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Welcome
Sammy Gee : Mercia Editor









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Click here to contact me
England Our England
  THE  MERCIA TOURIST BOARD

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For North Sea Nuts -Beach Bums - Naughty But Nice -
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Select Your Mercian  Resort Below Resort 
Aldeburgh Birkenhead Blakeney  Brightlingsea Burnham-on-Crouch Caister-on-Sea Canvey Island
Chapel St Leonards  Clacton-on-Sea  Cleethorpes Cromer Felixstowe Frinton Gorleston-on-Sea
Great Yarmouth Grimsby Harwich Hemsby Hopton-on-Sea Hunstanton Ingoldmells
Kessingland King's Lynn Lowestoft Mablethorpe Mundesley New Brighton, Merseyside Sandilands
Sea Palling and Waxham Sheringham Skegness Southend-on-Sea 
Southwold Sutton-on-Sea The Sunrise Coast
Thorpeness Wallasey (New Brighton) Walton-on-the-Naze Wells-next-the-Sea. Westcliffe-on-Sea The Last Resort
Dunwich
Capital of East Anglia

Beach Volleyball Naturist Beaches Offshore Power Boat Racing Sailing Smutty Postcards Surfing Clubs The Piers of Mercia
Seaside Rock
The Coats of Many Colours
As Invented in Skegness
The Rise & Decline of the seaside beauty contests
Bathing Machines
All About
Ice creams

Camping & Caravan Sites

or Click through to the Seaside Resorts in Wessex
Appledore
Beer
 Barnstaple
Bideford
Boscastle
Bridport
Bristol
Brixham
Bournemouth
Bude
Budleigh Salterton
Burnham-on-Sea
Clevedon
Clovelly
Dartmouth
Dawlish
Emsworth
Exeter
Exmouth
Falmouth
Fowey
Hayle
Hayling Island
Ilfracombe
Isle Of Wight 
Langstone Harbour
The Lizard
Looe
Lynton and Lynmouth
Lyme Regis
Lymington
Mevagissey
Minehead
Newquay
Padstow
 Paignton
Penzance
Perranporth
Polperro
Porthleven
Port Isaac
Portishead
Portsmouth
Plymouth
Poole
St.Austell
St Ives
St Just
St Mawes
Salcombe
Seaton
Sidmouth
Southampton
Southsea 
Swanage
Teignmouth
Torquay
Truro
Weston-super-mare
Weymouth
Woolacombe
Chichester
East & West Wittering
Bognor
Selsey
Worthing
Littlehampton
Shoreham
Hove
Brighton
Seaford
Eastbourne
Newhaven
Hastings
Bexhill-on-Sea
Hythe
Folkestone
Dover
Deal
Sandwich
Ramsgate
Broadstairs
Cliftonville
Margate
Birchington
Westgate on Sea
Herne Bay
Whitstable




 
THE ANGLES HAVE LANDED
The Angles Have Landed
The Angles came here for a visit 1515 years ago and liked it so much they have stayed.
According to sources such as the History of Bede, after the invasion of Britannia, the Angles split up and founded the kingdoms of the Nord Angelnen (Northumbria), Ost Angelnen (East Anglia), and the Mittlere Angelnen (Mercia).  Confirmation is afforded by English and Danish traditions relating to two kings named Wermund and Offa of Angel, from whom the Mercian royal family claimed descent and whose exploits are connected with Angeln, Schleswig, and Rendsburg. Danish tradition has preserved record of two governors of Schleswig, father and son, in their service, Frowinus (Freawine) and Wigo (Wig), from whom the royal family of Wessex claimed descent. During the 5th century, the Anglii invaded Great Britain, after which time their name does not recur on the continent except in the title of Suevi Angili.
Our Group has generated over 380 million visits to our sites since 1999, and this is your opportunity to participate in the success.
Join up with these leading UK advertising sites to maximise your website's viewing in Britain.
pirates

It all began on the North Sea. The POP Revolution.
Learn about the Pirates of the North Sea in the 1960's
Below is a list of the seaside resorts in Mercia and their local websites.  
We would like to thank the UK Coast Guide  (http://ukcoastguide.co.uk/index.html)  
as most of the material below emanates from them.

THE MERCIA COASTAL RESORTS (EAST)
ESSEX
Canvey Island



Canvey Island is located 3 miles to the west of Southend and lies in the Thames estuary, it is mostly made up of holiday homes and associated tourist facilities. The island was badly flooded in 1953 and it is now surrounded by a large and effective sea wall that is modelled on Dutch sea defences.
 Canvey Island has two beaches that are approved for bathing. Canvey Island (area 18.45 km²; pop. 37,479  is a reclaimed island in the Thames estuary separated from the mainland of south Essex by a network of creeks. Lying below sea level it is prone to flooding at exceptional tides, but has nevertheless been inhabited since the Roman invasion of Britain. The island was mainly agricultural land until the 20th century when it became the fastest growing seaside resort in Britain between 1911-1951. The North Sea flood of 1953 devastated the island costing the lives of 58 islanders, and led to the temporary evacuation of the 13,000 residents.  Canvey is consequently protected by modern sea defences comprising 15 miles (24 km) of concrete seawall.  Canvey is also notable for its relationship to the petrochemical industry.

 The island was the site of the first delivery in the world of liquefied natural gas by container ship, and later became the subject of an influential assessment on the risks to a population living within the vicinity of petrochemical shipping and storage facilities. The settlement and agricultural development of Essex by the Saxons from the 5th century saw the introduction of sheep-farming which would dominate the island's industry until the 20th century. The Norman conquest saw the area of Canvey recorded in the domesday book as a sheep farming pasture under the control of nine villages and parishes situated in a belt across south inland and coastal Essex.  Apart from the meat and wool produced from the sheep, the milk from the ewes was used for cheese-making.   The abundance in later centuries would see the cheeses become a commodity taken for sale at the London markets, and at one stage exported via Calais to the continent.  The existence of several place names on modern Canvey using the wick suffix (denoting the sheds in which the cheese was made) shows the influence of the early Saxon culture. The island itself has its name derived from the Anglo-Saxon Caningaege; meaning The Island of Cana's People. The developments of the English language would lead to the more familiar name of Caneveye written in manorial records of 1254.  The period of development often produced a confused use of letters  such that comparative spellings would also include Canefe, Kaneweye, Kaneveye, and Koneveye. By the 12th century, Essex and subsequently Canvey were in the possession of Henry de Essex who inherited the land from his Grandfather - a man called Suene and a descendant of King Sweyn II of Denmark.  During the reign of Henry II (1154–1189) the land was confiscated from de Essex and redistributed among the King's favoured nobles
Southend Seafront


Southend - fun on the beach


Southend Pier
Southend-on-Sea is a real holiday resort in the best British seaside tradition. It has a great deal to offer the visitor; seven miles of sandy beaches, a magnificent pier, oodles of attractions, loads of cafes and restaurants and it is one of the driest places in the country. Situated on the Essex coast and only 50 miles from London it is not surprising that this is a very popular resort for day trips and holidays.                                                                     
For details of Southend-on-Sea Hotels and Holidays, Guest Houses,  Cottages  and Attractions.  Go to Southend Hotels, Guest Houses and Cottages
Southend pier is the longest pleasure pier in the world reaching a full 1.34 miles into the North Sea. A wide range of events take place on the pier throughout the year and it is very popular with anglers. The pier was first opened in 1889 and was used as a base by steamships on routes to France and Holland. 
Southend-on-Sea has seven miles of beaches stretching from Shoeburyness to Leigh-on-Sea, all of which won seaside awards in 2005. In all there are six separate beaches available to the visitor so there is plenty of room for everyone. In addition there are also four museums, three 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 and BMX track, five leisure centres, and even an airport.… according to the Council website! there is plenty to keep most visitors amused for a fortnights holiday.    The town has numerous commercial attractions available including an aquarium, permanent fun fair with rides and amusements, large bowling centre and numerous theatres. What to see in Southend - Tourist Attractions

Tourist Offices
  Southend Visitor Information Centre, Southend Pier, Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea,  Essex SS1 1EET. 01702 618747
E. vic@southend.gov.uk

  website: http://www.visitsouthend.co.uk/

Southend Pier - The longest pleasure pier in the world
Southend Sea Life Adventure - Aquarium with underwater tunnel - Eastern Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2ER Tel: 01702 442200
Adventure Island - Theme park with 40 rides - Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1EE Tel: 01702 443400
Kursaal - Tenpin bowing and other facilities - Eastern Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2WW Tel: 01702 322322
Southend Planetarium - Southend Central Museum, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6EW Tel: 01702 434449
Belfair's Nature Reserve and Golf Course - Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 4LR Tel: 01702 520202
Kid's Kingdom - Garon Park, Eastern Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex Tel: 01702 462747


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Westcliff On Sea

Westcliff-on-Sea is a suburb of Southend-on-Sea, a seaside resort in the East of England and unitary authority in Essex. It is situated on the northern bank of the Thames Estuary and about 34 miles (55 km) east of London.  The cliffs formed by erosion of the local Quaternary geology afford views over the Thames Estuary towards the Kent coastline to the south. The coastline has been transformed into sandy beaches through the use of groynes and imported sand. The estuary at this point is marked by extensive mud flats. At low tide, the water typically retreats to some 600m from the beach, leaving the mud flats exposed.  The main shopping area in Westcliff-on-Sea is Hamlet Court Road, where the department store Havens, established in 1901 remains the anchor store. Hamlet Court Road received its name from a manor house called the Hamlet Court, which stood on land now occupied by Pavarotti's restaurant and the Nat West bank, facing towards the sea with sweeping gardens down to the rail line. As the years passed the road developed into a strong independent retailer's domain, and quickly became famous outside the area as the Bond Street of the East Coast. Many haberdashers and specialist shops adorned it. It was not too unusual to see chauffeurs waiting patiently in their limousines for their rich employers to emerge with the latest in fashion.
The two main theatres in Westcliff are the Cliffs Pavilion, which overlooks the seafront, and the Palace Theatre.  Westcliff-on-Sea is also home to the Thames Estuary Yacht Club and the Westcliff Casino, which is the largest provincial casino and the second largest casino in Great Britain.  Opposite the Cliffs Pavilion theatre there is also an art gallery called the Beecroft Art Gallery which changes its exhibitions on a regular basis, often exhibiting local work which features Southend and the surrounding area sites such as Hadleigh Castle and the pier.  For art lovers, as well as the Beecroft gallery there is a Westcliff Art Trail which is hosted every year. Local artists get the chance to showcase their work in shops; much of the trail happens in Hamlet Court Road. Westcliff-on-sea has always had a strong musical culture. The Queens Hotel in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, was one of the key venues in Southend punk histo
Tourist Offices
  Southend Visitor Information Centre, Southend Pier, Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea,  Essex SS1 1EET. 01702 618747
E. vic@southend.gov.uk

  website: http://www.visitsouthend.co.uk/


Burnham-on-Crouch








Burnham Quay

Mangapps Railway Museum

Burnham-on-Crouch is a small Essex town and yacht haven located on the banks of the River Crouch. Burnham is around five miles from the sea and the river is quiet wide at this point which makes it ideal for sailing. This feature gives rise to Burnham's strong association with the world of sailing. For details of Burnham-on-Crouch Hotels and Holidays, Guest Houses,  Cottages  and Attractions.  Go to Burnham Hotels, Guest Houses and Cottages
There are several sailing clubs in Burnham-on-crouch including, the Royal Burnham Yacht Club and the Crouch Yacht Club. In August a famous sailing festival is held with yacht racing and displays - which give rise to the town's nickname - 'The Cowes of the East Coast.'

Burnham is also well known for its picturesque octagonal clock which dates back to 1877. The is also the Town Quay Museum which has displays of artefacts relating to the town's long history of sailing, boat building and fishing. The Ye Olde White Harte Hotel dates from the 17th century and has original exposed beams and fireplaces.  It has excellent food and ales and a few salty sea dogs telling tales of pirates and smuggling in days of yore!
A small ferry runs services across the river to Wallasea Island which is opposite Burnham. Burnham is located with the wetland area known as Dengie Marshes which is a haven for wildfowl.

There is a Tourist Information Centre situated on the Quay in Burnham-on-Crouch, opposite the White Hart Hotel. Opening Times (May to October): Tuesday to Saturday 10 am - 4pm.
Tourist Offices
Burnham Tourist Information Centre. 1 High Street, Burnham on Crouch, Essex,
CM0 8AG Contact: Tel. 01621 784962
What to see in Burnham-on-Crouch
Mangapps Railway Museum - Southminster Road Burnham-on-Crouch Essex CMO 8QQ Phone: 01621 784 898
Maeldune Heritage Centre -  St Peter's Church, Market Hill, Maldon. Houses the Maldon Embroidery and other local crafts Tel: 01621 851628

Brighlingsea

Brightlingsea is altogether different, situated on the Colne estuary, the waterway that leads to Colchester, the small town is a haven for sailing folk. the town has the honour of being a Cinque port - the only one north of the Thames. It is also home to the quaintly named Smack Preservation Society - we think its about boats but we're not sure!  Brightlingsea is the only Cinque Port outside Kent and Sussex.
Tourist Offices
Harbour Office, 4 Copperas Road,
Brightlingsea, Essex CO7 0AP
Tel: 01206 302200
Email:
mail@brightlingseaharbour.org
Website: www.brightlingseaharbour.org

The Harbour Office accommodates a small Tourist Information service and can provide information on a wide range of topics, including local transport, accommodation, local facilities and much more.
 Clacton Pier

Clacton Beach

Clacton Town Centre
    See our Essex Page
Clacton-on-Sea

Clacton-on-Sea is the largest town on the Tendring Peninsula, in Essex, England and was founded in 1871. It is a seaside resort that attracted many tourists in the 1960s and '70s, but which like other English resorts has been in decline since foreign holidays became more fashionable and affordable making it more popular as a retirement hotspot these days. It is located between Jaywick and Holland-on-sea along the coastline and Great Clacton to the north.Clacton was the site of the lower Palaeolithic Clactonian industry of flint tool manufacture . Great Clacton was founded by the Celts in c.100BC[citation needed]. There are some vague traces of Romans using the Clacton area as a seaside resort. The name Clacton dates from c.500 AD when the area was settled by Saxons. The original name, Claccingaton, means 'the village of Clacc's people'. The Domesday Book records the village as Clachintuna.
Construction of the Gunfleet Sands Offshore Wind Farm, a 48 turbine wind farm 7 km off the Clacton and Holland Essex coast in the Northern Thames Estuary began in March 2008 and is scheduled to be completed in Autumn 2009 . The turbines are expected to have a capacity of 172MW , enough to power approximately 120,000 homes

Beside the sandy beaches, there are beautifully restored themed gardens, bowling greens, two theatres, golf course and a Sports and Leisure Centre. Clacton Carnival and Jazz Festival in the high season, Clacton Shopping Village, a major factory outlet shopping village opened in 1998, a vibrant Victorian pier, leisure centre, sport on land and water, Highfield Holiday Park and a lively nightlife, or dine and relaxing as you would expect from a major English seaside resort: fish and chips - pie and mash - Italian or chineses. Pubs -Restaurants - end of pier Cafe

What to see in Clacton-on-Sea
Tourist Offices
Our Tourist Information Centre is located in the Town Hall in Clacton on Sea.  
Tourist Information Centre, Town Hall, Station Road, Clacton on Sea, CO15 1SE  Telephone: 01255 686633
Email: clactontic@tendringdc.gov.uk   Website: www.essex-sunshine-coast.org.uk

Clacton Pier - Amusements and rides
Wonderland Amusements - The Broadway, Jaywick, Clacton-On-Sea, Essex CO15 2EB Tel: 01255 430995
Clacton Pavilion -  The Pier, Clacton-On-Sea, Essex CO15 1QX Tel: 01255 421003
Frinton Beach





Frinton From The Sea
Frinton


Frinton-on-Sea is a small seaside town in Essex, in the Tendring district.  It is part of the Frinton and Walton parish. Developed as a select resort by Sir Richard Cooper and largely expanded after 1886. The area south of Frinton Gates was laid out with detached houses set along broad tree lined avenues and has preserved a unique local character. The Church of Old St. Mary contains some interesting panels of William Morris stained glass in the East window, designed by Burne Jones.  With a reputation as an exclusive resort, Frinton retains an atmosphere of the 1920s and 30s. In the first half of the 20th century, the town attracted visitors from high society with a lido complete with palm trees, shopping with, Connaught Avenue, named after the Duke of Connaught and opened by his wife, being dubbed East Anglia's Bond Street, high class hotels along the Esplanade, a tennis tournament second only to Wimbledon; the Prince of Wales frequented the golf club and Winston Churchill rented a house. Frinton was the last target in England attacked by the Luftwaffe, in 1944.
  
Frinton only has two points of entry by road, one being an unadopted road coming from Walton-on-Naze in the north and the other being the manually-operated railway gates at the level crossing of the town's railway station, living inside "The Gates" is more exclusive than outside.

  A range of local information can be found at  : Frinton Gift Boutique, 44 Connaught Avenue, Frinton
Tourist Offices
Our Tourist Information Centre is located in the Town Hall in Clacton on Sea.  We also have a seasonal facility at Walton on the Naze
Tourist Information Centre, Town Hall, Station Road, Clacton on Sea, CO15 1SE  Telephone: 01255 686633
Email: clactontic@tendringdc.gov.uk
Website: www.essex-sunshine-coast.org.uk

WALTON ON THE NAZE
Our seasonal Tourist Information Centre at Walton on the Naze is open from mid-May to early September each year and provides a wealth of information about accommodation, attractions and events in the district.
The Centre is located at Princes Esplanade, Walton on the Naze, CO14 8QQ  Telephone: 01255 675542 (out of season this number diverts to Clacton TIC)  Email: clactontic@tendringdc.gov.uk             Website: www.essex-sunshine-coast.org.uk


Walton-on-the-Naze.jpg

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Walton On Naze


Walton-on-the-Naze is a small town in Essex, England, on the North Sea coast in the Tendring district. It is north of Clacton and south of the port of Harwich. It abuts Frinton-on-Sea to the south, and is part of the parish of Frinton and Walton. It is a resort town, with a permanent population of about 6,000.[citation needed] It attracts many visitors, The Naze being the main attraction. There is also a pier.
The parish was earlier known as Walton-le-Soken.  The name 'Walton' is a common one meaning a 'farmstead or village of the Britons',[ while 'Soken' denotes the soke (an area of special jurisdiction) that included Thorpe, Kirby and Walton.Walton has an HM Coastguard team and houses Thames MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre), organising rescues from Southwold to Herne Bay.Walton-on-the-Naze railway station is on a branch of the Sunshine Coast Line.

Tourist Offices
WALTON ON THE NAZE
Our seasonal Tourist Information Centre at Walton on the Naze is open from mid-May to early September each year and provides a wealth of information about accommodation, attractions and events in the district.
The Centre is located at Princes Esplanade, Walton on the Naze, CO14 8QQ  Telephone: 01255 675542 (out of season this number diverts to Clacton TIC)  Email: clactontic@tendringdc.gov.uk             Website: www.essex-sunshine-coast.org.uk


SUFFOLK
 Beaches from Lowestoft South to Felixstowe South Beach

Aldeburgh Beach » Felixstowe North Beach » Felixstowe South Beach » Kessingland Beach » Lowestoft South » Minsmere Beach » Sizewell Beach » Southwold Beach » Southwold Denes » Southwold Pier » Thorpeness Beach » Walberswick South »

 
THE RESORTS
Felixstowe Beach


Felixstowe 

Felixstowe and nearby Harwich are both major ports but with a resort side to their natures. Felixstowe in particular is Britain's largest container port, while Harwich is better known for its ferries to Europe. However both towns do have a tourist side to them and Felixstowe  has a good beach nearby to the town. 
For details of Felixstowe Hotels and Holidays  Guest Houses, Cottages  and Attractions.  Go to Felixstowe Hotels  Guest Houses and Cottages
At the coast there is a long, mostly sandy beach,  a promenade, a pier and gardens along the promenade. The beach is popular with families and there is a good range of facilities for visitors. There is also a famous fort, Landguard Fort which reputedly repulsed and invasion by the Dutch in 1667. There is a ferry which connects Felixstowe to Harwich across the Orwell.  

What to see in Felixstowe
Family Amusements - Sea Rd, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP11 2DH Tel: 01394 271381
Clare Castle Country Park - Malting Lane, Clare, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 8NW Tel: 01787 277491
Ickworth House Park & Gardens - Ickworth Rotunda, Ickworth, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP29 5QE Tel: 01284 735270
Ipswich - lies inland some 8 miles at the head of the River Orwell and is a busy port and commercial centre.



View of the Ha'penny Pier Visitor Centre, Harwich, Essex, England


Felixstowe Docks
Harwich is a busy coastal town and international port located on the estuary of the rivers Stour and Orwell in north-east Essex, England. The town is a historically important port which has provided a sheltered anchorage for shipping through the ages. The old town of Harwich is a conservation area containing many historic buildings. The neighbouring town of Dovercourt, while appearing much more modern, actually merits a mention in the Domesday Book. The main tourist information centre at Iconfield Park, Parkeston has now been closed due to lack of funding. However the Ha’penny Pier Visitor Centre in Old Harwich has up-to-the-minute information on what to see, where to eat and where to stay in Harwich. You should also see the Harwich Diary for the dates of specific events in the area. Harwich has a rich history with many sites of interest, most of which are centred on Old Harwich. Try the links below — they lead to pages dedicated to various Harwich museums and sites of interest. A key to the map can be found on our Guided Tour page.  There are guided tours of Harwich to suit most tastes and interests. Our Guided Tour page should be your first port of call. There is even a DIY tour for you to print out and take with you, plus full details of guided walking tours and harbour trips.  Dovercourt sea-front features a sandy beach that runs for 2 miles from Earlams Beach to Beacon Hill. Facilities are centred around the swimming pool and boating lake in Low Road. The bay and estuary provide excellent wind-surfing and dinghy sailing

What to see in Harwich
The Redoubt — a circular Napoleonic fort dating from 1808
The Maritime Museum is housed in one of the town’s disused lighthouses
The National Wireless and Television Museum lives in another disused lighthouse
The Lifeboat Museum — housed in a Victorian lifeboat-house of 1876
The Ha’penny Pier Visitor Centre — housed in a Victorian pier ticket office, and now incorporating a Mayflower exhibition

Southwold Suffolk




Aldeburgh beach

Aldeburgh
Aldeburgh

Aldeburgh is a small fishing village and resort on the Suffolk coast between the ports of Felixstowe and Lowestoft. The village is perched right on the beach with the estuary of the River Alde to the south and west of the village. Aldeburgh is best known for the music festival which takes place in June each year but it worth visiting at other times as well. Southwold is a small seaside resort overlooking Sole Bay on the Suffolk Heritage Coast.                                                          
 The attraction of Aldeburgh is its quiet charm and lack of the flashiness found in many modern resorts. There is a huge shingle beach directly in front of the town and plenty of hotels and guest houses. There are some excellent cafes and restaurants to tempt the foodies and some atmospheric pubs serving good local produce. The music festival was started in 1948 by Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears who both resided in the town. The festival has grown each year as more a more people are drawn to the high quality performances that are offered. The concerts are centred on the Snape Maltings Concert Hall a round three miles inland from Aldeburgh. The sea is still a central part of the village life however and there is a fishing fleet based on the beach and boat building is still undertaken to traditional lines.
The coast on either side of Aldeburgh is unusual and a good location for wildlife as there are relatively few visitors to the area. To the south is  Orford which was once a fishing village but which has now been cut of from the sea by the River Ore which has deposited a shingle bank between the village and the sea. The huge shingle bank in front of the village is known as  Orford Ness and is partly owned by The National Trust and there is a also a bird reserve there as well. A lighthouse warns local shipping of the dangers of the shingle spit which projects out into the sea for a mile or so.

