Chisits were
TRADITIONAL EAST COAST RESORTS ARE HIGH-SCORERS IN NEW SURVEY
SKEGNESS and Mablethorpe are in the top 10 beaches in the UK, according to a new study.
It’s something generations of Leicestershire “chisits”* - as the good folk of our city and county are affectionately referred to by locals at the seaside resorts - have long known, but now it’s official.
There is no harm in reminding ourselves, however, just why these two Lincolnshire destinations are such favourites.
With staycations on the rise, trips to all UK coastal resorts are becoming more popular than ever.
But a new study has been looking into where the very best beach destinations are right now.
And, unsurprisingly, Skegness and
Mablethorpe are right up there - ranked sixth and seventh, respectively, in a top 20 list compiled by Nationwide Vehicle Contracts.
The car leasing company was specifically interested in establishing the best beaches to drive to.
Data was collected on the average cost of petrol in the area, the number of car parks, the cost of day parking and distance from the closest town.
Information was also pulled on each beach’s ratings, whether it is dog
friendly and if the beach had any monthly restrictions in place.
By comparing the data, each metric was individually scored revealing a total beach index score out of 300 for each location.
On Skegness and Mablethorpe beaches, they reported: “Both sandy destinations are placed in the top 10 spots, making them some of the best coastal destinations for 2021.
“Skegness scores a total of 221 out of 300 in the index, and Mablethorpe 220 out of 300.”
The study added: “Skegness and Mablethorpe are less than a mile from their nearest town centres. Each beach also provides visitors with multiple car parks to choose from - Skegness has 10 and Mablethorpe 16.
“Visiting Mablethorpe for the day, beach-goers can park for a whole day for as little as £5, and £8 at Skegness. These beaches also make the perfect sandy destinations, as Skegness has received a rating of 3.9 out of 5 and Mablethorpe 3.3 out of 5.”
Out of all the beaches analysed, the study found Whitley Bay in North Tyneside is the best beach to drive to, scoring 241 out of 300. The top 20 list is in the table, right.
Legend has it that the “chisit” tag was given to people from Leicester during the traditional July fortnight mass exodus of tourists to the east coast resorts of Skeggy and Mablethorpe.
It refers to the saying “Howmuchisit”, which people from Leicester are renowned for saying, as in “I’d like to book a room at your hotel for a week - howmuchisit?”