(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) For many, the English seaside evokes memories of idyllic Enid Blyton-style childhood holidays and all the imagery that goes with it, from building sandcastles, amusement arcades, lettered rock, fish and chips, Punch and Judy shows to strolls along the pier. Here are five of the best...
St Ives
Cornwall
The spectacular crescent-shaped Porthmeor Beach is the focal point for all visitors to St Ives, from ?families with their bucket-and-spades, to romantic couples and surfers. You only have to stroll along its rippled sands on a sunny day, with the ever-changing light bouncing off the Atlantic surf to realise why this once busy pilchard-fishing village has become the hub of the county's art scene.
The jewel of the art crown is the Tate 'st Ives that stands proudly on the hillside behind the beach. Peruse the works of cele-brated local artists like Barbara Hepworth and Patrick Heron, before enjoying an al fresco lunch on the stylish rooftop terrace with picture-postcard views.
More of Barbara Hepworth's sculptures can be seen dotted around town and her larger works are on display at the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden on Barnoon Hill.
In the heart of town, a network of cobbled lanes is crammed with art studios, surf shops, brasseries and several bakeries selling hearty Cornish pasties. This fusion of traditional seaside elements and boutique chic makes for an interesting mix and, although it can get busy in peak season, St Ives remains an essential Cornish tour stop.
If the summer crowds become too much, then walk a small section of the 1,000km South West Coast Path for a taste of Corn-wall's stunning coastal scenery. The 11km stretch from St Ives to Zennor has a series of plunging descents into rocky coves, and steep ascents to headlands offer panoramic views of the turquoise waters below.
WHERE TO STAY
Primrose Valley: Stylish, award-winning Edwardian eco hotel with individually furnished rooms and great sea views, just a stone's throw from the beach.
>Treliska: Attractive, modern and relaxed guesthouse just steps away from town centre.
WHITBY
North Yorkshire
Much of Whitby's wide-ranging appeal stems not only from its rich seafaring history and atmospheric setting, but from the two sides of its character - one as a working fishing port and the other as a traditional seaside resort. The imposing ruins of the 13th century abbey dominate the skyline above town where narrow cobbled lanes and red-bricked houses spill down the slopes of the headland to a natural harbour below.
Along the harbour, amusement arcades ring with the sounds of one-armed bandit machines, while the sea air is tinged with the sweet aroma of candy floss and toffee apples. Brightly painted fishing boats line the quayside where salty characters load off their catch destined for the town's fish market, and fish and chip shops. One of the best known is Magpie Café on Pier Road, where people queue up to buy its crisp battered haddock or cod, chips and mushy peas.
Whitby has managed to retain much of its 18th century character, and the fact that Captain James Cook - the town's most famous adopted son - completed his apprenticeship here as a seaman (between 1747 and 1755), and sailed from this tiny harbour, is a strong drawcard. Visit the house in Grape Lane where Cook studied, which is a museum in his honour, then take the pilgrimage stroll to the West Cliff where the great navigator's bronze statue stands with panoramic views over town and the Esk River.
On the opposite headland, the famous 199 steps straggle the hillside and lead to the ruins of the abbey and its sombre graveyard of ancient tombstones. This haunting setting was the inspi-ration for Dracula by Victorian novelist Bram Stoker, who wrote the classic yarn in a B&B in the old part of town in 1897. Fans wanting more can visit the walk-through Dracula Experience on Marine Parade and the tourist office sells an excellent Dracula Trail leaflet to visit some of the featured sites.
WHERE TO STAY
Marine Hotel: Situated in a prime position on Whitby's harbourside, it features four luxurious rooms with sea views (two with private balconies) and specialises in handpicked local seafood.
White Horse and Griffin: Quality affordable acc-?ommodation (10 rooms) and restaurant in a 320-?year-old building. Ask about the 'Boat House', a romantic hideaway in the middle of the Harbour.
BLACKPOOL
Lancashire
Blackpool is England's archetypal fun-by-the-sea resort. Love it, loathe it or both, the 'Las Vegas of the Lancashire Coast' may be tacky and cheesy, but it continues to attract people year after year, ever since the arrival of the railway in 1846 ultimately made the town into one of the country's first seaside resorts for the working classes.
From the mid-19th century, whole Lanca-shire mill towns would descend on Blackpool for the 'Wakes Weeks' annual holiday, spending their hard-earned cash living the good life for a few days, strolling its three piers and watching the likes of Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Bob Hope perform at the Grand Theatre.