What to see around Aldeburgh

Aldeburgh Moot Hall Museum - Moot Hall, Market Cross Place, Aldeburgh, Suffolk IP15 5DS - Phone: 01728 454666
Tourist Offices
Aldeburgh Tourist Information Centre - High Street, Aldeburgh Tel 01728 453637

Snape Maltings Concert Hall - Nr. Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 1SR Phone: 01728 688303/5

Orford Castle - Ruins of 12th century castle - Orford, Suffolk IP12 2NG - Phone: 01394 450472


(c) - The copyright of this image is owned by John Ashley Photography - Click here to buy an inexpensive license to use this image on your website, or printed material.
Thorpeness

The village of Thorpeness was created in the early 1900s, yes I did say created. The old fishing hamlet of Thorpe was inherited along with the family estate by the Scottish playwright and barrister Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie in the early 1900s. He decided to build a model seaside village of mock-Tudor buildings from the old fishing hamlet, inspired and based upon the writings of J.M. Barrie who wrote Peter Pan. So it was that the village of Thorpeness emerged and the resort became very popular with the middle classes as a holiday destination. 
At the centre of the village he placed an artificial lake 'the Meare', made by flooding open fields in 1910. The Meare with its islands and surrounds covers some sixty acres and has over forty acres of water and is around 3ft (one metre) deep. On the Meare you can hire canoes and dinghies and traverse the shallow waters or feed the local ducks and swans. During the month of August there is a regatta held on the Meare, after which a huge firework display is performed.
The village itself is made up of a number different style houses, amongst them Jacobean and Tudor. Off the main village street is a strange building known as the 'House in the Clouds'. The tower was built because the village had no mains water supply, but Ogilvie did not want an eye sore, so he disguised the water tank as a house with the water tank on the top floor, a genuine house was constructed underneath. Ogilvie had used the same idea to disguise another water tower back at his main home in Sizewell Court, a mile up the coast. He made that tank look like a dovecote. It was Mrs Mason who first lived in this five storey house with its 30,000 gallon water tank on top, known as the Gazebo. Mrs Mason a writer of children's poems started to refer to her home as the 'House in the Clouds' and the name stuck. Nowadays the house is rented out as a holiday accommodation and as you can imagine, it proves very popular. As the village grew a second water tower was needed, this one was disguised as a Norman tower over an arch with mock Tudor houses around it. Eventually, over time, all the cottages in Thorpeness fell into private ownership. There is also a nice post mill in the village, built in 1824, which was originally the corn mill for the nearby village of Aldringham but was moved to Thorpeness. Thorpeness has an eighteen hole golf course laid out by James Braid in 1922. The Thorpeness Hotel situated at the edge of Thorpeness Meare, has a bright and spacious restaurant overlooking the renowned Thorpeness golf course with marvellous views over the 3rd tee.  The Suffolk locations of Snape and Aldeburgh are both closeby Thorpeness has been voted into the book 'the Hundred Worst Places to Live in Britain' and as the 'Weirdest Village in England' by 'Bizarre' magazine in 2003.



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Dunwich



Dunwich   is a village and civil parish in the English county of Suffolk. It is located in the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB around 92 miles (148 km) north-east of London, 9 miles (14 km) south of Southwold and 7 miles (11 km) north of Leiston on the North Sea coast. Its population at the 2001 census was 84.
The city of Dunwich had several thousand inhabitants at the time of the Domesday Book (William the Conqueror‘s systematic census of the entire realm of England – conducted for taxation purposes!). It went into decline in the 14th century and was almost completely abandoned by 1750.

The town had been important enough to be granted two members of the House of Commons in 1295. The population was down to 12 by 1800 and on election day the voters got into a boat and rowed out to the spot where the town square used to be! Dunwich is a classic example of a “rotten borough” abolished by the Reform Act of 1832. The political corruption caused by the “rotten boroughs” is one of the reasons why the authors of the US Constitution called for a census and reapportionment of the House of Representatives every ten years.

 Dunwich as an archeological site promises to yield an interesting picture of medieval life – if the difficulties of diving in the murky waters of the North Sea can be overcome.
This British Atlantis – with its eight churches, five houses of religious orders, three chapels and two hospitals – is now about to be exposed to human gaze for the first time since the first of a series of great storms and sea surges hit the East Anglian coast in 1286 and began the process of coastal erosion which led to the city’s disappearance.

In the Anglo-Saxon period, Dunwich was the capital of Kingdom of the East Angles but the harbour and most of the town have since disappeared due to coastal erosion. Its decline began in 1286 when a storm surge hit the East Anglian coast, and it was eventually reduced in size to the village it is today.Since the 15th century, Dunwich has frequently been identified with Dommoc – the original seat of the Anglo-Saxon bishops of the Kingdom of East Anglia established by Sigeberht of East Anglia for Saint Felix in c. 629–31.  Dommoc was the seat of the bishops of Dommoc until around 870, when the East Anglian kingdom was taken over by the initially pagan Danes. Years later antiquarians would even describe Dunwich as being the 'former capital of East Anglia'.[3] However, many historians now prefer to locate Dummoc at Walton Castle, which was the site of a Saxon shore fort.  The Domesday Book of 1086 describes it as possessing three churches.  At this time it had an estimated population of 3000. 
On 1 January 1286  a large storm swept much of the town into the sea, and the River Dunwich was partly silted up; this was followed by two further surges in the following year, the South England flood of February 1287 and St. Lucia's flood in December. Residents fought to save the harbour but this too was destroyed by an equally fierce storm in 1328, which also swept away the entire village of Newton, a few miles up the coast.  Another large storm in 1347 swept some 400 houses into the sea.
Most of the buildings that were present in the 13th century have disappeared, including all eight churches, and Dunwich is now a small coastal "village", though retaining its status as a town.  The remains of a 13th century Franciscan priory (Greyfriars) and the leper hospital of St James can still be seen.  A popular local legend says that, at certain tides, church bells can still be heard from beneath the waves. 
By the mid-19th century, the population had dwindled to 237 inhabitants and Dunwich was described as a "decayed and disfranchised borough". A new church, St James, was built in 1832, after the last of the old churches, All Saints, which had been without a rector since 1755, was abandoned. All Saints' church fell into the sea between 1904 and 1919, the last major portion of the tower succumbing on 12 November 1919. In 2005 historian Stuart Bacon stated that recent low tides had shown that shipbuilding had previously occurred in the town. 
As a legacy of its previous significance, the parliamentary constituency of Dunwich retained the right to send two members to Parliament until the Reform Act 1832 and was one of Britain's most notorious rotten boroughs.
Southwold

Southwold

To the north of Aldeburgh is Southwold a small seaside resort with a nice beach and a Victorian era pier. Southwold is the quintessential seaside resort with its simplicity in character and traditional nature creating the perfect haven from the demands of a modern society.

The award-winning beach runs alongside rows of the famous Southwold beach huts, gleaming in the sunshine in their vibrant colours. The pier houses gift shops, a broadwalk cafe and the bizarre 'Under the Pier Show'.

The town is steeped in maritime history and its museum and Sailor's Reading Room provide an insight into the town's past. Maritime success relied upon the beacon from the Lighthouse, built in 1890 and standing an impressive 101 feet above the town.

The High Street is the perfect location for some retail therapy alongside cafes and restaurants that serve quality food, exquisitely cooked and washed down with ale brewed at the local Adnams brewery.

Take in the sights of the harbour and walk along the banks of the River Blyth, where you will find the bridge or foot ferry that will take you across the estuary to Walberswick.

Surrounded by heath and marshland sits the beautiful village of Walberswick. With its village freen, tea rooms, pubs, craft, art and gifts shops, you can wander at your leisure, watching local fisherman land their catch or indulge in crabbing off the bridge or riverbanks, a favourite pastime for visitors and locals alike.
Tourist Offices
Southwold Tourist Information
Tel: 01502 724729




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The Historic Village of Kessingland
The village used to comprise of two separate communities the 'Beach' and the 'Street', but in the 1960s a large housing estate united the village into a single community. The small population of Kessingland doubles during the summer months with the the influx of holiday makers. It has a large rural sand duned and shingle beach and enjoys a quieter pace of life even during the popular summer months.  Kessingland makes an ideal base to explore Suffolks seaside resorts, situated as it is between Lowestoft under 4 miles (6km) and the popular seaside resort of Southwold 7 miles (10km).
Kessingland has a number of small shops, supermarkets, local inns and various take aways.  Right on the beach you will find the popular restaurant called The Waterfront. At the southern edge of the village is Africa Alive a walking family safari set in 80 acres of dramatic coastal parkland.
A famous past resident of Kessingland was Sir Henry Rider Haggard (1856-1925) an author of adventure novels who bought a property right on the cliffs and renamed it Kessingland Grange. In 1928 Kessingland Grange was sold to a Mr Catchpole who established a holiday camp in the grounds, and unfortunately demolished the Grange. The area is a haven for wildlife, with large flocks of Snow Buntings in the winter months and seals visiting the shores. Around the parish is a network of footpaths passing through picturesque farmland, coastline and marshes.  These include the Suffolk Coat Path, which runs 50 miles between Lowestoft and Felixstowe. There is a good bus service between Lowestoft and Kessingland, with the nearest train station in Lowestoft.
Lowestoft Beach




Horsey Mere

Lowestoft is Britain's most easterly town, which gives rise to its sobriquet 'The Sunrise Coast'. It is also a very popular holiday destination for thousands of visitors each year. It claims to have one of the driest climates in the UK with a very good sunshine record.   The town perfectly blends wide sandy beaches on the one side and wooded land on the other, giving the town an exclusive appeal for both new and returning visitors. It is a good holiday centre for people of all ages and interests. The seafront boasts a long promenade and two piers; South Pier which is to the - err, north and Claremont Pier which is in the south - both have a wide range of amusements, cafes and bars.
Lowestoft is also one of the sea entrances to the Norfolk Broads, which are wide waterways that cut deep into the surrounding countryside. The other access point from the sea is at Great Yarmouth, which is just up the coast. Boats can be hired for the day or week to explore these waterways, which makes for a relaxing holiday - except for the odd navigational slip up caused by novice sailors, as they try to remember which side to pass other boats on! We've been there! 
There are a lot of outdoor activities available in the area including, windsurfing, sailing, power boating, fishing, walking and cycling.

What to see in Lowestoft - Attractions

Africa Alive - African Animal Adventure with lions, rhinos and giraffes - Kessingland, Lowestoft Tel: 01502 740291

Lowestoft Maritime Museum - Sparrow's Nest Park, Whapload Road, Lowestoft Tel: 01502 561963

Mayhem Adventure Play - East Point Pavilion, Royal Plain, Lowestoft, Suffolk Tel: 01502 533600

New Pleasurewood Hills Leisure Park -  Over forty rides and attractions - Leisure Way, Corton, Lowestoft Tel: 01502 586000

Pets Corner - Smaller animals for kids including snakes and monkeys - Nicholas Everitt Park, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft Tel: 01502 563533
NORFOLK
from Heacham sands to Winterton on Sea Beach
Caister-on-Sea » Cley Next The Sea » Cromer Beach » Gorleston Beach » Great Yarmouth Central » Heacham sands » Hemsby Beach » Holkham Beach » Hunstanton Sands » Mundesley Beach » Paston Beach » Sea Palling » Sheringham Beach» Snettisham beach » Wells next the Sea » Winterton on Sea Beach »


THE RESORTS




Great Yarmouth Pier

Great Yarmouth Beach

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Great Yarmouth 


One of the UK's most popular seaside resorts, Great Yarmouth is Norfolk's premier seaside resort, set in a sunny position on the east coast with Norfolk Broads and beautiful countryside to the north, south and west and 15 miles of stunning sandy beaches stretching along the Great Yarmouth coastline from Winteron-on-Sea in the north to Hopton-on-sea in the south.

The sea has played a huge part in shaping Great Yarmouth. The town has the second most complete medieval town wall in England complete with several gate towers and was used to raise taxes on arrival or departure and to keep pirates out altogether. Nelson's monument is a stunning 44m (144 feet) memorial to Norfolk's most famous son, Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson who frequently sailed from the town in the 1800's. Several museums in the town recall Great Yarmouth's maritime past and herring heyday which lasted until the mid 1900's, when Silver Darlings were fished and packed, employing a vast industry of workers, who were housed in Great Yarmouth's famous Rows, unique tightly packed together houses built onto narrow alleyways, with wealthy merchant houses at one end and bars and brothels at the other. The historic quayside plays host to the popular Maritime Festival in September, celebrating the town's maritime past, present and future. In the early 1700's the first tourists came to take the waters at Great Yarmouth as hundreds of visitors flocked to the seaside to stroll along the esplanade and enjoy the warm weather.

Today, Great Yarmouth's vibrant seafront harks back to the traditions of yesteryear, but remains upbeat, modern and fun, packed with family attractions and entertainment, looking out onto a wide sandy beach stretching from the Pleasure Beach to North Beach, home to Great Yarmouth's only seafront holiday park.

Great Yarmouth's golden mile runs between two fun-packed piers, the newly refurbished Wellington Pier with amusements and a state of the art ten pin bowling alley with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the beach and Britannia Pier with traditional end of the pier fun and the Britannia Theatre overlooking the Bowling Greens to the north.

Just a short walk from the seafront through the newly landscaped St. George's Park or along Regent Road under the ceiling of light, Great Yarmouth town centre is home to a range of shops, banks and independent stores, the permanent market and Market Gates shopping centre.

Award-winning restaurants and cafés are situated all over the resort, catering to all tastes and pockets, from local seafood to Italian, Thai, Indian and Chinese food, as well as the best of contemporary British cuisine. A number of seafront cafés have outside seating areas where visitors can relax.

As the sun goes down, visitors can enjoy nightclubs, casinos, theatre or circus shows and colourful seafront illuminations. Summer Wednesday firework displays run throughout the school summer holidays in July and August when the emphasis is on family fun for everyone.

What to see in Great Yarmouth
Tourist Offices
Tourist Information Centre - Maritime House 25 Marine Parade Great Yarmouth NR30 2EN
Telephone: 01493 846345 
Fax: 01493 858588
Email: tourism@great-yarmouth.gov.uk
Yarmouth Beaches
Great Yarmouth Central
A popular, busy, wide sandy beach situated between the Britannia and Wellington piers with promenades, cafes, shops, and much more. Sit back and watch the world go by on the Esplanade and Promenade. Deckchair hire and traditional children’s activities are available on the beach. Plenty to do whatever the weather including amusement arcades, this is the ideal location for a family day at the seaside.
Great Yarmouth North Beach
Great Yarmouth’s North Beach is a lovely sandy beach to the north of the seafront.
Great Yarmouth South Beach
Great Yarmouth’s South Beach is to the south of Wellington Pier. The wide sandy beach with its grassy sand dunes is ideal for families who want a quieter stretch of beach, whilst still being close to all the amenities and attractions that Great Yarmouth has to offer.
Scratby Beach
A long quiet sand and shingle beach found at the foot of low sand cliffs. Perfect for walks, with or without the dogs and long lazy days in the summer.
Pleasure Beach - Over 20 rides and attractions - Telephone: 01493 844585
Great Yarmouth Racecourse - Jellicoe Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 4AU Phone: 01493 842527
Caister Castle - Castle and large car collection Caister on Sea, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk Phone: 01572 787251
Amazonia World of Reptiles - Large collection of lizards Marine Parade Great Yarmouth 01493 842202
Britannia Pier - Britannia Pier Great Yarmouth 01493 842914
Merrivale Model Village - Model village, tearoom and gift shop - Marine Parade Great Yarmouth Norfolk NR30 3JG Phone: (01493) 842097
Pirates Cove Adventure Golf - 18 hole fun golf - Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 2ER Phone: 01493 331785
Sea-Life Centre - Aquarium - Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30  Phone: 01493 330631


Gorleston-on-Sea

South of Great Yarmouth, Gorleston-on-Sea lies between Great Yarmouth and the neighbouring town of Lowestoft in Suffolk. It has its own bay and riverside, with a stunning sandy beach stretching into the distance below glorious cliff gardens and a grand promenade. The glorious beach is a firm favourite with locals and visitors for bucket and spade lazy days in the sun, it's also one of the best destinations in the Greater Yarmouth area if windsurfing, surfing or body-boarding is your preferred seaside activity. Gorlston-on-Sea Beach
This is a safe bathing beach with a blue flag award, its sandy beach stretches into the distance below glorious cliff gardens and a grand promenade. You can also enjoy other activities such as windsurfing, tennis, bowling greens and children playground. It’s a bustling little resort ideal for beach lovers.

Summer Sundays in Gorleston are a chilled-out affair, with bands playing in the newly refurbished bandstand surrounded by deckchairs, as visitors and passers-by watch the Sunday yacht race streaming past below in the bay.

Visitors to the Gorleston-on-Sea seaside can also enjoy a large paddling pool and yacht pond, green cliffs, beautiful lawns, bowling greens, tennis courts and a trim-trail on the cliff top where views of the beach, harbour, pier and wind turbines can be seen. Behind the promenade, beachside cafes and shops offer a wide selection of goods from multi-coloured buckets and spades to trendy sunshades and beach wear.

Gorleston has a super theatre, with seaside shows throughout the summer season and a popular dining and dancing venue. Other attractions and amusements include a bingo hall, pitch and putt golf course, amusement parks, restaurants, pubs and cafés.

In days gone, by hundreds of fishing boats from the herring fleet would sail from the harbour, watched by locals sheltering from the breeze in the cozies on the pier. The famous Short Blue Fleet of Hewett & Co., once the largest in the world, came to an end in 1904. The red brick lighthouse nowadays mainly guides gas rig supply vessels in and out, around the tight bend into the River Yare. The river is also one of two entrances to the Norfolk Broads for visitors from the coast, and sees many adventurous yachtsmen heading for Holland and other destinations in summer.

As a holiday destination Gorleston is an excellent touring base for both Norfolk and Suffolk within easy reach of the famous Broads waterways.



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 Hopton-on-sea 

This is a lovely wide sandy beach punctuated with groynes and runs alongside low grassy cliffs. Holiday Village customers have direct access to the beach from their resorts. Public access is via a slope. The village maintains a post office, two local convenience stores, a village primary school, and several amusement arcades, a bookmakers, a hair salon, take-away food venues and a chip shop.

It has a regular, if infrequent bus service to Norwich, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. It once had its own station Hopton railway station, linking it to Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, but this has now closed. Notable former residents include comedians Joe Pasquale and Eddie Large, children's presenter Dave Benson Phillips, oil magnate Simon Martin and footballers Mark Noble and Laurie Sivell.
 In 1914 solicitors clerk Herbert Potter won £500 in a newspaper competition. Called up to serve in World War I, on his return in 1919 he bought a 65 acres (26 ha) plot of land in Hopton-on-Sea. From 1920 he started developing a holiday camp by laying out rows of surplus former British Army nissan huts.
In the 1980s after cheap package holidays and consistent sunshine became available to all, Herbert's grandson Brian Potter began to redevelop the resort as a luxury leisure complex, marketed at families looking for a second holiday or luxury short break. This included full service, with food and theatre-style entertainment in specially created facilities as part of the package, providing year-round attractions for a variety of up to 700 residential visitors. As a result, in 2002 the English Tourist Council classed Potters as Britain’s first five-star holiday village
As part of its marketing, Potters sponsors and hosts the World Indoor Bowls Championship. Former politician David Blunkett was a keen regular, however he could not play bowls, as he is blind. Potters Theatre School graduates include West End theatre stars Kerry Ellis and Lee Mead.  Prior to winning the first series of The Voice UK,[  singer Leanne Mitchell had graduated from Potters Theatre School age 15, eventually working full-time as part of Potters Theatre Company.





Caister-on-Sea


  Caister-on-Sea, also known colloquially as Caister, is a settlement in Norfolk in the United Kingdom, close to the large town of Great Yarmouth. It is a seaside resort and busy holiday destination on the "Golden Mile", with its main attraction being its sandy "Georgian Beach". It is home to Great Yarmouth race course. Caister's history dates back to Roman times. In around AD 200 a fort was built here as a base for a unit of the Roman army and navy. However its role as a fort appears to have been reduced following the construction of the Saxon Shore fort at Burgh Castle on the other side of the estuary in the later 3rd century.
In the 1950s, a building near the south gate was excavated in advance of a housing development. These buildings certainly do not appear to be very military as they include a hypocaust and painted wall plaster as well as female jewellery, and it has been suggested that this building may have been an officer’s house, or possibly a ‘seaman’s hostel’ which may be a polite name for a brothel. The site appears to have been abandoned in the fifth century, but 150 Saxon burials have been found to the south of the enclosure.  The remains excavated in the 1950s are now managed by English Heritage and are open to the public.
Caister-on-Sea South Beach : A popular beach holiday village Caister-on-Sea’s south beach has wide dunes which lead down to a glorious, unspoilt golden sandy beaches. Caister beaches can also present good opportunities for surfing, particularly during the quieter winter months, best when the offshore winds are west southwesterly.
Caister on Sea North Beach: Caister on Sea’s North Beach has a long concrete esplanade and sand dunes leading to a wide sandy, golden beach. Its amenities means Caister offers an ideal self-catering base.
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Pontin's Norfolk holiday park forced to close
Hemsby

Hemsby along with much of the Norfolk coast was targeted by the Vikings, who initially raided the area in search of precious materials and slaves. The village was founded at some point during this time. The settlement grew steadily and is listed in the Domesday Book under the name of Haimesbei with a description of "a hamlet covering 43 meadow acres with 50 households, 3 slaves, 2 salt pans and 160 sheep."
 
The beaches are one of the major tourist draws in the village, with miles of sandy coastline. Large sand dunes form a natural barrier between the beach and the village behind it. One of the more unusual features of the beach is a scattering of anti-tank blocks across the beach, left over from the World War II coastline defences. Erosion is a major problem in the surrounding villages of Winterton-on-Sea and Caister where sandy cliffs are being destroyed by the forces of the sea. Hemsby's dunes are also being eroded but the wide beach means the effects are less noticed.
 
Hemsby is split into two parts: Hemsby Village and Hemsby Beach. Hemsby Village is mainly the residential area located about a mile inland. Kingsway is an area of the village which includes a SPAR shop, hairdresser's and Chinese restaurant. This is also the main location for buses into Great Yarmouth and Martham. St Mary the Virgin Church was built in the 12th century and is a landmark in the village.  The Scroby Sands wind farm was built in 2003 and is clearly visible from the village and the beach. The Blood Hill wind farm is also near the village in Winterton.
[edit] Hemsby Beach

The tourist-based part of the village lies along Beach Road and is commonly known as Hemsby Beach. It features fun fairs, crazy golf courses and children's rides. The beach end of the road has cafes, shops and amusement arcades, while at the upper end are houses and accommodation parks, consisting mainly of chalets and caravans. The largest of the accommodation parks was a branch of Pontins, but this closed suddenly in January 2009 after a review from Pontins new owners Ocean Parks.

 








Sea Palling and Waxham are small villages along the North Norfolk Coast, both with beautiful beaches and only 10 minutes from the market rown of Stalham. The area offers the ideal holiday for all, with miles of award winning beaches and unique areas of unspoilt natural beauty.

Once known simply as Pawling or Pauling, renamed with its prefix after Edwardian holiday makers discovered the delights of the village as a beach resort. Sea Palling has a rich history dominated by sea flooding, ship wrecks and heroism on the waves. Sandy bays, formed by a reclamation scheme, have encouraged tourists to the area. Water sports ranging from swimming to jet skiing are a part of Palling life.

The village boasts two public houses with restaurants, a post office/general store, a beachside amusement arcade, cafes, caravan parks, launching facilities for pleasure craft, duty lifeguard in high season and car parks to accommodate more than 1000 vehicles.

Waxham has a rural beach, where seals can be seen close in-shore and later in the season with their pups on the beach. Waxham village is also home to one of the largest tithe barns in the country, built in the sixteenth century providing refreshments in a historical setting.
Visitor centre





Mundesley is one of North Norfolk's best kept secrets; a small but busy seaside village that offers the holiday maker a more traditional holiday. The wide stretches of sandy beach and shallow pools are an ideal playground for children of all ages, whilst the sea fishing provides good sport whichever part of the year you choose to visit.

Mundesley's small village charm is very much in evidence. Flowers and hanging baskets are always a feature amongst the wide variety of shops that can be found in the village centre. A fine nine-hole golf course offers unrivalled views over the coast. If you enjoy country walks, Mundesley has plenty of footpaths and circular walks. AT nearby Southrepps Common is an important area for wildlife. Covering some 12 hectares it is a mixture of woodland, reed grass and wild flowers.

Tourist Offices
Mundesley Visitor Advice Centre
 The Little Hut on the Car Park!

When North Norfolk District Council closed several of its Tourist Information Centres it left a large gap between Cromer and Yarmouth where visitors might obtain Tourist information. This gap has been filled by the volunteers at Mundesley Visitor and Advice Centre. We are most  grateful to local businesses, accommodation providers and Mundesley Parish Council for supporting this venture. In 2011 the Centre completed its eigth season of providing information. Well over 7000 visitors passed through our doors last year and the range of information grows constantly which is collected by our dedicated team of volunteers. The many comments we receive from visitors give great encouragement and satisfaction to the volunteers and is proof that they are providing a first class service. Last year we produced our fifth colour brochure containing information on accommodation, camping and caravan sites, local services, attractions and leisure activities as well as an events calendar.
website: http://mundesley-visitor-advice-centre.norfolkparishes.gov.uk/
Telephone: 01263 721070 or email visit.mundesley@yahoo.co.uk
Cromer Pier





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Cromer, the Gem of the Norfolk Coast, is as delightful for modern-day holidaymakers as it was for Victorian and Edwardian tourists.
Cromer's famous pier spans the centuries - construction began under Queen Victoria, but it opened in 1901 soon after her death, and its hardy engineering has kept it standing into the jet-setting, internet age. It's an unspoilt pier, with none of the droning sounds of amusements, and where the only dancing lights are to be found in the Pavilion Theatre - home to the country's only remaining traditional end-of-the-pier variety show, the sell-out Seaside Special. Cromer Pier also houses the town's lifeboat, and families thrill to go crabbing along its deck while fishermen cast long lines from dawn to dusk. For this is life by the sea, and Cromer is still very much a working town, behind the towering townscape that rises dramatically from the beach chalets and the crab boats pulled up on the sand after early mornings bringing Cromer's famous shellfish delicacy to our plates. Two museums in the town look back at the centuries of that working life. Cromer Museum, housed in a row of fishermen's cottages adjacent to the 14th Century Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul (the tallest in Norfolk) displays local history as well as geology and archaeology, while the RNLI Henry Blogg Museum (which takes its name from the RNLI's most decorated lifeboatman, a revered son of Cromer) charts the town's proud lifesaving heritage.

