Seaside Heritage Network Winners

The Seaside Heritage Network is delighted to announce its inaugural Bucket and Spade List, the Top Ten favourite seaside places and experiences as voted for by members of the public.

1.Saltburn Cliff Tramway, Saltburn-by-the-Sea
2. Blackpool Tower
3. Morecambe Winter Gardens
4. Silcock's Carousel, Southport
5. Donkey Rides, Weymouth
6. Papa's Fish & Chips, Cleethorpes
7. South Cliff Gardens, Scarborough
8. Dreamland Margate
9. Bournemouth Beach Huts
10.Babbacombe Model Village
 
The Bucket and Spade List was announced in the superb setting of Blackpool Winter Gardens on 11 September when the top three finalists were awarded with certificates by designer and seaside regeneration expert, Wayne Hemingway MBE.

Dr Kathryn Ferry, a founder member of the Seaside Heritage Network, said how important it was to see people and communities getting behind the vote: ‘There’s a strong nostalgic element to these finalists but that’s no bad thing, it shows how embedded the seaside holiday and seaside resorts are within our island culture. Too often, these towns get a bad press but it’s time to change perceptions and celebrate the joy and entertainment the seaside has brought to generations of Britons.

Embracing the power of seaside heritage to connect with people anew can help places that have been suffering social and economic problems. Morecambe Winter Gardens and Dreamland Margate are examples of the potentially transformative power of seaside heritage and we congratulate all of our worthy finalists – not least the donkeys!’

Carl Carrington, Head of Planning and Conservation at Blackpool Council said: ‘We’re delighted to have been nominated for an award and despite coming second, we’re really grateful to everyone who voted for Blackpool Tower. It’s great that the Seaside Heritage Network has been re-formed and is working to highlight how important our seaside heritage is to the cultural life and economies of seaside resorts and towns and we look forward to working closely with the Network in the future. Congratulations to Saltburn too!’