Nostalgic memories of Holland-on-Sea's local history
Share your own memories of Holland-on-Sea and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying all 9 Memories
My parents used to run this as a country hotel for 6 years in the 1950s, when I was growing up from the age of 10.
There were 8 bedrooms - 6 in the new part, and 2 in the old part, plus 2 in the attic. I had one of the attic bedrooms, while there was a retired school teacher as a permanent resident in the other attic bedroom. My mother preferred people to book, so she could plan the food. My mother did classic ...see more
I used to come to Valley Farm for my holidays. My parents owned a caravan on there. We used to spend our days at the beach, lunch at Cordys Restaurant and back to the camp for the evening entertainment. I never wanted to go back home (in London). Sometimes the whole family came and they were such happy times. My brother and his family also later on had a caravan on there. In 1988 my husband and I moved to Holland ...see more
I have just read an amusing story about the Walls ices girls and how pretty they were - I was one of those girls - I can't quite believe someone has written about us! What fun we had. We all worked in the school holidays in the beach cafes, hard work sometimes but such good times.The beaches were packed and we sold lots of Walls ices!
The cliffs on this photograph were the source of much competition as we ...see more
I first remember Holland-on-Sea when I worked my first 'season' as solo organist at Valley Farm Camping Ground (as it was then called) way back in 1969.
I used to regularly have lunch with a work colleague at the little 'Peter Pan restaurant' at the top end of Sladbury's lane where it joins onto Holland Road.
The two ladies that ran it were extremley pleasant and years later, I was ...see more
I am Duncan Burrett, a twin whoes brother was Paul. We had a little sister Barbara. My dad bought the Naze Park Laundry when we were 4 years of age. There are many memories of the time we spent at the laundry but I think the one that sticks in my mind is when my sister fell down a deep well in the garden. Or should I say was pushed down, probably by my brother because she wouldn't let him ride her bike. Dr ...see more
As a young lad, I enjoyed many happy holidays at Brook Farm Caravan Site in Nansen Road, Holland-on Sea, where my parents owned a caravan. This site was very quiet and superbly unspoilt with nothing but a small shop and a toilet block on-site. The site consisted of just two fields with caravans placed around the outer perimeters only, leaving the centre of the fields completely empty. A far cry from ...see more
I remember as a child the great holidays in the 60s on the beaches at Holland. We hired a beach hut for 7/6 a week near the deck chair and paddle float hire. Who can forget the pretty girls who pushed the ice cream trolleys up and down the prom calling out "Walls Ices!" I remember one of the cafes on the beach, think the one in the photo got washed away We used to try and climb the concrete wall going ...see more
After a day down the front we sat just around the corner of the Donkey just past where the cars are. It was a great summer evening and we were just finishing the day with a drink. I thought it was the right time to ask her dad if we could become engaged and he and my future mother-in-law agreed. Another milestone in my life happening in Holland-on-Sea.
My first holiday with my future wife and her family. We sat on the sands by the cafe as we didn't know how to hire a beach hut. That was the start of an association with Holland-on-Sea for me that is still going strong. I can't get down as much as I used to, but my daughter has a caravan on Valley Farm now so when my health lets me I do go down with her.