British Seaside Holidays in the 1950s

By Craig Ellyard

The typical seaside holiday in Britain in the 1950s was quite different from those enjoyed today. Admittedly, there was the same desire to lounge on the beaches, paddle in the sea and enjoy the amusements as there is today, but the the past half century has seen huge changes in tastes and expectations.

A far bigger percentage of Britons enjoyed their holidays in their home country than they do today. In the 1950s cheap international flights had not been introduced and the big holiday resorts of the Mediterranean and beyond - magnets for modern sun-seeking Britons - had not been developed.

For their summer holidays the British tended to visit the resorts in their own area, such as Blackpool for northerners and Brighton for people living in the south. A trip to Torquay in the south west for someone living in Yorkshire would have been seen as exotic.

Staying in a hotel or holiday park, now very popular with holidaymakers in Great Britain, would have been unknown, especially to working class families in the 1950s. Holiday lodgings were far more austere.

Hotels were only affordable for the well off, so most families stayed in bed and breakfasts, which folklore tells us were owned by strict unsmiling landladies. Caravan parks were available, but very unlike the luxury holiday parks of today. Washing and toilet facilities were basic and communal. Caravans were nothing like the modern static caravan complete with mod cons.

They were cramped, tiny, and lacked a WC. And as for the modern log cabin, the most you could expect in the 1950s was a small prefabricated chalet, with only marginally better facilities than the caravans of the period.

The British seaside holiday of the 1950s was very much a communal affair. Families travelled, along with other families, to the seaside on coaches or trains. A good example of the communal aspect of the British holiday of the period were the holiday camps, Butlins and Pontins being the most famous.

The holiday camp, aimed at catering for working class families, had been introduced before the second world war, but were still tremendously popular during the 1950s. While families stayed in in their own on-site chalets, the rest of the holiday was communal. They ate together in large halls, silly competitions such as knock knees contests were held, and the British of the time absolutely loved it.

British seaside holidays of the 1950s may amaze the Britons of today. Sophisticated they may not have been, but they still gave great enjoyment to millions.

Sand-Le-Mere is a long established and one of the most popular yorkshire caravan parks and is located on the east coast. Sand-Le-Mere is family owned and considered to be one the UK's most popular and beautiful holiday and residential caravan parks and is perfect for family holidays.

An Old Fashioned Holiday in a Romany or Gypsy Caravan

Indulge your childhood fantasies about running away with the gypsies by staying in an original Romany wagon or 'Vardo'.

A horsedrawn caravan is sometimes called a Romany Caravan. This kind of caravan has been used since about 1840 by Irish people living a nomadic lifestyle.

As old-fashioned holidays become more popular, and holiday makers want to experience history and take a break from the 21 century, Romany Caravanning holidays have become a sort after holiday experience.

There are two types of Romany Caravan holidays, their is the holiday where the caravan is static set up in an idyllic place, usually a field with great views. Or there is a touring holiday, complete with horse. If you do choose the touring option, you do need to be able to take care of the horse. This is not usually a big problem as the horses are very friendly and docile.

On you Romany Caravan holiday you need to be away that space is very limited in the Romany Caravan, so you may wish to 'test' out the experience with a short break before embarking on a longer trip.

Romany Caravan holidays make for wonderful holidays and its little wonder - the colourful hand painted caravans are enchanting, the trip is filled with nostalgia and it transports you to a by gone age where the summers were longer and the pace of live was slower, and you went wherever the road took you. And now we are offered that same wonderful experience to enjoy life on the road in a hand painted Romany Caravan.

See the Best of the Norfolk Broads on a Canal Boat Holiday

By Dipika Patel


If you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life for a while, you could find canal boat hire in Norfolk affords you the chance to experience tranquillity.

When searching for the perfect location to make your UK boat hire purchase, you might like to consider the unspoilt surroundings of the Norfolk Broads, which is Britain's largest nationally-protected wetland.

The tranquil area boasts many waterways and rivers on which to while away the hours while enjoying the slow pace of life and feeling closer to nature. You can travel through small market towns and boat-building villages, or explore Cambridge down the River Cam, which is popular among punters.

Moor your boat below Jesus Lock on either side of the river or on the western bank near Clayhithe and explore the university city on dry land for a while. Just remember you'll need a navigation licence from the Environment Agency or the Conservators of the River Cam to travel down the river.

If you prefer peace and quiet, you might want to see the sights of Cambridge from the river and journey on along the many waterways, taking in the local wildlife and scenery as you do so.

On a Norfolk Broads canal boat holiday, expect the pace to become slower as you meander down through the area, stopping occasionally at bird-watching stations and gazing in awe at the picturesque setting.

