British Seaside Holidays - now and then

Wasn't that interesting? We used to go on holiday by train to Skegness!

Now that I live in a holiday town, it's interesting to think about the facilities, and yes, most are private ventures. Some are excellent and have been full this weekend. I have a feeling that the whole place rises to the occasion. The public toilets haven't been closed, thank goodness!

Having spent a week's holiday in the UK for the last few years (with DGC) I have to say that we have always had a lovely time!

We have been to Camber/Hastings in Sussex x 2, Croyde in Devon and Mudeford in Dorset x 2. Observations re Camber is the expense of the car park at the beach (we were pleased we were within walking distance!) and the limited catering facilities Otherwise we have had brilliant holidays at the beach and the environs.

Not really sure what this has to do with Mrs Thatcher
<dons hard hat>

She spent her time at university inventing Mr Whippy icecream?
Learning how to put air into everything.
Actually it was probably because she let Norman Fowler sell off BR hotels.

I suspect that the big difference is really to do with car ownership. The 1970s was probably the last decade when a good proportion of holiday makers went on holiday by public transport.

When you do not have personal transport you are more likely to spend all your free time in the resort and using its facilities, you may take a few bus rides to places further afield but generally you and your holiday money stays put in the same resort.

When you have a car the place you stay is not where you spend your time it is a base for travelling further afield to other attractions in the area. This goes away to explain rocketing membership of the National Trust, English Heritage and the attraction of country parks, attractions like Longleat etc. When this happens resort based attractions lose custom, visitors may be staying in seaside resorts and lying on the sand and swimming if the weather is nice but they are not wandering up and down the prom, especially if it is a cold windy day, or using funfairs, they are off and away to somewhere miles away, eating in a country pub, shopping in a small inland town.