Brits' most nostalgic places revealed – and why the seaside stirs up our fondest memories
BEACH BEATS BLUES Brits' most nostalgic places revealed – and why the seaside stirs up our fondest memories
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
THE seaside stirs up our fondest memories, a study suggests.
Sun, sea and sand makes Brits most nostalgic, with rivers and lakes also among our top feel-good locations.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
Being by the water topped spending time in fields, forests or mountains, Cambridge University research found.
Study author Dr Elisabeta Militaru said: 'Our findings add to the growing evidence that blue places are associated with increased psychological well-being.
'People don't like extremely chaotic outlines of the kind you might see in the middle of the forest, where you don't get a sense of openness.
'Seaside, rivers and lakes may give us the optimal visual complexity.
"We are particularly nostalgic about memorable one-time experiences and about unique places which we have visited.
'Holidays, including trips to cities, can leave a deep emotional imprint.'
The study questioned 200 Brits and 800 Americans about the places that made them feel most nostalgic.
Devon, Cornwall and North Yorkshire were hot spots for Brits.
Americans were most likely to choose seaside states Florida and California.
A quarter of Britain's most nostalgic places were by the sea, while they accounted for 20 per cent in the US.
The 15 signs a loved one is struggling with their mental health - and how to help
Cities were 20 per cent in the UK and 22 per cent in the US. Fields, mountains, forests and rivers and lakes were about ten per cent each.
Dr Militaru added: 'Nostalgia emerges when we are faced with psychological discomfort, like feeling lonely or socially excluded.
"Research shows nostalgia can have a positive role in caring for people with dementia.'
1
The seaside is the place where Brits feel most nostalgic, a study has found
Credit: Getty
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
'I worked at Heathrow Airport and this overweight baggage hack doesn't work'
Former check-in agent Ashley Bautista debunks the truth behind an overweight baggage hack that many think will lead to them avoiding last minute fees Working at one of the busiest airports in the world has taught me some tips and tricks when it comes to travelling - and one hack Brits think will work can actually backfire. Now that the summer holidays have begun, many Brits are looking forward to spending time away from home. As light as your summer clothes might feel, don't be fooled, as they can add up in the suitcase. That's when your bag becomes overweight. And there's nothing more infuriating than arriving at the check-in desk and being told that your bag is overweight by a few kilos. Naturally, no one wants to leave their items behind, and no one wants to be financially stung on-the-spot. If you're travelling alone, most of the time there aren't any other options but to pay the extra fee, which tends to be expensive. Tiny suitcase label which 'guarantees' your luggage is first off the plane Different rules apply to all airlines, which is why it's always good to check the weight allowance per passenger. These can vary between 23 kg and 32 kg, depending on the airline and the ticket fare. However, it's important to note that no piece of luggage can contain more than 32kg, and this stern rule applies at all UK airports. Mick Temple, managing director of Heathrow, said: "We are committed to implementing safe working practices airport wide, which is why we want to make sure that all our airlines adhere to the same guidelines to help lessen manual handling injuries among airport staff." Lifting your suitcase doesn't work As a former check-in agent, I would play the game of pretending that I didn't see the person I was checking in had a kilo or two more than their allowance. However, there would be occasions when their bags would be too heavy as per the airport's health and safety guidelines. Don't even try lifting your suitcase slightly to reduce its weight on the scales by also trying to distract the check-in agent, because it doesn't work. With honesty and a good attitude, if you're lucky, the agent may waive the excess baggage fee if your luggage is a little bit over the limit, usually up to 2kg. Nonetheless, depending on the circumstances, exceptions can be made. Passengers have to remember that check-in agents are travellers themselves, and they understand the feeling of having to open up a suitcase in the middle of the queue and rearrange it under pressure. During these occasions, the most important thing is to remain calm. If you're travelling internationally, you should arrive at the airport two to three hours before your flight to avoid the stress. Efforts should also be made to weigh the case before you come to the airport to avoid these awkward moments. No one wants to start their holidays on the wrong foot, right?
