An older couple sit outside beach-huts in Bournemouth.
Louis Netter
These ten drawing show the realities of life at the English seaside in 2021.
The expansion of railways meant more people could travel around the country for seaside getaways.
Gordon Samson/Alamy
Expanding railways and changes in labour practices meant that the Victorians had time for a proper holiday and many took to the British coast.
Edmond Holland/Shutterstock.com
Piers face an uncertain future, with fire, maintenance issues, rising costs, and climate change all conspiring against them.
Simon Morris/Fllickr
The beach lies at the edges of the country, and can feel like another place entirely. French hand-wringing over Muslim dress for paddling should make us look again at our own attitudes.