Is it the squawk of seagulls or the soft sweep of a wave across a sandy beach?
The public has been invited to vote for their definitive sound of summer by the sea, as chosen from an archive of hundreds of recorded beachside noises uploaded to the British Library website.
One thing the poll won’t capture, though, is why we love the sounds we do – from the ice cream van jingle that brings back memories of childhood to the pilot’s voice confirming that our holiday has started. Or perhaps it’s the first thunderous splash of a friend leaping into a swimming pool – a sure sign that a day of sheer, joyful silliness awaits.
So – what’s your favourite sound (or song) of the summer? And why? Let us know in the comments below.
