It seems that we inevitably return to the discussion of the weather, but when the sun shines, we suggest declaration of a holiday, a
jaunt to the beach or lido, sunning in the park or finding enjoyment on the shoreline. Traditional and unconventional opportunities to get sand between your toes and water up your nose await.
Get ready for the return of Camden Beach to the Roundhouse, the fab arts venue in Camden, for another year bringing practically everything associated with a beach holiday in England to central London. The terrace will be filled with 150 tonnes of sand, pop-up restaurants, bars, deckchairs, beach huts, raucous laughter and the opportunity for people watching. Opening times for this manmade experience vary, but historically have run for several weeks through the peak summer months. Exact dates will publish soon, so plan to get there early as it tends to draw a crowd. Families can make a day of it, so bring your buckets and spades, but beware, the party can get hardy and leans to kid unfriendly towards evening.
The dank mudflats of the Thames are probably not the sunny beach venue that you imagine soaking in, but they do offer a rather unique shoreline experience, ‘mudlarking’, when the tidal river withdraws. Find yourself among amateur archaeologists scavenging treasures cast away from cargo boats and river workers that transported items from all over the world for centuries, continuing to reveal items from London’s past just under the surface of the muck. London’s history as a world port dates back to the Roman era and the Thames mud is anaerobic, without oxygen, so things don’t decay, making it possible to find preserved medieval treasures even today. To dig below the surface, a license issued by the Port of London Authority is required, but to explore and find things on top, a pair of waders, some patience, and time to kill are the only tools necessary. Licensed mudlarks dig on the foreshore in exchange for having their finds officially recorded by the Museum of London continually building a record of life on the river.
The selection for lidos or open-air swimming pools where
one can satisfy their lust for laps, wash off the Tube, or train for the next triathlon they learned about at the The National Triathlon Show at Lee Valley Velopark in April abound in Britain. Hampstead Heath’s three swimming ponds and the Serpentine in Hyde Park offer non-chlorinated alternatives to improve one’s breast stroke and refresh their senses, while Charlton Lido’s 50-metre outdoor pool is heated, extending the outdoor swimming season beyond the summer months.
For those not keen on the idea of being seen in a swimming costume, but interested in swimming for sport nonetheless, The London Aquatics Centre will play host to the 2016 European Aquatics Championships. The events which feature swimming, diving and synchronised swimming will be held at the centre within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and will be the first major event to be held at the Olympic pool since the 2012 Games.
Britain’s Jurassic coastline activities boasts areas steeped in history and geographical significance and attracts over 500,000 curious travellers every year fancying a walk on the beach, primarily during the peak summer months of July and August.You’ll find coves and beaches all along the coastline. Visit Lulworth, a great starting point from which to walk the South West Coast Path, England’s longest waymarked long-distance and a National Trail stretching 630 miles. The path climbs out of Lulworth quickly, but gives views of the cove below as you climb continuing to the top of Dungy Head, passing the Man O War Cove. As you reach the top, get views of Durdle Door, one of the most photographed views of the coast path. The beaches are brilliant, and there are steps down to both Man o War Cove and Durdle Door beach after which the path climbs steeply away. If you continue on as far as Bowleze Cove walk on the beach into Weymouth where there’s a holiday resort and beach with soft sand and sea for swimming.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach delivers a stimulating day with the UK’s award winning theme park featuring 125 thrill rides, attractions, and legendary stage shows. Ken Webster, mentalist, hypnotist and entertainer is on stage at Pleasure Beach starting this spring with award winning magician Russ Brown’s Carnival of Magic and Hot Ice 2016 - 80th Anniversary Production gliding into town later in the year, with glamorous costumes and showmanship from a cast of world championship performers.
Images: Camden Beach At The Roundhouse - Photo by Stuart Leech; Hampstead Heath - Photo by Azem Kola.
Further information:
www.outdoorswimming society.com
