As the 'keeper' of most of the nation's castles, English Heritage believes the skill of creating castles from sand and water - a favourite beach activity since holidays at the coast first became popular - is in danger of becoming a lost art in the techno-savvy 21st century.
So by combining traditional with digital in a summer Facebook competition, English Heritage is encouraging everyone to head to the beach to build a sandcastle in the shape of one of its 98 castles - and to post a picture of their creation on the English Heritage competition site www.facebook.com/englishheritage, which launches today (Tuesday 10 July 2012).
Facebook followers will be able to vote for their favourite picture, with a weekly child and adult winner each receiving free family entry to an English Heritage castle of their choice.Those seeking to create the perfect sandcastle can download step by step instructions and tips from experts Sand In Your Eye from the English Heritage Facebook page or its website - www.english-heritage.org.uk/sandcastles.
When the competition closes at the end of August, the best junior entry overall will win a party for themselves and 11 friends at an English Heritage castle, complete with food, games and party bags. The best adult entry can enjoy a sleepover at Dover Castle in Kent, Pendennis Castle in Cornwall or Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Garden in Warwickshire or a castle ghost tour.
Visitors to English Heritage's annual historical blockbuster Festival of History will be able to hone their castle-building techniques at hands-on workshops. The festival takes place at Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire on 14-15 July, when Sand In Your Eye experts will pass on insider secrets for successful sand creations.
"English Heritage cares for almost 100 castles as part of the National Heritage Collection," says Paul Pattison, Senior Historian for English Heritage. "Castles played many roles in our history and are an iconic element in our landscape. Why not celebrate that with sandcastle building on the nation's beaches this summer so that it once more becomes one of the most popular cost-free activities for all the family."
The competition is free to enter and as water is a key ingredient of a successful sandcastle, rain shouldn't put people off taking part!
Anyone can submit a picture of a sandcastle they have built this summer on any beach in the world.
