Old-fashioned seaside holidays inspire a great deal of nostalgic affection among British people. Quintessential elements such as seaside donkeys and sickly sticks of rock are easily identifiable and memorable ingredients of a tradition that most people in this country have experienced. Focusing on the hundred year period from 1870 to 1970, this volume takes a nostalgic journey through the promenades, deckchairs and sandcastles to discover how ordinary people spent their seaside holidays. Colourful photographs and images are brought to life with light-hearted commentary revealing the history behind these idyllic trips to the seaside - how did we get there, where did we stay, and how did we spend our days? Each captivating chapter explores a different aspect of holiday life to build a complete picture of the social and historical significance of the classic British seaside holiday.

Author Biography

Kathryn Ferry graduated from Cambridge University in 2004 with a PhD in Architectural History. Until 2007 she worked as Senior Architectural Adviser to the Victorian Society, campaigning for the preservation of nineteenth century buildings. She has written for national magazines and newspapers on Owen Jones, the Victorian architect and designer, whom she studied for her thesis, as well as on beach huts. She has also published several academic articles and regularly lectures on the above subjects. The author lives in West Sussex, UK.