The British, notoriously averse to
cold water, avoided their own sea shore for many centuries. Then,
the mid eighteenth century claim that seawater was good for one,
especially if drunk or bathed in, took the fashionable and wealthy
from inland spas to seaside watering places. Royal patronage helped:
The Prince Regent at Brighton, and George III at those south coast
towns which could now proudly add "Regis" after their names, spread
the idea that the seaside was there to be enjoyed. Later the paddle
steamer and the development of the railway encouraged the invasion
of the hitherto genteel seaside resorts by hordes of day trippers in
search of amusement away from the industrial city surroundings.
With its carefully researched
collection of contemporary prints, photographs, postcards and
posters, this book takes the reader on a seaside excursion, tracing
the many aspects of how the resorts of Victorian and Edwardian
Britain blossomed into lively and wonderfully garish places packed
with people intent on enjoyment.
Illustrated with over 200 B/W
photographs.
Condition: very good condition in very
good dustjacket, with minor edge wear. Click image
above to see more detailed view.
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