Schools break up for summer this week and many families will be swapping foreign trips for a traditional British holiday in resorts such as Weymouth in Dorset
People enjoy the summer weather on the beach in Weymouth. As schools in England and Wales break up for the summer holidays this week, many seaside resorts are gearing up to what they hope will be a bumper summer season Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesOverseas trips fell by 15% in 2009. Similarly, this year many Britons are opting to spend their holidays in the UK, due to the weak pound and continuing economic woes Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesLast year visits to Spain alone declined by 19%, as many swapped popular resorts such as Benidorm or Alicante for our own beaches - and if they were lucky caught some Spanish-style sun as wellPhotograph: Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesDeck chairs await customers on the beach front. For many, a trip to the British seaside is an exercise in nostalgia and coastal resorts are swapping their 80s image of drab decline for one of retro charmPhotograph: Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesSeaside buckets and spades vie for attention with more modern beach toys at this seafront stallPhotograph: Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesAs well as traditional seaside attractions, Weymouth also boasts the 2012 Olympic sailing venue, the upgraded Weymouth and Portland National Sailing AcademyPhotograph: Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesThe games could see tens of thousands of spectators lining Weymouth's beaches to watch the world's best sailors compete - good news for the resort's hotels and businesses Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesWith temperatures hitting 30C in some parts of the country this month, sun-seekers have already been flocking to Weymouth's sandsPhotograph: Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesHere's hoping that the good weather continues now the schools are out so we can indulge in our favourite summer sportPhotograph: Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesSome passtimes never go out of fashionPhotograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images