There were no smartphones, no beach clubs, no Instagram posts, but there was joy. Pure, simple joy.
In the early 1900s, going to the beach was a brand new kind of fun for many people. With the rise of railways and the idea of paid holidays, families from all backgrounds could escape the city and spend a day by the sea. Seaside towns like Brighton in England or Atlantic City in the U.S. quickly became popular destinations filled with laughter, salty air, and the thrill of something new.
Beach fashion back then was a world away from what we see today. Instead of bikinis or swim trunks, people wore full-body bathing suits made of wool. Women even wore stockings and skirts into the water! Modesty was important, and in some places, “bathing machines” – little huts on wheels – helped women enter the sea without being seen.
But even with all those layers, people had a blast. Kids built sandcastles, watched puppet shows, and rode donkeys along the shore. Adults strolled the promenade, played beach games, or simply relaxed with a book and a picnic. Ice cream was a real treat, and food was simple – sandwiches, boiled eggs, and tea from a thermos.
The sound of waves, the warmth of the sun, and the feeling of sand between your toes—some things never change, no matter the century. These found photos capture people having fun at the beach in the early 20th century.
