British Seaside
Vintage colour photos of British seaside towns and beaches from the 1950s to the 1980s, capturing coastal life and holiday culture during the post-war and late-20th-century decades. Taken on colour film, these images document resorts, promenades, beaches, and everyday activity along Britain’s coastline at a time when domestic seaside holidays were at their peak.
This collection includes views of seaside streets, piers, promenades, beaches, amusement arcades, shops, signage, crowds, and coastal scenery, reflecting the character of British seaside towns during the second half of the 20th century. From popular holiday resorts to quieter coastal communities, the photographs preserve a detailed visual record of seaside life before later changes in travel, tourism, and redevelopment reshaped many resorts.
All images are available as high-resolution, royalty-free digital downloads suitable for editorial, commercial, or personal use.
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Lowestoft seafront, Suffolk 1964
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Lowestoft seafront, Suffolk 1964
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Lowestoft seafront, Suffolk 1965
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Lowestoft Seafront, Suffolk 1979
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Lowestoft, Suffolk 1965
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Lundy Island, Devon 1960s
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Lusty Glaze Beach, Newquay 1977
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Lyme Regis, Dorset 1984
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Madeira Drive, Brighton 1960s
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Margate Beach and Seafront Steps, Margate, Kent 1956
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Margate beach, Kent 1971
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Margate beach, Kent 1971
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Margate beach, Kent 1971
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Margate Beach, Kent, 1956
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Margate Jetty, Margate, Kent 1956
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Margate seafront, Kent 1971
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Marine Parade and Seafront Hotels, Worthing, West Sussex 1959
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Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk 1959
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Morecambe & Wise, Wellington Pier, Great Yarmouth 1964
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Oasis Complex and Tower under construction, Great Yarmouth 1965
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Oddicombe Beach, Devon 1962
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Old Barn Hotel and Beach, East Wittering, West Sussex 1959
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Old Ship Hotel, King’s Road, Brighton 1960s
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Paignton beach, Devon 1977
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Palace Pier, Brighton 1968
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Palace Pier, Brighton 1970
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Palace Pier, Brighton 1976
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Palace Pier, Brighton 1976
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Palace Pier, Brighton 1997
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Palace Pier, Brighton 1997
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Pavilion Theatre, Ilfracombe 1969
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Peter Pan Railway and Clacton Pier, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex 1959
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Peter Pan Railway, Teignmouth 1960s
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Pier Approach Baths, Bournemouth 1966
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Pier Approach, Bournemouth 1975
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Pier Approach, Southend-on-Sea 1965
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Pier Pavilion Theatre, Llandudno 1967
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Pontins Dolphin Holiday Camp, Brixham 1965
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Pontins Dolphin Holiday Camp, Brixham 1965
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Port Isaac, Cornwall 1969
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Porth Beach, Newquay 1977
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Porth Beach, Newquay 1977
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Porthgwidden Beach, St Ives 1970s
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Porthminster Beach, St Ives 1966
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Porthminster Beach, St Ives 1977
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Porthminster Beach, St Ives 1977
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Porthtowan, Cornwall 1960
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Princes Parade, Hythe, Kent 1967
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Princess Pier, Torquay 1970s
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Princess Theatre, Torquay 1962
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Priors Haven, Tynemouth 1961
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PS Ryde – Portsmouth to Ryde ferry 1967
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Ramsgate Beach, Kent 1971
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Red Lion Hotel, Clovelly Harbour, Devon, 1960s
