Share your memories of British holidays
Nostalgic memories of holidays gone by are part of why we love exploring the UK in the present – and why we want to protect doing so for the future
British holidays hold a special place in our hearts
The warm sense of nostalgia that memories of family holidays in the UK invoke is one of the main reasons that we keep on booking them!
Whether it's seaside breaks or rural holiday home rentals, many people have fond memories of holidays here in the UK. Now, as we're calling on the public and Government alike to Back British Holidays, we're inviting you to share your own memories of holidays on British soil.
Use the hashtag #BackBritishHolidays to share your fond memories with our community, and read through our team's own recollections below for inspiration!
Venture Caravans share their holiday memories
Claire Tupholme
Holidays in Hunstanton
I have treasured memories of regular weekend getaways to Hunstanton in Norfolk. Nicknamed ‘Sunny Hunny’, this resort reminds me of time spent with my parents on a council-run campsite close to the seafront and opposite a fish and chip shop and amusement arcade.
I can still picture the nights spent walking the promenade along the seafront into the town centre where we would play on the 2p machines trying to win some little trinket. My dad and I would go on some of the fairground rides – the Johnnie Cook’s Twist being a particular favourite and the galloper horses. We would then head back to the caravan via the fish and chip shop, for an evening playing cards and Yahtzee.
Days would be spent at the beach building sandcastles and playing in the sea or visiting the local attractions. I remember once that the fish and chip shop caught fire across from the campsite, and with the emergency services arriving that provided some extra unexpected holiday entertainment.
We had such happy times as a family at Hunstanton. So much so that I often go there now of an evening, to watch the sun go down while eating fish and chips, to reminisce as I walk along the prom and through the fairground, and of course to try my luck on the 2p machines. Being there brings it all flooding back, which is how I feel close to my dad after him passing away five years ago. I also bought myself a galloper horse head to add to my fond memories of those Hunstanton holidays.
Jack Hart
Earliest memories
Some people claim to remember details from when they were an infant, but my earliest memories are from a bit later, off on holidays in my grandparents' motorhome. They're not complete memories, but I have moments that stand out: climbing into the overcab bed compartment; playing board games at the table; and collecting stickers in a dinosaur book from a local gift shop.
We'd invariably be exploring campsites along the Jurassic Coast or another seaside location, with all the classic activities a holiday like that would entail.
These warm memories are ones that I hope to recreate with my own children and grandchildren!
Natalie Fraser
Our happy place
My little boy, James, is autistic and has sensory processing disorder so travelling abroad is too overwhelming for him. For us a UK break ticks all of our boxes; we can load up the car with all the familiar items we need to create our own little home from home. We’ve been to lots of lovely places in the UK but every year we return to Kelling Heath in Norfolk.
We stay in an adapted caravan provided by the charity, Little Miracles. It’s allowed us to enjoy family holidays in a safe space, with lots of facilities. Set in a secluded spot, we can squirrel and deer watch while eating our breakfast. Come rain or shine we have fun, whether than be playing the penny machines in Cromer’s arcades, riding on the Poppy Line heritage railway from Sheringham, building dens in the woods, or hunting for prehistoric fossils under the West Runton cliffs. But our favourite spot would have to be the beach – we’ll spend hours playing on the lovely sunny beaches of the Norfolk coast.
Peter Vaughan
Holidays by the sea
Holidays, for me, often mean being by the sea – there’s something so calming about the gentle crashing of the waves. Or, perhaps, it’s just because we live on an island?
Whatever the reason, when I’ve got a weekend with nothing particular planned, I like to head off with the kids to north Norfolk. We camp at West Runton and head to familiar, favourite haunts. Fish and chips feature, of course, either inside a restaurant in the cooler months or sitting on a bench and eating them with our fingers looking out to sea when the sun shines.
Then there’s the mini-golf, which my daughter invariably wins. My son is getting quite competitive now, too, so I’ll need to hone my putting! They’ve sadly grown out of building sandcastles – we’ve constructed whole towns in the past – but crabbing still hasn’t (quite) lost its appeal. After sitting briefly in our buckets the crustaceans get carefully returned home, while we buy their bigger Cromer cousins for a sandwich filling when we get back to Lincolnshire. Just add mayo and some fresh brown bread.
Depending on the season, we know the best places for a warming coffee, or cooling ice creams. We – well I, but the kids come, too, if bribed with ice cream – love to walk the dog along the beach, or above the sands, along the clifftops. Those calming waves again.
All too soon the weekend is over but we know that we’ll be back and our favourite spots will remain our favourites.
Rachel Scholes
Holiday memories
I’ve grown up with motorhomes, and the highlight of the year, as well as the numerous weekends in the Lakes and half-terms a little further afield, was our four-week holiday in the southwest of England.
We’d head down the M6 and M5, often pausing for a few days in Devon. The bulk of the holiday was tripping around Cornwall, rarely staying anywhere longer than two nights. I have very fond memories of specific places – walking along the coast near Wheal Coates, cycling the Camel Trail (and being bribed by lunch at Pots in Bodmin, where they made the most amazing sandwiches and milkshakes) as well as going for fish and chips at the Lizard. As is obvious, I was bribed with food a lot.
I remember long lazy days on numerous beaches, the pixie shop at Boscastle (which is sadly no longer there) and the quirky attractions at Flambards (which it turns out closed just last year). Another highlight, as well as the obligatory pasty, was the peach melba Roskilly’s ice cream – the memories of whole chunks of peach within a raspberry flavour ice cream are still strong over 35 years later.
These annual jaunts happened for over 10 years and it doesn’t take much to recall those amazing adventures, most of which are related to food in one way or another.
Share your memories of British holidays
You can join the conversation and share your own memories of holidays in the UK by using the hashtag #BackBritishHolidays and tagging Out & About Live on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also email your submissions to us! We'll add your entries to this page to showcase how our fond memories of British holidays have had a positive impact on all our lives, and why they're worth protecting.