British seaside towns emerged as large leisure resorts for tourists from the mid-19th century, following the introduction of the 1938 Holiday with Pay Act, which entitled workers to paid annual leave. This resulted in many workers traveling to the coast for a well-earned holiday in different iconic resorts around the UK. Each resort featured many amenities for all to enjoy, such as top-class entertainment and amusements.

By the 1970s, rapid economic growth was being seen worldwide, particularly in mainland Europe. As a result, this caused a rise in hotel construction overseas, which occurred simultaneously with technological developments in aviation, creating cheaper air travel for all. Combined, this saw the rise of affordable overseas package holidays. 

With a warmer more predictable climate and higher elements of excitement, package holidays abroad took away the mass tourism from Britain’s coastal resorts. Accompanied with a decline in the fishing industry, as the UK looked for more secure jobs within the surrounding cities. As a result, these resorts entered a decline, only offering limited summer seasonal employment. Consequently, these once thriving locations were left unsupported with significantly less income.

Today, each resort remains as a relic of its former self.  Tourists continue to return, but now mainly for day trips along the decorated British coastline, and its uniformed repetitive streets of fun. Walking the streets you are faced with the same repetitive illuminated amusement names in every location. “Dreamland”, “Leisureland”, “Adventure Island” and “Joyland” are a few I encountered on my journey along the south east coast. Throughout the resorts there are many reoccurring elements; On the interior you find, worn out carpets, vibrant signs and dusty arcade games. Meanwhile the exteriors feature peeling paint, crumbing Victorian architecture, and illuminated amusement signs, showcasing adjectives which no longer reach expectation. Despite each resort possessing its own unique style, elements of this commonality are present throughout. One resort starts to appear the same as another. What is interesting is this similar style and receptiveness is also visible within other resorts globally, such as Coney Island in the United States.

In the year of 2020, we are facing unprecedented times. The later of 2019 saw the collapse of Thomas Cook, a household name in the UK for package holidays abroad. Accompanied with the COVID-19 pandemic in the beginning of 2020. The decision to go abroad faces new challenges and is something the future of Britain’s coastlines could benefit from. As the nation begins to evaluate their decision to travel far, this may lead many to choose to remain closer to home among such trepidation, bringing recognition back to the once honoured resorts. The future of Britain’s coast is however unknown and uncertain at this time.

My series provides a documentation of our British seaside towns as they are today, showcasing the details, and celebrating the unique beauty among the imperfect neon glory and deprivation, of these once thriving locations, which will always remain a large part of Britain’s history, as a place like no other.