The beach with North Pier, Blackpool, England (1890-1900). Public domain / mediadrumworld.com

By Liana Jacob

COLOUR postcards from the nineteenth and twentieth century show how tourists saw England’s most exotic beaches from Scarborough coast to Cornish seaside resorts.

The refreshing pictures paint a vivid picture of what Dartmouth beach, Newquay Beacon Grove in Cornwall and the North Pier in Blackpool looked like one hundred years ago.

General view, Dartmouth, England (1890-1900). Public domain / mediadrumworld.com

Other images depict the crystal waters of New Brighton Beach, Southsea beach and Penzance’s Land’s End in Cornwall.

The golden sand of Barricane Shell Beach in Mortehoe, Exmouth beach and Scarborough beach has been revealed in all their glory.

With a population of only over 61,000, Scarborough is considered the largest holiday resort on the Yorkshire coast.

Scarborough, the children’s corner, Yorkshire, England (1890-1900). Public domain / mediadrumworld.com

The town has fishing and service industries as well as a growing digital and creative economy and a tourist destination. Scarborough locals are called Scarborians.

Until the 19th century, the area of New Brighton, Merseyside, had a reputation for smuggling and shipwrecks – and secret underground cellars and tunnels supposedly still exist to this day.

New Brighton Beach, Liverpool, England (1890-1900). Public domain / mediadrumworld.com

After the Second World War, the popularity of New Brighton as a seaside resort sharply declined.

Ferries across the Mersey to New Brighton ceased in 1971, after the ferry pier and landing stage were dismantled.

Southsea in Hampshire originally developed as a Victorian seaside resort in the 19th century and grew into a dense residential suburb and large distinct commercial and entertainment area.

Penzance, Land’s End, Cornwall, England (1890-1900). Public domain / mediadrumworld.com