Welcome to Episode 34 of my “Travel Tales From Beyond The Brochure” podcast.
This episode is all about British Seaside Resorts – the many villages and towns that line the coast of the United Kingdom, and which have traditionally served as holiday destinations for a large section of the British people.
The inspiration for this pod was my taking a trip to Skegness in October, just before I started my new job. Two nights in a tourist hotspot, out-of-season. Joy. But since I also grew up near a seaside resort, Southport (in the North), and I’d been on holiday many times throughout my life near the coast, I figured it would make a great starting point for a podcast.
I talk about childhood experiences, going back as an adult, the history of seaside holidays in the UK, why seaside resorts these days have a bit of a bad reputation, and some hopes for the future.
Topics discussed in this episode include:
- Imposter Syndrome and entering writing competitions
- Overview of Skegness
- Sand dunes and golf courses
- Visiting seaside resorts as a child
- Southport and Formby, my teenage haunts
- What did the Romans do for us?
- ‘Wakes Weeks’, Thomas Cook, and the rise of of package holidays
- Traditional seaside entertainment
- The Holiday Camp
- Oh we’re off to Sunny Spain – Y Viva Espana
- Deprivation and Brexit
- … but there is hope?
- Quick overview of other seaside towns I’ve been to: Rhyl, Tenby, Hunstanton, Whitby, Saltburn, Whitley Bay
You can listen via the feed above, or via Spotify, or on your podcast app of choice. Let me know if it isn’t, by the way, and I’ll see what I can do. In addition, a PDF transcript of this episode is available by clicking here.
As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a comment or let me know. There is a Facebook group for my podcast that you’re free to join: Click here!
I also now have a Patreon! If you like what you hear, and want to access exclusive content (or just to show your appreciation), then head on over to my page and donate to me!
Contributions to this episode come from:
- Bea, from Bea Marshall – YesParenting
- Lucy, from Absolutely Lucy,
- Sarah, from The Urban Wanderer,
- Emma, from Barefoot Em (Swims), and
- my friends from Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Jax and Bear. I’d link to Jax’ Instagram site but they change its name every couple of months …