What to see in Cromer
Tourist Offices
 North Norfolk Information Centre:  Louden Rd, Cromer, Norfolk NR27 9EF, United Kingdom
+44 1263 512497  Fax: 01263 513613
Email: jn@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Website: http://www.cromeronline.co.uk/

The Norfolk Shire Horse Centre - Shire horse shows and riding stables - West Runton Stables West Runton, Cromer, Norfolk NR27 9QH Telephone: 01263 837339
Nearby
Holkham Hall - Holkham Estate Office, Wells-next- the-Sea, Norfolk Tel: 01328 710227
North Norfolk Railway plc - Runs trips on steam engines into countryside. Sheringham Station, Station Approach, Sheringham, Norfolk, NR26 8RA Phone: 01263 820800

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Sheringham


Historically, the parish of Sheringham comprised the two villages of Upper Sheringham, a farming community, and Lower Sheringham, which combined farming with fishing.  The fishing industry was at its peak in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as the coming of the railways made it possible for fish to be transported more efficiently to market. Through the 1900s the focus of the fishing, as all along the north Norfolk coast, began to be on crabs, lobsters and whelks. The local fishermen were major suppliers of crabs and lobsters to the London fish markets. Long lining for cod and the catching of herring began to become less important in the second half of the century, as did whelking. Today, from a peak of maybe 200 boats, Sheringham has eight boats operated single-handed.

The current town of Sheringham was once Lower Sheringham, a fishing station for the main village, now known as Upper Sheringham. It is a railway town that was developed with the coming of the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway line in the late 19th century. Most of Sheringham's range of buildings and shops come from this period and the early 20th century. It has a particularly interesting range of buildings using flint, not normally in the traditional Norfolk style but in a variety of techniques.
 
Sheringham town centre is centred around a traditional high street with a wide range of privately owned shops. On Saturdays throughout the year there is a popular market in the car park next to the railway station which attracts large crowds even out of the holiday season. The town also has a good selection of specialist shops such as second-hand books, antiques and bric-a-brac, fishing tackle and bait, a computer shop, a model shop, and arts and craft shops. The Sheringham Little Theatre has a wide range of productions on throughout the year including a well-established summer repertory season running from July to September, and a popular pantomime at Christmas; in the foyer is a coffee shop with display of art by local artists. There is a selection of food outlets, pubs, restaurants, and a youth hostel.The pretty seaside town of Sheringham is situated on the beautiful North Norfolk coast. With glorious seascapes, little streets filled with interesting shops and plenty of places to enjoy excellent food including locally caught crab and lobster, Sheringham is excellent for day visits, weekend breaks or family holidays.


The quaint seaside town of Sheringham has a lovely traditional feel and a relaxing atmosphere. The town focuses around the main high street where you will find some wonderful shops and some excellent fish and chip restaurants and ice cream parlours selling just about every flavour imaginable! At one end of the town you will find a small train station where you can board heritage trains on the North Norfolk Railway. At the other end, take a stroll along the cliff tops and from here you will get great views down to the beach, made up of a ridge of pebbles and beautiful clean washed sands.
Tourist Offices
Tourist Office
Station Approach, Sheringham, Norfolk  NR26 8RA
Tel: 01263 824329  Fax: 01263 821668
Email: jn@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Wells-next-the-Sea


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Between the epic expanse of sand of the world-renowned Holkham Beach and the precious bird sanctuary of Blakeney Point, lies the harbour town of Wells-next-the-Sea.

Named (and recognised in the Domesday Book) for the fresh springs that once percolated up through the glacial chalk of this stretch of coast, the town is actually a mile inland nestling behind a stalwart bank of pines and an expanse of saltmarsh reclaimed for agriculture by the Holkham Estate in the 1800s. A narrow-gauge railway runs from the town to the beach, with its lively array of stilted beach huts, and visitor car park.  The harbour at Wells is overlooked by an imposing granary (dating from 1904), with its gantry stretching across the street to the quay. From the harbour, narrow lanes with chic shops, eateries and art galleries lead towards the Buttlands, a large town green surrounded by majestic lime trees and elegant Georgian houses, whose name suggests it may have been used for archery practice in the Middle Ages.  Early in the 19th Century, the town of Wells was officially renamed "Wells-next-the-Sea" to distinguish it from other Wellses - a name that had to be re-adopted in 1956, because it had become known more by the name on the signs at the railway station: "Wells-on-Sea". Another narrow-gauge railway, the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway, uses part of the old Norwich line track bed on its way to the picturesque shrine village of Walsingham.

This part of North Norfolk forms part of the largest coastal nature reserve in England and Wales, and Wells-next-the-Sea - and indeed the whole of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - is a haven for twitchers. Bitterns and terns, oyster catchers, avocets and marsh harriers are among the species which make this part of North Norfolk a prime site for birdwatching. 
Wells is one of the most attractive towns on the North Norfolk Coast. From the long sweeping beach bordered by pine woodland, along the gentle harbour with small fishing boats and children fishing for crabs, past the shops on Staithe Street with not a chain store in sight, to the tree-lined park with its fine Georgian houses, quiet pubs and restaurants - Wells is an unspoiled seaside destination, waiting to be discovered.
A beautiful and historic seaside resort, Wells is a great location for an English countryside vacation. The area around Wells provides opportunities for sightseeing, water sports, bird watching, country walks and plenty of family fun. This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has lots to offer.
There are fine restaurants, comfortable hotels, holiday lets, and cosy traditional pubs. Throughout the year you'll find fairs and fetes, exhibitions, galleries, shows and other events to keep you entertained. An event not to missed is Wells Carnival Week. Held every year, the carnival is a Summer highlight. This year it runs from Friday 26th July to Sunday 4th August. Click here for more information. There are plenty of nearby attractions too. If you're a fan of Springwatch and Autumnwatch with Kate and Chris, Pensthorpe is just a short drive away. And fashionable Burnham Market, Norfolk's own Chelsea On Sea, is even closer, where you're likely to spot a famous face or two. If you're looking for the perfect holiday destination, this charming English coastal town has lots to offer. Whether you're staying for a day or a week, WellsGuide.com has information on hotels, holiday cottages, camping and caravans, local activities and attractions.

Click here for Local Attractions
King's Lynn

King's Lynn Town Sign. Copyright: Richard S. Brown

Kings Lynn
King's Lynn is one of Britain's towns that has a long history as a trading port but which has now had to adapt to changing circumstances. As the importance of trade and fishing has declined the town has had to adapt and find a new economic role. This is not a resort town but it is a great place to visit and explore the East Anglia area. Hunstanton is a traditional seaside resort with a long sandy beach.
Situated at the mouth of the Great Ouse, Kings Lynn was a hub of trade with Holland and France for many years and it was a member of the Hanseatic League. This past is evident around the quay area where there is a very well preserved Customs House that is now the tourist information centre. Many of the old warehouses have been preserved and converted to new uses. Kings Lynn used to be situated on the seashore of The Wash but the sea receded and it is now around three miles from the sea. The Wash is a huge area of shallow water and sandbanks that connects to the North Sea. Navigation can be very tricky around this area - you should check on local tides and conditions before venturing out to sea.
Tourist Offices
Tourist Information Centre, Custom House, Purfleet Quay:  King's Lynn, Norfolk  PE30 1HP
 Tel: 01553 763044  Fax: 01553 819441
Email: kings-lynn.tic@west-norfolk.gov.uk
 open Mon-Sat 9.15am-5pm, Sun 10am-5pm.
website: http://www.kingslynnonline.com/

What to see in King's Lynn - Tourist Attractions

Castle Rising - 12th century castle ruins with shop and facilities - King's Lynn Norfolk PE31 6AH Tel: 01553 631330
The Sandringham Estate - Country reteat of her HM The Queen - open in summer months check for details - Estate Office, Sandringham, Norfolk PE35 6EN Tel: 01553 612908
Tales of the Old Gaol House - Saturday Market Place, King's Lynn Norfolk PE30 5DQ Tel: 01553 774297
Corn Exchange - Theatre -  Tuesday Market Place King's Lynn Norfolk PE30 1JW Box Office: 01553 764864
Oasis Sports & Leisure Centre - Central Promenade Hunstanton Norfolk PE36 5BD Telephone: 01485 534227
Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary - Call 01485 533576 for times of opening.

Hunstanton Town Sign

The elegant resort of Hunstanton, on the west coast, is the ideal base to enjoy North Norfolk's superb coastline. Hunstanton, or 'Hunston' as it is known locally, is renowned for its unique striped cliffs and magnificent sunsets, made special by its position as the only west-facing resort on the East coast.
The seaside town began as a purposely-built resort in 1846 and retains its Victorian charm and character to this day, remaining a popular holiday destination for visitors of all ages, but especially families. From the Esplanade Gardens to buzzing family activities such as Crazy Golf, Pitch-and-Putt, and the Oasis Leisure Centre.
Hunstanton’s excellent beach, again awarded Blue Flag status in 2011, offers ideal conditions for playing on the sand, exploring rock pools, and enjoying the sea.
Old Hunstanton has a much more quieter village atmosphere, with carstone-built cottages, traditional British pubs and a much more slower pace of life in general. You can walk from one resort to the other, so you can delight in experiencing the two different areas of Hunstanton in one day. Hunstanton’s popular seasonal land train carries visitors from Searles Leisure Resort to the Lighthouse and back again, making it very easy, and fun, to travel around Hunstanton, taking in many of the sights that the resort has to offer.

Tourist Offices
Hunstanton Tourist Information Centre 
 Town Hall, The Green, Hunstanton, Norfolk, PE36 6BQ
  Tel: 01485 532610  Fax: 01485 533972
Email: hunstanton.tic@west-norfolk.gov.uk  
website: http://visithunstanton.info/
The Hunstanton TIC is situated in the distinctive Town Hall situated on the Green in the centre of Hunstanton town.



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Other Resorts In Norfolk
Cley-next-the-Sea
A bustling coastal village crammed full of picturesque flint-lined cottages, the landmarks of Cley Windmill and St. Margaret's Church, delicatessens and locally sourced food, fine pubs and restaurants, and all on a magnificent stretch of coastline which is a paradise for birdwatchers and walkers alike.


Holkham
Imagine strolling through rich pine woodlands, breathing in the aromatic smell of the forest before stepping onto a wide open expanse of beach. This is Holkham Bay, one of the most dramatic beaches in the area and very popular with visitors in the summer season. It is also a wonderful place to visit on cold, crisp days and during the winter a trip to Holkham will certainly blow away the cobwebs as the North Sea wind blows onto the beach making it a bleak but beautiful place to be. These glorious uninterrupted views have made this beach popular with the film industry and it was the setting for the final scene in Shakespeare in Love. This part of the coastline is particularly special and forms part of a national nature reserve. The diverse but fragile mix of habitats from sand spits to marshes, saltings to pinewoods, make it a haven for wildlife, numerous bird species and, of course, nature lovers throughout the year! Holkham also has a naturist beach, so make sure you're on the right one!

During your holiday take some time to visit the stunning Holkham Hall and Bygones Museum. Home to the Coke family and Earls of Leicester, it is a magnificent Palladian hall set in acres of gentle rolling parkland. The vast interior will take your breath away - with its marble hall and extensive library - while outside you may glimpse the shy fallow deer that live in the grounds. There are also walking trails round the grounds and lakes, a restaurant serving refreshments and a lovely gift shop and gallery. 


Brancaster
Situated between Hunstanton and Wells-next-the-Sea, Brancaster is another highlight of the North Norfolk coast and an excellent place to stay. The village is focused around the harbour, which is great for fishing and sailing. Brancaster is famous for its seafood, particularly mussels, and there are plenty of places to enjoy some of the delicious local food. Just west of the village you will find Titchwell Manor, with an award winning 2 AA rosette restaurant, which welcomes golfers, birdwatchers and walkers along with its residents, to sample their superb cuisine. The beach at Brancaster is perfect for kite flying, watersports or just soaking up the refreshing sea air. Amongst the sandhills is the Royal West Norfolk Golf Club, so be sure to bring your golf clubs for a challenging round of golf by the sea!


Blakeney
Blakeney is the ideal location for a short break or holiday. It is a small village and has a blissful air of quietness, yet it is also close to many of the other resorts in the area. It is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, with endless views across the estuary and salt marshes out to Blakeney Point, owned by the National Trust. The Point, a long spit made up of sand and shingle, is an important breeding ground for terns while also being home to Common and Grey seals. It can be accessed both on foot and by ferry boat. Fellow holidaymakers will include dinghy sailors, bird watchers and walkers.

Holme-next-the-Sea
A peaceful village set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Holme-next-the-Sea is an escape from the busier seaside towns. Quiet, secluded beaches and a network of bridleways make this area perfect for walkers and horse riders. Visit the Holme Bird Observatory and Reserve with five hides and look out for the many visiting birds across the coastal marsh.


Thornham
Once a smuggler's haven in the 18th and 19th centuries the village of Thornham is now a tranquil coastal resort. The landscape is an inspiration to many artists who love to come here and put brush to paper, while the miles of marshland and saltwater channels attract many bird species. The village has a beautiful 13th century church and some excellent restaurants including the Lifeboat Inn, once a smuggler's ale house, serving exceptional mussels and the award winning Orange Tree.

The Burnhams
The Norfolk coastline has surprises around every corner and during your stay make time to visit one of The Burnhams, a collection of five small towns and villages dotted around the North Norfolk area. Each place has its own character and appeal, from the busy hive of activity at Burnham Overy to the tranquil remoteness of Burnham Deepdale. Burnham Overy is the most popular place with holidaymakers, and since it is designated an area of outstanding natural beauty it is easy to see why. The coastal village attracts walkers, sailors and birdwatchers, who appreciate the uniqueness of the area and the exceptional landscape. From the staithe, take a boat trip to Scolt Head Island, a nature reserved owned jointly by the National Trust and the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, to see common, Arctic, Sandwich and Little Terns in an undisturbed habitat.  For a bit of retail therapy head inland for about three miles to Burnham Market, a pretty town with attractive 17th and 18th century houses and cottages, where you can browse an exceptional variety of interesting shops and grab a bite to eat at one of the excellent eateries. The quiet unassuming village of Burnham Thorpe was the birthplace of Admiral Lord Nelson and the local pub, the Lord Nelson, makes the perfect venue for a toast to him!



LINCOLNSHIRE
from Grimsby Beach to Gibraltar Point
Welcome to the Lincolnshire Seaside.
Welcome to our string of coastal resorts which offer our visitors the very best of a British seaside holiday. 
Seaside Towns
The busy, bustling resorts of Skegness and Mablethorpe have been popular seaside towns for many years and generations of visitors enjoy their holidays here year upon year.  Skegness has it all!  Skegness is one of the UK's premiere resorts, and whatever you are looking for Skegness has it! A huge variety of hotels, bed and breakfast and self catering accommodation alongside the great beaches, beautiful gardens, sports facilities and a varied range of family attractions.
Friendly Mablethorpe
Mablethorpe's beaches are ever-popular with the whole family and are the jewel in the crown of this smaller, friendly seaside town. The resort has plenty of holiday accommodation as well as great family attractions, gardens, entertainment and a great big friendly welcome.
Exciting Ingoldmells
Ingoldmells is a magnet for families as it combines the best of seaside tradition with up-to-date pure, white-knuckle rides and fun. Fantasy Island and the popular Eastgate Market draw thousands of visitors to the resort every season.
Sutton on Sea and Trusthorpe
Sutton on Sea and Trusthorpe are quieter neighbouring villages to Mablethorpe. Sutton offers visitors a perfect place for a bit of peace and quiet with fabulous golden beaches, pretty gardens and a village friendliness which is second to none.
Charming Chapel St. Leonards
Chapel St Leonards is a charming village seaside resort that offers a peaceful place to relax for the family and yet is still in easy reach of the hustle and bustle of Skegness and Ingolmells.
Chapel St Leonards BeachCleethorpes BeachDonna NookGibraltar PointGrimsby BeachHumberston BeachIngoldmells BeachMaplethorpe BeachSaltfleet BeachSkegness BeachSkegness North BeachSutton on Sea BeachTheddlethorpe BeachWinthorpe Beach

THE RESORTS
 
Skegness Lights

Butlins
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Skegness fits very well into the category of traditional English seaside resorts - miles of sandy beaches, long promenade, clean seawater and masses of entertainments. What more could you ask for - many visitors don't want anything else and return year after year to this popular Lincolnshire resort. Skegness owes at least part of its success to the effects of one of the best known posters that have ever appeared to promote a seaside resort. This is the famous 'Jolly Fisherman' poster designed by John Hassall in 1908 with its slogan - Skegness - it's so bracing! The poster was originally designed to advertise special offers of excursions from Kings Cross in London to the resort and these proved so successful that around 300,000 people visited the resort annually at that time. Since then the poster has been revamped many times and still appears regularly to promote the resort. There is now a 'Jolly Fisherman' statue in the town. This is where it all began for Butlins in 1936 and they still flourish here.

Tourist Offices
Skegness Tourist Information Centre
Grand Parade (within the Embassy Theatre), Skegness, Lincolnshire  PE25 2UG   Tel: 0845 674 0505 
Email: skegnessinfo@e-lindsey.gov.uk   websites: http://www.skegness.net/information.htm
   http://www.visitskegness.co.uk/

What to see in Skegness and Mablethorpe

Natureland Seal Sanctuary - Seals, Penguins and Fish - North Parade, Skegness, Lincolnshire, PE25 1DB
Skegness Pier
The National Parrot Sanctuary - Parrot centre - 01754 820107
Skegness Cable Ski Centre - Waterskiing with no boat! - Skegness Water Leisure Park Walls Lane Skegness Lincolnshire, PE25 1JF U.K. Telephone: 07889 243889
Fantasy Island
Fantasy Island is Britain's first themed indoor family resort and amusement park. It is located in Ingoldmells near Skegness on the East Coast of England. A magical world of fun, thrills and experiences for all the family.
Skegness Natureland Seal Sanctuary - North Parade Skegness Lincolnshire PE25 1DB Phone: 01754 764345
Sharky's Family Entertainment Centre - Central Promenade Mablethorpe Lincolnshire LN12 1RG England Phone: 01507 479999
Hardys Animal Farm  - Anchor Lane Ingoldmells Skegness PE25 1LZ England Phone: 01754 872267
Kids Adventure Centre - Spanish City, High Street, Mablethorpe Lincolnshire LN12 1AL Phone: 01507 477310
Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve - Phone: +44 (0) 1754 762677
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Centre - They have a Lancaster bomber, Spitfires and Hurricanes in working order - RAF Coningsby, Coningsby, Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 4SY Phone: +44 (0) 1526 344041
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Traditional Seaside Fun! Ingoldmells is a real magnet for families as it combines the best of seaside tradition with up-to-date pure, white-knuckle fun.
Plenty to entertain you With much of the accommodation being chalet and caravan parks it means that there is plenty of entertainment on site as well as bountiful attractions in the centre of the resort itself - 24 hour a day fun!  On the farmHardy's Animal Farm is an exciting family attraction offering the a range of exciting things to do - an outdoor adventure play area for the kids, animals galore, interesting facts about farming and a café serving refreshments.
Fantasy IslandFantasy Island was Britain's first indoor themed family resort and theme park. This award winning attraction gives the visitor fabulous, up-to-the-minute thrills, rides and fun, fun, fun. Watch out for the Millennium Coaster, Dragon Mountain Descent, The Beast, Spinning Mouse Coaster, Fantasy Bears and the Absolutely Insane experience. Alongside this, visitors are offered great shows, superb entertainment and the seven-day outdoor and indoor market On the beachDown on the beach life slows down after all the excitement that Ingoldmells attractions offer, and of course, like all great seaside resorts the sandy beach acts as a playground for the whole family, where you can relax and really enjoy your holiday.
Nearest Tourist Information:
Tourist Offices
Skegness Tourist Information Centre
Grand Parade (within the Embassy Theatre), Skegness, Lincolnshire  PE25 2UG   Tel: 0845 674 0505 
Email: skegnessinfo@e-lindsey.gov.uk   websites: http://www.skegness.net/information.htm
   http://www.visitskegness.co.uk/

Parking:  Sea Lane.   Railway Station: 
Wainfleet Road, Skegness.
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Welcome to Chapel St. Leonards
Chapel St Leonards remains a charming village seaside resort that is a second home from home for thousands of visitors each and every year.
Close to the extensive beach, which is overseen by lifeguards at peak times, is the village with its enchanting central green and decorative rose beds. This is a thriving, friendly community which offers a big welcome to visitors each year. All around is buzzing with life and colour. The children are well catered for in the resort with slides, swings, bouncy castles and crazy golf. Mum and dad can choose from a variety of pubs and cafes at which to enjoy a quite drink in the sunshine.  Robin Hood Leisure Park's heated, indoor Aquasplash pool is a great attraction offering two wizard water chutes, a separate children's splash pool, surrounded by an interactive water play area. There are sunbathing terraces beneath a glass roof, a café and seated lounge area. At the close of day a super night out can be enjoyed at the Club Tropicana with its 2,000 seater club which has a star-studded line up including acts such as Joe Pasquale and Showaddywaddy.
Tourist Offices
Nearest Tourist Information:
Grand Parade (within the Embassy Theatre), Skegness, Lincolnshire  PE25 2UG   Tel: 0845 674 0505 
Email: skegnessinfo@e-lindsey.gov.uk   websites: http://www.skegness.net/information.htm
   http://www.visitskegness.co.uk/


Parking: Well Vale Drive.    Coach Park: Well Vale Drive.   Railway Station: Wainfleet Road, Skegness.


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Sandilands

Sandilands is a small holiday resort at the south end of Sutton on Sea in the East Lindsey district of Lincolnshire,  . It forms part of the civil parish of Mablethorpe and Sutton. It is a quiet village popular with East Midlands families. There is a small shop and post office. The sandy beach attracts surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers. The resort is known for its golf course, Sandilands, an 18 hole links course with a par of 70, which due to its well draining sandy soil is renowned for the quality of its winter golf. It is also known for its family tennis tournament which has been held in the first week of August every year since 1928 (except for 1939-57). The tournament takes place at the "Grange and Links" hotel and on a number of private courts in the village.


Nearest Tourist Information:


Tourist Offices
Tourist Information :Unit 5, The Louth Hotel, High Street. Mablethorpe  LN12 1AF
Tel: 01507 474939 
websites: http://www.mablethorpe.info/
http://www.mablethorpe.net/

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Sutton On Sea & Trusthorpe

Sutton on Sea is a peaceful seaside resort with an impressive award-winning beach, children's play area, quiet gardens and a range of accommodation from hotels and guest houses to static caravans. The Blue Flag beach is ideal for families and has the advantage of day chalets along the seafront that you can be hire, shelter from the sun or eat your lunch under cover.  Sutton's Pleasure Gardens are charming to both families and senior citizens alike with glorious tranquil gardens, bowling greens and a super paddling pool which attract multitudes of children who play and splash about in the summer sunshine. The July Carnival is an important event in Sutton on Sea, and visitors love to watch the marching bands, parades and floats� come on, join in the fun. Nearby Sandilands Golf Links Course gives sporting visitors the chance to play a round or two. There is also good selection of fishing lakes within the area if you prefer a bit of lazing about on the river.
Trusthorpe
Nearby is Trusthorpe, an appealing village with a pretty church. The open-air swimming pool at Trusville is open to all visitors. Trusthorpe makes an ideal base from which you can discover the inland area of Lincolnshire

Nearest Tourist Information:
Tourist Offices
Tourist Information :Unit 5, The Louth Hotel, High Street. Mablethorpe  LN12 1AF
Tel: 01507 474939 
websites: http://www.mablethorpe.info/
http://www.mablethorpe.net/

Parking:  Broadway and Marine Avenue, Sutton On Sea.  Coach Park: Broadway, Sutton On Sea.   Railway Station: Wainfleet Road, Skegness.
First Aid and Lost Children: Information Office Beach Chalet No1 South Promenade (summer only).   Wheelchair Hire: Gregory's Mobility, A/2 Cromer Avenue

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 Welcome to Mablethorpe, a great town for seaside holidays on the Lincolnshire Coast. Our sandy beaches have once again been awarded with a blue flag.With more than four miles of unbroken coast line, Mablethorpe and Sutton on Sea offer something for everyone.

There is a variety of holiday accommodation available, including hotels, guesthouses,bed and breakfasts and self catering accommodation in caravan parks or cottages. There are also beach huts available for hire along the coast. The world famous Bathing Beauties Festival takes place every September in Mablethorpe and Sutton on Sea.

