Behind the enduring popularity of beach huts lies a story of classic British eccentricity. Immensely photogenic and appealing, these colourful seaside buildings are direct successors of the Georgian bathing machine, which first appeared in the 1730s as a peculiar device to protect the modesty of rich and fashionable bathers. Kathryn Ferry paints a picture postcard view of the classic British seaside holiday through the history of beach huts and bathing machines, revealing how the changing fashions in society shaped their design and development. It provides a fascinating celebration of the evolution of the beach hut from its unusual beginnings, to its status as a much-loved and sought-after structure by many a British holiday maker to this day.

Kathryn Ferry graduated from Cambridge University in 2004 with a PhD in Architectural History. Until 2007 she worked as Senior Architectural Adviser to the Victorian Society, campaigning for the preservation of nineteenth century buildings. She has written for national magazines and newspapers on Owen Jones, the Victorian architect and designer, as well as on beach huts. She lectures regularly on both subjects.