Seaside Heritage: Colourful Past, Bright Future

The seaside resort enjoys a special place in the nation’s psyche. It is as distinctively English as the bowler hat or fish and chips. English Heritage believes we should cherish this heritage as it will play a key part in the future of our coastal towns.

Seaside Heritage Front cover of the publication entitled Seaside Heritage, Colourful past, Bright FutureSince the early 18th century, when a handful of people first sought improved health by bathing in the sea, to the millions of people who still head each year to the coast, the lure of the sea has been a fundamental part of English and British life. It has transformed settlements around the coast from small working towns into large resorts whose strongly urban character is disguised by the presence of the beach and sea.

In October 2007 English Heritage held a two-day conference at Hastings. It allowed people from a wide range of disciplines to consider how the history and architectural heritage of seaside towns, could contribute to the economy, quality of life and regeneration. The subjects explored included:

The history and architecture of seaside resorts in England, Scotland and Wales
Maritime archaeology of seaside resorts
The challenges facing seaside towns
Heritage protection of seaside resorts – is it adequate?
Success in regenerating seaside resorts through the arts and creative industry

A panel discussion about the role of heritage in the future of seaside resorts was held and English Heritage’s policy on coastal towns was launched.

A selection of the papers, and a transcript of the discussion is available here:

Seaside Heritage 2007 Panel Discussion Transcript

Programme

Biographies of Speakers

Summaries of Papers

In October 2007 English Heritage also published a major new study of the seaside resort - England’s Seaside Resorts is available from our Online Shop or 0870 333 1181.

Please click on links below for further information.

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