by Andrew Gill | Aug 30, 2021 | Gallery, I didn’t expect that!, Places, The Man on the Clapham Omnibus
The first recorded use of a bathing machine was in Margate in 1750 and by 1900 they were considered very old-fashioned and most had disappeared from Britain’s beaches. The concept was simple, you would enter via the rear steps whilst on the beach, change into... 
by Andrew Gill | Aug 8, 2021 | Gallery, Places, The Man on the Clapham Omnibus, Transport
There has been a lifeboat based in Bridlington, on the Yorkshire coast, since 1805. The earliest lifeboats were simply rowing boats and must have required a huge effort to row to the scene of a disaster. This one is much later, probably the 1880s, and is sail-powered... 
by Andrew Gill | Aug 1, 2021 | Gallery, I didn’t expect that!, Places, The Man on the Clapham Omnibus
British seaside piers were originally built to enable steamers to call at resorts regardless of the tide and depth of water. However, they immediately became attractions themselves, be it for a stroll ‘on’ the sea or for the various pleasures they offered.... 
by Andrew Gill | Jul 28, 2021 | A Golden Age, Gallery, Places, The Man on the Clapham Omnibus
St. Ives in Cornwall is known for its picturesque town and harbour, the Tate Gallery and even for hosting a G7 meeting of World leaders just around the corner in Carbis Bay. However, in Victorian times it was, quite simply, a fishing village. Here we see the... 
by Andrew Gill | Jul 27, 2021 | Gallery, Places, The Man on the Clapham Omnibus
This photograph of Brighton shows the Chain Pier in the distance which was destroyed by fire in 1896 and Volk’s Electric Railway which still operates today. Enjoy this original photograph from our archive. It is low resolution and has a... 
by Andrew Gill | Jul 27, 2021 | Gallery, The Man on the Clapham Omnibus
We are very wary of taking photographs of children, especially other people’s. Victorian photographers would not have understood our concerns and, as a consequence have, thankfully, left us with some remarkable images of children’s lives. We tend to think... 
by Andrew Gill | Jul 16, 2021 | A Golden Age, Gallery, Transport
This is a delightful view of the pier in Weston-super-Mare. Today, Weston has one of the ‘newest’ Victorian piers in Britain as, following a disastrous fire a few years ago, it has been renovated and modernised. The sign over the entrance says ‘The... 
by Andrew Gill | Jul 16, 2021 | Gallery, Places, The Man on the Clapham Omnibus
This interesting photo of Tenby beach and St. Catherine’s Island was probably taken in the 1890s. The wooden huts on wheels are bathing machines and were to be found at every popular seaside resort. Ladies would hire one, step inside and then be towed into the... 