Try setting off from Horning in Wroxhom to benefit from more than 120 miles of lock-free cruising over flat land. The waterways were formed when the sea level rose 700 years ago, causing peat pits from medieval times to fill with water. You might like to stop off at the village of Woodbastwick on the edge of Cockshoot Broad to give your legs a bit of exercise and while you're there, why not sample some local ale at the Norfolk Brewery?

Climb more than 90 steps to the top of the ancient church tower at Ranworth for a cultural experience and fantastic views of the broads and then take in the sights of the local nature reserve, which might be particularly appealing to youngsters as shipwrecks are visible from the windows of the floating visitor centre.

After returning to your canal boat, you might want to visit Hickling Broad next, especially if you have a penchant for sailing. The area is a popular sailing boat location and is also home to a large nature reserve, which houses wintering wildfoul, rare insects, swallowtail butterflies and bearded tits. Meanwhile, if you're feeling up for a challenge, why not try out an exciting watersport such as windsurfing in the area?

Nearby is Barton Broad, which is famous for being the place where Admiral Lord Nelson learned to sail. The seaman fought with the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars before losing his life in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Follow in his historical footsteps and give sailing a go or take part in the annual sailing regatta held every August if you want to try out new experiences during your boat hire trip on the Norfolk Broads.

Next, why not journey down the River Ant's narrow and winding course for eight miles? At the end, you'll reach How Hill, home to How Hill House, which was built in 1904 by architect Edward Thomas Boardman. Explore the building and its beautiful Edwardian gardens, or go for a stroll in the separate woodland area. There's plenty of ground to cover across the 365 acres if you're looking to stretch your legs.

Continue on to Ludham and visit the How Hill Nature Reserve and Toad Hole Cottage, which was once home to a marshman and his family and is now a museum, run by the Broads Authority. Again, there are plenty of walking opportunities in the local marshes and woodland areas.

After a good night's sleep, you can pilot your canal boat down the River Thurne for six miles to reach the village of Thurne. Drink in the countryside scenery on a stroll down Weaver's Way or pay a visit to the round tower church at Repps. And don't forget to call in at the well-preserved drainage mill Thurne Dyke Windpump, which is open to the public, before leaving the area.

What better way to relax and unwind than on a canal boat holiday in Norfolk? Not only are the broads breathtakingly beautiful, offering a wealth of opportunity to explore nature; they are also steeped in history and you'll find plenty of examples of architecture through the ages as well as chances to witness and join in rural living at its best.

A Norfolk Broads canal boat holiday could be a great way of seeing the county and get close to nature. And with Boat hire on the Norfolk Broads widely available you're sure to find something to cater for your needs. Check out Le Boat for a wide selection of canal boat hire and a range of UK boat hire options available in the Norfolk Broads.

Great Western Railway Holiday

Buyagift.co.uk

A tranquil ride with your own agenda on the West Somerset Railway
Enjoy unlimited travel for the day along the old Great Western Railway. Stretching over 20 miles, there is plenty to see from the Quantock Hills to the cliffs of the Bristol Channel, plus many unique station buildings along the line. This ticket gives you the freedom to explore local villages and unspoiled countryside at your leisure as you hop on and off classic locomotives - perfect for the whole family.

Buyagift.co.uk

Old Fashioned Teepee Holiday

Enjoy an Old fashioned Holiday in a Teepee or Wigwam. Staying in a canvas tipi with family or friends, living close to the earth and the rhythm of nature, is an extraordinary experience that whisks you back in time. 

Tipi's have come a long way since the native American's first started using them. You can hire a traditional wigwam complete with animal skin rugs, however you can also hire Tipi's complete with double beds and log burning stoves. 

A 21-foot diameter tipi is surprisingly spacious. Easily accommodating a double bed with a proper mattress, cushions and a coffee table, sheepskin rugs and a wood burning stove. Tipis are usually lit by an abundance of candles in lanterns however the wood burner might offer you enough light for your evening of romance. 

Of course with creature comforts like a double bed to sleep in and a wooden floor, it hardly feels like camping at all. However you still have the romantic ambience and seductive lighting of the wigwam and the benefit of combining the luxury of a hotel with the excitement of living deep in the natural world. 

The burning stove inside the wigwam means that you certainly wont have an evening of shivering. The chimneys of the stoves go through the canvas of the teepee to take all the smoke away so that you won't smell like an old kipper in the morning. 

Not only are the evenings in the teepee romantic, but also the wigwam camps or settlements are usually in a quiet rural location, so there is lots of opportunity for romantic ambles around the countryside. 

Outdoor living has never been easier, or more comfortable. By day you can enjoy the light airiness of the tipi and by night nothing beats cuddling up next to a cosy log fire.

Lego Land Holidays