45 Vintage Photos Capture People at the Seaside in the Early 20th Century

In the early 20th century, the seaside was a theater of social grace and disciplined joy, where the rigid etiquette of the city met the refreshing breeze of the coast. During the Belle Époque and Edwardian eras, a trip to the beach was a formal affair.

Adults strolled along the promenades in elaborate attire, women shielded their pale complexions with lace parasols and wide-brimmed hats, while men remained dignified in full wool suits and straw boaters. Amidst this sophisticated backdrop, children brought a lively energy to the shoreline.

Dressed in iconic sailor suits or smocked cotton dresses, they spent hours building intricate sandcastles with wooden buckets or carefully “paddling” in the shallow surf with tucked-up hems. Whether they were enjoying a donkey ride along the sand or watching a traditional Punch and Judy puppet show, the children’s play remained as refined as their surroundings.

These vintage scenes capture a unique moment in history, a world of “bathing machines” and quiet dignity, where the simple pleasures of childhood were framed by the timeless elegance of early modern society.