Seaside resorts

[Yew]

If you dont like skeg, just head up on the road to chapel, or to mablethorpe. Notts CC run skegness specials from mansfield to skeg over the summer, If I hadnt fallen out with a friend last time I was there, I could be tempted to go

 

[ChrisCooper]

Smegness would be alright if it wasn't for all the chavs from Leicester and Leicestershire that go there. Living in Leicestershire at least if I'm going to go to some chav filled seaside hellhole I'd like a bit of variety in the chavs.

Agree with Yarmouth, such a dump, hence why I refuse to use "Great". Big contrast to North Norfolk, Sherringham and Cromer particularly are good. Lowestoft though is much better than Yarmouth, if a bit dead most of the time.

Blackpool is pretty bad, only the trams really save it, and not for long.

Maybe it's living in the Midlands though, I tend to not regard any seaside resorts that highly. The fact that any of them require a long journey, and most tend to involve pretty crap roads or train services (another one where Smegness really looses it, slow and overcrowed trains, slow and horribly conjested roads) doesn't help matters. An up for Blackpool too, the Motorway goes almost right into it, and a good rail service.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I Like most of the coastal areas in Durham & Northumberland & the North East in general as I see alot of the other guys on this forum do.
I even have a Newcastle football jersey. (Not sure if that is good or bad though?)

I stayed in Alnmouth about 4 years ago and there was an open top bus from there right up to Bamburgh which was great, although rather windy.

I like Whitby too, the extra advantage with that town, is that you can often get there by Steam Train across the North York Moors.

Parts of Folkestone are not too bad and I like Eastbourne too.

The attraction of Blackpool for me would be for the famous lights and the old trams they still have, although I have heard that they may be having changes to their tram network and fleet, which is a shame, I hope they don't get rid of all those large double deckers which I think may be called "Balloons"s, hope they don't go the same way as the routemaster buses in London. Many of those old vehicles have a lot of life in them yet, seems daft to get rid of them, same too with some of the older railway coaches and units. New is not always better and the older stock often more confortable. Sorry gone of the point there.

I like too Exmouth & Sidmouth, Dartmouth and many of the Cornish little seaside towns are great, not sure what the locals think of all the tourists
invading their areas though. I was very dispointed with Weston-Super-Mere, went there on a quick visit from Bristol and went back almost of the next train
to T.M. Weymouth is good too has a good beach and nearbty Swanage, again with a steam railway to play on, (Like Dartmouth and nearby Kingswear DVR & SDR.)

 

[ChrisCooper]

The attraction of Blackpool for me would be for the famous lights and the old trams they still have, although I have heard that they may be having changes to their tram network and fleet, which is a shame, I hope they don't get rid of all those large double deckers which I think may be called "Balloons"s, hope they don't go the same way as the routemaster buses in London. Many of those old vehicles have a lot of life in them yet, seems daft to get rid of them, same too with some of the older railway coaches and units. New is not always better and the older stock often more confortable. Sorry gone of the point there.

Yes they are going the same way as the Routemasters in London. Like the Routemasters a limited fleet of heavily refurbished Balloons will be retained for operating tourist services in the summer, lacking almost all heritage features and including powered doors, PIS and from the sounds of it they will even be painted in the same livery as the new trams. As with London some of the proper heritage fleet might get out from time to time, but likely just on short workings at busy times (bank holidays, illuminations etc) and operating limited stop (knowing the *******s they'll probably even charge extra for them, like the illiumnated tours, rarther than accepting the normal passes). Illuminated tours will run too. How long for though is anyones guess (RVAR will likely kill of any none-compliant vehicles by 2020, although the modified Balloons, Train and Frigate should be fine.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I recently read that there are going to do a complete make over of the Kentish resort of Margate, especially the "Old Town", I presume they mean some of the smaller side streets.
I think they'll have their work cut out there. !
Although the beach is nice and sandy and there is a decent place to eat & drink close to the Railway Station which is very close to the sea.

 

[Aictos]

I have fond memories of Caister on Sea, Great Yarmouth and Blackpool but have to add Brighton to the list.

 

[devon_metro]

Having lived in Paignton for 18 years, and currently not far from Weston-super-mud, I have to say I was impressed with a week I spent in Tenby last week. Very nice area.

Otherwise the more remote - the nicer, in general.

