The Seaside Heritage Network (SHN) is running a public vote for its first annual Bucket and Spade List – a top 10 of the UK’s best seaside places and experiences – which includes staples such as Blackpool Tower and Bournemouth’s beach huts, as well as the Victorian-era Kursaal in Southend, one of the world’s first amusement parks, the Observer reported.

The SHN says amusement parks, lidos and scenic railways are all part of the UK’s role in the creation of modern tourism and should be cherished.

(photo: Jonathan Sykes)

The British seaside is a special place, shaped by the enjoyment of generations. Where the coast conjures up images of high cliffs, windswept views, wildlife and nature, the seaside is a human landscape dedicated to pleasure and fun, says SHN. A lot of different things go into making it so and the newly formed Seaside Heritage Network has come up with a way to celebrate that variety.

“There are all sorts of preconceptions about the seaside,” said Dr Kathryn Ferry, a founder of the SHN. “We want to draw attention to some of the real quality of the historical structures, as well as the intangible heritage of something that’s really British and crucial to our sense of identity”.

Seaside buildings often receive less protection from English Heritage and Historic England because they have been altered due to the corrosive effects of salty sea air, according to Dr Allan Brodie, a visiting fellow at Bournemouth University who worked for both agencies and is a member of the SHN. “There are huge structural problems with seaside resorts and we argue they should be a special case for funding”, Dr Brodie says.

You can find further information on the Save Our Seaside campaign and vote on the top-ten ‘Bucket and Spade List’ here.