Visiting seaside resorts is good for your health

Visiting Blackpool and other traditional seaside resorts is good for your health, according to a new study.

Researchers from Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of Central Lancashire surveyed holidaymakers, day visitors, residents and leisure workers across six coastal promenades to investigate links between wellbeing and the seaside.

Around 85% strongly agreed or agreed that the seaside has a positive effect on health and wellbeing, with the greater impact being felt by those who live further away from the coast.

The study used a Seaside Wellbeing Index to summarise well-being-related positive feelings about six resorts in Lancashire - Blackpool, Lytham, St Annes, Cleveleys, Fleetwood and Morecambe.

Overnight visitors scored higher than day trippers and holidaymakers reported higher feelings of wellbeing than leisure workers or tourism staff.

The data showed many associate the seaside with slowing down and being in a leisure mindset. Others associated the resorts with happy memories and had a nostalgic connection with the sea.

Being in a leisure state of mind accentuates feelings of wellbeing associated with exposure to the coast, the study concludes.

Dr Nick Davies, lecturer in Tourism and Events at Glasgow Caledonian University, and one of the authors, said: "Our research clearly indicates how these resorts are seen today and reveals a particular relationship between these coastal resorts and society.

"These resorts are still valued as places of leisure and wellbeing, as they were when they were initially developed."

Around 330 people across the six locations took part in the study, published in the academic journal Coastal Studies & Society.

It was co-written with Dr David Jarratt, Dr Sean Gammon and Jason Ward, of the University of Central Lancashire.

Rachel McQueen, Chief Executive Marketing Lancashire, said: "We instinctively know that being beside the sea makes us feel good, but it's great to have that backed up by research.

"We very much welcome this study and the news that visitors to Lancashire love our coastal resorts as much as we do. Lancashire is blessed with 137 miles of coastline, offering multiple reasons to visit whatever the time of year."

Read - Being at Leisure in blue spaces: The role of Leisure in amplifying the well-being benefits of the seaside, published in Coastal Studies & Society