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The A-Z of Summer Resorts

by Peter Hepple
Updated August 2005

Peter Hepple is consultant editor of The Stage

Show of strength

They say that some British seaside towns have become fashionable among second home owners. While this may be encouraging in some respects, the availability of live entertainment is not one of the reasons for their popularity. With the exception of the ever-present appeal of Blackpool, most people, it seems, do not go to the seaside for the entertainment, which is still in the doldrums.

But at least the situation is not much worse than it was five years ago. You can still find an appreciable amount of live shows in Bournemouth, Great Yarmouth, Torquay and Scarborough, which at one time, of course, have all threatened the supremacy of Blackpool.

This is a section of the entertainment scene that does not change much, except sometimes for the worse. At Bournemouth, for instance, the huge International Centre, which in its short life has housed very big shows, is undergoing a facelift which will make it a venue for even bigger shows, though this is not likely to happen. Those who will benefit most will be conference delegates.

So with no shows in the mammoth Windsor Hall or the Tregonwell this year, the entertainment scene remains solely in the hands of the venerable but still attractive Pavilion and the Pier Theatre, the latter having been taken over this year by Colin Matthews from Torquay, who is trying out the successful formula he has employed at Babbacombe and Eastbourne, where the seasons stretch from the first breath of spring to the chilly flurries of autumn.

It is hardly surprising that the south coast still has the longest seasons. Bournemouth, Torquay and Eastbourne all reflect the importance of the grey pound, when the coach companies convey pensioners to the resorts for reduced price holiday breaks, which probably include in-house entertainment.

But Eastbourne, in particular, really does make an effort to provide theatre all year round, in its charming Devonshire Park Theatre and in the much larger Congress, opened at a time when summer seasons were declining. No matter, it tries very hard indeed to ensure a balanced programme for a population which has a much larger age mix than its reputation suggests. But the older theatregoer continues to be in Colin Matthews' sights and his marketing in Eastbourne at the Royal Hippodrome is first class, as it is at Babbacombe, and if by any chance he fails to make the impact at which he aims at Bournemouth, it will not be for the want of trying.

Most of the other resorts find that a different show each night which can just about attract a willing audience is one solution. Leading players on this circuit include Joe Pasquale, Jethro, the Chuckle Brothers and some of the more established tribute bands.

The places at which they play include Great Yamouth (Britannia Pier), Scarborough (Futurist), Skegness (Embassy), Torquay, Bournemouth, Weston-super-Mare (Playhouse) and Weymouth (Pavilion).

Some of the smaller resorts, for instance Hunstanton and Bridlington, also rely on the one-night pattern, though the latter has a resident show presented by Tony Peers from neighbouring Scarborough. Peers, who is also a fine comedian, deserves more recognition than he gets as a custodian of the summer show, though he rarely receives the publicity accorded to Cromer, which continues in traditional style.

Peers has a close relationship with Scarborough's Spa complex, presenting an annual pantomime as well as a summer show, and is now booking for the former Butlins and Grand Hotel group, taken over by Britannia Hotels.

Strangely enough, summer theatre continues to look reasonably healthy. At Sheringham, in the east coast's smart zone, there is a lengthy season and this small venue is now open all year round. Even more strange is the fact that the previous company at Sheringham, which left after a dispute two or three years ago, has re-emerged during the summer in the small inland town of Holt, presenting a season at the town's public school in a theatre named after its most distinguished alumnus, WH Auden.

So two theatres in this area and another further down the coast at Southwold, where Jill Freud continues her long association with summer theatre, sending most of her productions on to Aldeburgh as well. And Frinton still continues its season, as does Charles Vance's annual summer at Sidmouth.

Alas, Clacton, which has two theatres, the West Cliff and the Princes Hall, must be counted as a semi-casualty.

The West Cliff has only one-nighters this summer, like the rather larger Princes. But what a pity it is when one of the leading stories of the summer is that the show at Ayr has reverted to the title of the Gaiety Whirl.

ABERYSTWYTH
Largest town on Cardigan Bay, with a notable theatre and concert hall in the Arts Centre on the University of Wales campus. The theatre presents a summer musical theatre production. There are a number of holiday centres with live entertainment along the bay and Aberystwyth has some pub entertainment, well patronised by students during term time.

BLACKPOOL
Still Britain's biggest summer entertainment centre and possibly to gain an even broader profile if the plans for one or more large casinos, with big-star shows, come to fruition. Though this new element may enlarge the visitor mix, the resort still insists that it will retain all the familiar elements.

It is still the only resort which warranted a special feature in the first part of our annual summer supplement, for it has the Tower and Winter Gardens entertainment complexes, now owned by Leisure Parcs, who also control all three of the piers, two of which, the North Pier and Central Pier, have long-running resident shows. There is also a seasonal show at the Grand Theatre.

