CLEETHORPES - A GUIDE TO AN IDEAL RESORT
Post date: Oct 18, 2016 6:52:20 PM
From The Official Guide to Cleethorpes, issued by the Cleethorpes Tradesmen’s and Ratepayers’ Association in 1914 – doesn’t it just make you want to head down to the seafront right now and enjoy some terpsichorean indulgence?
CLEETHORPES – AN IDEAL RESORT
Breezy, bright and bracing, well-drained, clean-swept by the ozone-laden breezes of the wild North Sea, Cleethorpes is an ideal resort wherein to spend a cheery, restful, health-giving Summer holiday.
Delightfully situated on Lincolnshire’s sandy shore, it possesses charms, attractions, and diversions for every kind of holiday maker. Then weary, jaded, work-worn toiler finds new health, new strength, new vitality in the freshness of its pure, sweet air; the healthful, sport-loving, active visitor finds diversion in its boating, bathing, fishing and golfing’ the student of nature finds ample scope for the pursuit of his studies; and the staid, bookish, quiet-loving individual finds repose in the tranquil calmness of its beach, and the ever-changing panorama of shipping. All tastes, all dispositions, all classes find in its inexhaustible store some attraction, some happy possession that endears it to them as a favourite summer haunt.
CLIMATE AND HEALTH
Cleethorpes is favoured with an ideal climate, exhilarating in winter, cool in summer, and possessed of a very moderate annual rainfall, it is a place where the visitor nearly always finds the climatic conditions bracing. When other towns are damp and soaking, Cleethorpes is free from rain; when the inland cities are parched and dust-strewn, Cleethorpes is cool and refreshing. In all weathers and all seasons Cleethorpes remains true to its motto, “Breezy, bright and bracing.” Perhaps it is this happy state of things that is mainly responsible for the exceptionally healthy nature of the town, its inhabitants, and its visitors.
Certain it is that Cleethorpers enjoy robust health, and attain great age. The Urban Council jealously guards the town’s health reputation and the Medical Officer and Sanitary Staff strain every effort to maintain perfect hygienic conditions throughout the district. Milk, water and food supplies are investigated carefully, and tests and analyses are periodically made, so the resident and visitor alike may rest assured of the genuineness and purity of the commodities procured in the town. The water supply is obtained from artesian wells, and Dr Muter, the eminent Metropolitan analyst, pledges his reputation upon the purity and excellence of the supply.
Cleethorpes stands at the head of health resorts in regard to the smallness of its death rate. It has been said that Cleethorpers never die though that is perhaps a “terminological inexactitude;” it is certain that only nine persons per thousand of the inhabitants and visitors combined die annually. “See Naples and die,” has been said of the Italian city. “Visit Cleethorpes and live,” may be well said of the Lincolnshire resort. In the matter of health, Cleethorpes may congratulate itself upon being unsurpassed by any of its rivals.
MAGNIFICENT BEACH
Cleethorpes’ proudest possession and greatest charm is its magnificent beach. Nowhere on the East Coast is its equal to be found. Sloping very gently to the Sea, the
beach is absolutely safe as a bathing place, and when the water has receded, the sands are a perfect playground for children, whose wanderings need not be curtailed, as there is no fear of a swiftly-rising flood cutting them off from the shore. Bathing accidents are unknown at Cleethorpes, and there is no record of children having got into difficulties through the rush of an incoming tide, which is a by no means uncommon occurrence at less-favoured resorts.The sands are firm and dry, and are rapidly being improved, an elaborate system of groynes having been constructed in order that the sea may be cleanly and evenly distributed over the surface of the foreshore. The beach is naturally enough the children’s happy hunting ground, and all the “Attractions” that go to delight the juvenile heart are to be found at one portion exclusively reserved for the purpose. Minstrels, Pierrot troupes, itinerant musicians, conjurors, ventriloquists, and other beach artistes abound; while switchbacks, roundabouts, aerial flights, etc, are found in amazing profusion. Upon one section of the shore only are the different varieties of beach “Tradesmen” allowed to carry on operations, and the visitor desiring absolute freedom and quiet has only to shun that particular locality. The seeker of health and rest, who, visiting other places has had his holiday spoiled by the various nuisances which are allowed to over-run some beaches, will bless the thoughtful consideration of the Cleethorpes Council.
DELIGHTFUL SEA PROMENADES
Cleethorpes stretches for three miles along the sea front, and over half that distance may be traversed along spacious and magnificent promenades. In Cleethorpes’ early days the beach was flanked by a straggling line of cliffs, a line upon which the hungry sea whetted its appetite whenever a gale prevailed. As it was necessary to take some measures to prevent the erosion, the Great Central Railway Company built the first sea wall that Cleethorpes ever possessed. The cliffs were raised, and a series of terraces constructed upon which the present Victor Gardens are laid out. The Urban District Council also took in hand the task of sea defence, and between them the two bodies have provided Cleethorpes with a sweep of promenade unrivalled on the East Coast.