 

[WestCoast]

Like the Routemasters a limited fleet of heavily refurbished Balloons will be retained for operating tourist services in the summer, lacking almost all heritage features and including powered doors, PIS and from the sounds of it they will even be painted in the same livery as the new trams.

I doubt the refurbished balloons will have PIS. They WON'T be painted in the Blackpool Council Maroon either. All trams will operate with conductors and the plan is to have the heritage services running along the central section with the same fare structure - as has happened with the older heritage cars in the past (i.e. pre-balloon and brush car).

 

[Ivo]

Agree completely with Devon Metro regarding Tenby. Similarly, how anyone can like Super Mud is beyond me.

I doubt the refurbished balloons will have PIS. They WON'T be painted in the Blackpool Council Maroon either. All trams will operate with conductors and the plan is to have the heritage services running along the central section with the same fare structure - as has happened with the older heritage cars in the past (i.e. pre-balloon and brush car).

What is the definition of central section? Would it be Pleasure Beach to Bispham, or do BT have another set up in mind?

 

[WestCoast]

What is the definition of central section? Would it be Pleasure Beach to Bispham, or do BT have another set up in mind?

From what has happened with the vintage cars in the past was North Pier - Pleasure Beach or occassionally, Cabin & Casino - Pleasure Beach.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Like: Cromer, Sheringham (quite possibly the two nicest places I have ever been to), Lowestoft, Tintagel, St Marys (Scilly), Penzance, Scarborough, Paignton.
Dislike: Skegness, Pwllheli.
Hate: Blackpool.

 

[Barton Keyes]

Weymouth is much underrated. Better than some more fashionable places in Cornwall, and Weymouth has the Olympic sailing to look forward to.

 

[Daimler]

I'm deeply fond of Morecambe - I can't quite put my finger on why, but there's something about it...

It also has the attraction of the quite fabulous refurbished Midland Hotel now, too - a gorgeous building!

 

[37372]

Cleethorpes!
Also Saltburn and the area around Hayle I find to be lovely.

 

[Anon Mouse]

Aye Saltburn is a great town. The Smugglers is a good pub and the Cliff Railway is canny too

 

[WestCoast]

I'm deeply fond of Morecambe - I can't quite put my finger on why, but there's something about it

I really don't like Morecambe. I think the town looks very tired, dirty and jaded - plus it's full of poundshops!

 

[Daimler]

I really don't like Morecambe. I think the town looks very tired, dirty and jaded - plus it's full of poundshops!

I know, I know...but I still like it, despite itself

There's something about it - maybe it's the beautiful sunsets over the bay, or the view of the Lakes...

 

[WestCoast]

I know, I know...but I still like it, despite itself

There's something about it - maybe it's the beautiful sunsets over the bay, or the view of the Lakes...

I can see where you are coming from, the Bay and the Lakes are great!

 

[ChrisCooper]

I doubt the refurbished balloons will have PIS. They WON'T be painted in the Blackpool Council Maroon either. All trams will operate with conductors and the plan is to have the heritage services running along the central section with the same fare structure - as has happened with the older heritage cars in the past (i.e. pre-balloon and brush car).

I've got it on fairly good authority they will have PIS, which makes sence as they are supposed to be RVAR compliant. Colours is speculation as it's not decided yet, unless you know anything more than me (last time I was intouch with my Blackpool contact was February time). They will not have conductors as such but onboard ticket sellers, the same as in Nottingham. I presume the new trams will be the same. They will have power doors operated by the driver. These will operate on normal routes (at least as far as Bispham or Cleveleys) with normal fares.

The proper heritage fleet will basically be the same as today, like you say the pre-balloon and brush cars. These will as I said operate limited stop short workings as they will not be able to call at the rebuilt platforms. It's not known what fares they will charge, hopefully they will be in the normal fare structure, but they might decide to charge extra like they do with the Illuminated Tours (these might be running similar sorts of services). These will run until RVAR comes in at the end of the decade and then probably be withdrawn (except the train and frigate which are RVAR anyway due to having lifts), or relegated to running pre-booked tours. There is speculation if enthusiast tours with the old trams or even the rebuilt balloons will be allowed up to Fleetwood (fear they will delay service trams due to lower speed).

