A History of the Seaside

Fish and chips, donkey rides, arcades, ice cream, piers, and paddling in the sea — the British seaside has been a favourite destination for generations of holidaymakers.

 

Today, travelling to the seaside feels completely normal, but holidays by the sea were once something very different. For much of history, most ordinary people did not travel for leisure and many had never even seen the coast.

 

So how did the seaside become one of Britain’s favourite holiday destinations?

 

 

🚂 Railways Changed Everything

One of the biggest changes came during the Victorian era with the growth of the railway network.

 

Before rail travel became more common, journeys were slow, expensive, and difficult for ordinary families. The arrival of trains suddenly made it possible for far more people to travel to coastal towns for day trips and holidays.

 

Seaside resorts such as Blackpool, Brighton, Scarborough, Llandudno, and Ayr became hugely popular as people escaped busy industrial towns and cities in search of fresh air, entertainment, and relaxation.

 

Many railway companies even helped to advertise seaside holidays using colourful posters encouraging families to visit the coast.

 

Railway travel helped make seaside holidays possible for millions of people.

 

 

⚓ “Doon the Watter”

For many people in the west of Scotland, seaside holidays became closely linked with trips “doon the watter” — a popular phrase used to describe travelling down the River Clyde towards the coast.

 

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, thousands of Glaswegians travelled by train and steamer to seaside towns and resorts along the Firth of Clyde. Places such as Rothesay, Millport, Dunoon, Largs, and Ayr became extremely popular holiday destinations.

 

Steamer boats carried passengers along the Clyde while piers welcomed visitors arriving for day trips, summer holidays, entertainment, and fresh sea air.

 

On the east coast of Scotland, seaside towns in Fife and beyond also became popular destinations for families enjoying trips to the coast.

 

Trips “doon the watter” became a popular Scottish holiday tradition.

 

 

🏖️ The Rise of the Seaside Resort

As more visitors arrived, seaside towns quickly grew and changed.

 

Hotels, guest houses, promenades, piers, theatres, and attractions were built to entertain tourists. Many towns became famous for their beaches, amusement arcades, fairgrounds, and theatres.

 

Victorian visitors often believed that sea air and seawater were good for their health, and some people even travelled to the coast for medical reasons.

 

Bathing machines — small wooden huts on wheels — were once rolled into the sea to give people privacy while changing into swimming clothes.

 

Bathing machines were once a common sight at British seaside resorts like here at Portobello beach.

 

 

🍦 What Did People Do at the Seaside?

Over time, the seaside became associated with fun, relaxation, and entertainment.

 

Popular seaside activities included:

• donkey rides
• Punch and Judy shows
• paddling in the sea
• building sandcastles
• visiting amusement arcades
• eating ice cream and fish and chips
• walking along the promenade

 

For many families, a seaside trip became one of the highlights of the year.

 

My great grandfather enjoying a paddle at the seaside in the 1940s.

 

 

🎡 The Seaside Today

Many seaside towns remain popular today, although holidays have changed over time.

 

Cheap overseas travel became more common during the second half of the twentieth century, meaning some traditional seaside resorts became quieter than they once were. However, many coastal towns continue to attract visitors with beaches, attractions, history, and family entertainment.

 

In recent years, staycations and local tourism have also become more popular again.

 

Today, the seaside still plays an important role in British culture and continues to create happy memories for many families.

 

British seaside towns continue to attract visitors today.

 

 

🧩 Classroom Ideas

The history of the seaside can lead to lots of fun discussions and creative activities in the classroom. Here are a few simple ideas to help children explore the topic further:

• Compare seaside holidays in the past and present.
• Design a vintage railway poster advertising a seaside resort.
• Research a famous British seaside town.
• Create a postcard from a Victorian seaside holiday.

 

 

🎥 Bringing History to Life

Historic photos and archive footage can help children imagine what seaside holidays looked like in the past. Old films of piers, beaches, railways, and promenades provide a fascinating glimpse into how people relaxed and travelled many years ago.

This fascinating British Pathé video from 1947 captures the excitement and energy of Blackpool during the post-war years. From crowded beaches and seaside attractions to entertainment and holidaymakers enjoying the sunshine, the footage provides a wonderful glimpse into what a traditional British seaside holiday looked like almost 80 years ago.

 

 

 

🌊 Final Thoughts

The history of the seaside is about much more than holidays. It also tells us about transport, entertainment, social change, tourism, and how people’s lives changed over time.

 

From Victorian railway journeys to modern summer holidays, the seaside has remained a special part of life for generations of people across Britain.

 

 

🎡 Want to Explore More?

If your class would like to explore the British seaside in more detail, you can also discover more with our British Seaside digital topic pack.

 

IMAGE CREDITS

Llandudno beach and Victorian bathing machines — Image courtesy of the National Science and Media Museum via Flickr

Brighton Railway poster — Image courtesy of The National Archives, COPY 1/204 (135)

River Clyde steamboat postcard - Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Portobello Beach, Edinburgh - Image courtesy of the Library of Congress via Wikimedia Commons

Great-grandfather paddling at the seaside — Image courtesy of the author’s family collection