Loewen Cinema - 2 screen, Dolby 3D CinemaFrom fish and chips to restaurant dining, you will find everything in Mablethorpe with a choice of pub grub, indian, chinese and italian.There's plenty of activities and entertainment available, including Loewen 2 screen, Dolby Digital 3D Cinema, an entertainment complex, bingo, pub entertainment, horse riding and much more.
Tourist Offices
Tourist Information :Unit 5, The Louth Hotel, High Street. Mablethorpe  LN12 1AF
Tel: 01507 474939 
websites: http://www.mablethorpe.info/
http://www.mablethorpe.net/

National Fishing Centre Grimsby




Grimsby Docks
Grimsby is located on the east coast of England on the estuary of the River Humber. It is well known throughout the land as a fishing port and docks and although not as busy as it was in the past it is still one of the UK's busiest ports. Directly next to Grimsby is Cleethorpes which is a traditional seaside resort. Although the town has a long history much of the architecture dates from the nineteenth century, including the 350ft high Dock Tower which dominates the skyline. There are many attractions in and around the town and it is a good base from which to explore the surrounding area.
There is an excellent  new visitor centre  at Grimsby - The National Fishing Heritage Centre, that explores the history of the traditional industry of the town


What to see in Grimsby

National Fishing Heritage Centre - Alexandra Dock, Grimsby, South Humberside DN31 1UZ Tel: 01472 323345

The Deep - Interactive displays and aquarium - Kingston upon Hull HU1 4DP Tel: 01482 381000

Spurn Head - Narrow spit of sand and shingle that projects out into the mouth of the River Humber

Pleasure Island - theme park with rides and attractions
Cleethorpes









While commonly referred to as a seaside resort, Cleethorpes actually sits on the Humber estuary. The sea at Cleethorpes is actually the mouth of the Humber. This means that bathers are separated from the sea by several hundred yards of sand at low tide.

The sea front provides views of shipping traffic entering and leaving the Humber for the ports of Grimsby, Immingham, Hull and Goole. The main shopping area is St Peter's Avenue (B1374).[citation needed]

Two large fortifications, the Humber Forts, are visible in the mouth of the river. On a clear day, the lighthouse situated on Spurn Point can be seen with the naked eye from the North Beach.

There is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution station, which is near the pier and next to the Coastguard on Central Promenade. A new and larger RNLI station is planned.[when?] Cleethorpes Rescue also protect the beach.

Cleethorpes has a large boating lake with many varieties of ducks, swans and geese. To the south of the resort near Humberston is a yacht club.

Ross Castle, a mock ruin of a castle built in 1863 by the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway, was named after Ernest Ross, secretary of the railway company.  Its height was the highest point on the cliffs. After a period of closure, the castle was renovated, re-opening in June 2008 to the public. Possibilities of a further closure have been raised after a woman fell to her death on 9 January 2009.  In 2007 the town was the Royal Horticultural Societies Britain in Bloom award winner in the coastal category. The town was also received a Silver-Gilt award, a Tourism Award and Jeff Blanchard the Shredded Wheat Community Champions award

A statue of The Boy with the Leaking Boot was given to the town in 1918 by John Carlborn. It is reported that he was a Swedish immigrant to Cleethorpes who had built up a successful shipping business, and that the statue was a copy of one in the Hasselbacken Restaurant in Stockholm, Sweden.[14] The Cleethorpes statue stood in the Pier Gardens but is now in the town hall, with a replica on display in the Tourist Information Office. The statue is now on display on the sea front close to the leisure centre A nearby public house, The Leaking Boot, was destroyed by fire in June 2009.

Tourist Offices
Tourist Information Centre
A Tourist Information Centre is located within Cleethorpes Library on Alexandra Road
 in the resort and there is also a base at Grimsby’s Central Library
.

Address: Cleethorpes Library, Alexandra Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 8LG
Telephone: (01472) 323111 / 323222  Fax: (01472) 323112
Website : http://www.visitcleethorpes.co.uk/
Email: cleetic@nelincs.gov.uk

Other visitor attractions

 




THE MERCIA COASTAL RESORTS (WEST)
MERSEYSIDE
from Southport to Leasowe Beach
Ainsdale BeachCrosby BeachFormby BeachHightown BeachLeasowe BeachNew Brighton BeachSeaforth BeachSouthport Beach

THE RESORTS





Birkenhead

Birkenhead is a large port and dockland area on the south side of the River Mersey. This was the site of the famous Cammel Laird shipyard which was founded in Birkenhead in 1824 and continued to operate until 1993. The town is situated at the northern end of The Wirral peninsular which is an area of, mostly unspoilt, countryside dotted with picturesque villages. At the far end of the peninsular there are number of seaside resorts, including new Brighton, which was intended to be a northern copy of the famous south coast resort. The Wirral peninsula is mentioned in the Domesday Book and by other ancient chroniclers. In 1330 Edward II granted a charter establishing the original ferry over the Mersey from the priory in Birkenhead. The whole area was used as a royal hunting ground during the middle ages.

Birkenhead's first docks were opened in 1847 and in the same year Birkenhead Park was officially opened to the public. It was the first public park in the country and the model for the more famous Central Park in New York. The Scout Movement was inaugurated in Birkenhead by Robert Baden-Powell in 1908.

Things to see around Birkenhead
Tourist Offices
Birkenhead Tourist Office: Woodside Ferry Terminal, Birkenhead, Merseyside CH41 6DU
Tel: 01516 476780   
web:http:// www.wirral.gov.uk


Birkenhead Park - Conservation area, and countryside park within the city. The park also has 2 cricket clubs, tennis courts, bowling greens, football pitches and fishing.

Birkenhead Priory - This Benedictine Monastery was established in around 1150 - 4 Priory Street, Birkenhead, England

Europa Pools - Leisure and swimming pools - Conway Street CH41 6RN Phone: 0151 647 4182

Lady Lever Art Gallery - Art gallery established by Lady Lever with cafe and shop - Port Sunlight Village Lower Rd CH62 5EQ Phone: 0151 478 4136
Birkenhead is also home to The Warship Preservation Trust which has a number of ex-naval ships on display. Details can be found at www.historicwarships.org



Wallasey Beach

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There are many good beaches on the Wirral peninsular which are suitable for swimming and watersports. Wallasey (New Brighton) has sandy beaches and a promenade. Hoylake and West Kirby are bustling seaside towns with miles of award winning sandy beaches and inviting promenades for the casual walker. New Brighton is a British seaside resort forming part of the town of Wallasey, in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, in the metropolitan county of Merseyside, England. It is located at the northeastern tip of the Wirral Peninsula, within the historic county boundaries of Cheshire, and has sandy beaches which line the Irish Sea.
New Brighton was a popular seaside resort after the mid-19th century, but declined in popularity after the 1950s. Nevertheless, the marine promenade is part of a popular walk and the areas near the sea offer a much improved beach and many leisure activities. The Floral Pavilion plays host to regular productions and national stars such as Ken Dodd, and Vale Park is a beautiful public park. Housing here ranges from large villas near the sea to suburban semi-detached homes, while there are some less attractive terraces in parts of the area. New Brighton is served by a railway station of the same name. New Brighton promenade is the UK's longest promenade
Tourist Offices
New Brighton Heritage and Information Centre
Heritage/Visitor Centre
90, Victoria Road, New Brighton, Wirral  CH45 2JF
Tel: 0151 639 3555   Click Website
There are nature reserves at The North Wirral Coast Park and at Hilbre Island where you can see seals and many wading birds - please note that access is tidal and you can get cut off here.
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The Piers Of Mercia
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 The seaside piers around the coast of Britain stand as a powerful reminder of the achievements of Victorian engineers and entrepreneurs. At the turn of the last century, almost a hundred piers existed: now only half remain and several face an uncertain future.
The National Piers Society was founded in 1979 under Sir John Betjeman, at a time when some of the finest piers were threatened with demolition. Over the years the Society has grown steadily and has become well established as the leading authority on piers. Through its efforts, several piers that would otherwise have vanished, remain for the enjoyment of everyone.
The Society's aims are to promote and sustain interest in the preservation and continued enjoyment of seaside piers. It publishes a Guide to British Piers and a quarterly magazine, and advises heritage bodies, lottery boards, local authorities and the media on pier matters. It maintains links with the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (representing pier owners) and the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, whose ships operate excursions from pier landing stages.
The Society has instituted an award scheme for engineering achievement Clevedon Pierin pier restoration. It organises visits and talks and holds its Annual General Meeting in a different resort each year. In the longer term, the Society wishes to establish a network of regional branches and a National Piers Museum.
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Clacton-on-Sea
Officially the first building of the new resort of Clacton-on-Sea, the pier was officially opened on 27 July 1871, as a wooden structure 160 yards (150 m) in length and 4 yards (3.7 m) wide.  The pier was originally built as a landing point for goods and passengers, and from when it opened Steamships operated by the Woolwich Steam Packet Company which docked at the pier; it soon also became popular for promenading.  By the 1890s Clacton was becoming an increasingly popular destination for day trippers and in 1893 the pier was lengthened to 1180 ft (360m), and entertainment facilities including a pavilion and a waiting room were added. In March 2009 the pier was purchased by the Clacton Pier Company, who installed a new focal point, a 50 ft helter skelter. Originally built in 1949 and used in a travelling show, it was featured in a 2008/2009 Marks & Spencer television advert.




Claremont Pier in Lowestoft
 Lowestoft Claremont Pier was one of three piers on the East Coast to be built by a steamship company. Although steamships had lost a percentage of their revenue due to the advent of the railways, there was still a lucrative market for sailing excursions and pleasure trips. As the pier landing stage allowed easy mooring facilities, and the pier itself offered numerous entertainments, it was an obvious way forward for the two interests to be combined within one operating company.

The Coast Development Company formed in 1898 did exactly that, building Southwold, Felixstowe, and completing Lowestoft Claremont in 1903. The company operated the famous 'Belle' steamers from London Bridge, offering trips that called at Southend, Clacton, Walton-on-the-Naze, the three new piers, and onto Great Yarmouth. Lowestoft had now become a day trip resort, which became even more accessible with the completion of the Lowestoft to Great Yarmouth railway.  Designed by D. Fox the wooden pier was originally 600ft (181.8m) in length and 36ft (10.9m) wide. Built midway along the Esplanade, Lowestoft Claremont Pier boasted a promenade that was said to "equal the best in many resorts". In 1912 the T-shaped pier head was extended and redeveloped to facilitate a new pavilion, and the original wooden piles were renewed using green-heart timber. This extension now gave Lowestoft Claremont Pier an overall length of 760ft (230.3m).  In May 1903 the first steamer to call at Lowestoft Claremont Pier was the 'Walton Belle'. The great advantage for ship's masters at Lowestoft was that the entire 360ft (109m) length of the pier head was in deep water, allowing the mooring of steamers to be safely carried out whatever the tide or weather. Steamer services finally finished with the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. An army demolition team were assigned to section the pier for fear of invasion. Once the danger had passed, the resulting gap in the pier structure was joined with a Bailey bridge and Lowestoft Claremont Pier became an army training centre until 1948.

Left abandoned and derelict, Lowestoft Claremont Pier was then taken over by the actor George Studd when the local council declined to purchase it. Repairs were undertaken, and a new concrete platform and pavilion were completed by 1950. In 1962 a storm washed away the T-shaped head and a portion of the pier neck, reducing its length to 720ft (218m). In the 1980s a major restoration project was announced that facilitated the re-opening of the pier neck. Although the shoreward buildings were renovated at this time, the seaward end was left untouched and subsequently remains closed. The shoreward end buildings cater for the usual array of modern leisure activities and include a nightclub, function room, electronic amusements, a takeaway food counter, and a restaurant. A considerable area immediately in front of, and leading up to, the pier has recently been refurbished and does much to enhance Lowestoft Claremont Pier. Although Lowestoft has long been regarded solely as a large industrial and fishing port, the resort to the south has been thoughtfully renovated and will pleasantly surprise even the most sceptical of visitors.



Cleethorpes Pier
Cleethorpes Pier is a pleasure pier in the town of Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England. It originally cost £8,000, which was financed by the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway (later the Great Central Railway). It was officially opened on August Bank Holiday Monday 1873. 1,200 feet (370 m) in length (to span the unusually large distance between low and high tide limits), the pier comprised a timber deck and pavilion (constructed in 1888), supported on iron piles. A section was, however, cut out of the pier during the Second World War to impede its use in any German invasion attempt.
 The original pavilion was destroyed by fire in 1903 but in 1905 a new one was built, halfway along the pier, and also a cafeteria and shops at the entry from the promenade. The pavilion offered a venue for dances and concerts. Cleethorpes Borough Council assumed ownership of the pier in 1936,[1] the year that the resort gained borough status. A £50,000 investment in 1968 made the pavilion one of the most modern on the East Coast. As well as traditional summer shows, it housed wrestling, coin & stamp fairs and dance festivals. However, after a series of losses on the summer show, the council sold the pier in 1981 to Funworld of Skegness, who later themselves put the pier up for sale. The council declined an offer to buy back the pier, saying it would need a £200,000 reconstruction. Following this, nightclub owner Mark Mayer purchased the pier and, after an investment of £300,000, it reopened as 'Pier 39' (a modern nightclub) on 4 September 1985.  Subsequent developments included a shelter for those awaiting access to the night-club, and pier widening with new underneath piles distinct from the originals.   
Cleethorpes Pier's owners from 2005 were those responsible for a management buyout from Luminar Leisure. In 2006 they rebuilt the former Paradise Club, with the new Waterfront Bar officially opened by Tim Mickleburgh, Hon Vice President of the National Piers Society. The pier closed in 2010 but, in May 2010, a local businessman, Bryn Ilsey, bought the venue and leased it out. The Pier nightclub reopened to the public on 27 November 2010, after undergoing a £200,000 refurbishment,  with day and night opening.  It closed again on 2 September 2011 when owners surrendered their licence to the authorities pending an investigation into a series of violent incidents and serious disorder. It was re-opened on 1 December 2011 under the ownership of local businessman Alistair Clugston, with the front section being renamed the Tides Bar & Restaurant. The large hall continues as a nightclub, but with a 21-year age restriction. The London Evening Standard for 12 December 2012 carried a half-page advertisement offering Cleethorpes Pier for sale by auction on 2 February 2013.  At auction on the pier, it failed to reach its guide price of £400,000.  However, a "venture partnership" had since purchased the pier for above the guide price and would take possession on 30 April 2013.
Cromer Pier


Cromer Pier
Cromer Pier
Cromer Pier is a seaside pier in the civil parish of Cromer on the north coast of the English county of Norfolk, 40 kilometres (25 mi) due north of the city of Norwich in the United Kingdom. The pier is the home of the Cromer Lifeboat Station and the Pavilion Theatre.   There are records of a pier in Cromer back as far as 1391, although then it was more of a jetty. In the year 1582, Queen Elizabeth I, in a letter to the inhabitants of Cromer granted rights to export wheat, barley and malt with the proceeds to be used for the maintenance and well-being of the pier and the town of Cromer.  In 1822, a 210-foot (64 m) long jetty was built (of cast iron, made by Hase of Saxthorpe) but this structure lasted just 24 years before it was totally destroyed in a storm. This jetty was replaced by another wooden structure but this time it was a little longer being 240 feet (73 m). This jetty soon became very popular for promenading. A keeper was employed to keep order; there were strict rules applied including no smoking, and by 9 pm ladies were required to retire from the jetty. The last wooden jetty survived until 1897, when it was damaged beyond repair after a coal boat had smashed into the jetty. It was dismantled and the timber sold for £40.
For a period of time from this date Cromer was without a pier but to end this situation the "Pier Commissioners" planned to replace the old wood structure with a more fashionable structure. In 1902, the new pier was completed and opened to the public. This new pier was designed by Douglass and Arnott and the construction was carried out by Alfred Thorne. The new pier was 450 feet (140 m) long and had cost £17,000 to build. In the early years the pier consisted of glass-screened shelters and a bandstand on the end of the pier. The shelters were roofed over in 1905 to form a pavilion; the bandstand was later replaced with a stage and proscenium arch. From 1907 this was used to accommodate the latest craze of roller-skating.  The pier needs nearly £800,000 of repairs in the next few years – including some urgent works to repair the damage caused by the storm surge of autumn 2007. North Norfolk District Council has backed plans to spend £121,000 to put right the damage to the pier. The council said it would cost another £666,000 to totally refurbish the structure.
 A £1.2 million repair scheme began in May, 2012. Work is scheduled to last 68 weeks. Repairs include replacement metal main trusses and cross braces. In the media : It was used as a film location for the 1979 ITV television series, Danger UXB, starring Anthony Andrews. The pier was used as location for the 1993 ITV series September Song with Russ Abbot.  The Flesh and Blood Show used the pier's theatre in this horror thriller film of 1972 with Jenny Hanley and Ray Brooks. The Living TV show Most Haunted visited the pier for their investigation in April 2009. The episode, which investigated the piers paranormal activity, was shown later that year. 2011 film In Love with Alma Cogan was filmed on and around the pier.
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Felixstowe Pier, Suffolk

At one time the longest in East Anglia, Felixstowe Pier was one of a trio built by the Coast Development Company, who operated the 'Belle' Steamer fleet based at London Bridge. At the turn of the century local steamer services had lost much of their business to local railways, so fleet operators looked to the lucrative excursion trade to maintain profits. Many of the Directors of pier companies also had interests in steamer fleets, and it was a natural progression for a steamer company to eventually build its own piers. The 'Belle' steamers operated originally from London calling at places like Margate, Southend, Clacton and Walton-on-the Naze. By building the three new piers at Felixstowe, Southwold and Lowestoft, the company would have plenty of excursion options en route to Great Yarmouth.

Felixstowe Pier was the last of the trio to be built, opening in the August of 1905. Interestingly, the new pier would be built from timber as opposed to iron. Developments in ship building using foreign timbers like Jarrah and Greenheart, that were much more resistant to worm attack, had made the timber option a much more cost effective one. Designed primarily to facilitate the berthing of steamers, Felixstowe Pier was of relatively simple design. Constructed by Rogers Brothers the pier extended to a length of 2,640ft (800m) and was little more than a promenade deck, with railings along the entire length, and a T-shaped landing stage at the head. A large pavilion was also constructed at the shoreward end. A 3.5ft (1.06m) gauge electric tramway ran the entire length of Felixstowe Pier carrying passengers and baggage for the princely sum of one penny. Eventually forced into liquidation, the Coast Development Company sold Felixstowe Pier to East Coast Piers Ltd in 1922.

Like most piers on the East Coast of Britain, Felixstowe Pier was sectioned during the Second World War for fear of German invasion and, in common with several, it was a situation that the pier would never really recover from. The tramway had obviously been suspended and the now isolated seaward end, that had remained neglected throughout the conflict, was considered obsolete. This was subsequently demolished, reducing the pier's length to a much shorter 450ft (136m).

Little else was to change during the latter half of the 20th century until the mid 1990s, when plans were drawn up to completely rebuild Felixstowe Pier and to develop the shoreward end. This included ten-pin bowling, roller-skating, cafe, shops and bar. The remaining deck area would have kiosks constructed along the pier length and a new landing stage would be built at the head. This project was adandoned as the necessary funds could not be raised, and the venture was deemed non viable. Unfortunately, the charitable trust formed in 1999 to save the future of Felixstowe Pier has since wound up its operations. The structure was subsequently returned to its owners, Pier Amusements Ltd., who applied for a demolition order in the first quarter of 2004. The fate of this pier now sadly looks inevitable.
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Britannia Pier
Great Yarmouth Britannia Pier, Norfolk
The second of Great Yarmouth's piers, the Britannia Pier was erected towards the northern end of the resort and was opened on 13th July 1858 by George Allen of Lowestoft. The original wooden structure, designed by A W Morant, was a simple affair measuring some 700ft (212m) in length and approached through ornate wrought iron gates hung between two rather bland oblong buildings. The cost of the undertaking had been £3,158 11s 6d.

The Britannia Pier was badly damaged by a Schooner, the 'James & Jessie', a year later resulting in its length being reduced by 50ft (15m), a storm in 1868 inflicted further damage. Occasionally during the summer season there would be evening band performances, but generally few leisure activities were offered. Open air concert parties commenced in 1874 but it wasn't until 1880 that the building in which they were performed was finally enclosed, offering shelter from the elements. As the seaside town prospered it was decided that a new pier should be built, and at the end of the 1900 season the wooden pier was demolished and replaced with a wood and steel structure designed by the well-known firm of Mayoh & Haley. Work commenced on 13th December 1900 and the 810ft (245m) pier deck was opened for public use in 1901. The official opening took place on the 21st June 1902 when the 2,000 seat grand pavilion, had been completed at the head.

The new Britannia Pier was to suffer a turbulent history that was to be dominated by fire. The grand pavilion was to become the first victim, destroyed in a blaze only seven years after opening, on 22nd December 1909. A second pavilion was built, opening a year later in 1910, but this was again destroyed in a blaze on 17th April 1914. Local gossip has always maintained that this was an act of arson by Suffragettes who had been refused permission to hold a meeting there. Within three months a third pavilion had been built which opened its doors for the first time on 27th July 1914.

May 1928 saw the opening of the 'Floral Hall' Ballroom, a building that was only to survive four years until it was also destroyed in a blaze on 3rd August 1932. It was subsequently rebuilt, re-opening in 1933. As was usual on the south and east coast, the Britannia Pier was sectioned in 1940 for fear of German invasion, but once hostilities had ceased the pier was repaired and re-opened in 1947. Ironically, both Ballroom and Pavilion survived the war years but were both destroyed by yet another blaze on 20th April 1954. The Ballroom was never replaced but a fourth pavilion, which amazingly survives today, opened on 27th June 1958.

Originally owned by First Leisure PLC but sold to Family Amusements Ltd in 1995, the Britannia Pier offers all of the normal plethora of family amusements that you would expect to find at one of the country's most popular seaside towns. These include two Amusement Arcades, a Restaurant, several bars, a Funfair and the popular Theatre.
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Great Yarmouth Wellington Pier, Norfolk
 An eminent local businessman, and two-times Mayor of Great Yarmouth, Charles John Palmer had lobbied the town's residents for several years before the Great Yarmouth Wellington Pier Company was formed in 1852. The company's sole aim was to build a pier, firstly as a memorial to the recently deceased 'Iron Duke', and secondly to provide an added attraction to the seaside town. Charles Palmer's argument for a new pier was based around the fact that the town, having already remembered Admiral Nelson, should honour the Duke of Wellington in a similar manner. Judging by the length of time that it took to reach an agreement, the townsfolk were not necessarily of the same opinion.

P Ashcroft designed the Great Yarmouth Wellington Pier, and the 700ft (212m) wooden structure finally opened on 31st October 1853, having cost some £6,776. Boasting ornamental railings and a 100ft (30.3m) long promenading platform at the pier head, the pier made a commendable £581 7s 6d in its first year. However, the Great Yarmouth Wellington Pier Company's profits were soon to be hit by the construction of a second pier just five years later. With their finances stretched, the Company never recovered and very few additional facilities were built on Great Yarmouth Wellington Pier. By the turn of the century there was only a small 'flattened' pavilion (noted for its square portholes) at the seaward end, in which variety concerts were often held.

As visitor numbers grew substantially, and better entertainment facilities were desperately required, the Great Yarmouth Corporation purchased the Wellington Pier in 1899 for £1,250. By 13th July 1903 a brand new pavilion had been opened, and the pier gardens, together with a bandstand, had been created on the southern side. Many notable military bands played at Great Yarmouth Wellington Pier until it became unfashionable, and then the area was transformed into an outdoor ice-skating rink. Another noteworthy piece of municipal enterprise was the purchase of a Winter Garden from a failed project in Torquay. For a sum of £2,400 this structure was incorporated into the pier complex, slightly to the north of the pier.

During the first half of the 20th century Great Yarmouth Wellington Pier provided a real diversity of entertainment. Concerts and variety shows, firework displays, speedboat trips, whist drives, roller-skating, boxing, indoor bowls, miniature golf, dancing and children's races to name but a few. The pavilion at Wellington Pier was affectionately known by artistes as 'the cow shed' due to its tarred, rustic roof and glass-topped partition walls. Dressing room windows were conveniently located facing the sea, and fishing lines would be thrown out at the beginning of a show to be hauled in again at the interval.

In the early 1970s major renovation work costing some £30,000 was carried out at the seaward end of the pier. This work included the replacement of timber piles, steelwork and decking. In 1986 the council's commercial management recommended demolition of Great Yarmouth Wellington Pier due to the continued losses that made further redevelopment monies unjustifiable.

As a result of public protests, the council were forced to consider new ideas and in 1996 the pier was leased to the entertainer, Jim Davidson. Six years later, he relinquished his lease and Family Amusements took it over. Since that time, the pier has been completely rebuilt and the Winter Gardens have been extensively renovated. The Wellington Pier now provides a modern family entertainment complex, whilst still remaining faithful to the site's historic past.

Photo of the Ha'penny Pier, Harwich, Essex, England
 Ha'penny Pier, Harwich

Work began on this pier in 1852 and it was opened in July 1853. It was so called because of the ½d toll charged (like a platform ticket). Originally the pier was twice as long as the present one but one half burnt down in 1927.

It was a popular departure point for paddle steamers until after the First World War.

