Top Ten Winners 2023

Saltburn Cliff Tramway was built in 1884 to solve the problem of getting Victorian holidaymakers up and down the steep incline between beach and town. It is the oldest water balanced lift operating in the UK and ‘a jewel in the crown of North Yorkshire’ according to Trevor Russell, of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. ‘The secret’s out,’ he said, ‘and we can’t wait to welcome even more visitors to this wonderful example of working seaside heritage.’ 

Voters said:

‘It’s aesthetically beautiful, mechanically inventive, exciting to ride, practical and the staff are fun.’

‘It’s in my hometown and I love to hear people waiting to board the lift getting excited and talking about its history.’

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Culture, Cllr Carrie Richardson said: 

“This latest award for the Cliff Tramway comes hot on the heels of it receiving the accolade of being among the top 10% of listings on TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards. Both awards are a clear recognition of the hard work and dedication of the team who provide a great experience for visitors and how highly regarded this charming seaside attraction is by locals and visitors to the area. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to vote for the Cliff Tramway to beat off some really strong opposition.”

It’s hard to argue with Blackpool Council’s Carl Carrington when he calls Blackpool Tower the defining icon of the British seaside. ‘It’s the ultimate example of Victorian ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit, embedded in the memories of generations of British holidaymakers. From its famous Ballroom and remarkable Moorish-style Circus to recent attractions like the Tower Dungeon and a seaside themed Harry Ramsdens restaurant, the Tower complex is a glittering example of how seaside heritage can adapt and change yet still retain its historic character to serve visitors today.’

Voters said:

‘It’s a true icon, ambitious, brash, showy and full of fun.’

‘It has many different activities for all types of visitors and hosts Strictly! Blackpool is open all year round…and the Tower provides entertainment, whatever the weather.’

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!’

As Chair of The Morecambe Winter Gardens Preservation Trust, Vanessa Toulmin is passionate about ‘The Albert Hall of the North’. It was a place of dreams when it opened in 1897, intended, as she says, ‘to bring a high-class London style Concert Hall and Theatre to Morecambe so that a mill girl could feel like a Duchess for a day. Lavish interiors enticed the public into its magnificent auditorium but eighty years later the dream died when the building closed. After years of abandonment, dedicated local volunteers purchased the building, recently securing over £3million funding to put the theatre back at the heart of Morecambe.’ 

Voters said:

‘The winter gardens would be a fantastic venue for talent to shine in the future, helping the building to become self-sustaining and reward the extremely dedicated volunteers that have helped to save this magnificent theatre’

Professor Vanessa Toulmin, Chair of the Morecambe Winter Gardens Preservation Trust and Professor of Early Film and Popular Entertainment the University of Sheffield said: 

‘The Morecambe Winter Gardens is delighted to be in the top three of the Bucket and Spade List and this is testament to both the love of Morecambe and also the amazing journey we have been on as a volunteer run organisation over the past three years. We are humbled to be on the same list as many of our great seaside attractions and thank everyone for voting for us - the seaside is an important part of our heritage and our future so let’s celebrate it.’

No visit to Southport Pier is complete without a ride on ‘Herbert Silcock’s Original Golden Gallopers’. Now 122 years old, its three original cockerels and thirty-three horses spin their riders round to the soundtrack of a historic Gavioli fairground organ. Operations Manager Serena Silcock-Prince describes the Carousel as ‘a real landmark for people who live in Southport and for visitors from across the UK, many of whom have wonderful memories of riding on it as children, and who are now bringing their own children and grandchildren.’

Voters said:

‘It’s not only heritage and tradition, its moving art and part of a limited remaining collections of organs…it’s timeless and family owned and loved by the town.’

Donkey rides are synonymous with seaside holidays and Melanie Llewellyn is happy to be continuing the tradition at Weymouth. Her award-winning West Hill Donkeys enjoy the highest welfare standards. ‘Working on a rota they spend their rest time in open fields. Donkeys love to be around people and riders treasure their time with these special, gentle souls. That’s why donkey rides have stood the test of time; they stay in our hearts and memories long after we’ve left the beach.’

Voters said:

‘The donkeys at Weymouth have always been there. They are part of our seaside history and the ones at Weymouth are very well cared for.’

‘It's the one thing my grandchildren always pester me for when we visit.’

Fish and chips taste better at the seaside and George Papadamou has such faith in this belief that his Papas fish and chip restaurant and takeaway on Cleethorpes Pier is the largest in the world. ‘We’re proud to source every fillet of sustainably caught fish from the fish market on the Cleethorpes and Grimsby Dock and our potatoes come from local Lincolnshire farms. Combine that with panoramic views and our family restaurant offers a real authentic seaside experience.’

Voters said:

‘Cleethorpes has everything you need for a traditional seaside holiday and a chippy on the pier is the icing on the cake.’

Renovations to the magnificent Victorian gardens on Scarborough’s South Cliff are now complete thanks to support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Community Engagement Officer, Gemma Alexander, describes the location as ‘natural beauty and spectacular sea views complimented by areas of formal landscaping, including the much-loved Rose and Italian Gardens. Amid the winding pathways are beautifully restored shelters, a working cliff lift, clock tower café and beach chalets, putting green and a newly added children’s play area and community hub.’ 

Voters said:

‘The stunning coastal views, beautiful gardens, beautifully restored historic shelters to sit in for picnics or shade, wonderful traditional cafe halfway down, all the activities of the beach and the Spa buildings at the bottom, and finally a historic tram ride to get back up the hill.’

Home to the UK’s oldest wooden roller coaster, Dreamland Margate is a world-class family attraction opposite the golden sands of Kent’s earliest seaside resort. Capitalising on a heritage that goes back to 1870, twenty-first century Dreamland mixes vintage rides, pop-up entertainment, art installations and street food with a packed programme of live music and events. As Margate continues its transformation into one of the UK’s trendiest seaside towns, Dreamland lights the way with its exciting blend of old and new.

Voters said:

'Amazing heritage theme park, at an affordable price for a family day out, right on a beautiful golden sandy beach, plus easily accessible public transport links... what's not to love!’

Andrew Emery manages Resort Development and has no doubt about the importance of the 3,700 beach huts in his council’s care. ‘Bournemouth is credited with building the UK’s first municipal beach huts back in 1909. Today they remain highly coveted as the perfect place to create happy holiday memories and their bright colours make people smile as they walk along the prom. The British seaside just wouldn’t be the same without its beach huts.’ 

Voters said:

‘Pretty beach huts with a beautiful outlook onto the sea, perfect for a day of seaside fun. These huts are such lovely colours and represent the unique style of the UK's beaches. Something Bournemouth gets perfectly right!’

Celebrating its 60^th anniversary in 2023, Babbacombe Model Village is one of the English Riviera’s best-known attractions. Managing Director, Mike Rhodes, describes how ‘visitors get to feel like giants as they step through the small entrance to find four acres of miniature world opening before them. Within this are hundreds of hand-crafted model scenes, vehicles & people to marvel at, all made by the onsite team of highly skilled model makers.’ With a major refurbishment programme nearing completion and a new Mythical Kingdom opening this year this slice of seaside heritage is constantly being renewed.

Voters said:

‘This is my favourite place in the world! The work that has gone into the tiniest details is amazing to me.’