A postcard to 20th Century Seaside Architecture

Feeling nostalgic for holidays past? Get into the summer vibes with our celebration of 20th century seaside architecture with iconic postcards from the past, all featured in the new book by Twentieth Century Society.

(Above) Southport’s 1928 Sea Bathing Lake referenced the design of Blackpool baths in its domed entrance. Opened in 1928, the new Sea Bathing Lake and its enclosure were oval, the amphitheatre style clearly inspired by Blackpool and making more than passing reference to its rival in the imposing café building with glazed dome

Torquay’s attempt at modern Riviera glamour paired concrete arches with hexagonal decks around a swimming pool.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach in the 1960s, with the manytriangled roof of the Derby Racer in the centre and a re-fronted FunHouse to its left. Below For a while, Penarth Esplanade car park had its own amusement arcade on the lower deck.

The Dreamland Cinema at Margate, pictured in the 1950s.

Weston-super- Mare’s Grand Pier paired with a 1970s entrance.

More about 20th Century Seaside Architecture

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. Order your copy here.