Description

Book Synopsis

A nostalgic exploration of Britain's distinctive and architecturally significant seafront buildings from the 1920s to the new millennium.

British seaside resorts enjoyed phenomenal popularity for much of the twentieth century. Told chronologically, this book is the first look at how resort architecture around the UK coast kept pace with changing fashions and the increasing competition of foreign destinations.

Using vintage postcard images, Kathryn Ferry showcases the inherent playfulness of seaside architecture as it evolved from interwar classicism, through art deco and international modernism, to Festival of Britain-inspired mid-century style, then later to seafront tower blocks and the artificial beaches of 1970s leisure centres. Featuring a wide range of building types, Twentieth Century Seaside Architecture explores everything from beach huts and bandstands to lidos, piers, theatres, hotels and amusement arcades.

As climate change and the soaring cost of living provoke changing attitudes to travel, Britain's seaside has witnessed renewed popularity, making now the perfect time to champion our architectural legacy of domestic tourism. Offering a compelling reassessment, Twentieth Century Seaside Architecture will appeal to fans of architecture and design who love to be beside the sea.

Twentieth Century Seaside Architecture

    Product form

    A Hardback by Kathryn Ferry

    £22.46

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £29.95 – you save £7.49 (25%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Tue 10 Nov 2026.

    2 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Twentieth Century Seaside Architecture by Kathryn Ferry

      Book details

      Publisher Batsford
      Published 1 August 2025
      ISBN-13 9781849949378
      978-1849949378
      ISBN-10 1849949379
      Also in:
      Architecture: public and commercial

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      A nostalgic exploration of Britain's distinctive and architecturally significant seafront buildings from the 1920s to the new millennium.

      British seaside resorts enjoyed phenomenal popularity for much of the twentieth century. Told chronologically, this book is the first look at how resort architecture around the UK coast kept pace with changing fashions and the increasing competition of foreign destinations.

      Using vintage postcard images, Kathryn Ferry showcases the inherent playfulness of seaside architecture as it evolved from interwar classicism, through art deco and international modernism, to Festival of Britain-inspired mid-century style, then later to seafront tower blocks and the artificial beaches of 1970s leisure centres. Featuring a wide range of building types, Twentieth Century Seaside Architecture explores everything from beach huts and bandstands to lidos, piers, theatres, hotels and amusement arcades.

      As climate change and the soaring cost of living provoke changing attitudes to travel, Britain's seaside has witnessed renewed popularity, making now the perfect time to champion our architectural legacy of domestic tourism. Offering a compelling reassessment, Twentieth Century Seaside Architecture will appeal to fans of architecture and design who love to be beside the sea.

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account