The perfect day by the seaside includes friends, fish and chips – and the smell of fried doughnuts. A survey of 2,000 adults has painted a picture of exactly what goes into a joyful day out by the sea.
Watching the waves roll in, and boats bobbing in the harbour, were also named among the most enjoyable activities. While a stick of rock, a pot of cockles, and fish and chips wrapped in paper, are among people’s favourite seaside snacks.
And it’s even better with friends – as 67 per cent said a hearty coastal meal is the best way to bring everyone together beside the sea. It also emerged 45 per cent of those polled spend more time with their friends and family during the summer holidays.
Gala Bingo commissioned the research to launch its “Jolly Good Fish & Chips Hotel”, the first prototype of its kind in Blackpool. A spokesman for the bingo site said: “We understand that the summer and the seaside bring joy to many Brits, with fish and chips being a favourite food to enjoy beside the sea – and this research shows how food and the seaside are inextricably linked.
“The Jolly Good Fish & Chips Hotel will encapsulate the very best bits of Britain, and encourage Brits to find the little joys in life.”
The study also found more than half of adults (55 per cent) prefer to create little moments of joy at their seaside break – with a handful of smaller treats to fill the day, rather than focussing the day on one big attraction. Top reasons for this include there being something for everyone (52 per cent), the fun lasting longer, (45 per cent) and the days seem to go on longer (40 per cent).
Other things Brits find joyful about a day by the beach are hiking up and down sand dunes (29 per cent), and sunbathing on a sunny day (26 per cent). Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) love playing on the 2p machines, for the opportunity to win loads of coins – and the same amount even like the sound of seagulls wheeling overhead.
The research also showed 64 per cent would like to live by the seaside – with nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) saying that British beaches can make a person just as happy as those found anywhere else in the world. However, only 15 per cent of beach visitors admit they always dip their toes in for a paddle or a swim when they do visit the seaside in the UK.
It emerged that 64 per cent believe a day at the seaside simply isn’t complete without a savoury delight from the nearest chippy – and 68 per cent even think fish and chips taste better when enjoyed by the ocean, according to the OnePoll.com figures.
Gala Bingo’s spokesman added: “Readers of a certain generation will remember parents and grandparents never setting foot on the sand without a piping hot flask of tea. These recollections from the seaside show that just a little bit of joy can become a treasured memory for the rest of your life.
“Our Jolly Good Fish & Chips Hotel is opening its doors to seaside goers in Blackpool, for one weekend only, on July 8 and 9, where visitors will be served free portions of fish, chips, and peas.”
Top 40 things that make a joyful day by the sea
- Watching the waves roll in
- A walk on the pier
- Takeaway fish and chips wrapped in paper
- Watching the sun set over the ocean
- A 99 ice-cream (with a Flake)
- Taking in the general soundscape of noises you only hear at the seaside
- Spending time with friends
- Looking at the boats in the harbour
- A picnic
- Walking on the sand dunes
- Paddling in the surf
- Sunbathing
- Playing the 2p machines
- Hearing the sound of the seagulls
- Looking in all the little one-of-a-kind shops
- The smell of fried doughnuts
- Finding a high spot to take in the view
- A cold pint
- Going rock pooling
- Eating freshly-caught seafood
- Building a sandcastle
- Playing all the seaside arcade amusements
- A glass of chilled white wine with your seafood
- Drinking a cold cider with your toes in the sand
- Seeing a fishing boat coming in with a haul
- Looking at all the pretty pastel houses
- Winning something out of those claw hand machines
- A sunset selfie
- Collecting polished glass pebbles
- Plunging into the sea all at once
- Being able to let the dog off the lead
- Finding the free attractions and ticking them off
- Getting a souvenir for a friend back home
- Deciding you want to move to the seaside, and looking at house prices
- Beach games, like volleyball
- Playing bat and ball
- Having a go on the dodgems
- Vowing to your friends that you'll do this again next year
- Sticking your head through one of those funny picture boards
- Riding a pedalo
