Beside the Seaside

How Retro British Holidays Are Making A Comeback

There was a time when a seaside trip meant sand in your sandwiches, flapping windbreaks, and a coin firmly wedged in the slot of a brightly lit arcade. Post-war Britain ushered in a golden era of homegrown holidays and now, in a twist as warming as a flask of tea on the prom, many of those destinations are springing back to life.

As holidaymakers rediscover nostalgia and the charm of a British break, 1950s, 60s, and 70s hotspots are enjoying a quiet resurgence. Driven by a desire for slower travel, heritage, and meaningful connection, these once-forgotten gems are drawing everyone from curious grandchildren to wistful grandparents, all in search of something real and close to home.

Classic spots making a return

Margate, Kent
Once dubbed the ‘Blackpool of the South’, Margate was a mecca for 1960s families who travelled by train in their Sunday best. After decades of decline, it’s now buzzing again thanks to the Turner Contemporary Gallery, vintage shops, and the revived Dreamland Amusement Park. There’s even a roller disco and scenic seafront walks ideal for all ages.

Llandudno, North Wales
A staple of 1950s coach holidays, Llandudno still boasts its original Victorian pier, cable cars over the Great Orme, and Punch & Judy shows. It’s a time capsule that works, especially with upgraded B&Bs and new restaurants breathing life into the resort where you’ll find nostalgia mixed with new comfort

Morecambe, Lancashire
Home of Eric Morecambe and that famous statue, the town was once known for its majestic art deco Midland Hotel and golden sands. Now, a cultural revival is underway. Eden Project North (opening next year) has cast a green spotlight, while old-school attractions like happy hour bingo and ballroom teas are being reinvented.

Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Once the UK’s most visited resort, Scarborough is reclaiming its crown with restored cliff trams, an open-air theatre, and family friendly sands. Vintage-style ice cream parlours and fresh seafood stalls appeal to all generations, while the North Bay Railway chugs along as charmingly as ever.

From knobbly knees to cool cabins;

holiday parks still fly the flag Butlins, Pontins and other holiday camps defined the mid-century family break full of knobbly knee competitions, redcoats, communal dining and talent shows. While the format faded with the rise of package holidays, it never fully disappeared. And now? It’s back with a twist.

Modern holiday park breaks blend retro charm with creature comforts; think live music weekends, spas, and proper coffee alongside the classic fun and swimming domes. And today’s guests include not just parents and children, but nan, granddad, and even great-grandchildren too.

Homeowner Margaret shared how going on holiday has changed for her and husband Keith: “Since we moved here, we have much more peace of mind going on holiday and leaving our property.

A multigenerational revival

What makes these places so special now is their layered appeal. For many older visitors, these holidays offer a powerful sense of reminiscence, while for younger family members, they’re delightfully novel.

Grandparents can share memories of their first train ride to the coast, their honeymoon ice cream on the pier, or the Elvis impersonator they met at the camp dance in ’72. For children, these stories come to life, not through black and white photos, but through real-time experience.

Beach huts, brass bands, donkey rides, fairgrounds and paper-wrapped fish and chips offer a rare, tactile holiday style that’s hard to replicate in theme parks or all-inclusive resorts abroad. They’re holidays where time slows, devices stay in pockets, and generations spend time side by side.

According to VisitBritain, domestic tourism among the over-60s has increased in recent years, particularly when the destination has heritage or nostalgic significance. Families are now booking group stays, with options from restored railway carriages to seafront hotels catering for all ages.

Angela and Tim, homeowners at The Spindles, discovered the ease of modern living holidays and spending quality time with family, “We went away for a week with our daughter this summer. We enjoy having the beautiful gardens here, but it was so nice just to pack up our things and shut the door without having to think about mowing the lawn or deadheading the roses before going. It was a lovely holiday.”

A postcard from the past

There was a time when the smell of suncream, the rustle of a glossy holiday brochure, and a hastily scribbled postcard summed up the height of travel excitement.  

At the heart of this travel dreamscape was the long-running TV show Wish You Were Here…? which first aired on ITV in 1974. Presented over the years by Judith Chalmers, Anneka Rice, and John Carter, the programme became a fixture of British living rooms for nearly three decades as a simply a dose of escapism after Sunday tea. 

It didn’t glamorise luxury, instead, it celebrated the practicalities: resort buffets, sun lounger availability, queue-free excursions, and the joys of all-inclusive wristbands. But long before satellite TV and email confirmations, there were the holiday brochures; treasured tomes collected from the travel agent and pored over, with every page a promise.  

The postcard, meanwhile, was the original Instagram with over 200 million sent from the UK each year in the 70s. Whether it featured donkeys on Blackpool beach or a cartoon of a sunburned character it was sent with affection. And often it arrived home after you did. 

In an age of instant booking and filtered photos, there’s something comforting in revisiting the way we used
to travel. It was a time of anticipation, shared planning, and stories retold for years afterwards. The fun wasn’t just in the going, but in the dreaming of a holiday. 

And while we may no longer queue at the travel agent on a Saturday morning, many of us still smile when we hear that phrase “Wish you were here?” and remember a golden era of holidays, hope, and home-written headlines. 

Look out on our Facebook page for shared holiday memories, we would love to hear yours @AdlingtonLife 

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