Product Description

Behind the enduring popularity of beach huts lies a story of classic British eccentricity. Immensely photogenic and appealing, these colourful seaside buildings are direct successors of the Georgian bathing machine, which first appeared in the 1730s as a peculiar device to protect the modesty of rich and fashionable bathers. Kathryn Ferry paints a picture postcard view of the classic British seaside holiday through the history of beach huts and bathing machines, revealing how the changing fashions in society shaped their design and development. It provides a fascinating celebration of the evolution of the beach hut from its unusual beginnings, to its status as a much-loved and sought-after structure by many a British holiday maker to this day.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25356 in Books
• Published on: 2009-02-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 64 pages

Customer Reviews

superb book
I bought this book because we have a beach hut at Mudeford. It is superb. Very informative with lots of interesting facts and pictures. Would recommend it.

Interesting
Past and present interesting read about the seaside - beach huts - great old and new photograps.

interesting, informative, and fun
I loved this book. I was expecting a light read, maybe a few nice photos, a sense of atmosphere, nothing much. (I love all things about the sea so was willing to take a chance.) Well, this lady knows her beach huts and bathing machines, and has a fine, succinct way of telling us all that is most interesting about them. The book is packed with photos, which make you want to linger over them, though they are not about the great events of history or the deep or profound. But then again, perhaps they are. Perhaps there is something about the innocent enjoyment of nature, the simple enjoyment of the good life that is open to all of us (those that live in freedom, anyway), the refreshingness of the seaside, that grips our hearts and reassures us and affirms that life can be delightful in a very uncomplicated way. Not everything worthwhile is about the grand gesture. I've really enjoyed seeing good-natured people enjoying their time at the beach, through many decades, whatever they had to sacrifice to get there and whatever their troubles may have been. Well done, Ms Ferry.