The Pier Ticket Office is charming, typical example of late 19th century architecture. It previously had two storeys, but was without the bell cage. The ticket office now houses the Ha'penny Pier Visitor Centre (an information office for Old Harwich run by the Harwich Society). The Visitor Centre is open daily from May 1st until September 30th. It also houses the 'Christopher Jones and the Mayflower' exhibition which has free admission.



Skegness Pier
Skegness had a 1,843 foot (562 m) long pier which was opened on Whit Monday 1881 at a cost of £20,840 and was at the time the fourth longest in England. It was a T-shaped pier with a saloon/concert hall at the pier head. Steamboat trips ran from the pier to The Wash and Hunstanton in Norfolk from 1882 until 1910. In 1919, it was damaged by a drifting ship, the schooner Europa, and it took twenty years to raise the money to fully repair it. During the Second World War the pier was closed and parts of the decking was removed as part of anti-invasion policies and didn't reopen until 1948 following repairs. The north east corner of the pierhead suffered damage during the 1953 East Coast Floods and the pier entrance was flooded but the main structure survived. In the early 1970s the pier entrance archway was demolished despite it being classed as Grade II listed building and at the same time the pierhead theatre was enlarged from a seating capacity of 700 to one thousand. 
On Wednesday 11 January 1978 a northerly severe gale and storm surge which coincided with high spring tides brought disaster and Skegness Pier along with other piers at Margate, Herne Bay and Hunstanton was irretrievably damaged and only 380 feet of landward pier deck walkway from the main entrance was left with the eastern shelters and the pierhead totally cut off and isolated from the shoreline. Debris from the wrecked pier was scattered for several miles around with souvenir hunters coming into the area to see what they could find.

For several years following the storm these two isolated structures remained as features on Skegness beach whilst plans to try to repair the pier and relink the structures were sought but this failed citing the costs as simply too high and in 1983 the eastern shelters were dismantled and demolished. By 1985 the decision was made to demolish the now derelict and isolated pierhead and theatre as the building was falling into a state of disrepair as the upper deck of the structure had been badly damaged following the 1978 storm although it had become a roosting place for hordes of starlings. It was considered a risk to small shipping and also to the public. Special permission for its demolition was granted as it was a Grade II listed building as was the rest of the pier. It was planned to dismantle the pierhead in stages starting from October 1985 and just as work was getting underway the structure caught fire and two stranded workmen had to be rescued by the town's lifeboat. After the fire burned itself out only the cast-iron stanchions were left and these were removed in January 1986 on one of the lowest tides of that year.  Today the pier is only 387 feet (118m) long and no evidence remains of the old pierhead and shelters but what remains of the landward pier deck walkway has since undergone major refurbishment and is now once again a tourist attraction. Despite its much reduced length it is a major landmark along the beach as far as Gibraltar Point to the south and Ingoldmells to the north.
Southend Pier

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southend pier, pier, pleasure pier, longest pier, southend-on-sea pier, southend lifeboats, lifeboat
Southend Pier
Southend Pier is a major landmark in Southend-on-Sea. Extending 1.34 miles (2.16 km) into the Thames Estuary, it is the longest pleasure pier in the world.  Sir John Betjeman once said that "the Pier is Southend, Southend is the Pier".  The pier is a Grade II listed building.
 In the early 19th century, Southend was growing as a seaside holiday resort. At the time, it was thought that spending time by the sea was good for one's health, and since it was close to the capital, many Londoners would come to Southend for this reason. However the coast at Southend consists of large mudflats, so the sea is never very deep even at full tide (between four and six metres), and recedes over a mile from the beach at low tide. Large boats were unable to stop at Southend near to the beach and no boats at all were able to stop at low tide. This meant that many potential visitors would travel past Southend and go to Margate, or other resorts where docking facilities were better.  In order to counter this trend local dignitaries pushed for a pier to be built. This would allow boats to reach Southend at all tides. The campaign was led by former Lord Mayor of the City of London Sir William Heygate, a resident of Southend.
 On the 14th May 1829 the first Pier Act received the Royal Assent. On 25 July the Lord Mayor of London Sir William Thompson laid the foundation stone of the first section of the pier. By June 1830 a 600-foot (180 m) wooden pier was opened, based on oak piles. However this was still too short to be usable at low tide, so by 1833 it had been extended to three times its length and by 1848 was the longest pier in Europe at 7,000 feet (2,100 m). It was sold by the original owners for £17,000 in 1846 after getting into financial difficulties. By the 1850s the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway had reached Southend, and with it a great influx of visitors from east London. The many visitors took their toll on the wooden pier and in 1873 it was sold to the local board (the local government in place at the time).  In 1887 the board decided to replace the pier with a new iron pier. Part of the wooden structure of the old pier was used in the construction of a new mayoral chair in 1892.
 
 The Iron pier was designed by James Brunlees, who had built the first iron pier at Southport in 1860. Work began in early 1887 and the new pier was opened to the public that summer, though it wasn't completed until 1889 at a cost of almost £70,000. It was an immediate success, so much so that demand outstripped the capabilities of the pier and a further extension was proposed. This extension was completed in November 1897 and formally opened the following January.  An upper deck was added to the pierhead in 1907, and the pier was further extended in 1927. The construction work was undertaken by Peter Lind & Company which is still trading today. The work was carried out to accommodate larger steamboats. It was formally opened on 8 July 1929 by Prince George, Duke of Kent. This new part of the pier was on the east side and was named the Prince George Extension; it was 326 feet (appox 100m) long and cost £58,000. The work of doubling the electric railway, completed in 1931, cost £35,000.

On 27 June 1931 the Pier was the scene of a tragic accident. Ernest Turner fell from and was run over by one of the electric trams on the railway and was killed instantly. Turner, who was 38, was one of a party of over 500 workers and family members on the annual works outing from Ansell's brewery in Birmingham, where he worked as a brewer's drayman. The party had arrived at the pier having travelled down the River Thames from Tower Pier in London where it had arrived earlier that day. At the inquest, which was held two days later, the jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

The Pier's centenary was celebrated on 23 July 1935 when Lord Richie of Dundee, chairman of the Port of London Authority unveiled a bronze plaque on the pier head. (Rather than 1930, as this date reflects the date when the Admiralty began to include Southend Pier on their navigation charts.) During World War II Southend Pier was taken over by the Royal Navy and was renamed (along with the surrounding area) HMS Westcliff. It was closed to the public on 9 September 1939.

Its purpose in the war was twofold. Firstly it served as a mustering point for convoys. Over the course of the war 3,367 convoys, comprising 84,297 vessels departed from HMS Westcliff. Secondly, it was Naval Control for the Thames Estuary. Notable in its career was the accidental sinking of the Liberty ship SS Richard Montgomery which, still containing several thousand tons of explosives, is visible from the North Kent coast and Southend beach at low tide, and continues to pose a threat to navigation and the surrounding area to this day.
 In 1945 the pier reopened for visitors. Visitor numbers exceeded pre-war levels, peaking at 5.75 million in 1949-1950.  In the 1950s more attractions on the pier opened including the Dolphin Cafe, Sun Deck Theatre, the Solarium Cafe and a Hall of Mirrors. However, the success was not to last. In 1959 a fire destroyed the pavilion located at the shore end of the pier. Over 500 people were trapped on the other side of the fire and had to be rescued by boat. The pavilion was replaced by a ten-pin bowling alley in 1962, however, by then British holidaymakers were turning to package holidays abroad. The use of the pier slowly began to decline and with it the structure began to deteriorate. In 1971, after a child was injured on the pier, a survey was undertaken and over the course of the next decade repairs had to be made including much of the replacement of the pier walkway.  In 1976 a fire destroyed much of the pier head. The massive blaze was battled by fire fighters working on the pier and from boats, and even using a crop-spraying light aircraft. The following year the bowling alley was damaged in another fire, and a year after that, the railway was deemed unsafe and had to be closed.  In 1980 the council announced that the pier was to close. Protests led the council to allow the pier to remain open until a solution could be found. This happened in 1983 when the Historic Buildings Committee gave a grant to allow repairs to be made. The work commenced in 1984 and was completed eighteen months later, when Princess Anne named the two new pier trains (commissioned to replace trains scrapped in 1982) after Sir John Betjeman and Sir William Heygate. The total cost of the repair including new buildings and pier trains was £1.3M.

However, on June 20 in that year, the MV Kingsabbey crashed into the pier, severing the new pier head from the rest of the pier, destroying the boathouse used by the lifeboat service and causing major structural damage due to the destruction of iron piles and supporting girders. This left a 70-foot gap in the pier. While this was temporarily bridged to restore access, full repairs were not completed until 1989. On June 7, 1995 the bowling alley burnt down. Fortunately the pier museum and railway station were not severely damaged and access to the pier was reinstated three weeks later, with all of the debris cleared in time for the summer of 1996.  On 9 October 2005 a fire severely damaged much of the Old Pier Head including the railway station, pub, shell shop, snack bar and ice cream shop.  Much of the wooden planking was destroyed, but the main iron structure was largely undamaged. Heat from the fire was so intense that the Pier Railway tracks buckled and trains can now only run to about 15m short of the old station. The fire was thought to have started in the pub at around 10:45pm, but due to the location and the damage (several buildings collapsed into the water) the cause has not been formally determined, although it is being treated as an accident.[6] No one was injured, but firefighters encountered difficulties extinguishing the blaze as pumps installed on the pier were rendered ineffective by the low tide. The Southend lifeboat was deployed to transport the first firefighters to the scene. 
The pier reopened to the public on 1 December and in 2007 was voted Pier of the Year . The pierhead station was destroyed in the blaze, so a replacement with two platforms was constructed to take the pier trains as close as possible to the area where the blaze took place. Access to the pierhead, RNLI gift shop and boathouse is available by walking past the temporary toilets. The pleasure steamers Waverley and Kingswear Castle can again call at the pierhead, and autumn 2006 saw the tall ship Kershones visit again.
Shortly after the fire, pieces of charred pier planking turned up for sale on eBay with the proceeds apparently going to the RNLI. 
In recent years Southend Council has invested in the pier to restore it as a visitor attraction. Funding for this has been coordinated by the "S-SHAPE" (Southend Seafront, High-street And Pier Enhancements) project with funding coming from European Objective 2 funding and national Government regeneration schemes.   The pier head was extensively redeveloped in 2000 creating a new sun deck and, in partnership with the RNLI, a new lifeboat station was built. The new station is constructed in glass to give a strikingly modern style. It also houses a museum and gift shop relating to the history of the RNLI and lifeboats. In 2003 the shoreward end of the pier was redeveloped in a similar style to the pier head. The pier bridge was raised to enable taller vehicles to pass under it (a recurring problem had been double-decker buses getting stuck under the bridge) and a visitor centre/tourist information centre was built. This connected with the new Cliff Lift and redevelopment of Pier Hill that was constructed the following year.
 On 15 September 2009 Southend Borough Council announced the winner of a design contest for a new pier head - a Sweden-based architecture firm, White Arkitekter, with London-based structural engineers Price & Myers. The winning Culture Centre design is being carried out by Sprunt Architects in the UK with Quantity Surveying and Employers Agent services delivered by Sweett group. Kier Group is the contractor responsible for the construction of the Pier Pavilio which will be used in part as a Cultural Centre. The company's winning entry was a design called Sculpted by Wind and Wave and was chosen from 73 international and local entries. The contest was run by the Landscape Institute for the Council.
On 17 May 2012, the structure for a new Pier Pavilion was lowered onto the pier and on the 21st of July it opened to the public.  When completed, it will be used as a theatre and for art exhibitions,  holding up to 185 people
 The pier railway runs the length of Southend Pier, providing public passenger transport from the shore to the pier head. It operates every day on which the pier is open, providing a quarter or half-hourly service.  The original wooden pier built in 1830 employed a horse tramway to convey goods and visitors to the pier head. In 1890, with the construction of the iron pier, Cromptons installed an electric tramway. By 1891 the line ran the then full length of the pier and carriages were in use. The system expanded, until eventually, by 1930, four trains, each made up of seven carriages, were running on a double track. In 1949 the rolling stock was replaced with four new trains. In 1978 the electric railway closed, due to deterioration and the cost of repairs. It was reopened on 2 May 1986 using two new diesel trains on a simplified single track with a passing loop. Pier Head station was temporarily resited due to the fire in late 2005, until a new, modern structure was opened on the original site in September 2009.

One of the Southend-on-Sea lifeboat station's two boathouses is located at the pierhead of Southend Pier. It houses an Atlantic 75 class lifeboat and a smaller D class lifeboat, both of which are launched by davit into the deep water adjoining the pier. The boathouse is a modern structure which incorporates crew accommodation and offices, an RNLI shop, and a viewing gallery from which visitors can view the lifeboats. It is topped by a sun deck to which the public has access. Lifeboat crews use an electric buggy, complete with sirens and blue flashing lights, to access this boathouse along the pier from the shore. A lifeboat has been stationed on the pier since 1879. Initially lifeboats were launched using davits, much as they are today. However, in 1935 a new lifeboat house was erected at the pier head that provided a slipway for launching the lifeboat. This lasted until 1986, when the collision of the Kingsabbey with the pier destroyed the boathouse. A temporary boathouse was used until 2002, when the current boathouse opened.
 
    Southend Pier featured in the end credits of the British television series Minder. The sequence showed unscrupulous businessman Arthur Daley and his bodyguard (or "minder") walking down the pier. When they reach the end Arthur realises that he has left his lighter at the far end and they proceed to walk the return journey. The comic implication is that he is too mean to pay for the train ride.     The pier is mentioned in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy; after Ford and Arthur are thrown off a Vogon construction ship and are picked up by the starship Heart of Gold, Arthur remarks that it looks as though they're standing "on the seafront at Southend"; however, in the 1981 BBC TV adaptation neither the set used for the pier nor the view of the buildings on the shore look anything like Southend.

Southwold Pier

Southwold Pier
 
 The Coast Development Company, who operated the 'Belle' steamer fleet between London Bridge and Great Yarmouth, built Southwold Pier along with Lowestoft and Felixstowe. Construction was authorised by The Southwold Pier Order of 1899, and a design from W Jeffrey was accepted. Opened in the summer of 1900, the wooden pier extended to a length of 810ft (245m), and had a T-shaped landing stage at the head. A wooden pavilion with refreshment rooms was later erected at the shoreward end. Despite offering these basic facilities, Southwold Pier was always designed with a functional purpose in mind. This was to allow passengers, especially from the lucrative London market, to disembark at various places along the East Coast on route to Great Yarmouth. Consequently, the Coast Development Company could offer more varied excursions to its customers but, more importantly, the steamer traffic boosted the smaller resorts' local economy.

The Amusement Equipment Company took control of Southwold Pier in 1906 when the Coast Development Company was succeeded by the Coast Development Corporation Ltd. Belle Steamers continued to operate the London to Great Yarmouth service until the early 1930s. The T-shaped landing stage at the head was swept away in a violent storm in 1934 and was never replaced. In 1936 the timber buildings at the shoreward end were replaced with the two-storey pavilion that remains today. In common with the majority of piers on the east and south coasts of England, Southwold Pier was sectioned in 1940 for fear of invasion. To make matters worse, a drifting sea mine subsequently struck the pier, destroying a further section. Southwold Pier was repaired in 1948, at a cost of £30,000, but now in a much-weakened state it was always going to be vulnerable to the elements. In October 1955 a storm isolated the seaward end, and a further gale in February 1979 reduced the piers length to only 150ft (45.4m).
The pavilion building has performed many roles during its time, and in the 1960s it was even used as a public house. Purchased by the Iredale family in 1987, the pavilion's first floor theatre and function rooms were completely restored, the former cafeteria re-opened as Flippers Diner, and a fitness studio has replaced the old Neptune bar. Part of the ground floor remains as an amusement arcade, with a bar to the rear. Access to the surviving section of the pier neck is from the bar, and serves as a unique beer garden. A long hard fund raising campaign, started in 1999, recently secured sufficient money to extend Southwold Pier's neck to its former length. This was officially opened on 3rd July 2001. The T-shaped head has also been restored, and when the MV Balmoral pulled alongside in June 2002 it was the first ship to do so in nearly half a century. This has been a wonderful achievement by the Iredale family, and they thoroughly deserve all future success. 
http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/images/waltonPier.jpg
Walton-on-the-Naze Pier, Essex
  
Walton-on-the Naze is situated on the East Coast of Britain close to the better known resort of Clacton. The original pier of 1830 can boast to being one of the earliest such structures in the country. This 300ft (91m) wooden jetty, used solely for the landing of goods and passengers, was to survive some sixty years before being severely damaged in a storm. Walton-on-the-Naze along with other East Anglian resorts had become a popular destination for passengers travelling on the 'Belle' steamers running between London to Great Yarmouth. The Walton-on-the-Naze Hotel and Pier Company, who owned the now badly Walton-on-the-Naze Pier, rightly decided that a replacement should be built and a design by J Cochrane was accepted. The new 800ft (244m) Walton-on-the-Naze Pier opened in 1895. Successive extensions due to shoreline changes have increased the pier's overall length to 2,600ft (793m), making it the third longest pier in the country.
Along with other piers of considerable length it was important to move passengers and their luggage to the pier-head as comfortably and efficiently as technology would allow, especially in inclement weather. To this end a single-track electric tramway was installed along the pier deck. This tramway survived until 1935 when it was replaced by a rather unusual battery-powered carriage. Damaged in the fire of 1942 the battery carriage was eventually superseded by a diesel locomotive in 1948. Sadly, the railway service ceased operation in the 1970s. Along with other piers on the East Coast, storms in 1978-1979 were to cause considerable damage. At Walton-on-the-Naze massive waves battered the structure until eventually a 108ft (33m) section of the pier neck, collapsed into the sea.
Today, still owned by New Walton Pier Company who purchased it in 1937, Walton-on-the-Naze Pier plays host to a plethora of modern amusements and facilities that are all housed in an aircraft-hanger like building, at the shoreward end. Passing through the amusements the pier opens out into an uncluttered promenade, stretching as it did in its heyday towards the pier-head. Once here, Walton-on-the-Naze Pier becomes a favoured haunt of anglers. Walton-on-the-Naze Pier, like its neighbour Clacton Pier, may not be for the traditionalist, lacking the elegance and charm of a Victorian classic, but it still retains considerable entertainment appeal for the British tripper and, in the end, that is exactly what it was originally intended to do.
  THE COATS OF MANY COLOURS BEGAN IN SKEGNESS

ButlinsThe first Redcoat was Norman Bradford. When Sir Billy Butlin opened his first Butlins in Skegness he realised that the his guests were not engaging with activities in the way he had envisioned, most kept to themselves, and others look bored. He asked Norman (who was engaged as an engineer constructing the camp) to take on the duty of entertaining the guests which he did with a series of ice breakers and jokes. By the end of the night the camp was buzzing and the Butlins atmosphere was born.

The same night Butlin decided that for his camp to work he would require an army of people to carry out the same job as Norman, and the role of Redcoat was formed.
 

To make his new army to stand out, Butlin asked Norman to purchase a uniform. Norman later returned with a jacket in the camp colours of, blue, primrose yellow and white; however, Butlin found the look to be too authoritarian and decided they should wear red blazers with white lapels and the Redcoat uniform was born. The first uniforms were made by Billie Ditchfield who became one of the first two female Redcoats (the other was Kay Berry).

Over the years the uniform has changed several times, but has always retained the core component of a red blazer (despite a proposal to replace them with red jumpsuits in the 1970s). In the 1960s and 1970s, braid and badges were added to the blazers. Famous designers such as Jeff Banks and Zandra Rhodes have redesigned the uniforms. The current uniform, launched in January 2011 to mark Butlins 75th anniversary, is very similar to the original design consisting of Red Blazer with dark braiding and a badge with the letters "BHC" on (standing for "Butlins Holiday Camps") and white trousers or skirt. Redcoats have two uniforms, the traditional formal uniform (called their number one) and a new casual outfit (their number twos to match their additional role as children's entertainers.

Whilst Butlins remained the largest holiday camp chain in the UK, smaller camps copied the redcoat style of staffing, in the 1960s Fred Pontin adopted the Bluecoat to represent at Pontins holiday camps  and at some point Harry Warner decided Warners' holiday camps should adopt the Greencoat.
 The ITV series Redcoats (tv series) was a docusoap following the lives of Redcoats at Butlins Minehead and Bognor resorts. Over three series of 30-minute episodes, it shows the selection process, the Redcoats entertaining the visitors and life behind the scenes. The series was made by 

The BBC television series Hi-de-Hi! was written by former Butlins employees Jimmy Perry (a Redcoat) and David Croft (summer show actor)  featured the Yellowcoats as a fictional analogy in the fictional seaside town of Crimpton-on-Sea, Essex.. The title of the show "Hi-de-Hi" originated with Norman Bradford who claimed to have taken it from an American Film, he began using this as a cheer to which the audience spontaneously responded "Ho-de-Ho".
Another BBC television series, Doctor Who, featured an episode entitled Delta and the Bannermen, which was set in the fictitious Shangri-La holiday camp (in reality the Butlins camp at Barry Island) coming under alien attack. As with the real camp, Shangri-La was staffed with Redcoats played by extras

A number of entertainers have been Redcoats in the early stages of their careers. Becoming a Redcoat is seen as a way into show business, as it allows a performer to become established as a professional for the purposes of joining the Equity trade union which then allows the performer to work freely throughout the industry. In exceptional cases a Redcoat may even become notable whilst in the employment of Butlins Stephen Mulhern notably performed on the Royal Variety Performance in 1997 whilst still working as a Red coat,  and in the past notable singers have had chart hits Clinton Ford reached number 27 in 1959 with Old Shep just after completing his final summer season at Pwllheli, however prior to this in 1957 Russ Hamilton recorded a number 2 hit in  the UK "We Will Make Love" (held off the top spot by Elvis Presley and All Shook Up) shortly after this he recorded a number 4 hit in the U.S. Billboard with the song "Rainbow", all the time Russ continued to entertain Butlins guests – and it was Billy Butlin himself who asked Russ to record "We Will Make Love" for the benefit of Butlins guests.
Other artists have gone on to find success building on the skills they learned as a Redcoat such as Des O'Connor,Bill Maynard,  Jimmy Tarbuck,Sir Cliff Richard and Michael Barrymore.  The role is an important part of the entertainment and tourism culture of the United Kingdom and even today former redcoats are regularly identified in the press and in books by this role even though it may only have been a small part of their career.

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REMEMBER THE BBC's SEASIDE SPECIALS?
Seaside Special was a BBC light entertainment show broadcast from 1975. It was an outside broadcast filmed at a big top in a British seaside resort. Originally the big top belonged to various circuses (mainly Gerry Cottle's Circus), but in later seasons, the BBC bought its own to be the venue. The programme was developed by producer Michael Hurll.
It was essentially a variety show, hosted by Radio 1 and Radio 2 DJs, consisting of a music act, a comedy act, and dancers New Edition. The 1977 series featured a beauty competition.

Typical acts were Little and Large, Keith Harris and Orville, Lena Zavaroni, The Jimmy Brown Dancers, Bernie Clifton, Showaddywaddy, The Wurzels, Sacha Distel, Peters and Lee, Val Doonican, Ronnie Corbett, The Goodies and Nana Mouskouri. Some segments of the show were shot outside the big top, including one occasion when the Brotherhood of Man sang "My Sweet Rosalie" sitting in a particularly unstable looking lifeboat. The show's theme, "Summertime City", written and sung by Mike Batt, was a UK Top 10 hit in 1975.
PUNCH & JUDY SHOWS
There is a long tradition, in Britain, associating the Punch & Judy Show with The Seaside: coastal holiday resorts to which the whole population would flock during the Summer months. Greater affluence, easier global travel and more flexible holiday arrangements have decreased the popularity of the traditional seaside holiday and consequently it is much harder for a punchman to make an adequate living on these pitches, and the numbers of seaside professors are dwindling.
Prof. Jingles
Lowestoft
Prof. Jingles(Bryan Clarke) appeared at Lowestoft. Bryan is still active and is the leading maker of Punch & Judy puppets for professors who do not make their own.
on clacton beachon clacton beach on clacton beach
CLACTON

Peter and Miraiker Battey present Punch and Judy on the beach at Clacton through much of the summer each year. They can be contacted by telephone: 01473 831365 or visit their website

Nudist beaches in Eastern UK

Au Nature

Clacton, Essex - St Osyth -
Official Beach

Lowestoft, Suffolk

Gunton Sands (Corton Beach) -
Official Beach

Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk - Holkham Beach -
Official Beach

Camping Sites
Tent
Camping at Camelot ? Babs
Hatti
Excercise
Caravan & Camp Sites in Cheshire Caravan & Camp Sites in Cornwall Caravan & Camp Sites in Devon Caravan & Camp Sites in Dorset  Caravan & Camp Sites in Essex Caravan & Camp Sites in Hampshire Caravan & Camp Sites in Kent Caravan & Camp Sites in Lincolnshire Caravan & Camp Sites  in Norfolk
Caravan & Camp Sites  in Somerset
Caravan & Camp Sites  in Suffolk Caravan & Camp Sites in East Sussex Caravan & Camp Sites in West Sussex





THE RISE AND DECLINE OF SEASIDE BEAUTY CONTEST

In the years after World War 2, beauty contests were being introduced in a number of seaside resorts around Britain. Towns like Eastbourne, Weston-Super-Mare, Margate, Great Yarmouth, Cleethorpes and Skegness staged contests, but the main focus was always the Lancashire and North Wales coast: Rhyl, New Brighton, Southport, Blackpool, Fleetwood and Morecambe.  The Morecambe contest began, in the Summer of 1945, as the "Bathing Beauty Queen". It was organised by the local Council in partnership with the Sunday Dispatch. The first final was watched by 4 300 people in a continuous downpour and the winner was a civil service typist. According to the local paper, she received a cup, a "paltry prize" of seven guineas and a swim-suit. However, prize money soon increased to £100 in 1946 and £500 in 1947, and then to £1000 in the fifties. There was a period of disagreement with Mecca, the originators of Miss World, about whose competition should represent the nation in Miss World. This resulted in the Morecambe competition being called "Miss Great Britain" from 1956. The contests were a new kind of entertainment for the holiday-maker as the country moved on from the greyness and austerity of the war-years. Then, as later, the men would enjoy watching pretty girls, the women would enjoy picking their favourites (or commenting on the others) and the little girls would dream of being bathing beauties when they grew up. The entrants themselves had the promise of cash prizes, as well as possible fame and fortune, to follow.

