Closing the north versus south tourism divide
By Darren Cronian on Monday, October 20th, 2008

In the past I have being negative towards tourism in Britain but I cannot help but go into rant mode, and today is no exception. You hear of picturesque seaside towns in Cornwall and Norfolk, and it is true, with their fashionable marinas, continental style cafes, state of the art facilitates.

Closing the north versus south tourism divide

Today, I asked a few friends to describe seaside towns on the Yorkshire Coast.

» Tacky pound and souvenir shops
» Rundown buildings
» No character
» Stuck in the 1980’s
» Neglected beaches

You would not want to go on holiday there would you?

Beaches lose blue flag status

Recently many of our beaches have lost their blue flag status because of sewage from floods; we have one of the worst examples of coastal erosion. Okay, so the weather is 5 – 10 degree’s colder up here but that does not mean we want more amusement arcades to shield us from the weather.

To the Government

The solution is quite simple; our seaside towns need money and time investing in to attract visitors from around the UK and abroad. You only have to take a day-trip to towns like Bridlington and Scarborough to realise what I mean. Just because we are not as accessible from London, we should not have the investment that Southern seaside towns have received.

To Visit Britain

When I was a kid, I remember the television ads promoting Scarborough, Skegness and the likes, what has happened? Instead, we see ads promoting Cornwall and the English Riviera, London and Brighton. Okay, so you spend money on promoting popular destinations but how can we improve tourism up North, when the money is going down South.

Proud to be from Yorkshire

I am proud to be born and bred in Yorkshire, so the next time you are visiting London, take the National Express East coast train line from London Kings Cross to York. It takes two hours. Spend a few days in this historic city, and then take a short train journey to the seaside town of Scarborough or Whitby.


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18 responses to “Closing the north versus south tourism divide”

James Penman | 20 October, 2008 at 9:38 pm

And when you’ve finished in Yorkshire, head further north to the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Northumberland National Park. Not only seriously beautiful but also dripping with history. As amazing as anything in Devon/Cornwall.

Darren – if you have photos/video/material to show off Yorkshire, we’d love to publish it to the world.

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Andy Hayes | 20 October, 2008 at 9:44 pm

When I saw this title, I was afraid it was another Scottish independence rant =)

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Darren Cronian | 20 October, 2008 at 9:45 pm

@ James

I think we have some of the nicest national parks in Europe, that’s not my issue, it’s the seaside towns that I would like to see more investing in. Within an hour I can be at the North Yorkshire Moors or Yorkshire Dales, some of the best scenary I have seen from my travels.

As for photos of Yorkshire have a look at http://www.flickr.com/travelrants – I think I have uploaded some on there. Especially, York, Ilkley Moor, Skipton.

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Darren Cronian | 20 October, 2008 at 9:47 pm

@ Andy

Haha Nah, just a Yorkshireman ranting! ;)

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Tricia Pearson | 21 October, 2008 at 9:24 am

Not a scotswoman but seriously if the sun shone on the west coast of scotland more often no-one but no-one would ever bother to travel further afield. :) )

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Darren Cronian | 21 October, 2008 at 12:29 pm

@ Tricia

Yes, I have only visited Scotland a few times, and it’s lovely. I suppose you have the same problem with everyone heading to Edinburgh and forgetting about the rest of the country, it’s a big place.

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Simon | 21 October, 2008 at 1:59 pm

This is interesting, because I have been going to St Ives in Cornwall every year since I was born, but haven’t really gone anywhere else in the country – I blame my parents, as Cornwall is also their love! :-)

In all seriousness though, I often find that Britain, certainly the coastline, is at it’s most amazing during stormy weather. I love it when it’s hot, but there’s something about being on the coast when there’s a gale blowing and the sea is crashing over rocks and harbours which appeals to me more than when it’s sunny, but it’s not something that I would go abroad for! So much so, that my partner and I will be celebrating our honeymoon in St Ives over Christmas and New Year. Possibly a discussion for another time, but why do most people associate holidays with hot, sunny weather?