The Pleasure Beach at the south end of the town is an attraction in its own right. Not only is it the largest amusement park in Britain but it has a major ice show in its Arena, the unique Eclipse circus-ballet production in the Globe Theatre and a large-scale magic show in the Horseshoe Showbar. There is also pub-style entertainment in the Star and a children's show. The Pleasure Beach has now built its own adjacent hotel, the stylish Big Blue.

Blackpool is also remarkable for the amount of hotel entertainment, several of the bigger establishments having a regular range of productions and some of the numerous working men's clubs have a summer programme running every night of the week. For the younger holidaymaker there are more than 30 pubs and bars, some of which have live bands.

It rivals Brighton in its gay scene, centred around Basil Newby's venues, notably the phenomenally successful Funny Girls, now in one giant complex in the town centre.

BOGNOR REGIS
Bognor is dominated by the big Butlin's complex at one end of the promenade, where is concentrated most of the town's entertainment. There is a theatre in the town centre, the Alexandra, but it is closed until further notice. An early

summer music festival along the promenade has proved popular. Littlehampton, its near neighbour, has very little entertainment at all, though there is an amusement park, Harbour Park. Arundel, in the same area, has a noted annual arts festival.

BOURNEMOUTH
Bournemouth may not find too many objectors to its self-styling "the entertainment capital of the south coast". More might argue that "the capital of cool" is not so justified, though there is no doubt that Bournemouth clubbing ranks very high in the south of England at least.

Because of extensive renovation at the Bournemouth International Centre, the Windsor Hall is out of action for this summer. When completed the hall will have fixed seating around the sides and at the upper level and the total capacity will be 7,200, making it the largest venue in the south of England. The Tregonwell Hall is also closed this year, with entertainment concentrated at the Pavilion and Pier theatres.

Many of the touring and concert attractions continue in the Pavilion, however, including a summer season and there is a full summer season at the Pier.

Nearby Poole will also have a summer programme in the Lighthouse (formerly the Arts Centre).

However, Bournemouth is one of the great centres of in-house hotel entertainment. It is well stocked with large hotels, many of which are presenting five nights a week of entertainment, sometimes with resident artists. Most, like the Wessex and Manchester, are on the West Cliff but the East Cliff hotels are catching up.

BRIDLINGTON
Thanks to European money, Bridlington has undergone something of a transformation over the past few years, with redesigned promenades and a planned marina complex including a 100-bedroom hotel, which has not so far been approved by the planning authorities.

The splendid Spa buildings, comprising a theatre and the Spa Royal Hall, is the principal entertainment centre, with shows, including a pantomime, throughout the year in the theatre and various events in the large hall. Leisure World, a large complex opened during the eighties, also presents club-type entertainment throughout the year, increasing during the summer months.

Bridlington has seen an improvement in summer show business in recent years, with big names appearing throughout the season in the Spa Theatre and Royal Hall.

Hotel entertainment is scarce but the resort's public facilities are immensely improved, with regular tea dances and piano recitals and occasional larger concerts in the town's stately home, Sewerby Hall.

There are some holiday centres north and south of the town with regular entertainment but the other two resorts in the East Riding region, Hornsea and Withernsea, have only occasional concerts and shows.

BRIGHTON
Now enjoying city status, Brighton is obviously rather more than a holiday resort. It has no specific summer entertainment because everything is on the go throughout the year, at the Theatre Royal, recently refurbished, the Dome, which recently had a major makeover, the Corn Exchange and Pavilion Theatre (parts of the Dome complex), the huge Brighton Centre, with its major concerts and ice shows, the Komedia, a unique venue, part fringe theatre, part cabaret and music centre and the Gardner Centre on the university campus at Fulmer.

But the summer does have an atmosphere of its own, beginning with the Brighton Festival, second only to Edinburgh in its breadth and scope, followed by a long season of special events and outdoor theatre.

There is a remarkable amount of music available in its clubs and pubs and Brighton houses one of Britain's leading gay communities, which has its own nightlife centres and even hotels.

There are some very large hotels, several with nightclubs attached, but in-house entertainment is sparse.

CLACTON
A favourite family resort of Londoners for many years, Clacton is now a largely residential town favoured by the retired. The traditional summer show is, alas, a thing of the past and the most that can be said is that both the Princes and West Cliff Theatres are both open throughout the summer with a mixture of one-nighters.

Frinton, a few miles north, is renowned as one of the most select resorts in the country. There were prohibitions on pubs and fish and chip shops but these have recently been relaxed. There is a summer season of plays at the Little Theatre, where Vanessa Redgrave made her professional debut.

Though Frinton has nothing in the way of amusements, there are traditional family attractions at Clacton, as there are at Walton-on-the-Naze, a few miles further north.

There are also a number of holiday centres, all with live entertainment, in the area.

