Editing Lowestoft (section)

===Tourism===
[[File:Lowestoft beach crowd - geograph.org.uk - 1420548.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Lowestoft beach crowd|Lowestoft beach at the airshow]]
Lowestoft is a traditional [[seaside resort]], first developed as a bathing site in the 1760s.<ref name="edplow" /> The coast has been called the "[[The Sunrise Coast|Sunrise Coast]]". The town's main beaches are south of the harbour, where two [[pier]]s, the [[Claremont Pier|Claremont]] and South piers, provide tourist facilities, and the East Point Pavilion the tourist information service.<ref name="edplow"/><ref name="bbcaug07">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/content/articles/2005/07/04/coast05beaches_lowestoft_feature.shtml Suffolk's beaches: Lowestoft], BBC Suffolk. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> The beach south of the Claremont Pier is a [[Blue Flag beach]].<ref name=bbc22may13>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-22614601 Blue Flag awards given to 55 beaches in England], BBC news website, 22 May 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-22.</ref> Lifeguard facilities are provided during the summer and water sports take place along the coast.<ref name="bbcaug07"/> Tourism is a significant aspect of the town's economy.<ref name=scctran11/>

The town features two major attractions, the first being [[Pleasurewood Hills]] Theme Park, situated on the northern edge of the town,<ref name="hills">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/content/articles/2007/02/22/wipeout_work_begins_campbell_feature.shtml Wipeout], BBC Suffolk, 2008. Retrieved 21 April 2011.</ref> while the second is the [[Africa Alive!]] wildlife park, situated in the south at [[Kessingland]]. The town maintains a holiday park at [[Pakefield]], operated by [[Pontins]],<ref name="yartoft"/> and a small caravan site near its northern beach. The natural attractions of the [[The Broads|Broads]] and the [[River Waveney]] on the west edge of the town, also attract visitors and been the site for boat trips and water sports events, with companies such as Hoseasons operating hire boats from [[Oulton Broad]].<ref name="yartoft"/>

Between 1996 and 2012, the town hosted a major air show during the summer, dubbed the Lowestoft Airshow. A major attraction, the two-day event took place in August, and featuring a wide range of aircraft including the [[Red Arrows]], a [[Avro Lancaster|Lancaster bomber]], [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire]]s and an [[Avro Vulcan]].<ref name="bbcair">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/content/articles/2009/07/21/lowestoft_airshow_2009_feature.shtml Lowestoft air festival], BBC Suffolk, 2009. Retrieved 21 April 2011.</ref> From 2004, it was run by Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival Ltd, a non-profit company, but suffered financial difficulties. In 2010, the event made a loss of £40,000 and raised concerns over its sustainability,<ref name="lj25feb11">[http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/lowestoft_air_festival_sponsor_appeal_goes_nationwide_1_813162 Lowestoft Air Festival sponsor appeal goes nationwide], ''Lowestoft Journal'' 25 February 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2011.</ref><ref name="evnews26jan11">[http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/lowestoft_air_show_in_fund_raising_drive_1_783931 Lowestoft air show in fund-raising drive], ''Norwich Evening News'' 26 January 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2011.</ref> whereupon further financial difficulties coupled with bad weather and low visitor numbers made the 2012 airshow the last before it was discontinued.<ref name=bbc25jul12>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-18979621 Lowestoft Air Festival cancelled for 2013], BBC news website, 25 July 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2013.</ref><ref name=anglia25jul12>[http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2012-07-25/lowestoft-air-show-to-end-after-cash-blow/ Lowestoft Air Show to end after cash blow], ITV Anglia, 25 July 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2013.</ref><ref name=bbc14mar14>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-26576410 Lowestoft Air Festival will "definitely" not take place again], BBC news website, 14 March 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2014.</ref>

Near the town centre is [[Lowestoft Maritime Museum]], open from late April to late October, which has exhibits of maritime artefacts, an extensive collection of ship models and medals, marine art, fishing and the fishing industry, activities with the Royal Navy in WWII, and shipwrights' and coopers' tools.