This Easter saw the successful re-launch of a much-loved tourist institution – The Model Village in Southsea. It was once run by a Mr West who also owned the two shops fronting South Parade Pier and wonder of wonders, I used to work for him at weekends. Although work was a sideline – we actually…
Category: Beach Resorts
A fun day out to Brighton, East Sussex
I used to come to Brighton as a child but I have to admit, I haven’t visited for a while so one summer, I took a day trip to visit the beach. The town we know and love today dates really from the 18th and 19th centuries when Brighton established itself as a health and…
Lee-on-The-Solent – the seaside resort that died
As I live near the sea in Hampshire, books on the heritage of the traditional seaside holiday have always intrigued me. Hence, of course, I snapped up Sarah Freeman’s “Beside the Sea” tome on Amazon and promptly read the thing from start to finish. One section called out to me – the one on Lee-on-The-Solent,…
Shanklin Revisited
My happiest childhood memories are of the Isle of Wight and a small seaside village – Shanklin. It’s been a while since I last visited and I was hoping against hope that it would appear the same. Thankfully, I was not disappointed. We used to stay at a beachside hotel called Shoreside which I adored – we…
Pawprint Series: A splendid beach in West Sussex
I know I have written about it before but I am penning this as a devoted dog owner. It being, of course, the West Wittering Estate in West Sussex and if you love a pristine, white sandy beach, then this is the place to be. Dog owners, like me, use the far end of the beach, past…
The Victorian Bathing Machine
Being interested in all thing seaside, I have long wanted to see an actual Victorian Bathing Machine in person. So it was with great anticipation that I saw the most exclusive bathing machine of them all this past week – Her Majesty Queen Victoria’s own bathing machine on her very own private beach at the…
A ticket to Ryde
I first heard about the Grade II listed Ryde Pier when I listened to the well known Beatles song of a similar name if not spelling. Apparently John Lennon and Paul McCartney visited the island in the ’60’s to visit Paul’s cousin and inspired this well known ditty. It wasn’t until recently however – and funnily enough,…
I took a flight to the Isle of Wight – a Hovercraft!
I admit to being fascinated by hovercraft but I have left it until now to hop onto one to travel the short ten minute journey via HoverTravel from Portsmouth over to the Isle of Wight for a day trip. And I am so glad I did – I’ll be using it again soon no doubt! If like…
West Wittering – one of the world’s great beaches
Why of why did I wait so long to visit the Witterings in West Sussex? I discovered them when looking for places to walk my dog – not the normal way you discover a beautiful beach I must admit but I am so very glad I went there in the end. I swear that The…
Paint it Black! Hasting’s Net Huts
I have been fascinated by the tall, black net huts of Hastings, East Sussex, since spotting them in an episode of Foyle’s War, Hastings is home to the largest beach-launched fishing fleet in Europe and these unique black net huts are located in the Stade (Saxon word for landing place) area in the middle of…
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