Clacton Pier
John Hannavy's book cover
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.
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.
Blackpool pier and tower
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.
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.