Top Ten Winners 2025

No trip to Redcar is complete without trying its legendary treat: the ‘Lemon Top’ ice-cream. This traditional seaside favourite features creamy vanilla soft-serve ice cream topped with zesty lemon sorbet, striking the perfect sweet-tangy balance. The Lemon Top originated in Redcar with Pacitto’s Ice Cream Parlour, which is located on Redcar’s Esplanade, and has been serving freshly made Lemon Tops for over 100 years. So, whether you’re reliving childhood memories or tasting it for the first time, enjoying a Lemon Top is a must when visiting Redcar.

Voters said:

‘Only in Redcar can you get a true Lemon Top. Nothing beats strolling along Redcar beach or promenade with one in your hand.’

‘Ice cream at the seaside is one of life’s must-haves and Pacitto’s is a local icon. Everyone in the area knows where a ‘Lemon Top’ comes from and the sea front cafe still has the charm of being from the 1950’s. It oozes nostalgia and is still going strong without bowing to any latest trends. A true seaside treat that is a staple for any seaside visit.’

‘Lemon Tops bring a little bit of Italy to the Cleveland Coast’

Marcus Pacitto said: 

‘We were so honoured to be nominated in the first place, but to win is truly amazing. Thank you to our patrons, customers and everyone who voted for us. My father who passed away a few years ago would be so proud of this award. Thank you so much.’

Cllr Carrie Richardson, Cabinet Member for Climate and Culture, said:

‘We’re absolutely delighted that Redcar’s iconic Lemon Top has topped the Seaside Heritage Network’s Bucket and Spade list. Originating right here in Redcar at Pacitto’s over 100 years ago, the Lemon Top perfectly captures the spirit of the British seaside: joyful, nostalgic, and proudly local.’

A living piece of Victorian engineering, the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway has been a popular tourist attraction on the Isle of Man since 1876. As one of the last surviving horse-drawn tramways in the world, it stands as a testament to endurance and heritage, delighting both visitors and locals alike. Each summer, the tramway carries passengers along Douglas Promenade on a route stretching 1.5 miles from Derby Castle to Broadway, offering a picturesque coastal journey with convenient access to local landmarks, including connections to the Manx Electric Railway. In recent years, the original tramcars have undergone careful refurbishment. They are drawn by powerful and gentle Clydesdale and Shire horses, affectionately known as "trammers", who have an average working life of 15 years, after which they enjoy their retirement at the Home of Rest for Old Horses in Douglas. A special and unique Manx attraction, the tramway has carried many thousands of happy passengers, including Queen Elizabeth II, the late Queen Mother, and Princess Margaret.

Voters said:

‘It’s a unique feature of the Douglas promenade and would be considered a great tragedy if it was to be done away with. There aren’t many tramways left in the world where you can enjoy a bit of horsepower. Literally!’

‘Timeless experience, no finer way to view the coast and the various hotels along the prom.’

Charlotte Bennett, Hospitality & Events Executive Officer, said:

‘On behalf of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, which celebrates its 150th Anniversary year in 2026, we’d like to thank all our voters for nominating us to ‘WIN 2nd PLACE’ in the Bucket and Spade Top 10 Seaside Experiences across the UK. Thank you to the millions of customers over the years, both residents and visitors from all over the world for sharing in the tramway experience along Douglas Promenade with our beautiful Shire and Clydesdale trammers, heritage trams and the DBHT dedicated team.’

Opened in June 1934, Stonehaven’s open air swimming pool was designed to consolidate the town’s position as a leading holiday resort on Scotland’s North East coast. It quickly proved popular and visitor numbers rocketed after a system to heat the water was installed in 1935. The pool continued to be a big attraction after the war but falling attendance figures and soaring maintenance costs meant that closure loomed. A campaign to save it led to the creation of the Friends of Stonehaven Open Air swimming pool in 1996, and this volunteer group has been running it in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council ever since. A fun and welcoming place to swim, Stonehaven pool celebrated its 90th anniversary with a royal visit in 2024 and is looking forward to a bright future as a much-loved example of Scottish seaside heritage.

Voters said:

‘The staff are lovely and the experience is unique. Nowhere else in Scotland has the same atmosphere!’

‘Attracts the tourists, stunning Art Deco 90 year old building, good place for the kids to have fun and parents to relax.’

‘My wife and I met here many years ago and it holds a special place in our hearts. The staff are very friendly and welcoming and it is right next to the beach so has nice views.’

Steve Harris from Friends of Stonehaven Open Air Pool said: 

‘We are absolutely thrilled to have our pool recognised by the Bucket and Spade List. The lido is a vital part of Stonehaven’s summer and has been for 91 years. Huge congratulations to all the nominees and particularly the winners.’

The Jolly Fisherman poster and its accompanying slogan is regarded as one of the most famous holiday advertisements of all time. The original oil painting was created by artist John Hassall in 1908 after he had been commissioned by the Great Northern Railway to produce a poster to promote Skegness. Hassall was paid 12 guineas for the picture of a smiling, pipe-smoking fisherman bounding along a sandy beach and the slogan “Skegness is SO bracing” was added by an anonymous railway employee. The original paintings are now on permanent display in the Tower Gardens Pavilion in Skegness for all to enjoy.