CORNISH RIVIERA
A marketing area which comprises the small towns of Fowey and Mevagissey, the picturesque Roseland Peninsula and St Austell Bay. Most of the entertainment action is in the last-named, which houses several holiday centres and the New Coliseum (formerly Cornwall Coliseum), which is a major pop and dance venue, particularly in the summer months.

CROMER
A quiet resort, Cromer is notable mainly because it claims to have Britain's only genuine summer show, at the Pavilion on the pier. There is no doubt that Seaside Special has proved to be a unique attraction, offering chances to such performers as Darren Day and Bradley Walsh, who played seasons at Cromer early in their careers. The Pavilion also has a regular programme of Sunday concerts during the season. This will be the fifth season under the management of Openwide International. Considerable improvements have been made to the theatre, which now boasts a balcony, and to the town in general since last year. A total of £8 million has been spent.

The area's holiday parks are quiet, with emphasis on the environment. Except for the Hotel de Paris, the largest in the town, there is no hotel entertainment.

CUMBRIA AND THE LAKE DISTRICT
A major holiday region but without a great deal of live entertainment. Notable exceptions are the Theatre by the Lake at Keswick, which has a repertory season during the summer months but is open all year round, and the more seasonal Old Laundry at Bowness-on-Windermere, though this houses a permanent Beatrix Potter exhibition.

Most of the towns in the region do have a live venue, however, including Barrow, Ulverston, Whitehaven, Workington and Kendal. Carlisle, the largest town, has no theatre but live shows are regularly presented in the Sands Centre. The nearby Lowther Leisure and Wildlife Park also has family entertainment. There is also entertainment at the Oasis Family Holiday Village near Penrith.

There are a few holiday centres along the Cumbrian coast and the Solway Firth.

DAWLISH
Summer entertainment is mainly outdoors. The adjacent Dawlish Warren has several large holiday parks with live shows.

EASTBOURNE
For years Eastbourne suffered from the description Costa Geriatrica but although it is still a popular retirement town, it has become one of Britain's livelier resorts, with a large population of students and young people and nine nightclubs, one of which, Atlantis, is on the town's famous pier.

It is also notable for having more theatres for its size than any other coastal town in the south of England. There is the large Congress, which presents many of the bigger touring attractions, the attractive Devonshire Park, which has a summer play season, the historic Royal Hippodrome, with a long-running summer variety show, and the Winter Garden, which has a variety of entertainment including pop music attractions and comedy. There is, in addition, a thriving arts centre, which includes the intimate Underground Theatre. Under Chris Jordan, Eastbourne Theatres now presents many of its own productions, including the pantomime, at the Devonshire Park. There are also occasional open-air productions at the Italian Gardens. A new cultural centre begins construction this year.

A long-standing tradition of daily band and occasional concert presentations is maintained at the Grand Parade Bandstand, the only one in regular use in the country.

There is also a long programme of special events throughout the summer months.

Because of the number of theatres, in-house hotel entertainment is not as prevalent as in other resorts but several of the larger hotels present regular summer entertainment.

EXMOUTH
Never a leading seaside entertainment resort, Exmouth nevertheless still has its Pavilion, which offers a varied programme during the summer season. Hotel entertainment is scarce but one of the largest holiday centres in the country, Devon Cliffs, is just outside the town.

FALMOUTH AND WEST CORNWALL
The area covers the major resort of Falmouth but also the cathedral city of Truro, Camborne and Redruth, industrial towns, St Ives, Penzance, Helston, the Lizard peninsula and a host of holiday villages along the coast. Most of the towns and villages have some summer entertainment, mainly open air.

Falmouth is the major resort in south-west Cornwall and still has a seaside theatre, the Princess Pavilion, which has a low-key seasonal entertainment programme.

St Ives has always been popular with artists but continues to be a favourite holiday resort.

The area is not rich in summer entertainment but a considerable number of performers are employed in several large holiday centres around the coast.

The Hall for Cornwall in Truro is the major theatre and is open throughout the year and Flambards Theme Park near Helston also has indoor and outdoor shows.

FELIXSTOWE
Victorian resort which still remains amidst the hugely developed port area. In addition to a fine beach, there is an amusement park and the Spa Pavilion, now operated on behalf of the council by Clear Channel and presenting a varied programme throughout the year.

There are several holiday centres along this part of the coast.

FOLKESTONE
Another town undergoing a regeneration process, with the recently renovated Leas Cliff Hall, a striking building perched on the Leas, almost hanging above the sea, coming into increasing use, both for live shows and conferences. There is also a newly created Coastal Park, with an open-air amphitheatre for live productions.

GREATER YARMOUTH
Greater Yarmouth is now the name given to the coastline between Winterton, in the north, and Hopton in the south.

Still second only to Blackpool for summer entertainment, Great Yarmouth has two piers, the Britannia and the Wellington, both with theatres and music and cabaret rooms. The Wellington, however, having been refurbished, is open again this year, though there are no stage shows. In addition there is the only purpose-built circus building remaining in the country, the Hippodrome, where Peter Jay will once again be presenting an international circus.