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James Penman | 21 October, 2008 at 3:31 pm

Ironic. The BBC website is reporting today that just over £500K is being invested in sea side resorts in Devon. Apparently £2Million has already been invested in Torbay area. Seems you have a point about gov. funding. Sorry, but link not working.

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Darren Cronian | 21 October, 2008 at 4:23 pm

@ James

They will get even more money. You know why don’t you? London 2012. Tons of money will be put into seaside towns within travelling distance from London to tidy the places up for the thousands visiting.

It stinks!

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Kelly | 21 October, 2008 at 5:13 pm

Sounds like you have a good reason to be ranting! That must be frustrating to stand by and watch those changes occur – for the worse. I like that you don’t just rant, you include recommendations too! However, mostly I felt compelled to comment because one of our vacation specialists at Carolina Mornings is from Yorkshire :)

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Caitlin | 21 October, 2008 at 5:26 pm

I think the Yorkshire Coast is stunning. Scarborough is the pits but Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay are delightful.

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Lifecruiser | 21 October, 2008 at 6:42 pm

I hate it when these kind of unfair money split happens. Of course it exists everywhere, even here in Sweden, with our 3 bigger cities getting most of it and of course, our capital Stockholm get the most. but that doesn’t make it more legit.

I’m so sad to hear that those picturesque places are suffering because of this. I haven’t been there (yet!), only to London. (+Ireland+Scotland, but I believe that it’s resembles each other quite much). I loved Scotland & Ireland. No, I adored them.

…and I thank you for the tips, because I’ve been thinking about making some sort of trip in England sometimes later, to see some more than just London, so this did suit me perfectly – now I know where to go :-)

Oh, and one more thing: My all time favorite TV-serie is the one with James Alfred Wight (James Herriot), who had his vet practice based in Thirsk in Yorkshire. I just loved the landscape, the characters living there and the huge amount of humour :-)

I could see those (and laugh) over and over again! I bet that there is still some tourists going there to see it…

Ooops, excuse me, but the thought just did hit me: maybe I should go there too…? *s*

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Karen Bryan | 21 October, 2008 at 9:25 pm

Yes Darren you’re right about the majority of tourists heading for Edinburgh ( and Loch Ness) and ignoring the rest of Scotland.

It is unfair that some areas of England are ignored. I live in Berwick upon Tweed in the far north east of England. It’s a beautiful town on the Tweed Estuary which could do with some serious investment to make it more attractive to visitors.

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Darren Cronian | 21 October, 2008 at 9:30 pm

@ Karen

Glad other people are agreeing with me. The North is neglected. I have emailed Visit Britain tonight to ask for their response on the blog post and comments left here. Let’s see if we receive a response.

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Nick | 22 October, 2008 at 3:30 pm

Darren

It is strange you mentioned this as yesterday I was at a tourisum round table about lack of people coming to Norfolk. The points you mentioned why, so not sure it just one reason.

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Darren Cronian | 24 October, 2008 at 12:43 pm

@ Nick

I am sure it’s not just one reason, but I think a lack of cash injection, and promotion are two of the main reasons.

I haven’t received a response from Visit Britain yet, but then it was 4 days ago when I emailed them. I’d like to think they would have the decency to reply, but I will update this post in a few days.

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Rohan | 26 October, 2008 at 11:10 am

Being a Geordie lad I can agree 100% with what you are saying Darren. Have you been to Redcar recently? It is run down and has been getting worse over the years with no investment from anywhere. To be honest most of it needs knocking down and rebuilding!!

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Darren Cronian | 26 October, 2008 at 11:26 am

@ Rohan

OMG, yes Redcar, how could we forget that little seaside town. I remember going as a kid and had a great time, lovely seaside town. I went around nine years ago, and I could not believe what I was seeing. It’s much much worse than Scarborough to be honest.

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