The Company’s Promenade alone cost something like £100,000 to build. It is well paved and spacious with colonnades of shops at intervals along its landward side. There is a broad carriage drive, separated by a low stone wall from the pedestrian promenade which overlooks the beach. The Promenade constructed by the Council is more imposing in character, and is without doubt the finest of its kind in England. The opening of this magnificent promenade known as “Kingsway”, by Lady Henderson, on the 12th July, 1906, will long be remembered in the annals of the history of the town as a time of gay festivities and fetes.
A massive sea wall with frowning yet graceful bastions at intervals – from which ancient, disused, but formidable-looking cannon point aggressive muzzles seaward – bars the path of the sea. Along its top is a broad footpath, flanked by pretty gardens, with their beautiful miniature fountains and rockery work. Adjoining is a carriage drive and cycle track of tarred macadam. The arrangement is most convenient for all classes of vehicles, and reduces to a minimum the danger of accident during a busy summer’s day. At the southern end of the Promenade is a newly erected Band Stand. The whole of the seating accommodation is now covered in, and makes a very commodious and comfortable Concert Room. Arrangements have already been made for sacred concerts on the Sunday, and a very high class company has been engaged for the weekdays so that the visitors at this end are well catered for.
THE PIER AND GARDENSBesides its magnificent promenades, Cleethorpes possesses a delightful Pier which runs for a quarter of a mile out to sea, and upon which is situated a Pavilion for dancing and concerts. During the season most enjoyable concert programmes, in which popular operatic stars figure, are submitted; while the most famous bands and orchestras attend and give recitals. The Pier Orchestra is always present to supply dance music, and nimble visitors may revel in terpsichorean indulgence to their hearts’ content. Entry to the Pier also includes admission to the Victor Gardens, which were opened in July 1885, by the late Prince Albert Victor, from whom they take their name. The Gardens were constructed upon terraces created during the razing of the old cliffs, and are, therefore, some considerable height above the sea level. Shady walks, rustic arbours, verdant grass plots, and ornamental flower beds, make the Gardens a pleasing resort on a Summer’s day.
Ross Castle, a quaint tower, is situated in the Gardens, having been constructed to mark the height of the original cliffs. From its summit a fine view is obtainable. In the Gardens also is situated the famous Cleethorpes Bowling Green. The Green is one of the most popular portions of Cleethorpes with a certain section of visitors, for play is nearly always in progress, and the study of the art of reaching the elusive “Jack” is a fascinating one.
The Pier and Gardens are quite self-contained, and the visitor may spend a day within their precincts, for there is a restaurant and shops which cater for all his needs.
A nominal charge is made for admittance to Pier and Gardens.
BOATING
Cleethorpes is as popular for Boating as for most other sea coast resorts, but Cleethorpes has an advantage because of the lack of danger which attends the pastime. Sailing schooners carry visitors on pleasure trips daily, but the visitor who desires a somewhat unusual experience should make friends with some of the boatmen, and prevail upon them to allow him to accompany them on one of their fishing expeditions. The adventure will be interesting, instructive and exhilarating.
THE GOLF LINKS
Form one of Cleethorpes’ most popular features. Situated some little distance from the end of the Kingsway, the Links extend beyond the boundary of the Township and into the Parish of Humberstone. These Links are a favourite walk with visitors and residents.
SEA TRIPS
A trip on the briny possesses charms for most holiday makers, and there is no lack of facilities for them to indulge their bent at Cleethorpes, for pleasure steamers leave almost daily during the season for excursions along the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Coasts to Hull, Scarbro’, Mablethorpe, Spurn, etc. Many of the steamers carry fishing tackle, and the passengers often amuse themselves with fishing competitions during the trip. Most of the vessels also carry entertainers of some sort who provide harmony and diversion.
FISHING
Sea fishing from one of the cobles is a pastime popular with many visitors, though many prefer the freshwater fishing, which is to be found at Tetney and Thoresby, both villages being within easy reach of Cleethorpes.
SWIMMING
As previously stated, bathing is quite safe and is permitted from the beach. Those people, however, who do not care to venture into the sea, may enjoy a swim at the Sea Water Baths, situated on the promenade. The Baths are filled regularly with sea water, which is “aired” to an agreeable temperature. The swimming bath is thirty yards long, the price of admission is sixpence, and the hours of opening are from seven in the morning until seven at night. For the convenience of weekend visitors the baths open from eight to ten a.m. on Sundays. Friday afternoons are reserved for the fair sex. In connection are also excellent Private Salt Water Slipper Baths for ladies and gentlemen, which can be had at any temperature desired.
HEALTHFUL OPEN-AIR CAMPING
Camping in the open-air has of late gained great popularity amongst holiday makers, and Cleethorpes possesses an ideal camping ground on its South foreshore. The soil is dry and sandy, while there is an abundance of water and an excellent roadway down to the camping grounds. Volunteer Corps Boys’ Brigades, and others who require a sheltered, well-placed site for a summer camp should investigate Cleethorpes’ claims.
SPURN LIGHTHOUSE
Spurn Lighthouse stands on the Yorkshire side of the River Humber, and is plainly visible on a clear day from Cleethorpes beach. Pleasure boats ply between the beach and the village regularly, and the visitor may enjoy a pleasant sea trip as well as a ramble over the Yorkshire sand hills, when the village is reached. The Lighthouse itself is open for inspection during stated hours.
