Regency England Research - post 11 - The British Seaside, Bath and baths

“Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside. Oh, I do like to be beside the seeeaaa…” – everybody sing along now.

Ah, one of the great British pasttimes – going to the beach. It doesn’t matter if it’s not sunny. Skegness famously ran a successful advertising campaign for its bracing air (read flippin’ freezing and windy)!

Now, do proceed with caution, as it wasn’t until the railway network that seaside holidays truly became popular. However, the super rich, as ever, were the trendsetters.

There’s a list of historical seaside towns here by the way. Great Yarmouth is featured in my novel.

Sea bathing was promoted as beneficial to one’s health. Indeed, Mrs Bennet in Pride and Prejudice declared a desire for a little sea bathing.

My apologies; Bennet should only have one 't'!

However, one was required to wear a rather cumbersome bathing dress which included pantaloons for such an activity. And it was rather cold – our waters are not known for their warmth.

So, a very clever person decided that a bath house might be a good idea. There were only a couple in the UK, but one was happily situated in Lady Anne’s path. Seawater was pumped in and then heated in bathtubs. Herbs and oils could be added too. And one was served a glass of sea water to drink too – knowing what gets pumped into our seas, I think I’ll pass, thanks.

This was at a time when baths at home were still rare. It was too much faff even for the rich. They’d sometimes make their staff carry hot water and a big tub to them upstairs, and enjoy a good hot soak. But more often than not, they’d make do with a good bowl of water and some soap. Oh, talking of soap, I was delighted to discover that Pears soap came into existence in 1789 – I use it today as it smells so lovely. There were a few showers knocking around at this time, incidentally.

Of course, one could always “take the waters” in Bath. Thank you, Romans for the spa. Again, this was for their healing properties. One could dip in the naturally heated spa waters, or sip the water from a glass. Note; you can still do this, but don’t, it’s rather disgusting to drink! But do visit the town, for it is still marvellous and even has a lovely modern spa. The town had had fallen out of fashion during the Regency really, except for the invalids.

Jane Austen spent time in Bath herself, as has been well-documented.

I shall discuss matters of health next time.

Always in love and light,

TL

If you would like to visit the seaside with Lady Anne, please consider buying her book Regency Love