The smaller St George's Theatre may also have some summer entertainment this year and the Gorleston Pavilion is thriving again with an old time music hall.

Daytime and evening entertainment can be found in the seafront Marina Centre, there are Sunday concerts at the Bandstand on the front and there is a fair amount of live music in the numerous pubs.

Great Yarmouth stands at the centre of the largest number of holiday centres and parks along the British coast. To the south there is Hopton, with several major centres, to the north are Caister-on-Sea, Hemsby, Scratby and California, slightly inland are Belton and Burgh Castle. Nearly all the sites have in-house entertainment teams and visiting cabaret and Hemsby, for example, has several cabaret rooms open to the public.

There is also some hotel entertainment in Great Yarmouth itself.

HASTINGS AND ST LEONARDS
Hastings is gradually being restored to its former prominence as a resort, with its pier now reopened, complete with live entertainment venue and bingo hall. Entertainment is centred mainly at the White Rock Theatre, which will continue its mixed policy this summer. The amateur-owned Stables Theatre is also in the town and the historic St Mary-in-the-Castle Church is popular because of the range of arts and music presented in its crypt, including regular jazz. There is also the Phoenix Arts Centre. In addition, the town also has a busy programme of festivals and special events.

There are few holiday centres around the town, the best known being Combe Haven in St Leonards, now owned by the Bourne Leisure Group. There is little hotel entertainment.

HERNE BAY
Formerly a popular resort, a favourite of Londoners but now more of a residential town by the sea. The town's King's Hall, now run under the aegis of Canterbury local authority, is used mainly for private functions and as a restaurant.

HUNSTANTON
The only west-facing resort on the east coast, Hunstanton preserves its traditional family appeal. It is proud of the Princess Theatre, which maintains a summer show tradition, though these days there is a different show each night.

There are two large holiday centres just outside the town, with resident entertainment, but no hotel entertainment.

It is part of the West Norfolk local authority, most of the live music and theatre activity being concentrated in King's Lynn, where there is a full schedule of shows at the Corn Exchange and varied events at the arts centre.

ILFRACOMBE
The stunning Landmark Theatre on the sea front has now settled down to a varied programme of summer entertainment, with regular attractions during the peak season. At nearby Barnstaple, the Queen's Theatre is under the same management as the Landmark and has a year-round programme of touring attractions.

The Pavilion, formerly the main entertainment venue in the town, is still open with karaoke, disco and live music nights, usually with free admission. There are also Sunday band concerts at the bandstand in Runnymede Gardens.

There are a number of holiday parks in the vicinity, particularly at Woolacombe, and a limited amount of small-scale hotel entertainment. Several festivals are held in the town throughout the year, notably the Victorian Week.

The opening of a Marco Pierre White restaurant in the town may mean a new era of fashionability, particularly as there is surfing from the several beaches nearby. Care will be taken not to destroy its traditional virtues, however.

ISLE OF MAN
The island is quieter than in the years when it was a popular destination for visitors from north-west England and Scotland but there is still a fair amount of live entertainment, mainly centred in the capital Douglas, with its two miles of promenade.

In its Matcham-designed Gaiety Theatre, which celebrated its centenary in 2000, Douglas has one of the finest theatres in Britain and a summer entertainment season will be staged as usual. The Villa Marina, linked to the Gaiety Theatre, has now reopened and will be presenting a cabaret show during the peak season. The building is also establishing itself as a conference centre.

There are no holiday centres on the island but several of the large hotels, both in Douglas and Port Erin, present cabaret entertainment. There is also a large casino in the Hilton Hotel.

Erin Arts Centre, at Port Erin, is rated highly among Britain's arts centres and presents classical and other concerts and arts exhibitions throughout the year.

In common with other resort areas, the Isle of Man now has a running programme of festivals, including music and the arts, drama, opera and jazz, the last-named being centred around the Hilton Hotel.

ISLE OF WIGHT
Formerly a hotbed of summer entertainment, the Isle of Wight has now settled down into a quiet family destination. The Sandown Pavilion has become an amusement centre and the only theatre on the island offering a summer programme, though with largely locally-based artists, is Shanklin Theatre. Ryde Theatre now has regular live shows and the town also houses the Planet Ice Arena. There is a year-round programme in Newport, the island's capital, which has a theatre and an arts centre.

However, the Isle of Wight has a large number of holiday centres with live entertainment, some with resident teams, and because a number of the larger hotels, especially in Sandown, have a considerable amount of in-house entertainment, it supports a sizeable entertainment community in the summer months.

The famous Isle of Wight Festival has been revived in June but in a more decorous fashion, with classical as well as pop concerts, and there are numerous smaller festivals and carnivals throughout the season.

There is a variety of family destinations, such as Blackgang Chine and Flamingo Park.