Voters said:

‘It is the very personification of the British seaside, conveying the wonder of a unique resort in a direct, humorous, all-'embracing' way.’

‘It's cemented Skegness as one of Britain's best seaside towns. Long live Jolly!’

Deal’s post-war pier is a fantastic monument to Mid-Century Modernism, replacing an earlier Victorian pier which was itself a replacement for the original wooden pier of 1838. During the Second World War the pier had to be demolished by the army and once rebuilt it was opened by the Duke of Edinburgh in November 1957. The pier was designed by Sir William Halcrow who specified reinforced concrete to encase the steel piles and provide the pier with its distinctive modern style. Today, Deal Pier is operated and owned by Dover District Council and remains a focal point for residents and visitors to the town, hosting a variety of events, including Morris dancing, shanty singing, and the iconic Boxing Day dips. Kelly Green, Town Centre Manager, Dover District Council says, ‘the pier is part of Deal’s community history, plus it has magnificent views of the pretty, colourful town of Deal and out to sea, where you can see France on a good day’.

Voters said:

‘It's classic British seaside, I've spent many a day and evening along the pier and beach with ice-cream or fish and chips in hand!’

‘It's open all year, transforms with the seasons and offers a beautiful view of the town and the Channel - used by local anglers, visiting tourists and is an icon to locals.’

Central Tramway is Scarborough's iconic cliff railway full of character and charm, where you'll always get a warm Yorkshire welcome. The company was established in 1881 in the heart of this picturesque seaside town, and is committed to preserving the tramway's Victorian heritage, whilst maintaining the highest standards in modern engineering and operational safety. As one of the country's busiest cliff railways and a site of local historical significance, the company shares its rich social and industrial history through educational talks, tours, and books. The tramway also offers a companion scheme for local residents to access reduced fares and updates.

Voters said:

‘It’s iconic, it’s accessible despite its age. The staff are amazing, the history tours are fantastic and it’s there operating almost every day helping the young and old get up and down that steep cliff. It’s an icon of Britain and no trip to Scarborough is complete without it. Truly the best of the British Seaside.’

‘A stunning piece of Victorian engineering that has been lovingly looked after.’

Hove Lagoon, a historic art deco leisure park near Brighton and Hove’s seafront, is a vibrant family destination. Once a saltwater hollow called Salt Daisy Lake, it became a model boating lake in 1930. Today, it hosts Lagoon Watersports, and a playground, paddling pool and fairground amusements for children. The dog-friendly, The Big Beach art deco café serves food and drink and is little changed from when it was built in 1930. The Model Boat group continues to set sail every Sunday. Local volunteers, the Friends of Hove Lagoon, help maintain the area and organise events, keeping this unique gem active and welcoming for locals and visitors of all ages, as it has since the 1930s!

Voters said:

‘There's the sea, a paddling pool, water sports, Fatboy Slim's cafe (a special part of being in Brighton and Hove), activities for all ages, and it's been recently re-developed with natural flora. There are beach huts, ice cream, and the beautiful beach!’

‘A classic 1930s recreation space by the sea which has grasped modern activities without forgetting its heritage.’

Joyland has been delighting families on Great Yarmouth’s seafront since 1949, and the iconic Super Snails ride is at the heart of its charm. A rare survivor of vintage seaside engineering, the snails gently glide through whimsical gardens and bumps, enchanting generations of children and adults alike. Lovingly preserved and still operated using the original mechanism, the Super Snails are a nostalgic treasure and a unique part of Britain’s coastal heritage. With their colourful shells and timeless appeal, they continue to bring smiles year after year – a true symbol of joy, tradition, and the magic of the seaside.

Voters said:

‘Because they capture everything we love about a classic seaside day out — family fun, nostalgia, and a touch of magic.’

The Plaza first opened its doors in 1911 as The Electric Cinema, and in 1935 was redeveloped as an Odeon Theatre, one of four to be designed by architect T Cecil Howitt. Its stunning Art Deco Compton Organ is one of only two still working in the UK today. In 2023, the cinema was sold to its current owners, Merlin Cinemas, a chain that began in West Cornwall in 1990 and now operates 21 locations across the UK, many in historic town centre buildings. Since re-opening Weston’s oldest cinema, Merlin has seen a big uptake from family audiences seeking affordable cinema-going with tickets starting from just £2.50 for older releases and £4 for new films. The Plaza has also seen several film screenings with live organ preludes featuring the original organ which have been very well received by seaside cinema fans.

Voters said:

‘It's a delight to visit this classic 1930s Art Deco cinema with its original theatre organ.’

The beach huts at Wells-next-the-Sea date back to the early 1900s and are a beloved part of North Norfolk's coastal heritage. Perched on stilts along golden sands and framed by the towering pines, these colourful huts offer more than just shelter, they provide a peaceful escape into coastal paradise. Originally built to serve Victorian beachgoers, they have evolved into cherished retreats for locals and visitors seeking their very own slice of seaside heaven. Their lasting appeal and contribution to the coastal landscape make them a must-see when visiting North Norfolk.

Voters said:

‘A true childhood memory of sun and sand at the seaside.’