fun-filled Victorian & Edwardian seaside resorts

Clacton Pier

John Hannavy's book cover

Taking the waters, fresh air and exercise were so popular for the Georgian moneyed classes that Jane Austen featured spa towns in her novels. These trips were an excuse for high soc­iety to mingle, since they could stay at lovely hotels, attend the theatre and wear fashionable clothes. 

Coastal towns offered a welcome break from the cities’ choking poll­ution, a place to treat common ail­ments. Prince Albert (d1861), a keen advocate of science & healthy living, led by example, build­ing a new maritime palace in 1845. When cities were industrialising, a break from pollution seemed essential. 

The Industrial Revolution also brought railways. This new mode of transport opened new opportunities for people to spend their valuable leisure time. The burgeoning Victor­ian middle class could aff­ord rail fares and were keen to follow where the aristocrats led. Small commun­it­ies, sometimes fishing villages, be­came bustling resorts.

Ryde Pier on the Isle of Wight was close to Queen Victoria’s summer retreat, making it a popular site. Opened in 1814, its length expanded and a tramway was added along-side the pedestrian pier. Sou­thend was originally built in 1829 as an attract­ion for Londoners and extended out into the Thames est­uary. By 1848 was the longest pleasure pier in Europe. Work on the Southport Pier began in 1840 and opened in 1860. Then work began on North Pier, Black­pool, completed by 1863. The pier was damaged in 1867 by Lord Nelson’s former flag­ship. In the 1870s, the pierhead was enlarged, the Indian Pav­il­ion and band­stand were built and the tower went erected in 1894. Brigh­ton Pier was begun in 1891 and done by 1899. A 1,500-seat theatre was incor­por­at­ed into the pier­head in 1901, with other smaller pav­il­­ions in the plan. Llan­dudno was built in Wales in 1876-7. A band-stand at the pier head was added in 1877 and a pavilion in 1884. 

Eastbourne Pier

Promenading with hats and umbrellas

The larger piers developed live music halls and concerts. Unmarried young ladies were chaperoned at first, but it was later common for groups of both men and women on organised trips to stroll along the promenade, in lovely attire, to meet and socialise. 

The Bank Holidays Act (1871) saw 4 days set aside through the year as official holidays for all. These were not paid, but with ever-improving transport links and the cost of an excursion subsid­ised by organisations, the seaside holid­ay began to change in both its scale and its experien­ce. In the early C19th, everyone had Sunday off. In the 1870s some skilled workers began to have Saturday afternoon off. In the 1890s most workers gained a half day holiday on Saturday and the concept of a weekend arrived. Then some skilled workers began to have paid holidays, and could stay at flourishing sea­side resorts. 

It had not been unusual for men to bathe semi-naked in the sea. But in later Victorian times, when there were more women and children sharing the beach, pro­p­er Victorian etiquette was followed. Local councils had the power to set how far apart the sexes had to be when bathing. Women needed a dress large enough to prevent indecent exp­os­ure of the body. And another benefit! Until the 1920s, having a tan was considered vulgar and only for labour­ers. Parasols were also used on the beach for shade. And straw hats. 

Beach machines, pulled by the horse to the water's edge

Family enjoyment

Blackpool pier and tower

As modest as Victorian swimwear was, a woman having to walk down the beach to the sea was not acceptable. Instead they used a bathing mach­ine. Resembling a beach-hut with 4 wheels, it was pulled out to sea by a horse. Once deep enough in the surf, the bather then exited the cart using the door facing away from prying eyes. When the swimmer wanted the bathing machine ret­urn­ed, she signalled the operator by raising a small roof flag. Only thus could Victorian women exper­ien­ce sea-bathing firsthand.

Adults were used to listening to bands playing outside, once Victorian bandstands became the centre of parks and beach resorts around the UK. The first domed bandstand was made from iron in 1861!  Outdoor music was definitely adopted by beach resorts to provide high quality entert­ain­ment.  

Did Victorian children enjoy any activities? Since rising prosperity brought more dis­posable income and the ability to spend some time together as a family, access to the seaside increased. To entertain children, buckets and spades were mass-produced from thin sheet met­al and often brightly painted with beach scenes. Once bought, they were used for years. Puppet shows became a British seaside attract­ion in the C19th. This was partly thanks to new mobile booths that the op­er­ator could quickly disman­tle and move on. Donkey rides became very popular, or even carts pul­l­ed by goats.

Tasty, informal sea food (fish & chips, cockles, whelks) was much loved: but fattening, glutinous and eaten out of the bag while walking. And clearly in defiance of convent­ional table manners! Ice cream sellers pushed carts along the beach all day.

Folding deckchairs had been patented in the U.S in 1855. Origin­al­ly used on ocean liner decks, the transition to lightweight and port­able chairs in port towns must have been a natural one. And electric lighting lit the promenades, steam carousels and fairground rides.

John Hannavy’s The English Seaside in Victorian and Ed­wardian Times (2003) was a collection of holiday photos from major coastal towns. The timing was perfect since photo­graphy and beach holidays developed together. Just as holidays for working families be­come possible, photography was be­coming av­ailable to keen amateurs with their portable cam­eras. And postcards were easily purchased.

Thanks to History Revealed and 18 Victorian Seaside Pleasure Piers.