JERSEY AND GUERNSEY
The Channel Islands are no longer the hotbed of live entertainment they were in the sixties and seventies and indeed, with the exception of the Jersey Opera House, which reopened in 2000 and has now run into financial difficulties, there are no public entertainment venues on Jersey, with the exception of the large Fort Regent Leisure Centre, with its large hall which occasionally houses major pop concerts. Guernsey does have the Beau Sejour, also essentially a leisure centre, though it does contain a theatre which will have some live shows during the season.

The hotel industry in Jersey has declined on a scale matched by no other part of the British Isles, mainly because of the growth of the finance industry, which now accounts for 90% of the island's income. Property prices on the island have rocketed and many of the hotels are now being converted into private apartments or, in some cases, office developments. However, a number of larger hotels, many with small-scale entertainment, survive, mainly in Jersey, which has bigger hotels than Guernsey. But the days of cabaret-style resident shows are over.

LLANDUDNO AND COLWYN BAY
These two resorts share the same local authority, as does Rhos-on-Sea, which houses Britain's only seaside puppet theatre, the Harlequin. Llandudno itself has the North Wales Theatre, by far the largest along this stretch of coast, with a year-round programme of top touring attractions and a special season of summer entertainment. Theatr Colwyn (formerly the Prince of Wales) in Colwyn Bay is currently presenting films and some live shows, though these are often amateur.

Llandudno has a considerable amount of hotel entertainment, notably at the Grand (formerly Butlins), where there is an in-house entertainment team and visiting cabaret. But a number of the hotels present nightly music and regular cabaret. There are no holiday centres in the immediate vicinity, most are further east towards Rhyl.

LOWESTOFT AND NORTH SUFFOLK
The most easterly town in Britain, hence the name Sunrise Coast for this part of the country, Lowestoft is proud of its six award-winning beaches but its summer entertainment is confined to the Marina Theatre, which is presenting a series of varied one-nighters this summer. The Seagull Theatre is essentially an amateur theatre but there are occasional professional performances. The Sparrow's Nest Theatre, at the easternmost point of the town, was demolished long ago but some tradition is retained through the Sunday concerts at its bandstand and the free afternoon entertainment on Sundays and Thursdays. There is some entertainment in the South Pier Leisure Complex.

As with most resorts these days, there is a list of events and festivals during the day. Apart from the theatres, however, there is little night-time entertainment, even in the hotels, though there are a few clubs and music venues, notably the new Harbour Inn.

Running from Corton, in the north, to Southwold, the Sunrise Coast does have many holiday centres, some of them very large, on both sides of Lowestoft, and the New Pleasurewood Hills Family Amusement Park, just outside the town, has an ambitious programme of daytime shows.

Kessingland, only a few miles from Lowestoft town centre, has one of the largest holiday centres and other busy holiday areas are Corton and Pakefield.

Southwold is renowned for its summer theatre, run by Jill Freud with productions of an exceptionally high standard and the town has actually rebuilt its pier, where there are occasional concerts.

MORECAMBE AND LANCASTER
The statue of Eric Morecambe, who took his stage name from his birthplace, on the town's promenade is a reminder that Morecambe used to be one of the north's great seaside entertainment centres. It still has a fair amount of live entertainment but most effort in recent years has gone into the regeneration of the seafront, which is now one of the most striking of any British resort. Improvements have also taken place in many other directions, including the recent new look to Happy Mount Park, which used to present a lot of entertainment in the old days. It still has Sunday band concerts, however, and a growing number of special events, some of them child-centred. There are also festivals in and around the town, including the country's only punk festival.

The main summer entertainment venue is the Dome but the Platform, converted from the old railway station, has proved to be a popular year-round arts centre, with varied entertainment. The handsome facade of the Winter Gardens Theatre, closed these many years, has now been cleaned and restored and regular tours of the building are now on offer. Perhaps, before too long, it will reopen as a performance venue. There are some large caravan parks, notably Ocean Edge and Regent Leisure Park. Some hotels also offer mostly weekend entertainment.

Lancaster itself, a few miles inland from Morecambe and the local authority centre, has considerable arts and entertainment provision, including three theatres, the Dukes (repertory), Grand (amateurs and one-nighters) and the Nuffield on the university campus. There is also a summer play season in Williamson Park.

NEWQUAY
Newquay is the resort that has everything, beautiful beaches, attractive countryside and a lively ambience, created chiefly by the fact that it has now become recognised as the surfing capital of Britain. This has attracted many more young people to the resort, with dedicated backpacker accommodation and consequently a strong clubbing scene. Nevertheless, its wealth of hotels continues to make it popular with older holidaymakers, the season being exceptionally long.

This season visitors will notice that many of the hotels have been renovated, new attractions with family appeal have been added and more holiday centres, mainly catering for the surf enthusiasts, have been opened, all three being mainly privately owned, though two of the big holiday companies are represented in the town. It is, in fact, the best example of resort regeneration in Britain.