Increasing prosperity meant that more and more families could take a fortnight's holiday on the coast and seaside towns were in competition for a growing market. Many seaside towns believed that beauty contests were important in gaining publicity for the town: in Morecambe, beauty contests were seen as second only to the Illuminations as the major tourist attraction

And the contests were popular. Fifteen thousand people were reported to have watched the first Miss New Brighton Final in 1949. The weekly heats, with the girls parading around the local swimming pool, would be watched by crowds of four or five thousand in the early years and they would often be judged by famous entertainers. Early judges of Miss Great Britain included actress Glynis Johns, comedian Bob Monkhouse, singer Guy Mitchell and Laurel and Hardy.

The Foreword to the official 1962 Miss Great Britain programme illustrates the importance of the contests to the seaside towns. It said that "when the Morecambe Corporation started the contest in 1945, they introduced to the attractions of the seaside holiday, a new form of entertainment which has now become a big part of Show Business. As the years go by, the size of our audiences shows no signs of diminishing, the standard of our beautiful competitors improves steadily and the Contest remains as popular as ever." And, indeed, newsreel films show audiences packed around swimming pools for the finals of the big contests.The 1950s and 1960s saw the hey-day of the sea-side beauty contest: these decades also saw the hey-day of the British sea-side holiday. 

    But, during the sixties, the British seaside holiday started to lose out to other types of holiday. The car was replacing the train as the main way of getting to holiday destinations, thus providing many families with a wider choice of places to visit. Air travel was becoming cheaper and some families could afford to go abroad for certain sun, rather than taking pot-luck in Southport or Scarborough.

The way society was changing could also be seen by the way the girls' names were changing. In the fifties, there were Normas, Irenes, Margarets and Maureens. In the sixties, they were being replaced by Judiths, Cheryls, Carols and Sheilas.

But the format - and the cliches - of the contests were well established: the lists of the girls' statistics and their occupations; the results in reverse order; mothers apparently entering their daughters without their knowledge; and the judges saying that they were looking for the "friendly, girl-next-door type". Usually over 20 contestants entered the heats. Their jobs were receptionists and models, secretaries and students, but around the pools they became the girls of summer. Some young women wanted to further their careers in fashion and beauty. Others wanted to take advantage of the difference offered by the seaside scene to show their glamour.

The falling popularity of seaside resorts was later mirrored by a fall in the popularity of beauty contests. In some ways, this was a contradiction since national and international contests were now being covered by television and, indeed, the Miss World contests had high audience figures in the seventies.

But, a combination of changes was taking place across the country. In relation to holidays, the British people were seeking more sophisticated ways of using their time off: the resorts were failing both to look after the seaside environment and to invest for the future. In a wider sense, the restrictions on women's lives were loosening and questions were being asked about what beauty contests represented: they started being seen as a symbol (or perhaps a scapegoat) of male society's view of women.

The eighties saw the ending of a number of seaside beauty contests. Some of the local councils which had started the contests after the War were now asking themselves whether these were events that they should be involved with. Rhyl and Great Yarmouth took decisions to finish their contests and some towns moved the contests from swimming-pools to other venues, often accompanied by a greater involvement from private sponsors and organisers. In Morecambe, the decade saw some people in the Council wanting to finish the contest, whilst those who wanted to continue the contest had problems with sponsors and broadcasters.

 This led to the Council deciding to finish the contest, then reviewing its decision, but eventually selling the title. Most dramatically, New Brighton finished its contest when the swimming pool was destroyed by winter gales.

The contests were becoming less acceptable and less popular as seaside entertainments. Once, they were a major part in publicising a seaside resort: now they were one of the minor attractions. However, there were still good-looking young women - now Debbies, Traceys, Clares and Joannes - interested in entering the contests, there were still mothers right there behind them and there were still enough people prepared to watch for a pleasant hour or two.

At the start of the nineties, only Southport, Blackpool and Fleetwood were staging traditional seaside beauty contests and that decade saw further decline. Fewer people were turning up to watch and fewer young women were entering the contests, better career opportunities than in the past sometimes meaning that fewer had the time to spend summer afternoons entering heats across the country. By the end of the nineties, only one seaside contest remained, Miss Wyre in dull and remote Fleetwood. Southport had ended its contest because it wanted to diversify its afternoon entertainment on the Prom in order to attract a wider audience and Blackpool's contest had changed from swim-wear in the afternoon on the North Pier into club-wear for the evening at a local night club.

The "film" of seaside holidays is a part of the memories of many British people and beauty contests contribute some of the scenes on that film. But times have changed. At the start of the new century, the seaside towns themselves are adapting to changes in the ways in which people use their holidays. Many seaside resorts are attempting to regenerate themselves, identifying their positive qualities and searching for new markets, whilst also appealing to tradition and heritage. Morecambe has had problems doing this, but Blackpool and Southport have been able to do this successfully and both were receiving major investment at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Indeed, in 2006, the locations on the Morecambe front which had hosted Miss Great Britain were either derelict or a fairground, although a refurbished Midland Hotel was opened in 2008. On the other hand, the Floral Hall Gardens, host to the Southport English Rose from the 70s to the 90s, were becoming the site of a new hotel (which appears to have been inspired by the Midland in Morecambe).

Beauty contests are unlikely to be a part of the new marketing strategy, in contrast to the fifties and sixties. However, the UK still has national and other beauty contests, including a re-vamped Miss Great Britain. Miss Blackpool has also had a "makeover" and has continued successfully in its new format for almost a decade. But, the only traditional seaside beauty contest to make it into the new century was Miss Wyre: it finished in 2002.



BATHING MACHINES

Beach huts may look pretty humble but their story is closely bound up with the history of the seaside resort, going back more than 250 years.  In the nineteenth century no trip to the seaside was complete without a dip in the sea from a bathing machine. These vehicles looked like beach huts on wheels and they could be hired for half hour periods.

Patrons would get in at the top of the beach, change out of their normal clothes as a horse pulled them towards the seas, then step directly into the water from the front of the machine. For more than 150 years this was how most bathers experienced the sea. Queen Victoria even had her own personal bathing machine built at Osbourne on the Isle of Wight.

But bathing machines were not invented by the Victorians. By the time Victoria came to the throne in 1837, bathing machines had already become an established feature of any would-be seaside resort. A whole century earlier, mobile changing rooms were in use at Scarborough, the world’s first seaside resort located on the east Yorkshire coast. These simple vehicles, designed for the use of the wealthy but infirm, were evidence of a radical new fascination with the sea. Before this, no one but fishermen and smugglers used the beach. Then doctors began to prescribe the cold sea bath as the latest ‘cure-all’ remedy, the sick went to the coast to be treated and took their families with them. These people needed accommodation and entertainments so the modern concept of the seaside was born.

It wasn’t long after this that the bathing ‘machine’ was invented to offer greater privacy to those taking a therapeutic dip. In its original form this horse drawn carriage featured an enclosed room with a collapsible hood at the seaward end to shield patients as they were submitted naked to the waves by burly attendants called dippers
 In 1789 George III gave royal approval to the new fashion when he took a medicinal bath at Weymouth to the musical accompaniment of ‘God Save the King.
 
’The bathing machine, or van, was a necessary component of sea-side etiquette in the 19th century. Bathing machines were most common at the sea-side resorts of Great Britain but were also used at beaches in the United States, France and Germany. The use of this device was more strictly enforced for women who had to endure a variety of discomforts which far outweighed any possible compensation of a day at the sea. 

The men had the best of it; they were allowed to bathe in drawers, and could plunge off one of the small boats that often patrolled along the front of the beach. Meanwhile, the vans and bathing-places for women were set far apart from those reserved for men, to guarantee that the modest woman in her bathing costume would not be seen by the opposite sex.  Nevertheless, they often were still open to the gaze of spectators on the beach, who were usually not fenced off from the female bathers.

 The contents of the bathing machine consisted of a bench, a damp flannel gown, and two towels. The only light was from an unglazed opening in the roof; there was no mirror, and no fresh-water. The bathing machine was wheeled or slid down into the water; some were pulled in and out of the surf by a pair of horses with a driver and others by human power.

The bather then entered the surf by the front door, descending by another step-ladder like the one behind; and if she could not swim, the portly and sunburned attendant encircled the bather’s waist with a strong cord, attaching the shore end to the van. beach  This precaution was very necessary at the British seaside, for often the slope of the beach was precipitous, and the water broke upon it with a sudden and vindictive force which often knocked down those who were weak. She, who fifteen minutes earlier had a smiling face with silken hair woven into obedient folds, stands in a line with half a dozen or more other bathers, each tied to a van.

The shapeless bathing dress that covered her is all bedraggled; her hair is tangled and matted.  In the spirit of the moment, she dashes handfuls of water into her face, and paddles with her feet; and all the time she is preoccupied and fearful lest one of the violent waves should catch her unawares. When she has splashed for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour, and is unspeakably disheveled, the bathing-woman hauls her in; thus completing her sea-side experience.   They started disappearing in the early 1900s, after too many beachgoers confused them for poorly equipped public toilets.
 





Since Seasides have become popular an integral part has been the Ice-Cream.
Should there be a summer this year, ice-cream is what you’ll be wanting. Heaps of it: cool smooth gleaming mounds of fresh fruit, chocolate, caramel, pistachios, coffee, vanilla beans stirred into thick cream, frozen and then dished up in glass bowls as the sun beats down and the children splash about on blue-flag beaches. Yes, well… You can eat it in the rain, too.   The trouble is not the weather, but the difficulty in finding a decent source of ice-cream in this country. As everyone knows, the Italians invented the idea in the 14th century; Catherine de Medici served it at court in 1533; the French waited another 100 years, and then decided they preferred sorbets, and the English finally got it in 1671, when 'one plate of ice-cream’ turned up at a Windsor banquet. Royalty loves a good ice-cream which perhaps explains its enduring popularity in Britain, though you still have to go to Italy to find the real thing (or treat yourself and head toa wonderful ice cream parlour. We have picked some of them below:

 SOME OF THE FINEST ICE CREAM PARLOURS


Morelli’s Gelato Limited, 14 Victoria Parade, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 1QS
Tel: +33 (0)493 96 42 15    www.morellisgelato.com

The Morelis  family had originated from Italy before moving to Britain in1907. Company founder Giusseppe had worked with and for Escoffier before opening his first ice-cream parlour in Broadstairs, kent in 1932. The site is still one of the most popular ice-cream parlours in Britain and I for one can see why.
Stepping through the doors into the pale pink and blue parlour with white wicker chairs, jukebox to your right and soda fountain to your left, is like stepping onto the film-set of Grease! I half expected to see John Travolta or Olivia Newton John bopping around. The smell of sugar fills your nose as your eyes are drawn to the pastel colours of the luscious ice-creams rippling in their tubs behind the forbidden glass of the chiller cabinet. Despite the freezing rain outside everyone around us was tucking into mountains of rich, creamy ice cream drizzled with various sauces or covered with the kind of neon sweets I remember as a child.
Bill's Minghella's Ice Cream Van,
                                Brading Down's, Isle of Wight - BradingBill Jackson's van/Minghella's ice-cream,
Isle of Wight


Neatly suited, with a folded, gravy-brown tie, Bill Jackson has been serving Minghella's ice-cream cornets for the past 30 years from his 1960s ice-cream van at the top of Brading Down, which has panoramic views of the island .

Their ice-cream is wholesome and clean-tasting, and made using milk and cream from local farms. I sought it out again when they opened a fantastic parlour at Fortnum & Mason's in London. Here you can find flavours that use Fortnum's own produce for ingredients; like stem ginger and borage honey. Bill's van has the edge though on a warm day, with its view across the chalk grassland to the sea.
• Minghella's (minghella.co.uk) is sold all over the island
 Towpath, Regents Canal, Dalston,
                              LondonTowpath Cafe, Regent's Canal, London
Towpath, Regents Canal,  42 De Beauvoir Crescent N1 5SB Tel: 020 7254 7606 
This is the kind of cafe you might count yourself lucky to come across on holiday – except it's in Dalston, east London. Original, charming and serving delicious plates of hot food all day long, it has got even better thanks to the recent acquisition of a brand new Electro Freeze soft serve machine. Their inspired chef Laura Jackson now makes daily batches of lemon- and orange-peel-flavoured Mister Whippy-style ice-cream. All are made from natural ingredients and modestly priced, too (£1.50 for a small cone) You can also buy one in a glass with a shot of espresso poured over the top. Last time I was there I had three.
• Between Whitmore Bridge and Kingsland Road Bridge
Pelosi's, Ramsgate
  76  Harbour Parade,
Ramsgate Kent CT11 8LP
01843 593 585
While the admittedly wonderful Morelli's in Broadstairs basks in the limelight, Pelosi's hovers in the background like a shy little sister. But don't overlook its less brash charms: Pelosi's is, in its understated way, a stunner: green vitrolite walls with curved mirrors, Germolene-pink chairs and ice-cream a go-go. For me, the quality of that ice-cream can outshine its flashier Broadstairs neighbour. It's somehow lighter, with brighter flavours: the pink grapefruit could wake up the doziest palate. And there's exotica like pomegranate or pistachio – a duo designed to match the pastel colour scheme. "Established 1945" it says on the sign. Long may they continue.
 
Taywell farm shop, Goudhurst, Kent

As a family, we love visiting and gorging ourselves on the delicious ice-creams at this shop, housed in a rustic building in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The ice-creams are textured and wholesome, using local fruits from founder Alastair's acres of raspberries, blueberries and cherries, as well as Belgian chocolate and other good-quality ingredients. I have a particular penchant for the "naughty" ones – pecan and maple syrup, plum crumble and rocky road, that sort of thing – whereas my wife usually goes for something healthier like the sea buckthorn and pear juice cocktail (the sea buckthorn is one of the UK's greatest superfruits – each tiny berry has the same vitamin C content as eight oranges). The shop also stocks some great local produce – there are always nice cheeses and jams, as well as a few interesting bottles of wine.
• Cranbrook Road, Goudhurst (01580 211881, taywellfarmshop.co.uk). Taywell ice-creams are on sale at Mount Street Deli, Mayfair, London
Tim Hughes, group chef director, Caprice Holdings
 
Tall Ships Creamery,
Charlestown, Cornwall

I was not good at hiding my disappointment after eating too many slimy, gungey and over-sweet ice-creams over a recent weekend in Cornwall. Then we discovered that the quaint and rather odd sweet shop in the middle of the harbour in the seaside village where we were camping actually stocked the real deal – bright-tasting, homemade jersey ice-creams, obviously made with love and skill. Ices are made in small batches just a mile away, and sold uniquely here. You can find a delicious, natural soft-serve from rich creamy milk. A cup of this alongside their dewdrop-fresh strawberry sorbet, after a day on the beach under a Cornish blue sky, equals complete happiness.
• 01726 65444
 
marine icesMarine Ices
8 Haverstock Hill, Belsize Park
London, NW3 2BL
Tel: 020 7482 9000

Stop press! Ice-cream lovers can sleep easy once more. Following widespread reports earlier in 2013 that iconic ice-cream parlour Marine Ices in Chalk Farm was about to close after a takeover by the Italian restaurant chain Ponti’s, we spoke to Paul Myatt, the managing director of the gelateria, who put us straight. ‘Ponti’s haven’t bought anything. They now rent and run the restaurant space from us. Since last May (2012), the ice-cream has been produced by Criterion Ices from their farm in Suffolk, but the quality is so good, most customers have not even noticed the change. They are continuing to serve up the original recipes that were developed by Gaetano Mansi [the founder of the business] years ago.’  Myatt said the name will remain unchanged and forwarded us a letter from Dante Mansi, grandson of Gaetano, who wrote: ‘With regard to Ponti’s, they have simply taken over the restaurant at Chalk Farm and will still be selling Marine Ices there as it has been for the last 82 years, along with their own food offering, as they wanted a presence in north London, and we as a family were ready to retire from the restaurant business.’  The restaurant can trace its roots back to Geatano Mansi who arrived in England in 1898 at the tender age of twelve, from Ravello on Italy’s Amalfi coast. In 1931, he started a small shop at No.8 Haverstock Hill in Chalk Farm, making ice-creams and sorbets. In 1947, the place was given the name Marine Ices and remodelled to resemble a ship. Thankfully, the story of Marine Ices' sudden demise looks to be nothing more than a storm in an ice-cream cone.
But if you just want to enjoy your Ice-Cream we have listed many of the makes available at the seaside in Mercia and Wessex below. Have a scrumptuous time!


ICE CREAM MANUFACTURERS

Alder Tree Ltd

 Alder Tree is a family-owned, farm-based business that makes award-winning Fruit Cream Ices. So What is Fruit Cream Ice?   Think about a fresh fusion of the finest ever fruity sorbet you can imagine, and the rich, full-bodied creaminess of real ice cream.   Each fruit flavoured Alder Tree tub is so packed with sumptuous locally-picked fruit (36%), that technically theres not quite enough space left for the amount of milk and cream required to be acknowledged legally as a bona-fide ice cream.  Fortunately at Alder Tree we choose not to be weighed down by traditional 'ice-cream' tags because our priority has always been to stay true to the local countryside, combining top-notch natural ingredients and deep-rooted environmental integrity to create the finest fruit cream ices imaginable.  Alder Tree Ltd
Alder Carr Farm
Needham Market
Ipswich, Suffolk
IP6 8LX
tel: 01449 721220
email: info@alder-tree.co.uk
   
Antonelli Brothers  Manufacturers of ice cream cones and wafers
The UK's leading specialist in ice-cream cone production. The products supplied to customers today are increasingly varied, as consumers demand more choice, innovation and better value.
Antonelli Bros Ltd
The Bakery Weymouth Road,
Eccles, Manchester M30 8FB. UK

Website: www.antonelli.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)161 789 4485
Fax: +44 (0)161 789 5592

Email: info@antonelli.co.uk
   

Artisan Foods  Beckleberry's fresh cream ice cream and hand-made patisserie
We have a passion for handcrafting the finest desserts.  We make ice creams using fresh cream and whole milk, along with specially sourced additions such as Belgian couverture in the chocolate ice creams and our own handmade made praline. Our desserts are all handmade using simple, natural ingredients. This combined with our artisan skills ensures our products are in a class of their own.Our size and expertise allows us to be flexible with the products we can provide. We have made a number of bespoke ice cream flavours such as balsamic vinegar, brown ale, liquorice & toffee and parsnip. The only limit is imagination!
In 2002, we entered the Great Taste Awards - the fine food Oscars. Our products have since won 40 plus awards in the patisserie, sorbet and ice cream categories. In 2008 we were voted Supreme Champion for our Blackcurrant & Kirsch sorbet.

Artisan Foods, Cowen Road, Blaydon, Tyne & Wear, NE21 5TW
 Tel: 0191 414 1180

   

Askeys


  Ice cream cones, wafers and fans for retail and foodservice
Askeys have been operating in the ice cream accompaniments market since 1910. Our heritage and dedication to this market helps to ensure that Askeys is perfectly placed to understand the needs of today's foodservice, catering and ice-cream trade outlets.  Askeys was founded nearly 100 years ago when Laurens Tedeschi set up the business in Kensal Road, London and brought the ice cream cornet to the UK! Now we produce millions of wafers and cones every year, in all shapes and sizes to suit all occasions. Our cones are of exceptional quality, ideal for ice cream parlours, ice cream vans, the leisure industry and outside caterers.
In the decades that Askeys have been operating we have expanded to include the Occasions range:- a wide range of luxury fans, curls and a selection of dessert baskets for an indulgent after dinner experience. Our excellent range of Treat! topping sauces compliment any dessert and Crackin'! sets hard on ice cream. We also produce a range of crumb products, which are widely used by caterers and other food manufacturers as toppings, or as ingredients for cakes and biscuits. As well as growing as a business in its own right, Askeys was acquired by The Silver Spoon Company in 2004 and operates alongside a number of well known brands – Crusha Milkshakes, Allinsons Flour, Billingtons and of course Silver Spoon sugar. We pride ourselves on our high quality food production facilities and quality control procedures. We are committed to customers in foodservice markets, the catering industry and in the ice-cream trade. As an expanding business we are dedicated to exploring new markets, expanding existing ones and new product development.
Askeys
The Silver Spoon Company
Sugar Way
Peterborough
PE2 9AY


infoaskeys@askeys.co.uk
   

Beanies Health Foods

  Dairy-free Rice Cream 23, Brunel Way,
Segensworth East Industrial Estate,
Fareham,
Hants,
PO15 5SD 
Tel :     (01489) 574593
Fax:     (01489) 582003

   

Beechdean Ice Cream


 Farmhouse ice cream
Since 1989 Beechdean Dairies have been producing high quality Dairy Ice Cream which is supplied to a number of specialist retail outlets and high profile venues around the country, and are now one of the UK’s leading Ice Cream manufacturers. Beechdean are passionate about their product and pledge to make the highest quality ice cream and provide excellent service and support, whilst being committed to the welfare of the beautiful Jersey cows.

Beechdean Dairies. Old House Farm Speen Rd, North Dean, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 4NL. Tel: 01494 563980.
   

