A famous tourist destination with its varied amusements and crisp sea air. Bridlington is a coastal town in the East Riding of Yorkshire, nestled on the Holderness coast. With a population of around 35 thousand people, Bridlington is both the lobster capital of Europe and a summer tourism hub.
Ancient History
Bridlington has history that spans as far back as to the bronze age. As there are remnants of bronze age structures within Bridlington itself, such as barrows and some monoliths that were looted in the years since construction. The presence of Roman coins when paired with historical records could mean Bridlington was once a port utilised by the Romans or possibly a station called Gabrantovicorum. With even an old Roman road running from York towards Bridlington through the Yorkshire Wolds now called woldgate. The presence of some Greek coins have also possibly suggested that Bridlington’s area served as a port or safe harbour for even earlier traders prior to the Romans expedition in the UK.
Bridlington Quay
From the early history of Bridlington. A small fishing port grew around the coast, Most likely being focused on the shellfish of the area. This fishing village became known as Bridlington Quay. After the discovery of a water spring that contained iron nearby the fishing port, the quay then started developing into a seaside resort.
Expansion and Industrialisation
Bridlington’s first hotel opened in 1805 and it soon became a popular resort around Yorkshire. Mainly catering to the tastes of industrial workers from West Yorkshire. With the expansion of travel to the town a new railway station was constructed on the 6th of October 1846. This led to an expansion of both the Quay and Bridlington town and eventually led to the two towns being combined as the urban areas intertwined. In the second world war Bridlington suffered several heavy air raids. These raids caused heavy deaths and damage to the town. The targeting of the town was a strategic one not only being an important port on the east coast but also hosting an RAF training school within the town, known as RAF Bridlington.
Revival
Bridlington’s popularity declined in the following years. As foreign holidays started costing a lower amount, the old tourism base shrank slightly. Although the fishing fleet also declined the port remains strong with lucrative shellfish exports to mainland Europe earning it the name of lobster capital of Europe due to the sheer volume it exports. Bridlington has restarted its tourism industry by reviving and refurbishing parts of its history. In 2021 during the Queen’s diamond jubilee year Bridlington appointed a town crier the first one in the town since 1901. With the town crier featuring in the 2016 film dad’s army. There was also an overhauled refurbishment of a dance hall called Bridlington Spa between 2006 and 2008. It is an art deco styled ballroom, theatre and art gallery. In its heyday it was the leading entertainment resort in the area and a nationally famous dance venue. After the refurbishment it has seen renewed vigour and has begun to attract well known names again with the Kaiser Chiefs and Kasabian performing there in 2013 alone.
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