New research reveals the typical adult in East Anglia's fondest childhood memories are of family trips to the beach, watching Top of the Pops and hop scotch.
Researchers who carried out the study among 2,000 adults found that nationally memories of playing in the sand, collecting seashells and playing games like hopscotch sprang to mind first when asked to recall happy days as a child.
The study, which was commissioned by New Covent Garden Soup, also found paddling in the sea, exploring rock pools and making daisy chains also made the list of the 50 most common childhood memories in Britain.
Findings have also been analysed specifically for East Anglia, where three quarters of those who took part in the poll said the beach played a part in their happiest memories.
East Anglia's 50 fondest childhood memories:
1. Family trips to the beach
2. Watching Top of the Pops
3. Hop scotch
4. Hide and seek
5. Fish and chips
6. Pic n Mix sweets
7. Collecting shells on the beach
8. Ice cream van music
9. Sports days
10. Playground games (British bulldog etc.)
11. Watching children's' TV
12. Kiss chase
13. Recording the music charts on a Sunday
14. Paddling in the sea
15. Pencil cases
16. Climbing trees
17. Collecting toys/ cards/ collectibles etc.
18. Going to Woolworths to buy records
19. Dinner ladies
20. Fighting with my siblings
21. Ice creams from the ice cream van
22. School dinners
23. Egg and spoon race
24. Going 'back to school' shopping at the end of summer holidays
25. Playing outside until it was dark
26. Visiting cousins
27. Reading magazines
28. Fishing for tad poles in a pond
29. Sleepovers with friends
30. Your teeth falling out and putting them under your pillow
31. Ice cream floats
32. Exploring rock pools
33. Making daisy chains and wearing them around your head
34. Using jumpers for goal posts
35. School field trips
36. Staying up late for New Year's parties
37. Playing in the paddling pool
38. Running around bare foot outside
39. Playing on a rope swing in the woods
40. School packed lunches
41. Having a weekend job
42. Scratch and sniff stickers
43. School tuck shop
44. Playing tennis against the back of the house
45. Swimming in cold sea
46. Being scared after losing parents while in the supermarket/out etc.
47. Building forts in the woods
48. Paper rounds
49. Practising your musical instrument
50. Getting up really early in the morning to go on holiday
• What is your fondest childhood memory? Let us know by commenting below.
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