Ben & Jerry's Homemade


  Back in ’66, in a school gym class, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield were brought together by a special bond...they both hated running but loved food. Years later in ’78, Ben had been fired from a series of McJobs while Jerry had failed for the second time to get into medical school. So, armed with a $5 correspondence course in ice cream making, they opened their very first scoop shop in a dilapidated gas station in downtown Burlington, Vermont. They soon became popular in the local community for the finest ice cream. Ben had no sense of taste so he relied on what he called ‘mouth feel’, so big chunks of chocolate, fruit and nut became their signature. While they disagreed at times over the chunk size, they did agree that they wanted to enjoy themselves – as Jerry put it ‘if it’s not fun, why do it?’.
In the early days the boys were pretty bad at book-keeping. After two months they closed the store and hung a sign that said ‘we’re closed to figure out whether we’re making any money’. And they weren’t. But they learned a lot and by 1979, began wholesaling pints of ice cream out of Ben’s VW campervan. The rest, as they say, is history.
Ben & Jerry's
Cone Home

Freepost ADM3940
London
SW1A 1YR

Tel: 0800 1696 123
   

Bennetts Farms


 Ice creams and sorbets from the farm
Just as it should be "made on the farm" from Milk supplied by our own Dairy herd "fresh double cream from a local independent dairy" and using only the best natural ingredients.  We milk our cows twice a day and we will use this milk to make our ice cream within 24 hours. It is then packed by hand the next day.
The combination of fresh milk and fresh cream makes ours a delicious ice cream so much so that we have not altered our recipe for 30 years.  Uniquely a different member of the family is involved in the production of the milk, the making of the ice cream and finally in the distribution. Our ice cream is available in retail stores in our one litre and 120ml packs. We also supply ice cream parlours, restaurants and hotels in larger sizes
MANOR FARM, LOWER WICK, WORCESTER WR2 4BT.
Telephone 01905 748150 Fax 01905 748106
Email: sales@bennettsfoods.co.uk
   
Bradwells Dairy Ice Cream


 Farmhouse ice cream from the Peak District
Bradwell’s Dairy Ice Cream has been lovingly made in the little village of Bradwell in the Peak District, Derbyshire for over 100 years. Grandma Hannah founded Bradwell’s, locally producing her legendary recipes by hand, in her front parlour and sold her ice cream across the Peak District and Sheffield. Hannah’s recipes were passed on to her grandson Noel Bradwell who, over the years, continued to develop her recipes until 1992 when Lawrence Wosskow invested in the family business.  You can buy our ice cream at all the major supermarkets such as Tesco’s, as well as shopping centres including, The Trafford Centre, as well as local and regional deli’s, cafes, shops and restaurants.
Bradwells Dairy Ice Cream Ltd, Wortley Court, Bradwell, Hope Valley S33 9LB
Tel: 01433 620536
Fax     01433 621646
Email     info@bradwells.co.uk
   
Brookes Wye Valley Dairy Co  Welsh ice cream
Brookes dairy rests in the rural heart of the the Wye Valley. The family have been making ice cream on their farm for over two generations. They aim to produce an artisan ice cream sourcing natural ingredients to compliment the double cream and fresh milk from their pedigree Jersey cows. Brookes ice cream is perfect as a delicious dessert or as a tasty treat. No artificial colouring or preservatives - just rich double cream and the best natural flavours blended to produce the unforgettable taste of home made ice cream. At Brookes, we pride ourselves on the personal service we offer our customers.
 Brookes Wye Valley
Dairy Company Ltd
Panta Farm
Devauden
Chepstow
Monmouthshire
NP16 6PS

Tel:  01291 650 786
Fax: 01291 650 400
   
Brymor Dairy Ice Cream  Ice cream, sorbet and diabetic ice cream
 Located deep in the Yorkshire Dales down at High Jervaulx Farm, Brymor’s delicious ice cream is produced using only milk from the herd of pedigree Guernsey cows that graze the lush pastures. High Jervaulx Farm is one of Britain's few genuine on farm manufactures where milk produced only on the farm is used in the production of the ice cream. Our parlour sells over 35 flavours of ice cream and sorbets for cones and sundaes as well as ice cream gateaux’s. What’s more, there's no need to travel all the way to the West Country to enjoy clotted cream. You can get the real thing right here in Yorkshire at High Jervaulx!  If you're looking for something to take home, gold top milk , double cream, clotted cream and cartons of ice cream (which can be wrapped to keep cool for to 2 hours) are on sale. Also ice cream cakes for all occasions can be decorated to order.  High Jervaulx is located in Wensleydale near to Jervaulx Abbey between Wensleydale and Middleham.
Brymor
A.B. Moore Farmers Ltd
High Jervaulx Farm
Masham
HG4 4PG

Tel: 01677 460337
       01677 460377 (After Hours Answering Service)
Fax: 01677 460345
 
 

Callestick Farm



 Cornish ice cream
Here at Callestick Farm, we take our own pure, wholesome milk, local cream and the finest fruits and confectionery. Then we add a touch of Callestick magic to create flavour upon flavour of dreamy, ice creamy indulgence. Our farm is located in the heart of Cornwall, only minutes from the North coast where the air is clean and the grass is green. Our cows roam the pastures during the summer months and shelter inside when the weather is gloomy. The farm has been run by us (the Parker family) for many generations and we have been making our award-winning ice cream for 20 years. Our ice cream is completely natural; none of the rich dairy goodness is removed and nothing artificial is added.
Callestick Farm • Callestick • Truro • Cornwall TR4 9LL
tel: 01872 573126 • fax:01872 571450 • email: info@callestickfarm.co.uk
   
Caroline's Dairy


 Award winning ice cream made on the farm in West Sussex
Since my dream came true and I started making ice cream in 2008 we have come a long way.  We have a fantastic customer base from local pubs, restaurants, farm and village shops to travelling further to supply The South East National Trust and British Airways.We have grown substantially over the past four years but we still make the ice cream in exactly the same way and only use the milk that we produce on our farm.  That’s what makes our ice cream taste like no other.  See our blog where we will be keeping you up to date with all that is going on with our ice cream and also what is happening on the farm.  Keep watching we are always busy…
Chalder Farm
Sidlesham, Chichester
West Sussex
PO20 7RN
Tel: 01243 641001
   

Cream O Galloway  Ice cream from the Scottish borders
The best things in life are usually the simplest, which is why the pure, natural and simple ingredients of Cream o’ Galloway ice cream make it so deliciously tasty. Creating and perfecting our recipes is a serious pleasure.  When we started making ice cream in the early 1990s we made a decision only ever to use high quality natural ingredients.  No gums, artificial flavourings or colourings, just simple, straightforward ingredients, the kind of things you’d find in your kitchen cupboard at home. The result is a range of rich, creamy, luxurious ice creams made with our own organic milk and bursting with flavour.  Cream o’ Galloway is now one of the UK’s leading artisan ice cream makers and indulgent flavours such as Caramel Shortbread and Chocolate to Die For are stocked in shops across Scotland and are deliciously addictive. 

Cream o Galloway, Rainton, Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas, DG7 2DR,
  t: 01557 814 040 e:
info@creamogalloway.co.uk
   

Criminisi Ice Cream Limited


 Manufacturers of soft mix ice cream for the midlands and Warwickshire
 Criminisi Ice Cream Limited has been servicing ice cream vendors since 1967 with our own brand of quality soft ice mixes and an extensive range of popular vending products for the ice cream mobiler caterer, parks and ice cream retailers in the Midlands and Warwickshire. We have our own purpose built soft ice cream manufacturering and cold storage facility based in Coventry which always carries 1000’s of stock items, so rest assured when the hot weather comes you won’t be left hot under the collar chasing for stock, We carry all Nestle, Treats, Mars, Wall’s, and Franco products and offer a same day delivery service in all areas of the Midlands and Warwickshire.

CRIMINISI ICE CREAM LIMITED Jackson Court : Jackson Road : Holbrooks : Coventry CV6 4BT
 T: 024 7658 1398

   

Fredricks Diaries  Cadbury and Del Monte branded ice cream.  This is not Ice Cream, this is an Adventure
Our business is in a constant state of flux: reinventing and remoulding ourselves for the next challenge, hungry for new ideas and opportunities. To this end we scour the globe looking for the latest ideas and trends and have established an Innovation Exchange where we can share our thinking with our brand and retail partners. Ice cream is one of the world’s greatest socialising agents but an exciting product has been strangled by drab merchandising and a poverty of imagination. With the Innovation Exchange, Fredericks presents a new cool-age – a world of unexplored opportunities where you can liberate yourself from ordinary ice cream.

Prospect Place
East Pimbo
Skelmersdale
Lancashire
WN8 9QD
T: +44 (0) 1695 713 900
F: +44 (0) 1695 713 901
E: info@fredericksdairies.com
Client line: +44 (0) 845 606 7676

   

Greco Brothers Ltd  Make ice cream, cornets and wafers for retailers and wholesalers
Bakers of high quality ice cream cones and wafers since 1924. Welcome to Greco Brothers. Our family run business has been serving the wholesale and retail ice cream industry for generations. Since the very beginning we have gained a reputation not only for our top quality products but also for our personal and most reliable service; just ask any of our valued customers throughout the UK and abroad. We invite you to take a look at our diverse range of ice cream cones and wafer products. With such a large variety we are sure there will be something to complement and enhance your ice cream.
Greco Brothers,
5 Greta Street,
Middlesbrough,
 TS1 5QS.
 Contact us with any
questions, or please call:
Tel: +44 (0)1642 242546
Fax: +44 (0)1642 240936
   

Häagen-Dazs


 Ice Cream
Since 1961 Häagen-Dazs has been synonymous with the finest, hand-selected ingredients and superior quality. Our passion for your pleasure is at the very heart of the Häagen-Dazs philosophy.  We’ve selected the perfect ingredients to craft a taste sensation that is unmistakably Häagen-Dazs. With up to 24 delicious flavours to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice. It’s unadulterated ice cream bliss.
Retail Shops
14 Leicester Square, London,W1

&
Unit L002, Bluewater Shopping Centre
Bluewater, Greenhithe

020 7287 9577
Phone: +44 (0) 800 125556
   

Joe's Ice Cream  Ice Cream from Wales
Back in 1898, Luigi Cascarini came over to Swansea from the Abruzzi Mountains in Italy. In the midst of the industrial era, Mr. Cascarini was shocked to find that there were no cafes open to accommodate the early workers of the Swansea valley. So Luigi decided to open up a workers haven where he would serve them rich roast coffee from the crack of dawn until the darkness of the night. He worked every hour of the day making his cafe such a sucess that soon he opened another...and.... another...and another. Before long, Luigi had opened a chain of cafes that his children ran with him.  When his eldest son, Joe, was old enough he brought him over to Wales from Italy and Joe ran the cafe at 85 St. Helen’s Road. As a passionate ice cream lover, Joe Cascarini sought to add a truly Italian flair to the Welsh cafes, so following a secret recipe from his home in Italy, he sourced the finest ingredients in Wales and introduced to Swansea the most unique tasting, luxury, Italian ice cream.  Joe's sacred recipe remains unchanged and safe in the heart of his family who make the same ice cream almost a century on. Using select ingredients of the highest quality, Joe’s remains an ice cream of finesse. We experiment with our aromas, offering a blend of Welsh and Italian fancy flavours to our loyal Joe's following, but our ingredients will always retain the Joe's stamp of quality. That’s what makes Joe’s ice cream JOE’S. After all...Everything else is just ice cream!
Where the magic happens!

Units 1 - 5 Clarion Court
Llansamlet
Enterprise Park
Swansea
Wales
SA6 8RF
Tel: 01792 702265
   

Kelly's of Cornwall


 Ice cream including Cornish clotted cream ice cream
At Kelly’s we’re passionate about the quality of our ingredients. That’s why we only use milk from top Cornish farms which helps to support local farmers and ensure that you can enjoy the finest quality clotted cream ice cream, either out and about or from the comfort of your own home.

Kelly’s of Cornwall Ltd.
Lucknow Road
Walker Lines Estate
Bodmin
Cornwall PL31 1EZ

Tel: 01208 77277Email: enquiries@kellysofcornwall.co.uk

   
La Maison Des Sorbets


 Up-market sorbets, ice creams and savoury starters
La Maison is a London (UK) based manufacturer and supplier of award winning, premium quality, handmade frozen desserts including ice cream, sorbets, patisserie and puddings supplied to:
    Hotels     Restaurants     Caterers     Hospitality     Airlines     Wholesalers & Distributors     Retailers
Using the highest quality natural ingredients La Maison produce over 100 premium quality frozen desserts 'handmade by chefs for chefs' at their SALSA (Safe And Local Supplier Approval) certified premises.  A bespoke product service is offered to those who wish to ‘create’ unique products for their discerning clientele. Quality of product and quality of service, La Maison is dedicated to providing total customer satisfaction.
La Maison des Sorbets Foods Ltd
9 Gateway Industrial Estate
Hythe Road
London
NW10 6RJ
Tel : +44 (0) 20 8968 0707
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8960 1332
   
Langage Farm


 Ice cream frozen yogurts and sorbets
Hello, my name is Mabel and I speak on behalf of all the ladies by saying welcome to Langage Farm. You can find out all about our lovely Devonshire ice cream, clotted cream, creme fraiche, soft & cottage cheese and frozen yogurts to mention just a few. Must be mooooving...  I‘m here to tell you about the history of Langage Farm. Well, it’s actually mentioned in the Domesday book and has remained a working farmstead for over 900 years. However, in 1980 the Harvey family started to produce clotted cream for a local shop and that’s where it started.Today the company employs nearly 50 people and I am part of a herd of over 250 Jersey and Guernsey cows.  Together we produce cream and ice cream and yogurts
Higher Challonsleigh
Smithaleigh
Plymouth
Devon
United Kingdom
PL7 5AY
Tel:  01752 337723
Fax:  01752 339712



Lovington's Ice Cream



You’ll love the taste of Lovington’s. Here at Lovington’s we are passionate about making traditional ice creams and fruit sorbets. Hand-mixed at our dairy in Somerset, we use only the finest ingredients which are skilfully blended to create a range of pure, delicious and natural ice creams and real fruit sorbets.
Lovington’s Ice Cream Ltd
The Dairy
Lovington
Castle Cary
Somerset BA7 7PP

  Tel 01963 240 262
Fax 01963 240 658
Email us
icecream@lovingtons.co.uk

   

Mackies Ice Cream  Scottish ice cream
We began making ice cream on our farm in Aberdeenshire in 1986.  Now 70 staff and 500 cows work in a 'sky to scoop'  design chain. Our wind turbines generate power, we grow crops to feed the cows to produce the fresh milk and cream we need to make ice cream. The Mackie family have been farming at Westertown farm since the turn of the century. Mackie’s were formerly a milk retail company and in 1986 a small investment in a real dairy ice cream manufacturing capability was made, to use the cream surplus arising from a market shift to semi-skimmed milk.By 1993, the ice cream sales had increased to a turnover of £2.5 million and the traditional byre and old mill were converted to a modern ice cream dairy.
In 1996 the New Product Development Kitchen was added. 1997 was the year of first achievement of Investor’s in People accreditation.In 2000, the farms were consolidated to the current home farm base of 1800 acres and in 2001 farm activity included replacement of the plough with “minimal till” machinery and work to install a new cow friendly automatic milking system began. Mackie’s have Europe’s largest voluntary access milking centre with 8 robots . 2002 saw first export of Mackie’s ice cream to South Korea. Diversification and use of the farm spring water led to launch of Mackie’s Icy Glen Ice Cubes in 2004, rebranded as MACKICE in 2009. In 2006 production machinery was added to raise capacity in the ice cream dairy to 6,000 litres per hour and up to 15 million litres per year.  In 2005 Mackie’s became electricity generators with investment in their first wind turbine, and two more were added in 2007 to bring total capacity to 2.5 MW. After many years of planning and establishment growth, our farm arboretum was planted out by Halldis Mackie in 2009.
 Mackie’s of Scotland
Westertown
Rothienorman
Aberdeenshire
AB51 8US

t: 01467 671466
   
Marcantonio


 Ice cream cones, wafers and toppings
     Sharing your passion for everything Ice Cream
Here at Marcantonio Foods we are passionate about Ice Cream, and take pride in offering our customers everything they need to produce Ice Cream and Sorbets of the highest quality and to present them with flair and innovation. In over a century of service to the Ice Cream Industry, Marcantonio has become the byword for quality, integrity and commitment to excellence. We have been the first to introduce many new concepts for Ice Cream including Italian Flavour Pastes, Decorative Wafers, Edible Decorations, Hand Made Italian Glassware and Point of Sale Items. We have also introduced Cartoprint Paper Tubs to compliment our existing range of Plastic Packaging.    Our Factory, Warehouses and Offices are situated just outside London in Barking, Essex, where we employ more than 50 people. Everything we produce is manufactured to the highest quality and we have consistently maintained the BRC Standard for the production of Cones and Wafers.  We deliver with care throughout the UK, primarily with our own dedicated fleet of vehicles. Our client base includes Ice Cream Manufacturers and Retailers, Patisseries, Bakers, Restaurants, Food Service Wholesalers and Retail Chains.   
Marcantonio Foods Limited
18-22 Thames Road
Barking
Essex
IG11 0HZ

Telephone
+44 (0)20 8591 3399
Fax
+44 (0)20 8507 0409

   

Mars  Confectionery, soft drinks and ice cream
Mars, Snickers, Twix and Bounty Ice Creams

   

Marshfield Farm Ice Cream


 Sorbets and naturally flavoured ice cream made on the farm from organic milk
Our award-winning premium dairy ice creams and sorbets are all made on our organic dairy farm. With no less than 25 real dairy ice cream flavours and 6 delicious sorbet flavours – from full-on chocolate and fudge, to fresh and fruity numbers – you’re bound to find a flavour that hits the spot!
    We’re not just a brand. Our ice creams and sorbets are made on a working family farm in The Cotswolds. Every process from cow through to cone is carried out on the farm itself – that’s something very few other ice cream companies can say. We have been making gorgeous dairy ice creams for 25 years so we know a thing or two about what makes a great tasting flavour. We produce 28 flavours of ice cream and six flavours of sorbet.      Our farm is fully organic and we are Soil Association approved. This means we adhere to strict environmental and sustainability guidelines. We endeavour to be as self-sufficient as possible. Take a look at some of the green measures we’ve adopted on the farm by clicking here.     60% of every tub is made up of super fresh organic milk produced on our farm. We have our own herd of 300 Friesian cows thatare milked twice every day, 365 days of the year. The milking parlour is just metres across the farmyard from the ice creamery – so the end product couldn’t be much fresher! You won’t find any skimmed milk powder that some other ice creams use!     We select our ingredients carefully and locally. 75% of our ingredients are within a 50 mile radius of the farm. For instance our strawberries and blackcurrants are from the Vale of Evesham and our brownie pieces are from Marshfield Bakery just down the road.     Every ingredient in our ice creams and sorbets is natural. We use real vanilla, real fruits and proper chocolate. You won’t find any artificial flavourings, colourings or preservatives in our products. We don’t use any vegetable fats, trans-fats, water, hydrogenated palm oil or huge amounts of air that other brands use.     All our products are suitable for vegetarians. Most are gluten free and all are GM free.

Marshfield Farm Ice Cream
Marshfield Farm
Marshfield
Nr Bath
SN14 8LE
Tel: 01225 891 221
Fax: 01225 891 906
dawn@marshfield-icecream.co.uk

 
 

Minghella Ice Cream


 Our local family business has been producing the Isle of Wight's most popular ice cream and sorbet for over 60 years and we are still continuing to introduce new luxury flavours into our award winning ice creams.  We pride ourselves on the careful balance of the finest ingredients to bring all customers the freshest premium taste throughout the 200+ flavours in our extensive range. Luxury Ice cream made in the Isle of Wight
High Street, Wootton, Isle of Wight PO33 4PL
Tel: 01983 883545
Email: icecream@minghella.co.uk
   

Minimelts  Cryogenically frozen ice cream which locks in the flavour
 Mini Melts is manufactured across the world using specialized high tech equipment. Our equipment are manufactured by our experts in the United Kingdom and Canada.The finest quality of ingredients and a butter-fat content of 14% makes Mini Melts one of the highest quality ice cream products in the world. A lower fat product is also available. We also make water based ice lollies with exciting flavors for you when you want to cool down. Mini Melts is manufactured using cryogenics. Cryogenics uses liquid Nitrogen (which is totally inert and tasteless) to instantaneously freeze Mini Melts to less than -187 °C (-304 °F). This is close to the coldest temperature that is achievable on earth. This rapid freezing process enables us to "lock in" the flavor. Special storage freezers are required to guarantee the highest flavor quality. Mini Melts is uniquely shaped  granules and comes in a wide variety of colours and flavors. This unique shape makes it easy and quick to serve, to maximize sales at a site. It also makes it much cleaner than "ordinary" ice cream, especially with young kids.
Mini Melts USA, Inc.
Mini Melts Plaza,
245 Asylum Street, Norwich,
Connecticut 06360,
United States of America.
Tel: (860) 889 7300
Fax: (860) 887 1033

   

New Forest Ice Cream


 Ice cream from the New Forest
New Forest Ice Cream is a successful family business founded in 1983 by Lawrie and Sue Jenman. Now all of the family, together with a growing, highly skilled and dedicated team, produce consistently top quality, great tasting ice cream. We are now celebrating our 28th year as a rapidly expanding business, but our commitment to quality, service and value, for all our customers, has remained the same. These range from local village shops, pubs and restaurants , through to national retail chains, major leisure parks and wholesalers. Our core values are now reflected in the enviable reputation of our name, now recognised as the market leading brand throughout the South. We are also very aware of our responsibility as part of the local community and our environment in the beautiful New Forest area. Some practical examples of this include, active involvement in local charitable work, ongoing research into healthier ice cream products, staff car sharing schemes and various carbon footprint reduction initiatives.
 New Forest Ice Cream is committed to producing only the highest quality ice cream - made from the finest ingredients using our own recipes. Fresh dairy cream and whole milk ensure a superb tasting (and multi-award winning) Ice Cream range. In addition to our premium scoop ice cream and sorbets, our offering is complimented by our own range of quality impulse products - with some old and new favourites that appeal to everyone - from young children to adults. We can also supply a full range of ‘dry’ goods (e.g. ice cream mix and cones), national brand lolly lines and specialty desserts where required. It is our policy to avoid artificial colourings, flavourings and other additives that might be harmful to children. We also avoid GM ingredients in all of our products.

New Forest Ice Cream Ltd
630 Ampress Lane
Ampress Industrial Park
Lymington
Hampshire
SO41 8LW

Tel: 01590 647 611

Fax: 01590 679412

Email: info@newforesticecream.com

   

Otter Valley Dairy

Welcome to Otter Valley Dairy.
Located in Devon in the beautiful Otter Valley & Blackdown Hills, Otter Valley Dairy is a family business based on our dairy farm, now in its fourth generation. Our range of Ice Cream, Sorbets and Frozen Yogurts, are made in small batches, based on Italian Gelato, we use only the milk and cream from our own dairy herd combined with the finest of ingredients. We have flavours to tempt everyones taste buds. From the traditional Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry and Honeycomb to the more unusual, Cream Tea, Lemon & Lime Meringue and Seabuckthorn, why not visit us at our Summerhouse to find your favourite. We also can attend your special occasion. We have a Vintage Ice Cream Bike covering Devon, Cornwall and Somerset to add a special addition to wow your guests. We are very proud that we have won, local, regional and national awards for our Ice Cream, since starting in 2010. We create Ice Cream how it should be; Smooth, creamy, full of flavour, freshly made & irresistibly indulgent.
Otter Valley Dairy
Aplins Farm, 
Monkton, Honiton, 
Devon EX14 9QN
T: 01404 861 518
E:
info@ottervalleydairy.co.uk



Plas Farm  Ice cream and frozen yogurts from Anglesey
Plas Farm have become the UK’s leading frozen yogurt manufacturer, producing the best zero fat frozen yogurts on the market, in the widest range of flavours! With over 20 years experience in frozen yogurt production, and having helped tens of fro yo start-up businesses in the UK and Europe, we are best placed to help you develop your fro yo business.
: Plas Farm Ltd, Celtic House, Gaerwen, Anglesey, UK, LL60 6HR       
Tel: +44 (0)1248 422011     
   Fax: +44 (0)1248 422003         Email: sales@plas-farm.co.uk   
     

   

Porrelli  Ice cream, frozen desserts and gateaux
Porrelli have been producing Luxury Italian Style Ice Cream at their Factory in Paisley since 1925. The long established company produce a wide range of flavours in a variety of pack sizes to allow us to supply the catering and retail markets.  Porrelli have been winning awards for their Ice Cream for many years and most recently won Bronze at the UK National Trade Competition for their Strawberry Cheesecake and Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, as well as being awarded a Special Diploma of Merit for their Tradition Double Cream Vanilla.
G Porrelli & Co Ltd
25 Lacy Street
Paisley
PA1 1QN
Tel : 0141 889 6390
Email : sales@porrelli.com
   

Purbeck Ice Cream


 Ice cream and sorbets from Dorset
We use local fresh milk, thick double cream and an abundance of delicious natural flavours in our products which are all gluten and egg free with no artificial additives or GMOs, no added colours or nuts and all are suitable for vegetarians. We are Halal accredited
Purbeck Ice Cream
Lower Scoles Farm
Kingston
Wareham
Dorset
BH20 5LG
Tel: 01929 480090
fax: 01929 480090
orders@purbeckicecream.co.uk
   

R&R Ice Cream  UK's largest ice cream manufacturer including Treats and Nestle
   

Ronaldo Ices


 Norfolk manufacturers of double cream ice creams, real fruit sorbets & yogurt ices
  In 1983 Simon Edye built an Ice Cream Barrow and pulled it onto the Streets of Norwich to sell his first Ice Cream. Within four year, inspired by questions and suggestions from his Customers, and a little help from an Access Card, Simon was selling his own recipe Ice Cream made with local fruit, milk & Cream   Through the next 20 years our expertise has grown and with it the business, and our reputation.  Flexibility in production, imagination, and the willingness to innovate, marks Ronaldo apart from other Manufacturers
Ronaldo Ices,
The Ice Cream Factory,
44, Lothian Street,
Norwich, NR2 4PH
 Telephone
01603 633127
info@ronaldo-ices.co.uk
     
Roskilly’s of Cornwall


Roskilly’s, famous for its fudge and ice-cream, has almost 50 varieties of organic ice-cream, most certified by the Soil Association. You can buy it from vans on most Cornish beaches but also from the farm’s own parlour, local delis and shops. Flavours include Coconut Bountie, Green Mint Choc Chip, Jelly Berry and Rock Chocolate, as well as more grown-up varieties such as lemon, trifle, and marzipan and sour cherry. From £1.60 for 110ml, £4.50 for 500ml, from branches of Fresh and Wild, Planet Organic and Harvey Nichols (01326-280479; roskillys.co.uk).
Roskilly's, Tregellast Barton Farm, St Keverne, Cornwall,  TR12 6NX.
Telephone

+44 (0)1326 280479
Email
admin@roskillys.co.uk
Rossi Ice Cream


 Artisan ice cream made with real milk
Celebrating over 80 years of making premium Artisan Ice Cream using fresh milk, butter and double cream to a traditional italian recipe. Since 1932 we have been producing Award Winning Flavours supplying national and local supermarkets, independent retailers, ice cream parlours and the catering trade. 
31 Lucy Road, Southend on Sea, Essex SS1 2AU

Tel:  01702 467532       
   Fax:    01702 619333

   
Salcombe Dairy


 Premium Ice Cream
Salcombe Dairy’s philosophy of almost 30 years still applies: create a sumptuous recipe and use only the finest natural ingredients to make the highest quality dairy ice creams, premium sorbets and luxury crushes. Quality without compromise...Peter Howard, a most enterprising man, retired from the Merchant Navy and in 1981 established an ice cream company – Salcombe Dairy – in the small, stone built shed at the bottom of Coronation Road in Salcombe. Why? Whilst on the beach in North Devon with his wife, enjoying the sun, sea and sand, he proudly announced “I think I shall start an ice cream company.” The thought became reality and the base ice cream recipe Peter devised before opening the company is the exact recipe that we use today.   Through good times, bad times, hey days and holidays, Salcombe Dairy has endured: principally because the ice cream is so very good. And it is so very good due to the quality of the ingredients and the passion and exacting standards of the people who make it. The milk has always come straight from the farm first thing each morning, the double cream has always come from the creamery in mid Devon. The sugar and butter come from farther afield because we can’t get them in Devon, but it is the best we can find. As for the flavour ingredients – we always secure the very best quality – using nothing artificial or unnatural – and if the best available is in Devon, that’s where it comes from.  Definitely a cut above other frozen desserts, Salcombe Dairy’s ice creams, sorbets and crushes appeal to the most discerning palates – but we believe everyone should try them. They are most definitely: scrumptious, sophisticated and simply superb.
Salcombe Dairy Ltd, 
Shadycombe Road, 
Salcombe, Devon, 
TQ8 8DX
 
Tel: 01548 843228
Fax: 01548 843096 
   

September Organic  Organic ice creams


   

Simply Ice Cream


 Homemade luxury, gourmet ice cream made in Kent
Our founder and owner, Sally Newall ran a catering business for over 20 years which was in fact the spring board for the leap into the ice cream business. Incredible feedback from happy customers for her homemade ice cream led Sally to decide to move away from full time catering and concentrate on developing Simply Ice Cream into the successful, premium brand we are today.  In keeping with our beliefs that simple, natural food tastes best, we have created a range of ice creams that are made using natural locally sourced ingredients (where possible), home-made flavours and free from additives or preservatives. Our Ice Cream is still made the old fashioned way, by hand in small batches.  From humble beginnings, when our ice cream was sold at one local farm shop, Simply Ice Cream grew in popularity to 16 shops within the first year. We are extremely proud that today the range is available in nearly 400 outlets across the south of England including 42 Waitrose stores and this list is growing all the time. The superior quality and flavour of Simply Ice Cream has been officially recognised and we have a multi-award winning range, including a Guild of Fine Food, Great Taste Gold Three Star award for our Heavenly Honeycomb Crunch, the highest accolade judged by great taste and texture.  Our company operates with a strong, core set of values – passion, integrity, excellence, simplicity and naturalness – and has gone from strength to strength since its creation. We are continually updating our tastes and flavours, but always in keeping with the changing seasons and high standards of Simply Ice Cream.

