Young Brits title worst issues in regards to the seashore – from filthy bogs to seagulls and tech woes

The younger generation aren’t as besotted with days out at the seaside as their predecessors – with a whole host of grumbles as to why many would rather stay at home

Gen Z Brit say gross beach toilets, dying phone battery and parking nightmares are the worst things about a day at the beach. A new poll of 2,000 people reveals the top beach day grumbles for young adults, with filthy loos (43%), parking nightmares (30%) and seagulls nicking your chips (25%), leaving the TikTok generation fuming.

Another 12% whinge about losing signal, while one in ten (11%) can’t see their screen in the sun, and nearly as many sulk because there’s nowhere to charge their phone. The sea’s too cold (19%), the walk’s too long (20%), and sandy feet (21%) are also among the top beach day moans.

It would appear phones matter more than sun cream for today’s youth. As many as 84% of Gen Z say poor signal does their head in, and the same number panic their tech will get trashed.

Seven in ten (70%) say a dying battery ruins the day, compared to just 37% of boomers. Three in ten Gen Z and over a quarter of millennials have actually bailed on the beach early because their phone was running low.

And while the nation may have a few beach day grumbles, the research also found that on average, Brits enjoy at least four beach days every summer with 90% saying that some of their best summer memories are from time spent on the beach, proving that a little sand in your shoes is still a price many are willing to pay.

When it comes to the most nostalgic seaside holiday memories from childhood, eating fish and chips wrapped in newspaper at the beach by the sea (55%), spending time with the whole family (51%), arcades filled with 2p machines (45%) to collecting seashells (44%) and eating sticks of rock (36%) all hold special memories.

Echo tech brand Hive, have created a solar powered beach parasol, which can charge phones and gadgets. Harnessing the power of the sun, the parasol generates renewable electricity that can be used to keep gadgets topped up throughout the day, providing shade and power for beachgoers.

Susan Wells, Solar Director at Hive said: “When the weather heats up, Britain heads to the coast, but beaches rarely offer power. Dead phones and no charging points have become a familiar frustration, especially when people rely on their devices for digital tickets, maps, messaging and mobile payments.

“At a time when energy can feel unpredictable, we wanted to give people a way to feel more in control – so with the Hive Powersol, we’re literally harnessing the power of the sun to keep Britain powered up, wherever they are.”

YOUNG BRITS TOP 25 BEACH DAY GRUMBLES

1. Gross public toilets 43%
2. Trying to find a nearby car park with space 30%
3. Getting sand in my shoes 26%
4. Seagulls attacking me 25%
5. Getting sand in my food 22%
6. Getting sandy feet 21%
7. The long walk from the car park to the beach 20%
8. The sea is too cold 19%
9. Too many pebbles on the beaches 19%
10. It’s too hot 18%
11. Sand blowing in your face 17%
12. Cutting my foot on sharp stones 13%
13. No phone signal 12%
14. Stepping on slimy seaweed 12%
15. Not being able to see your phone screen as it’s too bright 11%
16. Getting stung by a jellyfish 10%
17. Having to wee in the sea, because the loos are too far away 10%
18. Nowhere to charge your phone 9%
19. Your hair getting frizzy and sticky 9%
20. Sandals / flip flops rubbing on my feet 9%
21. Your hair blowing in your face 9%
22. Sand getting in your phone case 8%
23. Stepping on a crab 7%