However, with the exception of the Lane Theatre, owned by the local amateur dramatic society, which has a season of plays during the season, it no longer has a professional summer theatre, the famous Cosy Nook having closed years ago. It makes up for it, however, with a remarkable amount of hotel entertainment, most of the larger ones having five and more entertainment nights a week. The area also contains a number of large holiday parks, several of which cater for the 18-25 sector. Thus a considerable number of entertainers are employed throughout the year, for it is also a popular out of season and Christmas destination.

PEMBROKESHIRE
Not a large area in live entertainment terms but there are several big holiday centres along the coast, notably Kiln Park and Lydstep Beach, and a certain amount of hotel entertainment. Oakwood, the theme park near Narberth, also has live shows, particularly during the peak season.

Tenby, the main resort, still has its De Valence Pavilion but there is no resident show. The town has, however, become a leading destination for hen parties, attracting groups from Wales and the west of England.

PORTHCAWL
The Grand Pavilion is one of the most notable seaside theatres in Britain but no longer has much in the way of holiday entertainment. The vast Trecco Bay Holiday Centre is adjacent to this town on the South Wales coast.

RHYL AND PRESTATYN
Adjacent resorts sharing a local authority. Rhyl is the larger, with a lively beach and its landmark Skytower. Prestatyn, to the east, is smaller and relies on the Nova Centre, an all-weather complex which has live shows in the evenings, for its entertainment needs.

Rhyl, however, has its Pavilion Theatre, with a mixed programme throughout the year but special seasonal entertainment. There is also the refurbished Sun Centre, an impressive sports and leisure facility, with some evening entertainment.

The Ocean Beach Funfair, a long-established attraction, has an entertainment bar called Brunel's, with live shows every night during the summer. Other attractions are the Palace Fun Centre, which has an entertainment room, and the Village, a shopping and amusement centre.

In common with many other resorts, special events, carnivals and festivals are now part of the summer programming.

There are several caravan parks, most with live entertainment, along this part of the North Wales coast.

SCARBOROUGH, WHITBY, FILEY
The leading resort on the north-east coast, Scarborough still has a considerable amount of live entertainment, notably at the Spa Complex, where is resident the only seaside orchestra in the country. The Spa Theatre has a summer show and there is also live music in the Spa Suncourt. Local comedian and producer Tony Peers is now responsible for live shows in the Spa Theatre.

The Stephen Joseph Theatre, run by Alan Ayckbourn, has put the town firmly on the theatrical map and the Corner Complex also has a summer programme of children's entertainment and evening cabaret. The Futurist, whose future has been in some doubt, has been taken over by Barrie Stead, who has booked an impressive season of live entertainment. There are a number of festivals and special events in the Spa Grand Hall, which is also a noted conference venue.

Scarborough is renowned for its open spaces, especially Peasholm Park, which has a water ski show, a mock sea battle, brass bands and organ concerts and the Atlantis waterpark is proving popular.

The local authority also encompasses Whitby and Filey, much quieter resorts, the former being particularly picturesque. Live shows will be presented again this summer at the Pavilion.

Entertainment in Filey is now presented at the Evron Centre, a community centre which includes a concert hall.

Hotel entertainment in the area is fairly low key but the Grand Hotel, which is one of the outstanding buildings in the town, formerly operated by Butlins but now part of the Britannia Hotels group, has continued the previous year-round entertainment policy in no less than four separate rooms. Tony Peers is also booker here.

There are holiday centres along this part of the coast, the largest being Cayton Bay and Primrose Valley. Most of the rest are small, with little or no entertainment.

SCOTLAND
Can now be classed as a single destination because, with the exception of the Gaiety, Ayr, virtually all the coastal entertainment in the summer months has now disappeared, though there is some seasonal entertainment at, for instance, Oban and Arbroath. This is partly because, as in England and Wales, the residents go either overseas for their holidays or engage in the outdoor pursuits for which Scotland is renowned.

All the same, theatre in Scotland does not cease to exist in the summer. As the whole of Scotland is a holiday destination, theatres are open in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Perth, Inverness, Stirling and Aberdeen, as well as the seasonal theatres at Pitlochry and, on a smaller scale, in Mull. The Byre Theatre, St Andrews, a small theatre with a big reputation, reopened a few years ago after a major refurbishment.

Scotland does have, however, a large number of holiday centres, especially along the Firth of Clyde coast, for instance Craig Tara at Ayr, and these are not confined to the coast for there are a number of inland holiday centres with an entertainment programme.

In recent years a considerable amount of hotel entertainment has sprung up, particularly in the Highland region, much of it directed at the tourist market.

SHERINGHAM
This small seaside town is in the newly fashionable part of Norfolk, which has given something of a lift to its Little Theatre, now open throughout the year. The major activity there, however, is a summer repertory season.

