Holidays through the ages with cottages4you

Nothing beats the magical memories created from a family holiday. So grab your sunnies as we roll back the years and take you on a trip down memory lane with a dip in an art deco swimming pool, a Morris Minor road trip, a groovy shindig on the Isle of Wight and much more...

1940s

 Lidos flourished in the 1930s and by the 1940s were an integral part of an English holiday, so if you’re a war-time baby, pack your trunks or skirted swimsuit and head for the Jubilee Pool in Penzance. The Grade II Listed art deco lido is the largest open-air sea-water tidal swimming pool still in use in the UK, open from the end of May until September. 

1950s

Road trip! Car ownership more than doubled in the 1950s, making the road trip the king of English holidays, long before US college students coined the phrase. Your first family car might have been a Morris Minor, but why not upgrade to an Austin Healy for your trip down memory lane? Classic Car Experience, based in Bath for scenic drives to The Cotswolds and Somerset, has a range of models available to hire for a day, weekend or longer.

1960s

Oh, we did like to be beside the seaside in the 60s – and we still do! After being closed during the war, followed by extensive repair work in the 50s, our piers were finally back to their former glory and people went in their droves to soak up the sun and sea air on England’s beloved sea-hovering structures. Take a stroll along Skegness Pier where you’ll still find the traditional seaside attractions, including hook-a-duck and a children’s carousel. 

1970s

After Woodstock in 1969, the 1970s saw the arrival of the music festivals that are such a core part of our summers today. If you were at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival – widely acknowledged as the largest musical event of its time, with even more attendees than Woodstock – then relive your party days at this year’s festival. Bruce Springsteen has  been confirmed as part of the star-studded line-up. 

1980s

Thanks to John Hughes and the Brat Pack, children of the 1980s were fully sucked into American culture. Have your very own Emilio Estevez or Molly Ringwald moment at The Breakfast Club.  All four of the London cafes pay homage to the decade of excess and Babycham with polaroids, troll dolls and neon signs galore, along with memorabilia from Strawberry Shortcake, He-Man and Fraggle Rock. 

1990s

Britpop and Cool Britannia, meant that holidays at home were cooler than ever and the city of Manchester was at the heart of the action, spawning music heavyweights such as the Stone Roses, The Happy Mondays and Oasis. The Hacienda might have sadly closed, but you can relive this iconic era with a Manchester Music Tour or by dancing like Bez at FAC51, Peter Hook’s new nightclub project and the next best thing to the Hacienda .

Why not create more magical memories with a family stay in an cute cottage along the coast or nestled in the heart of the English countryside. Check out cottages4you for more details and then hop over to enjoyEngland for hundreds of ideas on things to see and do while you're on holiday. 

Comments

[Bruce mackay]

Looks great I love the photos . I will have to take a holiday in the UK soon.

[Peter]

Nice T-shirt: We made HISTORY not money! :)