UK seaside resorts: then and now - in pictures

Beach ride at Cleethorpes, mid-1970s Photograph: PhilGates

South Parade pier, Portsmouth Photograph: Jon Neil

'My grandmother Sylvia on the front at Broadstairs with her friend, Bill Hall. She could do with an ice cream! Taken in the early 1930s.' Broadstairs, Kent Photograph: hugestewiefan

'Hartlepool has beautiful, clean beaches and is rarely crowded. Waves regularly crash off the walls on to the promenade which in itself is a fantastic walk. This picture was taken on the late May Bank Holiday weekend' Photograph: macjasp

'My Mum and her older sister Ruby, about to set off on for a pony ride along the beach. Taken sometime around 1937-39' Photograph: MightyAntar

'You can now sponsor a plank to help in the refurbishment and upkeep of the pier.' Southend Pier, Southend-on-Sea, 2013 Photograph: vicvomit

Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare, Somerset Photograph: acerman2

'Dad's healthy friends.' Camber Sands, East Sussex, 1950's Photograph: JerryColebyWilliams

'A garden on the beach that hardly ever needs watering, except for the odd rain shower.' The sustainable garden at West Parade, Worthing was created to highlight the need for water conservation in a changing climate Photograph: Joanna Malandain

'Blackpool has recently undergone a much-needed clean-up. My favourite piece of work is the comedy carpet.' Blackpool, 2013 Photograph: Damien Harrison

'Grandad Wilfred, Great Auntie Olive, Great Granny Coleby, Granny Winifred c. 1932' Photograph: JerryColebyWilliams

'Ice cream cone in Scarborough. I spent a great few days there in September 2012 – I loved the contrast of fading Edwardian grandeur and seaside tack' Photograph: hogsvilleBrit

'Refreshment cabin at a deserted former funfair ground in Morecambe. Taken in 2007' Photograph: John Webbe

'With a grant from the lottery heritage fund, the Illuminated Western Train was fully restored and is a favourite of families during the Autumn Illuminations.' Blackpool
Photograph: blackpooltransport

'Installation from the first Folkestone Triennial in 2008' Photograph: MrsRye

'Walking off Christmas Dinner with the family at Anchorsholme beach, with snow at our feet. Blackpool, Christmas Day, 2010' Photograph: missmas81

'Big Chair' Bournemouth, August 2012. The deckchair was commissioned by the drinks brand, Pimms, to mark the official start of British Spring Time measured 8.5m tall and 5.5m wide Photograph: MrsRye

Palace Pier Brighton, East Sussex Photograph: Sofalofa