Britain's Working Coast in Victorian and Edwardian Times (Shire Library)

The coastline of Victorian and Edwardian Britain provided beauty, isolation, entertainment, and the venue for most people's holidays. But it was also a thriving center of industry - shipbuilding and fishing, plus the numerous trades associated with dockyards, coastal transport and the leisure industry.

This book travels around Britain's coast - clockwise from London - looking at the industries that could be found at many of the cities and towns en route. Illustrated with an amazing collection of colored postcards and other early photographs, the working coast of Britain is brought to life in all its bustling detail. From the naval dockyards of Chatham, the coalmines at Dover and the networks of Bridport to the fishermen of Wick, the armament makers of Barrow, and the goat taxi boys of Felixstowe, the book opens a window onto a British coast that is now largely lost. A fascinating album for all who love the coast, as well as enthusiasts for early photography and postcard collectors, this is a worthy companion to the same author's The English Seaside in Victorian and Edwardian Times.