SIDMOUTH
Small east Devon resort of great charm, noted chiefly for its annual folk festival, which has discontinued for the time being, though there is a special Folk Week this summer. It is also notable in continuing a summer repertory season, presented by Charles Vance at the Manor Pavilion. The Sunday concerts at the Connaught Gardens by Sidmouth Town Band are very popular. Even the hotels are of historical interest, some being very grand indeed.

SKEGNESS
Whereas many of our smaller resorts are content to slide into obscurity or become havens for the retired, Skegness retains an extraordinary vibrancy, with all the accoutrements of the traditional seaside. And although it attracts many older visitors, several clubs make it a popular destination for young people in the area.

The Embassy is the town's theatre, offering a mixed programme throughout the year but presenting a long season of traditional summer entertainment, including music hall and even pantomime. There is a small amount of hotel entertainment.

It is at the southern end of a stretch of coastline, which now markets itself as the Funcoast, famous for holiday and particularly caravan parks. A mile or so north of Skegness, Ingoldmells houses the huge Butlins complex and the highly successful themed amusement park Fantasy Island, which has evening cabaret entertainment as well as children's shows throughout the day. Unusually, a large, brand new hotel, Southview Park, opened in 2004.

The parks stretch as far as Mablethorpe, one of the largest being at Chapel St Leonards, the Robin Hood Leisure Park, with its newly enlarged Club Tropicana, formerly the Maid Marian Club and possibly the biggest cabaret room in Britain. This is part of John Woodward's Blue Anchor Leisure company, which also owns Fantasy Island. Chapel St Leonards and Sutton-on-Sea are both classed as smaller resorts along the coast.

There is one notable holiday park on the other side of the town, Richmond Holiday Centre, which has a major entertainment programme and a fully equipped leisure centre, complete with large pool.

Mablethorpe itself is home to the large Golden Sands site and has its own public entertainments centre, the Dunes, which has a theatre room with children's shows during the day and some evening family entertainment.

SOUTHEND
At one time the favourite holiday resort for Londoners, Southend has become a commuter town since the Second World War. It is nevertheless still a popular destination because of its beaches, Kursaal amusement park and its famous pier, the longest in the country. Live summer entertainment has been resumed at the pier for the last two years but there is plenty of year-round theatre activity. Venues include the Cliffs Pavilion, a major touring theatre and concert hall, the Palace, Westcliff, which is now under council management and the New Empire, a former cinema with a mixed programme.

SOUTHPORT
Southport was always the most select of Lancashire resorts but it has reinvented itself in several ways. Not only is it one of the most fashionable shopping centres in the north-west, Lord Street being one of the finest shopping streets in Britain, plus a brand new leisure and shopping centre, Ocean Plaza, which includes a multi-screen cinema, but with 200 restaurants in the town it bids fair to becoming the culinary capital as well. It also has a vibrant night scene for young people, with many new clubs and bars emerging over the past few years. In addition, of course, it lays claim to being England's major golfing centre.

Conference business has brought more revenue into the town with the Southport Theatre and Floral Hall benefiting from this sector, as well as the many hotels.

There are several major festivals held in the town, in addition to the famous flower show. They include jazz, street entertainment, an air show, regular music in the park events, a comedy week and the unique musical fireworks festival. There is a summer entertainment programme at the Southport Theatre and Floral Hall and there is also an arts centre with regular live theatre and music, and an amateur theatre.

Pleasureland is a major amusement park and the Pier has been restored. A brand new bridge has now been constructed to link the Pier to the promenade.

SUFFOLK COAST
One of the quieter stretches of the English coast, with Felixstowe the best known resort. Though now the site of a major port, Felixstowe still has a popular beach, complete with amusement park and a theatre, the Spa Pavilion, operated year-round by Clear Channel Entertainment, with a special summer programme. There are also two holiday centres near the town.

Aldeburgh is one of Britain's leading arts centres, with an important annual festival and a regular programme of musical events at the nearby Snape Maltings. There is also a season of summer theatre at the Jubilee Hall in Aldeburgh, run by Jill Freud in conjunction with her theatre at Southwold. Holiday parks are generally quiet family destinations, with little or no entertainment.

SWANAGE
Quiet resort on the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset and relatively unspoiled. The Mowlem Theatre used to have a notable summer show but now presents films and has an assortment of amateur and professional presentations. The town also has jazz, blues and folk festivals, and a special programme during Regatta week. The large Swanage Bay View Holiday Park has a cabaret lounge open to non-residents.

TEIGNMOUTH
Though it has its Carlton Theatre, this is used mainly for amateur shows. The town has presumably given up on live entertainment because of its proximity to Torquay.

THANET
The Isle of Thanet includes the three resorts of Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs, Margate having the largest population and the most entertainment. Entertainment provision was handed over to a private company five years ago but a summer show continues at the Winter Gardens, the biggest venue in the area, as well as notable one-night attractions.

