Beach huts & kiosks

These beach huts are taken from the beach in the autumn and stored in a more sheltered location until the spring.

These were built to be sold on a leasehold basis, but they have not proved popular, it seems. They are not close to any amenities or the town centre. I believe they cost over £40,000 each when they were initially marketed. I have only seen a couple with any signs of occupation. The dark upright on the second from this end is a tube, into which a parasol can be fitted.

I find the positioning of these huts on the far side of the very wide promenade, away from the beach a bit unnatural. I can see that if they were on the beach side they would obstruct the view of promenaders. I suppose it is the width of the promenade that makes the awkward location necessary.

Bathing machines were used on beaches in Victorian times to allow ladies to enter the sea water in a modest manner. They would enter through a door on the land side of the 'machine' and change into their swimming clothes. These were often costumes that completely covered their bodies. The machine would be rolled into the sea, sometimes by men and sometimes by a horse. Some just had steps so that the lady climbed into the sea, visibly but discretely. Others had screens on either side so that one could enter the water without being seen, except possibly by a maid who helped to dress and undress the swimmer. Rows of 'machines' can be seen in this 19th century photograph - www.ipernity.com/doc/philsutters/26108827 Seaford Museum is housed in Martello Tower 74, on Seaford Esplanade.