Perhaps Blackpool's best known attraction and the reason for its continued popularity is the Pleasure Beach - which evolved from a gypsy encampment in the early years of the 20th century.
Today, this wonderful theme park houses ?a marvellous collection of old-style wooden roller coasters such as the world's first Big ?Dipper (1923) along with modern high-tech ones like the Pepsi Max Big One.
If the pier is Brighton's trademark, then Blackpool's is its 518ft tall tower, modelled ?on the Eiffel Tower and erected in 1894. In addition to offering tower top views, contained inside is the Tower Circus and the magnificent Tower Ballroom.
After the summer months, when other English seaside resorts begin to wind down, Blackpool extends its holiday season with another star attraction, and from early Sep-tember to early November, five miles of Promenade are illuminated with half a million coloured light bulbs - the world famous Blackpool Illuminations.
WHERE TO STAY
Number One: As the name suggests, this new luxury 5-star boutique accommodation overlooking the new South Beach Promenade with sea views is Blackpool's number one place to stay.
Big Blue Hotel: This modern 4-star ticks all the right boxes when it comes to price, comfort and style, and as an added bonus for families with children, it's situated at the southern entrance to the Pleasure Beach.
BRIGHTON
East Sussex
Brighton first established itself as a seaside resort in the mid-18th century due to the developing trend in sea-bathing, and cemented its reputation further when the hedonistic Prince of Wales (the future George IV) began visiting the town in the 1780s with his mistress, helping to establish the 'naughty weekend' away.
Fast forward to present times, and this is the scene: It's a sunny summer morning and the 'sea front is abuzz with joggers, dog walkers and people practising Tai Chi, while others enjoy gourmet breakfasts and sip mochas at outdoor cafés. Further along towards the pier, seafood vendors serve mussels, shrimps and jellied eels from their beachside kiosks as beach attendants rent out deckchairs to holidaymakers.
In recent years, the place that evokes images of car rallies from London, beach raves and Mods and Rockers has undergone a transformation - out are the dingy B&Bs and tatty seafront, replaced by classy restaurants, slick hotels and a cool bohemian vibe. The Grade-II listed Brighton Pier is still the place to go for some classic seaside fun with its amusement halls ?and iconic fairground rides like the ghost ?train, helter skelter and golden carousel. Another quintessential experience is getting lost in the atmospheric maze of streets that make up the Lanes, once a fishing village and now a cornucopia of designer boutiques, restaurants and antique shops. Close by is the Royal Pavilion, home of King George IV, and probably the most extravagant royal palace in Europe.
WHERE TO STAY
The Grand: For those with deep pockets, this is the place to stay, where rooms overlooking the sea, old-fashioned glamour, afternoon tea and cocktails are the order of the day.
Drakes: This elegant seafront townhouse with sleek rooms and top-notch restaurant is an excellent choice for that weekend away.
MARGATE
Kent
The fortunes of this popular English seaside holiday town have ebbed and flowed since JMW Turner produced seascapes here in the 19th century. Tourism numbers dwindled in the second half of the last century, but recently, Margate has stepped firmly back on the tourist map thanks to a programme of major cultural regeneration projects, including the Turner Contemporary gallery, which highlights the town's links with the famous artist and the reopening of the iconic Dreamland amusement park in 2013.
The long stretches of clean, sandy beaches and the 43km Viking Coastal Trail are still the main attractions and the old town and Harbour Arm have a distinctive arty feel, with quirky shops, galleries and great places to eat. Open-air live music, art exhibitions and festivals all bring Margate to life throughout the summer months. Other activities providing year-round entertainment include amusement arcades, the Hornby Visitor Centre (featuring model railways and cars) and the mysterious Shell Grotto. Discovered in 1835, this subterranean world of winding passages lead into an oblong chamber, its walls deco-rated with strange symbols and mosaics. Situated about a mile along the seafront heading east is the Tom Thumb Theatre, thought to be the world's smallest working theatre.
WHERE TO STAY
The Reading Rooms: A luxury five-star gold boutique bed & breakfast in a recently restored Grade II listed Georgian town-house, situated just five minutes walk from the sea and Old Town cultural quarter.
The Glenwood Hotel: Good value, traditional family-run seaside B&B hotel with 53 en-suite rooms on five floors.
Text & Photos: Andrew Marshall
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