Inspired by the resurgence of interest in beach hut living and a decade of rising prices, Kathryn looks at the appeal of beach huts past and present. Although they’re small structures with basic facilities they feel quintessentially British, combining a shelter from our changeable weather with a place to brew a mug of tea. They’re nostalgic and trendy at the same time, a phenomenon which has turned them into seaside icons. To uncover a history that goes back to wheeled bathing machines in the 18th century ‘Sheds on the Seashore’ makes two journeys; one into the past, the other a contemporary tour around the English coast. Together they tell the story of how beach huts came into being and why they remain so beloved by their 21st century owners.
Kathryn’s book (which naturally we'll be reviewing here) is published on 25 July 2009 by Indepenpress. It costs £12.99 and can be pre-ordered from www.beach-huts.com. The Foreword has been provided by Wayne Hemingway, designer of the luxury huts recently launched at Boscombe in Dorset.
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What a super blog you have. Thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteI am not that interested in beach culture of the 18th century, except where there is visual evidence available, but I am very interested from the mid 19th century onwards.
For example, you can see the site of 1862-built Gymnasium Baths in StKilda at http://melbourneblogger.blogspot.com/2009/08/carlo-catani-planning-melbournes.html
Hels
Art and Architecture, mainly