Watching the waves roll in, taking a stroll along the pier – and getting fish and chips wrapped in paper – are the top things that make for the perfect day at the seaside, according to Brits.
Watching the sun set over the ocean, and spending time with friends, are other seaside activities that help Brits feel joyous, according to the poll of 2,000 adults.
And 26% enjoy sunbathing on the beach, while 24% love playing on the 2p machines to try and win lots of coins.
It also emerged that nearly two-thirds of Brits (64%) wish they could live by the seaside, according to the research, from Gala Bingo.
And for 67%, food is the most important part of enjoying their time by the sea – with fish and chips, a stick of rock, and a pot of cockles named as the top seaside snacks.
The research marks Gala Bingo's launch of its “Jolly Good Fish & Chips Hotel”, the first prototype of its kind in Blackpool.
A spokesman for the bingo site said: “We understand that the summer and the seaside bring joy to many Brits, with fish and chips being a favourite food to enjoy beside the sea – and this research shows how food and the seaside are inextricably linked.
“The Jolly Good Fish & Chips Hotel will encapsulate the very best bits of Britain, and encourage Brits to find the little joys in life.”
The study also found that almost half of adults (45%) spend more time with their friends and family during the summer holidays.
And 55% of those polled, via OnePoll.com, prefer to create little moments of joy at their seaside break – with a handful of smaller treats to fill the day, rather than focussing the day on one big attraction.
Top reasons for this include there being something for everyone (52%), the fun lasting longer (45%), and the days seem to go on longer (40%).
Other things Brits find joyful about a day by the beach are hiking up and down sand dunes (29%) – and even the sound of seagulls wheeling overhead (24%).
More than seven in ten (72%) think British beaches can make a person just as happy as those found anywhere else in the world.
However, only 15% of beach visitors admit they always dip their toes in for a paddle or a swim when they do visit the seaside in the UK.
It emerged that 64% believe a day at the seaside simply isn’t complete without a savoury delight from the nearest chippy – with 68% even claiming that fish and chips taste better when enjoyed by the ocean.
Gala Bingo’s spokesman added: “Readers of a certain generation will remember parents and grandparents never setting foot on the sand without a piping hot flask of tea.
“These recollections from the seaside show that just a little bit of joy can become a treasured memory for the rest of your life.
“Our Jolly Good Fish & Chips Hotel is opening its doors to seaside goers in Blackpool, for one weekend only, on July 8 and 9, where visitors will be served free portions of fish, chips, and peas.”
TOP 40 THINGS THAT MAKE A JOYFUL DAY BY THE SEA:
- Watching the waves roll in
- A walk on the pier
- Takeaway fish and chips wrapped in paper
- Watching the sun set over the ocean
- A 99 ice-cream (with a Flake)
- Taking in the general soundscape of noises you only hear at the seaside
- Spending time with friends
- Looking at the boats in the harbour
- A picnic
- Walking on the sand dunes
- Paddling in the surf
- Sunbathing
- Playing the 2p machines
- Hearing the sound of the seagulls
- Looking in all the little one-of-a-kind shops
- The smell of fried doughnuts
- Finding a high spot to take in the view
- A cold pint
- Going rock pooling
- Eating freshly-caught seafood
- Building a sandcastle
- Playing all the seaside arcade amusements
- A glass of chilled white wine with your seafood
- Drinking a cold cider with your toes in the sand
- Seeing a fishing boat coming in with a haul
- Looking at all the pretty pastel houses
- Winning something out of those claw hand machines
- A sunset selfie
- Collecting polished glass pebbles
- Plunging into the sea all at once
- Being able to let the dog off the lead
- Finding the free attractions and ticking them off
- Getting a souvenir for a friend back home
- Deciding you want to move to the seaside, and looking at house prices
- Beach games, like volleyball
- Playing bat and ball
- Having a go on the dodgems
- Vowing to your friends that you'll do this again next year
- Sticking your head through one of those funny picture boards
- Riding a pedalo