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Beautiful island is 'most unwelcoming in Europe' for British tourists
The stunning Balearic island of Majorca has been named the European destination where British tourists are most likely to be targeted by anti-tourism protesters The stunning island of Majorca, a favourite amongst millions of holidaymakers, has been dubbed the European destination where Brits are least welcome. The picturesque Balearic island received an 'unfriendliness rating' of 8/10 in a list of Europe's most unwelcoming spots for British tourists. This follows massive protests in mainland Spain, with thousands marching on Barcelona's La Rambla, brandishing signs such as "Tourism kills the city" and "Tourists out of our neighbourhoods. Some protesters took things further - attacking tourists dining at restaurants on La Rambla with water pistols. READ MORE: 'I'm a beauty writer - the new ghd curling wand gave me perfect waves in 15 mins' However, pretty Majorca has seen similar protests on pretty much a weekly basis. And the island topped The Telegraph's list of holiday destinations where British tourists are least wanted. It comes after last year more than 10,000 people marched in Palma de Majorca to protest against tourism. Some demonstrators escalated their actions, targeting tourists dining at La Rambla restaurants with water pistols. However, beautiful Majorca has experienced similar protests almost weekly. The island topped The Telegraph's list of holiday destinations where British tourists are least desired. This comes after more than 10,000 people marched in Palma de Majorca in May to protest against tourism. This was followed by "occupations" at St Rapita Beach and Caló des Moro cove in June, where protesters encouraged tourists to depart. More anti-tourism protests are planned in Palma de Majorca later this month, on July 21 - just as UK schools break up and families jet off for their summer holidays. Protest groups have discussed potentially blockading Palma Airport and surrounding roads, which could cause significant disruption for tourists this summer, reports the Express. Ibiza's Balearic sister, Majorca, may bask in the sun unhindered, but The White Isle has been suffering from such severe anti-tourism sentiments that hospitality workers are resorting to living in cars due to sky-high rents. Yet it seems Barcelona is even less hospitable towards Brit holidaymakers, with The Telegraph assigning it a frosty hostility rating of 7/10. The city bears scars from intense protests against crowds of tourists overwhelming local life. In a shockingly violent display against tourism, a band of masked assailants targeted a tour bus in Barcelona back in 2017, slashing tyres and spraying graffiti, an ordeal passengers mistook for a terrorist ambush at first. Matching Barcelona's chilly reception, Amsterdam's dislike for tourists also scored 7/10 from The Telegraph. Interestingly, resistance there isn't just from disgruntled locals; even the official channels are asking rowdy British revellers to veer off course. Amsterdam's municipal powers that be have publicly discouraged British party animals with their no-nonsense "Stay Away" campaign, specifically aiming at those who flock for weekends awash with stag dos and raucous parties. Venice pitches in slightly friendlier than its counterparts, yet still touches a lukewarm 6/10 according to The Telegraph, while Croatia's age-old gem, Split, stands on par with Venice on the hospitality thermometer. On the sunny side of things, The Telegraph sings praises for Provence and Corfu, suggesting that these picturesque spots not only boast balmy climates but also where you're likely to be met with open arms and warm smiles.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Stunning Greek island with 'world's clearest waters' but hardly any tourists
Boats look like they're hovering in mid-air due to how clear the waters are on this tranquil Greek island that has incredibly managed to avoid the tourist limelight - but getting here isn't easy Escape the crowds of bustling tourists by visiting this breathtakingly beautiful Greek island that has somehow managed to avoid the limelight. If you're dreaming of stunning beaches, turquoise waters, cobbled streets and balmy temperatures - Greece is probably already on your bucket list. However, in recent years, many of the country's hotspots have become too popular for their own good. Take Santorini, for example, a tiny island with just 15,000 residents that begrudgingly welcomed a staggering 3.4 million tourists last year. The result? Coach loads of selfie-stick-waving holidaymakers queuing for hours just to take a snap of the sunset, and fed-up locals threatening to protest against over-tourism. However, tucked away in the western part of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea lies the idyllic island of Kimolos. Once referred to as the land of Silver due to its constant shimmer - boats look like they're hovering in mid-air due to how clear the water is. In fact, the Greek Reporter recently found that Kimolos has the most pristine waters in the entire world, after analysing more than 2.4 million traveller reviews that mentioned 'clear water'. There are 11 beaches on the island, including the famous Prassa - known for its sugar-like sand and shallow cobalt waters. This is one of the few stretches of coast that has amenities like a beach bar and loungers nearby, but if you're wanting to get off the beaten track - there are plenty more secluded coves to explore. Plage De Monastiria is a beautiful alternative that offers a more laid-back vibe. However, tourists say the road to get there is 'long and in very bad condition', meaning you'll have to put in the effort before soaking up the rays. Inland, you'll find quaint cobblestone alleys, whitewashed houses with blue windows, and cosy eateries serving up fresh seafood and local delicacies. It's a similar vibe to Santorini, but with hardly any tourists in comparison. Getting to Kimolos isn't such a breeze, which could explain its low levels of tourism. First, Brits will have to fly to Athens on the mainland - which takes an average of three hours and 55 minutes. In the summer months, you can take this route directly from London Luton, Gatwick or Heathrow. If you're flexible with flights, you can grab return fares for as little as £93 in August. A great way to keep costs super low is by checking if it's cheaper to fly home to a different airport than the one you departed from - but this may not work if you're wanting to park your car nearby. After touching down in Greece, you'll have to take a six hour ferry over to Kimolos. Adult tickets start from around £41.46 in the summer months. Accommodation on Kimolos can be hard to find due to its small size, especially during the peak summer months. For example, on - the only property available for a week in August (Monday, 4-11) is Pigados Beach House Kimolos, with all other listings being booked out. This stunning one-bedroom holiday home boasts a private beach area and terrace with incredible sea views, as well as a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, and free WiFi. However, it'll also set you back a whopping £3,674 for the week. If this is way out of your price range, it might be worth visiting Kimolos in the shoulder seasons - or visiting as part of a day trip from the nearby island of Milos.