Margate also has two unique theatres. One of the oldest in the country is the Theatre Royal, which is open for most of the year and has a series of summer productions. The Tom Thumb is one of the smallest but has a variety of productions throughout the year.

Margate possesses the venerable but continually updated Dreamland amusement park.

There is no doubt, however, that in the broadest sense Margate is in dire need of reinvigoration, a fact that has not been lost on the local authority. Plans have been drawn up for drastic improvements to the town centre and there is a major cultural initiative in the proposal for a Turner Centre, named after the artist JMW Turner, who drew much inspiration from the town, which it is hoped will form the basis of a cultural quarter.

Ramsgate and Broadstairs are quieter, though Ramsgate is a busy port and its Granville Theatre is now used mainly as a cinema.

Broadstairs has the Pavilion on the Cliffs, with small-scale productions and concerts, plus some children's entertainment. There is open-air and generally free entertainment at both Cliftonville, slightly to the east of Margate centre, and Broadstairs.

TORBAY
Comprises the three towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, the combined bed spaces adding up to one of the largest stocks in Britain and making the area a favoured conference destination, the Riviera Centre, which offers some live entertainment for children during the summer season, being the principal venue. The arrival of a new visitor attraction on the waterfront came in 2003, Living Coasts, part of a £21 million scheme for the transformation of the area.

Torbay is plentifully stocked for theatres, including the Princess (managed for the council by Clear Channel), with a touring programme all year round, the council-owned Palace (formerly the Palace Avenue), with a varied summer mix, and the Babbacombe Theatre, which has the distinction of housing the longest-running summer show in the country, from March to November, plus a Christmas season. The large Festival Theatre in Paignton was converted into a multi-screen cinema several years ago. The council also runs a free festival in early August called Kick Up the Arts, with more than 100 free events.

The area is an all year round destination, many of the hotels making special out of season offers, and is distinctive in that a high proportion of the hotels present live entertainment throughout the year. Most notable of these is the Torquay Leisure Hotels, comprising four adjacent and linked hotels, which has a resident entertainment team.

Together with the holiday centres which are scattered around the bay, it offers year-round work to a sizeable community of entertainers.

WEST CORNWALL
Embraces many of Cornwall's most attractive seaside villages, as well as the major resort of St Ives, noted for its artistic connections, including a branch of the Tate Gallery, and the largest town, Penzance. There are many festivals, some with a maritime theme, the largest being the September Arts and Music Festival in St Ives.

The most famous theatre, open during the summer months only, is the open-air Minack Theatre, offering amateur and professional productions, which is perched on the cliffs at Porthcurno.

There is a limited amount of hotel entertainment but the area, especially around St Ives Bay, has several large holiday centres.

WESTON-SUPER-MARE
Weston-super-Mare is the major resort on the English side of the Bristol Channel and is at the centre of a lively stretch of coast. The Playhouse Theatre, as in previous years, has a mixed programme of summer entertainment. There are also Sunday band concerts during the season.

A commendable number of hotels are presenting regular live entertainment and Brean is the major holiday centre location along the Bristol Channel. Brean Leisure Centre, also open to the ordinary public, acts as an entertainment centre for some of the smaller sites but a number of centres, especially in Burnham-on-Sea, have their own entertainment programmes.

WEYMOUTH AND PORTLAND
Weymouth was one of the first seaside towns to realise that it is a destination as well as a holiday resort. It has accordingly instituted a year-long programme of special events, indoors and out, designed to attract residents and day visitors in addition to holidaymakers, including such attractions as the International Beach Kite Festival, Trawler Race and Water Carnival, International Military and Veterans Festival, several fireworks festivals, folk, music festivals and one of the largest carnivals in the south, most with appropriate live entertainment. Local radio station Wessex FM is now involved in Great Days of Summer events.

The Pavilion Theatre, extensively refurbished six years ago, is open all year round, with a special summer variety season, and there is also a seasonal programme at the Ocean Room in the same venue.

Several hotels offer live entertainment during the season but the only one with a resident entertainment team and visiting cabaret artists is the Riviera Hotel at Bowleaze Cove. There are several large holiday centres in the area and a few pubs offer live bands and solo performers.

Portland, under the same local authority, is a unique location, visited for its rock formations but has little or no entertainment.

WORTHING
Now rivalling Brighton as a centre of population, Worthing is more of a town in its own right than a resort. Nevertheless, it still has an appreciable amount of year-round entertainment with its Pavilion, Assembly Hall (which houses the largest Wurlitzer organ in the country) and Connaught Theatre, the first two run by the council with a varied programme of one-nighters and seasonal entertainment during the holiday season. The Connaught now presents two seasons of live entertainment and is a cinema for the rest of the year.

There is a lively club scene and the town is noted for the amount of live music in its pubs. The Dome cinema is one of the oldest in the country still in continuous operation. In common with other resorts, it has a number of special events and festivals.