We’ve holidayed in the same UK seaside town for 55 years – it’s a magical place where the sun always shines
A COUPLE have revealed the UK seaside town that they have been visiting every anniversary – for the last 55 years.
Sue and Trevor Sherman have been to Weston-super-Mare, in Somerset, every year since they first went there on their honeymoon in 1970.
Over the past 55 years, the pair have never missed a holiday to the seaside town – even though they live 288 miles away in Northamptonshire.
Having celebrated their emerald wedding anniversary this year, they said they will keep going until they physically no longer can.
Sue and Trevor both love the coastal resort because despite being cold, its always sunny, and there’s “more to Weston than just donkeys.”
Sue, 73, who is a retired PR manager, said of their wedding: “They said neither of us would make it because we were so young but here we are 55 years later.
“We have this celebration every year where we go back to Weston as it’s where we went on our honeymoon.
“I suppose for me the draw is because it’s a happy memory as a kid, back in the day we used to go down and spend all of our summer holidays there. It was a magical place with sea, sand and a traditional British seaside.
“The surrounding countryside is glorious. When Trev and I married, it was his first visit to the area. Even though it’s in March, we still go back. The sun is always shining.
“I still have family there and it’s lovely. Weston has a lot going for it, it has its challenges but they’re working hard and rejuvenating the old pier. There’s a nice feeling of hope in the place.
“When I was a kid, people used to go to Weston for their health, standing buried up to their knees in the sand.
“You could go and have a Weston mud bath. We just love it and every time we come back we feel rejuvenated.”
Sue continued: “It’s cold, but always sunny. The sunsets are incredible there, they’re stunning. I’m always banging on about Weston.
“There’s always something to do and, if not, walk along the prom and you’ll soon find somebody lovely to talk to.”
Sue, who was also born in Weston, has lots of fond memories of her hometown, including seeing the Rolling Stones there as a teenager in 1964.
Rounding off their three-day celebratory trip last week, the pair met relatives for a tea party while staying at the Royal Hotel before heading to Anchor Head pier.
Grandmother-of-two Sue said: “Seaside holidays have gone out of vogue a bit, but it’s still good. There’s more to Weston than the donkeys.
“We stay in a hotel or with family sometimes. We just stayed in the Royal Hotel last time, we’ve stayed in over a number of hotels over the years.
Here's More On The Weston-super-Mare Revamp
There are big plans in place for Weston-super-Mare...
Weston-super-Mare is often named one of the country’s worst seaside towns, as recently as 2023 by Which? and the Telegraph.
But there hopes to breathe new life into the seaside town with a number of new additions to it. The town council’s Tourism and Information Services Manager, Warren Parker-Mills, revealed plans for its new “brand”.
This is part of the £20million Weston Placemaking Strategy which will regenerate the town as part of a 10-year plan.
He told local media: “I used to spend a lot of time in London and actually, I can almost envisage Weston further down the line to have little pockets of Shoreditch or little pockets of Islington.”
Some of these plans include a new waterpark opening this summer, joining the currently Water Adventure & Play Park which is currently being renovated to include new structures and play areas.
He also said there are plans to revamp the 158-year-old Birnbeck Pier – which has been closed since 1994 – with £10million funding.
The pier is the only one in the UK which links to the mainland to an island, with access to Birnbeck Island. And the Old Town Quarry, also currently closed, could be turned into an event space.
“Even during Covid we were there just before Covid was announced, we can honestly say we can with hands on our heart we’ve not missed a year. We go more than once a year sometimes.
“There is an allure to Weston. We were on holiday in Spain at an Elvis competition and the lad that won was from Weston-super-Mare. Imagine Weston having the best Elvis in the world.”
Sue’s husband, Trevor, 75, added: “Sometimes we’ll drop in when we’re going somewhere else. I’ve got a cousin in Cornwall and we just drop by on t he way there.
“We know where all the good places are and we love it. It was my first time going there after we got married.
“I love the area, I love the piers. Sue’s got a real thing for Birnbeck Pier, which is being refurbished now, and that is an absolute joy for her that it’s getting refurbished. Anywhere from Uphill to Sand Bay, all of it, I love it all.”
On the secret to their long-lasting marriage, Sue said: “It is odd but I suppose it’s cliché really, but the secret is being kind, having a sense of humour and being content with what you have – but the gin helps too.”