 

[WestCoast]

I've got it on fairly good authority they will have PIS, which makes sence as they are supposed to be RVAR compliant. Colours is speculation as it's not decided yet, unless you know anything more than me (last time I was intouch with my Blackpool contact was February time). They will not have conductors as such but onboard ticket sellers, the same as in Nottingham. I presume the new trams will be the same. They will have power doors operated by the driver.

For the balloons (and millennium cars) that are going to be overhauled to meet RVAR regulations and run alongside the new trams. These will have power assisted doors, that will be a necessity and PIS will be present. They may well feature the new Blackpool Council maroon livery.

It is confirmed there will be no off-vehicle ticketing - it's conductors or ticket sellers on the trams only.

However, for the heritage fleet of balloons (a few will be kept in current condition for post 2012 use), their post-2020 use is yet to be decided or made "legal".

I've just caught up with situation, despite living fairly locally I rarely need to use the tramway and it feels as though it has been closed forever!

 

[Mike395]

I recently read that there are going to do a complete make over of the Kentish resort of Margate, especially the "Old Town", I presume they mean some of the smaller side streets.
I think they'll have their work cut out there. !
Although the beach is nice and sandy and there is a decent place to eat & drink close to the Railway Station which is very close to the sea.

They are indeed! The Turner Contemporary gallery opened just last weekend, and the amount of positive press that Margate is currently receiving can only be a good thing for the town. The 'Old Town' is the focus, as it's that part of the seafront where the Turner is - a fair few little shops and cafe have opened along with the gallery, and from what I've heard (currently in Bedford, will take a look next week when I'm back in the area), it feels a lot more like its much nicer neighbour (Broadstairs) in that area of town.

The next, and more tricky, step will be to spruce up the main seafront area of the town - really feels run down - and also deal with the yob culture there - it's not a nice place to be after dark! (Although ironically, Friday night is the safest night there IMO, as the proportion of uni students there for a night out is much higher)

 

[ChrisCooper]

For the balloons (and millennium cars) that are going to be overhauled to meet RVAR regulations and run alongside the new trams. These will have power assisted doors, that will be a necessity and PIS will be present. They may well feature the new Blackpool Council maroon livery.

It is confirmed there will be no off-vehicle ticketing - it's conductors or ticket sellers on the trams only.

However, for the heritage fleet of balloons (a few will be kept in current condition for post 2012 use), their post-2020 use is yet to be decided or made "legal".

I've just caught up with situation, despite living fairly locally I rarely need to use the tramway and it feels as though it has been closed forever!

Ah, we were crossing wires between the Rebuilt Balloons and the proper heritage fleet then. The rebuilt Balloons are to provide the main heritage service though, up to and beyond 2020, there is no other need for them if not (if they needed more capacity they could have ordered more Flexitys). They will be like the 9 and 15 Routemasters in London (except the DDA is a little more flexible than RVAR so doesn't need them to be accessable as sufficient alternatives are available, plus they can access the same stops as the low floor buses without any modification). The proper heritage fleet will be like the other RMs and RTs that on occasion get used on the 9, 15 and other services.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I've just remembered that Newquay is awful too. As for Weymouth, I'm not sure...

 

[HST Power]

I've just remembered that Newquay is awful too. As for Weymouth, I'm not sure...

Weymouth is OK. North Shields and Morpeth up in Newcastle are quite nice.

 

[Ivo]

Weymouth is OK. North Shields and Morpeth up in Newcastle are quite nice.

Since when is Morpeth a seaside resort? :?

 

[HST Power]

Since when is Morpeth a seaside resort? :?

There are hotels and caravan parks up there. As well as sea and sand, obviously.

 

[Ivo]

There are hotels and caravan parks up there. As well as sea and sand, obviously.

But it's almost ten miles from the coast! You have to go through Ashington before you get even close to the sea...

 

[HST Power]

But it's almost ten miles from the coast! You have to go through Ashington before you get even close to the sea...

Do you?! Well I am recalling memories from the age of five!

 

[Ivo]

You sure about that? No part of Morpeth touches the sea! The map below proves as much.

(This map is taken from Bing and not Google because the latter is refusing to work :roll

 

[MidnightFlyer]

(This map is taken from Bing and not Google because the latter is refusing to work :roll

I believe that should read:

'This map is taken from Bing and not Google because the former is better'