pleasure pier in the world. There are over 80 parks and open spaces of varying size, 40 playgrounds, 6 nature and fourteen historic conservation areas, abnd 16 allotment sites. There are also four museums, two theatres, two art galleries, seven libraries, three casinos, a bowling alley, a sealife centre, the largest fun park in the south-east, a skateboard park, five leisure centres, a watersports centre, even an airport. I'm not sure how much of that was there in Victorian times. We note a family visit about the turn-of-the 20th century.
Southend also has a brand new, state of the art building for the South East Essex College, is the site for the new University of Essex, and is served by two major railway networks.
Southsea is a beachresort in Hampshire adjacent to Portsmouth on the English Channel. In addition to the beach is a castle built by Henry VIII (1544) before the idea of bathing had caught the public's fancy. Southsea Castle was one of a series of fortifications built by Henry to protect the English coast from from foreign invaders. Notably Henry's flagship, the Mary Rose sank in view of the Castle. The only major military action fought in the Castle occurred during the Civil War. Parliamentarian forces besiged and captured the Castle. It is now one of the major actractions of Southsea. Southsea beach is mostly shingle and slopes quite rapidly into the sea. The seafront is one of the most popular recreation areas in Portsmouth area. The beach extends along the whole southern end of Portsea Island from Old Portsmouth to Eastney. Adjacent to the beach and seafront promenade is Southsea Common, an extensive open space. It was once a military preserve but is now used for kite flying, picnics and informal ball games.
We have loaded a photograph of South Sea in 1910. Notice all the different outfits the children wear and the activites involved. This is a fantastic scene. Its like one of those paintings you look at and keep finding a human story in the detail.
Look for a boy riding his tricycle. Boys walking with mum playing king of the castle on the cannon. (And the sign saying that children are prohibited from climbing on the cannon.) This cannon is still there today. Boys are up to all sorts of things. Two are digging on the beach. Have a look and see what stories I have missed. About the only thing they aren't doing is swiming.
Swanage is a small town on the English Channel that has been a popular seaside resport since the late-19th century when railroads brought even distant resorts in easy travel range from London. It is located at the eastern end of the Isle of Purbeck. Swanage was considered a trendy resort for the rich. Todsay the appeal is more to the average tourist. Swanage and its environs offer a wide range of attractions. First of course are the beaches to the north at Studland Bay with its impressive cliffs as a bsackdrop. A traditional trat was the Punch and Judy shows. There are parks, gardens and museums. Corfe Castle is nearby. The children once well tosted from the beach will enjoy a ride on the Swanage Railway. Moodern visitors can mountainbiking along the Purbeck Hills. And dinosaur-mad boys will enjoy the Purbeck, now billed the Jurassic Coast. The unique geology gives Purbeck a special character and wildlife. Purbeck has been gawarded UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will find sedimentary rocks, which were formed over 100 million years ago.
Torbay is an important natural hartbor and rare east-facing bay in Devon along the Channel. It is located at the western most end of Lyme Bay midway between the cities of Exeter and Plymouth. Tourist authorities call it the English Riviera because of wonderful sandy beaches and relatively mild climate. The cold Channel water, however, is a far cry from the Riverra. It is one of England's popular beach resort depite the fact it vis located at some distance from London. Younger children in particular delight with playing in the sand. And it is the Torbay beaches that are the big tourist attractuions. A popular modern attraction is the Liiving Coasts (partnered with Paignton Zoo) , the Babbacombe Cliff Railway and the Hi-Flyer tethered helium balloon. And of course a mist for visitors is a Devon cream tea.
Weston-super-Mare, also known as Weston, is a seaside town in the western county of Somerset. It is located on the north Somerset coast in a sandy bay of the Bristol Channel 18 miles south west of Bristol between Worlebury Hill and Bleadon. It is one of the original 19th century British seaside resorts and Steeped with tons of Victorian history. The oceanfront resort offers sandy beaches, wonderful views of the North Somerset coastline, and many indoor and outdoor activities. The greatest attractgiom of course is a long stretches of fantastic sandy beach. There is sailing, Jet Skiing and fishing. he center piece is the Grand Pier which fronts the promenade. Children will enjoy the SeaQuarium. Close by is Wells Cathedral built 1175-1490 and has been described as 'the most poetic' of the English Cathedrals. It is the earliest English Cathedral built in the Gothic style. An English reader remembers his family caravan trips to the seaside during the 1960s. Weston-Super-Mare was one of several beaches Bill remembers staying at.
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* The British, unlike Americans, keep switching around the borders of their counties. We simple colonials might think that after 1,000 years there has been plenty of time to get it right, but our British friends apparently are still working on it. Sussex has been split into two. In addition some towns have become separated from the counties in which they were formerly located. Blackpool and Eastbourne, for example, were traditionlly part of Lancashire and Sussex but have since become independent unitary authorities. We have placed the counties by the resorts primarily to provide a rough geographic reference for non-English readers.
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