Encyclopedia
A
seaside resort is a
resort located on the
coast. Where a
beach is the primary focus for
tourists, it may be called a
beach resort.
History of the seaside resort
The coast has always been a recreational environment, although until the
mid-nineteenth century, such recreation was a luxury only for the wealthy. Even in
Roman times, the town of
Baiae, by the
Tyrrhenian Sea in
Italy, was a resort for those who were sufficiently prosperous. During the early
nineteenth century, the Prince Regent popularised
Brighton, on the south coast of
England, as a fashionable alternative to the wealthy spa towns such as
Bath. Later,
Queen Victoria's long-standing patronage of the
Isle of Wight ensured the seaside residence was a highly fashionable possession for those wealthy enough to afford more than one home.
It was in the
mid-nineteenth century that it became popular for people from less privileged classes to take holidays at seaside resorts. Improvements in transportation brought about by the
industrial revolution enabled people to take
holidays away from home, and led to the growth of coastal towns as seaside resorts. This is perhaps most strongly evidenced in
England and
Wales, country's shaped such that its coast is no more than 180km from any point.
British seaside resorts
As the nineteenth century progressed, British working class day-trippers travelled on organised trips such as railway excursions, or by
steamer, for which long
piers were erected so that the ships bringing the trade could berth.
The popularisation of the seaside resort during this period was nowhere more pronounced than in
Blackpool. Blackpool catered for workers from across industrial
Northern England, who packed its beaches and promenade. Other northern towns shared in the success of this new concept, which spread rapidly to other British coastal towns including several on the coast of
North Wales and notably
Llandudno, the largest resort in
Wales and known as "The Queen of the Welsh Resorts", a title first implied as early as 1864 . Some resorts, such as
Bournemouth, were built as new towns by local landowners to appeal to wealthier holidaymakers.
From the last quarter of the
twentieth century, the popularity of the British seaside resort has declined for the same reason that it first flourished: advancements in transportation. The greater accessibility of foreign holiday destinations, through package holidays and, more recently, European
low-cost airlines, affords people the freedom to holiday abroad. Despite the loyalty of returning holiday-makers, resorts such as Blackpool have struggled to compete against the favourable weather of
Southern European alternatives. Now, many symbols of the traditional British resort are regarded by some as drab and outdated; the skies are imagined to be overcast and the beach windswept.
In contrast, the fortunes of Brighton, which has neither holiday camps nor end-of-the-pier shows, have grown considerably, and, because of this, the resort is repeatedly held up as the model of a modern resort. However, unlike the
Golden Miles of other British resorts, the sea is not Brighton's primary attraction: rather it is a backdrop against which is set an attitude of broad-minded cosmopolitan hedonism. The resulting sense of uniqueness has, coupled with the city's proximity to London, led to Brighton's restoration as a fashionable resort and the dwelling-place of the affluent.
Other English coastal towns have successfully sought to project a sense of their unique character. In particular,
Southwold on the
Suffolk coast is an active yet peaceful retirement haven with an emphasis on calmness, quiet countryside and jazz.
Weymouth in
Dorset offers itself as 'the gateway to the Jurassic Coast', Britain's only natural World Heritage Site.
Newquay in
Cornwall offers itself as the 'surfing capital of Britain', hosting international surfing events on its shores.
Torbay in South
Devon is known is also known as The
English Riviera. Consisting of the towns of
Torquay,
Paignton and
Brixham, the bay has 20 beaches and coves along its 22 mile coastline, ranging from small secluded coves to the larger promenade style seafronts of Torquay's Torre Abbey Sands and Paignton Sands. Paignton Pier extends into the sea from the popular seafront.
Irish seaside resorts
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has a number of seaside resorts. The premier Northern Irish seaside resort is
Portrush, often considered as the Northern Ireland's equivalent of Blackpool. Portrush is situated on the north coast of Northern Ireland as has two sandy beaches, a world-famous golf course Royal Portrush Golf Club, amusements, bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Newcastle is another seaside resort in Northern Ireland and is located on the east coast at the foot of the Mourne Mountains.
Other quieter and more scenic coastal towns are Ballycastle and Portstewart, both on the Northern Irish north coast.
Republic of Ireland
Irish Riviera
The Irish Riviera features the pretty seaside resorts of
Youghal, Ardmore, Dungarvan,
Cobh and Ballycotton. These are a group of resort towns and villages all set close to the sunny south coast of Ireland. Each town has its own character with its own attractions, places to stay, places to eat, traditional Irish pubs and beauty spots.
Youghal has been a favoured holiday destination for over 100 years and is right in the centre of the south coast of Ireland. The town is situated on the banks of the majestic Blackwater river as it reaches the sea.
Youghal is well known for its beaches, being the only town in the
Republic of Ireland with not one, but two, beaches that have been awarded EU Blue Flag status. Dungarvan is a thriving seaside market town nestled beneath the mountains in the centre of the Irish south coast.
Kinsale is often described as a food lovers and yachting town - a great base from which to explore the Irish Riviera. There is a very diverse range of restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.
Kinsale is also home to a large and active creative community and there are numerous art galleries, record and book shops and several excellent delicatessens.
Cobh is a perfect base for a wide variety of leisure and sport activities including fishing, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, powerboating and of course walking and golf.
County Clare
Lahinch is a bustling seaside resort, and is very popular for holidaymakers because of its long beach, golf links, promenade, and Seaworld . Lahinch is extremely popular with surfers.
Ballyvaughan is a village and small port on the southern shores of
Galway Bay and is a convenient centre for exploring the fascinating and scenic surrounding countryside.
References
Further reading
— Geoghegan looks at the economy of British seaside resorts and considers a possible resurgence in their popularity.
- — Walton looks at the Victorian traditions that underpin British seaside holidays.
See also
External links
- - mostly in PDF format. Research and conclusions of North Somerset District council, involving the identity crisis and re-branding of Weston-super-Mare. Indicative of the need for English resorts to adapt.
- The guide to the UK's coast and seaside resorts.
