It’s enough to make you drop your ice-cream or choke on your candy-floss. Few summer afternoons start in a more stimulating fashion than with the sudden deafening roar of the Red Arrows scorching over your head. Not so long ago a kissme-quick hat and a quick dip in the briny were about as much excitement as you could expect at a British seaside resort. These days, families are more likely to be thrilled by a screeching Typhoon fighter, wartime Spitfire or the RAF’s display team being put through their paces.

Air shows have become a star attraction at top resorts around the country. They’re fascinating – and they’re free.

At Eastbourne, you can treat yourself to a spectacular helicopter flight along the coast from Beachy Head before watching fantastic air acrobatics over the sea which don’t cost a penny.

What else can you do at resorts around the coast this summer?

south coast

Within a few years of the Prince Regent’s ornate palace the Royal Pavilion being completed in 1823, Brighton had become the country’s favourite seaside bolthole. Today, this East Sussex town is one of the busiest and buzziest of resorts, with a thriving arts and cultural life as well as traditional holiday attractions.

It has a pebble beach and one of the best piers. There are also attractive gardens, water sports, horse-racing, Sea Life Centre, live entertainment at the Brighton Dome, marvellous shopping and restaurants – and this year a new Regency fashion exhibition at the elegant Royal Pavilion.

Eastbourne’s established attractions include award-winning beaches, a unique seafront bandstand with summer concerts, a Victorian pier, Beachy Head and the start of the South Downs National Park.

This year’s International Airshow (August 11-14) is among several special events. New ones include a Cycling Festival (May 21-22) and Eastbourne Fiesta (May 28-29) featuring food from around the globe, live music and dance.

Seeking somewhere quieter? Bexhill-on-Sea is undergoing a £5 million redesign of its seafront, giving it new shelters and seating, and a new-look Metropole Lawn. The refurbished Colonnade is opening a new restaurant and kiosks, while the iconic De La Warr Pavillion arts centre is again staging a full programme of events and exhibitions.

In neighbouring West Sussex, Littlehampton and Bognor Regis have award-winning beaches and promise plenty of traditional family fun. You can jump on a waterchute or walzer at Littlehampton’s Harbour Park and catch your breath afterwards enjoying views across the Channel from the resort’s surprising new Long Bench, made from reclaimed driftwood and claimed to be the longest in the world. An Armed Forces Day (June 25) features a vintage vehicle show, land and air displays including a pipe and drum band.

For something a bit different, Bognor’s annual International Birdman competition (July 16-17) offers the intriguing spectacle of would-be fliers leaping off the pier. If you miss that one, Worthing stages a similar madcap event on August 13-14. Another peak-season
Worthing draw is the Festival (July 22-August 2), where holiday crowds gather for the fireworks, bus rally and American Rod and Custom Car Show.

In Dorset, Bournemouth is a once genteel resort that’s getting trendier by the minute. Here you’ll find seven miles of golden sands, surfing and other water sports, a lively nightlife and good range of accommodation and classy restaurants.

New this summer is the £3 million Pavilion Dance, where boppers can join 48 different classes from hip hop to samba. The award-winning gardens and an Oceanarium stocked with sharks and stingrays are popular, while special events include Carnival Week (August
1-7) and the Air Festival (August 18-21).

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