The Nook Bonnington
Ashford
Kent
TN25 7BA

01233 720 922

info@simplyicecream.co.uk




Styles Ice Cream


For generations, the Baker family has farmed at Styles Farm, on the edge of beautiful heather moorland, among lush green valleys. In 1988, David and Sue Baker decided to diversify without losing the traditional ways of farming on the Exmoor Hills. Dairy ice cream and sheep's milk iced dessert promised the greatest potential outcome for the farm.Based on a recipe perfected by Sue in her farmhouse kitchen, business was booming by 1989. Starting with one "stop me & buy one" 1930s style tricycle, Styles ice-cream has developed with a fleet of fourteen tricycles and seven vans, as well as three parlours. Four trailers and two tent units allows coverage of a wide range of outdoor events. Our delicious luxury home-made ice cream, originating from Exmoor and the South West region, has now spread Nationally!
Styles Farmhouse Ice Cream Limited
Rodhuish, Minehead, Exmoor TA24 6QN
 tel: 01984 640255
fax: 01984 641034
email: info@styles-icecream.co.uk
   
Sublime Ice Cream


 Ice cream and frozen desserts delivered to caterers in London and the South East
We're different from other ice cream manufacturers Sublime frozen desserts are handcrafted to the exacting standards required by distinguished chefs – blending taste, texture and temperature in a mouthwatering and irresistible delight. If you've been disappointed by the products of other ice cream manufacturers, now try the best

We’re in the heart of the Kent countryside…
Sublime Ice Cream Limited
Unit 3 Mill Farm
Hunton Road
Marden
Kent
TN12 9QX
Tel: 08445 611 620
Fax: 01892 730815
   
Taywell Ice Creams


 Premium ice cream home-delivered in south-east England
Taywell is owned by Alastair Jessel, an entrepreneur who has run a number of businesses, and his small team of skilled, artisan workers. The company aims to create high quality products, source ingredients locally where possible, behave ethically at all times, constantly innovate and always practise and consider sustainability issues. The thought behind the creation of Taywell in August 2006 was to utilise surplus fruit from his farm and turn it into something special. Passionate about ice cream, he was determined that his ice creams and sorbets should not contain any artificial additives, colours, stabilisers or bulking agents and the flavours were to be produced to their best taste rather than to a particular price. At the end of 2010 the company moved to Paddock Wood, just outside Tunbridge Wells, became a founder, supplier member of the Sustainable Restaurant Association and now purchases fruit from nearby farms. The fortunes and profile of the business took a dramatic shift upwards when the company was featured in episode 5 of the 2008 series of BBC1’s ‘The Apprentice’, where two teams were pitted against each other to make ice cream and sell it the next day into London. The company won a West Kent ‘Business Excellence Award’ in the same year and was a finalist for the second year running for ‘Best New Product’ at the Taste of Kent Awards.It has appeared regularly in the local and national press, BBC South East News and even the BBC national news. It featured recently in Radio 4′s ‘Farming Today’ and Shelia Dillon’s ‘Food Programme’ discussing the price of eggs and had a big part with Mary Berry this October on ‘The Great British Food Revival’ discussing the benefits of real dairy ice cream. 2012 has seen us become one of the fastest growing ice cream businesses in Europe and there has been a substantial investment in new manufacturing equipment and freezer storage. Our growing tally of national awards includes 14 Great Taste Awards, two at two star level this year, a ‘Quality’ Food Award in 2011 and a finalist again this year, a finalist in The Grocer’s ‘Best New Product’ 2012, and a finalist in the World Food Awards.
Taywell Ice Creams Ltd‎
Forstal House
Maidstone Road, Beltring, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, Kent TN12 6PY
01892 835555
   

Thorntons Ice Cream  Luxury chocolates and ice cream


   

Unilever   Frozen foods and ice cream
   

Winstone's Ice Cream


 Ice cream from the Cotswolds
Perched on the edge of beautiful National Trust Common land, Winstones Ice Cream is one of the longest running, and most highly awarded ice cream producers in the country. A family ice cream business, with almost 100 years of ice cream making knowledge, our story is one of passion, hard work and the freshest, quality ingredients, which is why we are the West Country’s premier ice cream manufacturers, ice cream wholesalers and retailers.
Winstones Ice Cream Ltd, Greenacres, Bowham, Stroud, Glos England GL5 5BX. Telephone 01453 873270
   
Worthenshaws Freedom
Now named as Kirstys
 Ice cream and desserts free-from just about everything including dairy products
Kirsty's was established in 2009 by young mum Kirsty Henshaw from Preston.
At Kirsty's (previously Worthenshaws) our aim is to produce high quality, delicious, nutritious and allergen free alternatives to a range of food products.The company’s products are sold under the brand name “Freedom” The brand was created to fill a much needed gap in the market. Freedom is suitable for food allergy sufferers, people watching their weight and their sugar intake and for families who simply wish to eat well, feel great and enjoy delicious tasting foods.  Our vision is not just to sell nutritious and allergen free foods, but also to help people understand how good quality nutrition and healthy living can have a direct impact on how we feel mentally and physically. 'Healthy' and 'Happy' are very closely linked!  'I myself do not have food allergies however I do avoid dairy and gluten as I feel much healthier when these are not in my diet. Please read the free-from and fabulous section on my website to read why I choose to avoid allergens and how it helps me control my weight. My Freedom range is not only aimed at allergy sufferers it is also a great alternative for people watching their weight who want to enjoy healthy, tasty, nutritious foods. '




Seaside Rock


http://behance.vo.llnwd.net/profiles15/1406103/projects/4698277/0c08eb548adf43e083b4b3e11a59b878.jpgWhen you think of childhood summers spent at seaside resorts, you're sure to think of the sticky, sugary confectionery that is rock. Whether you broke a tooth biting chunks out of it, or took it home as a gift for an unsuspecting friend, it's a popular seaside tradition.  The earliest form of rock is believed to be sold at fair grounds in the 19th century and, though it was similar, it was not lettered or flambuoyantly coloured like the Seaside rock we are acquainted with today. Ben Bullock, ex-miner from Burnley, began manufacturing sticks of brightly coloured, lettered candy at his Yorkshire-based confectionary factory in 1887, after conceiving the idea while holidaying in Blackpool. Bullock sent his first batch of lettered rock to retailers in Blackpool, where it was well received and seaside rock was born. Sticks of rock can now be bought in souveneir shops of most British seaside resorts 

How seaside rock is made

It takes an incredible amount of skill for sticks of lettered rock to be created, skill that machines are still unable to master even in the 21st century. Practised craftsmen of seaside rock are called Sugar Boilers and, as the name suggests, they start the process by boiling sugar and glucose in a copper pan heated to 300 degrees centigrade. Once the sugar mixture reaches the ideal temperature, it is poured out onto a cooling table and separated into parts. The inner core part is aerated and flavoured (traditionally mint, though it can be a variety of fruit flavours), while the remaining outer layer and lettering sections are coloured. Getting the lettering correct is a skill that can take up to 10 years to master, as rock is often up to 6 feet long before it is cut. The letters are made individuallly before they are stuck together in a line with white filler in between. Square-shaped letters (B, E, F, K) and triangle-shaped letters (A, V) are made first, while round-shaped letters (C, D, O, Q) are made last to prevent loss of shape before the rock sets. The lettering, filling and core are rolled together before they are wrapped in the brightly coloured outer casing. The whole slab is then stretched into smaller, longer strips by machine before being cut and wrapped ready for sale.


Fishing
if you are looking for a bit of Free Fishing
in the UK Click on Picture above
Fishing

CLICK ON PICTURE BELOW FOR FREE FISHING
Fishy

 
SURFING CLUBS IN THE UK
The BRITISH SURFING ASSOCIATION (BSA) was founded in 1966 to promote the sport of surfing and represent the interests of all surfers in Great Britain and the Channel Islands. The BSA is recognised by the Government as the National Governing Body (NGB) for surfing and is a member of the International Surfing Association (ISA). The British Surfing Association, International Surfing Centre, Fistral Beach,  Newquay,  Cornwall   TR7 1HY.
 Tel: 
01637 876474  Fax:     01637 878608        E-mail : info@britsurf.co.uk

Click on club of your choice for further details
Raws South East Surf Club
84 Glenwood Avenue , Westcliff On Sea

Nottingham Surf Club
Almond Lodge , 41 Sherwin Road, Lenton, , Nottingham
Green Tube Surf Club
6 Brook Street , Cromer

Offshore Power Boat Racing
Sporting Spirits

Sailing

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA), is the national body for all forms of boating, including dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sports boats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, inland cruising and narrowboats, and personal watercraft.  Growing the sport
People choose to participate in sailing & powerboating in a myriad of ways; whether it’s the free spirited cruisers and windsurfers to the dedicated club racers.

The RYA works to provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get on the water and give sailing, powerboating or inland boating a try.

From there we try to make it as easy as possible for them to continue sailing or powerboating and to continue to learn at local clubs and facilities across the country and through the provision of a wide of RYA courses and books.

Growing the sport is a fundamental aspect of the RYA and it takes on many forms; school programmes, local initiatives and events, youth development courses, books, supporting clubs and more. 

3.2 million people actively participate in sailing, powerboating, windsurfing, and inland boating collectively in the UK.
 
Powerboat Racing Calendars 

Whether you're a competitor, official or just an avid fan don't miss out on any of this year's Powerboat Racing action!

Powerboat Racing in the UK happens throughout the year at several different locations follow the links below to download the latest calendars and find an event happening near you.

2013 RYA Powerboat Racing Calendars

2013 RYA Circuit Racing Calendar

2013 RYA & UIM Circuit Racing Calendar Combined - UIM Dates subject to change and should be checked on UIM Website  

2013 RYA Personal Watercraft Calendar - JSRA, FNT & P1 AquaX

2013 RYA Offshore Powerboat Racing Calendar





 

Club Name Contact Information
Allhallows Yacht Club (AYC) Mary Downey - Allhallows Yacht Club Seafront, Allhallows, Nr Rochester, Kent ME3 9SY
Tel: 01795 521020 / 07778 170415
Email: thomas657@btinternet.com
Website: www.ayc.uk.com
British Inflatable Boat Owners Association (BIBOA) Mary Puddifoot - Mewstone Cottage, Back Lane, Sway, Hants SO41 6BU
Tel: 01590 681243
Email: biboa.secretary@btinternet.com
Website: www.biboa.com
British Powerboat Racing Club (BPRC) The Hon Laura Levi - 83 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, Hampshire
Tel: 01983 290558
Email: secretary@britishpowerboatracingclub.co.uk
Website: www.britishpowerboatracingclub.co.uk
Classic Offshore Powerboat  Club (COPC)

Martin.J.Napier-4 Hodder Close, Valley Park, Chandlers Ford, Hants, SO53 4QD 

Tel: 023 8178 6579

Email: martin.napier1@talktalk.net

Website: www.classicoffshore.com

Drivers Powerboat Club (DPC) Simon Yeadon - Drivers' Dry Berthing, Drivers' Wharf, Northam, Southampton, Hants SO14 0PF
Tel: Mobile 07950 377066 Office 02380 233302
Email: simon@team25racing.com
Guernsey Powerboat Association (GPA) James Larbalestier - c/o Pukham, Clos du Douit, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2EH
Tel: 07781 122363
Email: larbys@live.co.uk
Guernsey Yacht Club (GYC) Colin Le Conte- Castle Emplacement, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2EH
Tel: 01481 700321
Email: colin@worldoffshore.com
Website: www.gyc.org.uk
Malta Powerboat Association (MPA) Francis Cachia-Caruana/ Denise Monteith 508 St Paul's Street, St Paul's Bay, SPB 09 Malta
Email: franciscc50@hotmail.com
Denise Monteith Tel: 07748 364876
Email: denisemonteith@ymail.com
Website: www.mpa.com.mt
Offshore Circuit Racing Drivers Association (OCRDA) Carole & Bob McCarthy -5 Seaview Terrace, Thurlstone, Nr Kingsbridge, S Devon, TQ7 3NQ
Tel: 07970 553363 / 07970 728573
Email: bob@ocrda.freeserve.co.uk
Website: www.ocrda.org
Offshore Racing Drivers Association (ORDA) Shirley Simpkins - Apache Princess, Southsea Marina, Fort Cumberland Road, Southsea, PO4 9RJ
Tel: 07771 567111 / 07787 566254
Email: shirley.simpkins@skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk
Website: www.orda.co.uk
Powerboat P1 Superstock P1 Powerboat Superstock Office - Valentina Bertuzzi, Sport & Teams Administrator, Powerboat P1 Management Ltd, Winchester House 259 - 269, Old Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5RA
Tel: +44 (0)20 7616 5570
Fax: +44 (0)20 7751 0853
Email: Valentina.Bertuzzi@PowerboatP1.com
Royal Motor Yacht Club (RMYC)

Bob Eddings - 22 Oak Road Ashley New Milton Hampshire BH25 5BE Tel  01425 629851 Mobile 07771 533929Email foxfire750@btinternet.com Website www.rmyc.co.uk/

Royal Southern Yacht Club (RSrnYC) Powerboat Racing Secretary, Rope Walk, Hamble, Hampshire, SO31 4HB
Tel: 02380 450300
South East Powerboat Association (SEPA)

Sheena Williams -Club Secretary                                                        The Croft,

Millcroft Road,                                                Cliffe, Nr Rochester,                                                         Kent. ME3 7QN.Tel: + 44 1634 221606 Mobile: + 44 7968 034778 Email:  sheena.williams3@btinternet.com

Website: www.sepaoffshore.co.uk

Thundercat Racing UK (M2M) Fiona Pascoe - Microlink House, Brickfield Lane, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO53 4DP
Tel: 07795 618701 / 02380 240388
Email: fiona@thunderuk.com
Website: www.thundercatracing.co.uk
UK Formula Future Offshore Race Club (UKFFORC) Julie Pocknell - 43 Beamish Road, Poole, Dorset, BH17 8SB
Tel: 01202 669941 / 07838 156606
Email: secretary@ukformulafutureoffshoreraceclub.co.uk
Website: www.ukformulafutureoffshoreraceclub.co.uk
United Kingdom Offshore Boating Association (UKOBA) Debra France - Hollybank House Hollybank Lane, Emsworth Hants PO10 7UN
Tel: 02380 457209 / 07811 892010
Email: debra.f@thewppa.com
Website: www.ukoba.co.uk
V24 Powerboat Club Marc Lamont - Cox's Cottage, 2 Blackmans Lane Warlingham, CR6 9PN
Tel: 07983 549510
Email: marc.lamont@sequelworks.com
Website: www.V24club.com
West Country Watersports Racing Club (WWRC) Jayne Ward - Robin's Roost, Collaton Road, Malborough, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 3RJ
Tel: 01548 141310
Email: homesrus@btopenworld.com
Windermere Motor Boat Racing Club (WMBRC) Phillipa Brooks Green Knott, Lindeth Drive, Bowness on Windermere, Cumbria, LA 23 3JF
Tel: 07968 141310
Email: pbrooks@hotmail.com
Website www.wmbrc.co.uk
ZCR Ltd(Zapcats) Mick Pritchard & Martin Jupp - ZCR Ltd, Merlin Quay, Hazel Road, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire, SO19 7GB
Tel: 0844 815 7793
Fax: 0844 815 7794
Email: mick@zapcat-racing.com
Website: www.zapcat-racing.com

Thundercat Racing
Contact Us

Thundercat Racing –  One of the Largest Global Community's in the World...

Whether you want to become a racer, official, fan or partnership – Thundercat Racing welcomes all to become part of their exciting action packed lifestyle. Giving you opportunities, to make life long lasting friendships, assist local communities and give you the chance to make a difference.

'We have a fantastic community - and love to welcome anyone to come and join us with open arms. Thundercat’s can be as little or as much of your life as you want. "Its the Worlds Wildest Beach Culture" says Fiona Pascoe, ThunderCat Racing Organiser.

Thundercat racing has grown across the globe, extending our community to over 15 countries, and now working within the UK in deprived areas, assisting disadvantaged youths, giving education on and off the water.

http://www.tinyadda.com/images/0rb6u4e28szuu4m0yeg0.jpg http://www.beach-volleyball.co.uk/pictures/blackpool-gallery-big/BBV-2274.jpg Brighton beach volleyball and Grand Hotel, East Sussex, England, UK Ready to receive
VOLLEY BALL IN MERCIA
http://www.vetporn.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/nude-beach-volleyball.jpg What a dive! http://www.oilreg.com/ba/images/images33/rachel-solari-8b72dfe7_74229.jpg  

Beach Volleyball is one of the world's most popular team sports. The main objective of volleyball is to stop the ball hitting the ground anywhere on your side of the net with just three touches - whilst trying to make it hit the ground on your opponent’s side of the court.

A brief overview of the game includes:

    * An official beach volleyball court is 16m x 8m
    * Beach Volleyball is usually played by two teams of two players but it can be played by more
    * The server stands at the back of the court and can serve either over- or under-arm into the opponent’s side of the court
    * The opposing team is allowed a maximum of three touches on their side of the court before they must send the ball back over the net
    * The ball must be hit - not caught
    * The match is won by the team that wins two sets. A set is won by the first team to reach 21 points with a two-point advantage

Playing Beach Volleyball

Many opportunities exist for men and women to play beach volleyball across England. Playing beach volleyball has many benefits including keeping fit and meeting new people. What ever your level or ability the game provides varying degrees of competition from social/recreational games to more competitive opportunities. Anyone interested in taking up the sport will find it both rewarding and enjoyable.



Volleyball England is the branded image for the English Volleyball Association (EVA). Volleyball England is the recognised National Governing Body for Volleyball in all its forms, including Volleyball, Beach Volleyball and Sitting Volleyball in England.
English Volleyball Association Ltd , SportPark , 3 Oakwood Drive  , Loughborough  LE11 3QF Tel: 01509 227722  Fax: 01509 227733
info@volleyballengland.org
 
 

Yachting
Sailing
The Royal Yachting Association (RYA), is the national body for all forms of boating, including dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sports boats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, inland cruising and narrowboats, and personal watercraft.  Growing the sport
People choose to participate in sailing & powerboating in a myriad of ways; whether it’s the free spirited cruisers and windsurfers to the dedicated club racers.

SAILING CLUBS OF MERCIA


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South Mercia East Anglia Midlands

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South Mercia
Aldenham Sailing Club Brunel University Sailing Team Gerrards Cross Sailing Association Hampton Sailing Club London Corinthian Sailing Club Ocean Motion Windsurfing Club
Royal Thames Yacht Club Royal Victoria Yacht Club Royal Yacht Squadron Sailing and Cruising Association Taplow Lake Sailing Club Tamesis Club
Thames Motor Yacht Club Thames Sailing Club Welwyn Garden City Sailing Club Wembley Sailing Club

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East Anglia
Ardleigh Sailing Club Deben Yacht Club Harlow (Blackwater) Sailing Club Maylandsea Bay Sailing Club Shotley Point Yacht Club Wakering Yacht Club
Blackwater Sailing Club Ely Sailing Club Haven Ports Yacht Club Northern Rivers Sailing Club Snettisham Beach Sailing Club Waveney & Oulton Broad Yacht Club
Brightlingsea Sailing Club Eyott Sailing Club Hickling Broad Sailing Club Ouse Amateur Sailing Club Stour Sailing Club Welland Yacht Club
Cam Sailing Club Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club Hostellers Sailing Club Overy Staithe Sailing Club Stubbers Young Mariners Wivenhoe Sailing Club
Clacton-on-Sea Sailing Club Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Sailing Club Hunstanton Sailing Club Royal Burnham Yacht Club Thames Estuary Yacht Club Yare Sailing Club
Classic Sailing Club Green Wyvern Yachting Island Yacht Club, Canvey, Essex Royal Harwich Yacht Club Tollesbury Cruising Club Yare Valley Sailing Club
Coldham Hall Sailing Club Halfway Yacht Club Margate Yacht Club Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club Up River Yacht Club

Midlands (Mercia)
Abbey Sailing Club Bromsgrove Boaters Emberton Park Sailing Club Hollowell Sailing Club Northampton Sailability Shropshire Sailing Club
Attenborough Sailing Club Burton Sailing Club Evesham Sailing Club Hunts Sailing Club Northampton Sailing Club South Staffordshire Sailing Club
Avon Sailing Club Cambridge University Cruising Club Girton Sailing Club Keele University Sailing and Windsurfing Club Nottingham Sailing Club Staunton Harold Sailing Club
Banbury Cross Sailing Club Chelmarsh Sailing Club Grafham Water Sailing Club Manor Park Sailing Club Notts County Sailing Club Sutton Sailing Club
Banbury Sailing Club Cotswold Sailing Club Great Moor Sailing Club Mid-Warwickshire Yacht Club Ogston Sailing Club Tamworth Sailing Club
Barnt Green Sailing Club Derbyshire Youth Sailing Greensforge Sailing Club Midland Sailing Club Rudyard Lake Sailing Club Thornbury Sailing Club
Bartley Sailing Club Draycote Water Sailing Club Haversham Sailing Club Milton Keynes Sailing Club Rugby & Daventry Sailing Club Trimpley Sailing Club
Blithfield Sailing Club Earlswood Lakes Sailing Club Himley Hall Sailing Club North Herts. & East Beds. Sailing Club Rutland Sailing Club Upton Warren Sailing Club

The Sailing & Cruising Association is a dynamic LGBT sailing and power boat club, that has been active since 1980, open to all who either own boats or just want to get afloat. We have members all over the UK and indeed the world, over 100 of whom own boats of all shapes and sizes, but the majority are people with an interest in yachting (sail and power) who crew for boat owning members and get together to charter both at home and overseas. Every month members meet socially in London and Ipswich which gives boat owners a chance to meet potential crew. Throughout the year the club organises a series of events afloat (at least one a month during the season) and we try to match crew with skippers who have spare berths. Our current membership is over 400 and all are welcome. Experience ranges from ocean girdling yachtmasters to the complete novice and from sprightly youngsters to those of more mature years. We now have a thriving women's secion with a growing number of female boat owners. The club is affiliated to the sports governing body the Royal Yachting Association but is not a training establishment. Informally, members can learn to sail by crewing with boat owners and the club actively encourages members to take RYA approved courses and organises a variety of shore-based training courses, particularly in the winter months.    The number of women in the Club is growing year on year with over 65 members now. We run women only boats at most of the South Coast events as we have a growing number of female boat owners now. This also gives more crewing opportunities although women are made very welcome on all the club boats. There are also a number of dinghy sailors who are women too. There are also female only boats on all of the charters. Why not come along to the next social at Kudos to find out more or contact the women's representative at women@gaysailing.org.uk

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