Victorian seaside Bathing machines What did they look

Victorian seaside Bathing machines

What did they look like? We know you like to look at things from the past so we thought you might like to learn a bit more about these amazing bathing machines. Here are some pictures to look at.

Who invented the bathing machine and what was it made from? • The Bathing Machine was invented in 1753 • It was invented by Benjamin Beale. • His design was used for the 150 years. • Bathing machines were wooden carts that had both walls and roofs. • Some had all solid wooden walls, others had fabric walls over a wooden frame and some had walls at the sides and curtained doors at each end.

What were they used for? • A Bathing Machine was a wooden hut on wheels which was used to help people participate in the activity of sea bathing. • It had a door at each end and was pulled into the sea by a horse until the water was level with the floor. • It had steps at the end to help the bather to carefully enter the water. • They were also used to give privacy so people (especially ladies) could get changed. • Some even had canopies so the bather couldn’t be seen getting into the water. • When done swimming, they could re-enter the bathing machine and raise a little flag to signal that they were ready to return to the beach.

Who used bathing machines? • Men, Women and families all used bathing machines. • It was quite expensive to hire a bathing machine so generally richer people used them. • Poorer people mainly just paddled in the sea and didn’t swim. • You can see some pictures of bathing machines being used here…https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Btn. Lzj. TYCOI

What happened to the bathing machine • Going to the beach and swimming became very common. • Bathing machines lost their popularity as times and fashions changed, just as they do now! • Swimming suits became more popular in the early 1900 s so people felt they didn’t need a bathing machine. • Some bathing machines were kept as huts on the land to allow people to get changed.

Beach huts today. • • Beach huts are now along the side of the beach in many UK seaside resorts. Some are plain with just a few seats and used for changing and storage. Others can be quite fancy even including a bed and the kitchen sink! Have a look at this one… https: //www. bbc. co. uk/news/uk-england-dorset 40686211

You could draw and label a bathing machine like you might have seen in Victorian times. Think about what they were made from and what they were used for. Activities for you! You could make a bathing machine. You could use a box or lego to do this. Don’t forget its always a good idea to get your materials and a rough drawing first! You could design a beach hut. What would you have in yours? A bed, a TV, a fridge for snacks? ? ? Would you hire it out? How much would it cost someone to stay in your beach hut? You could make a 3 D picture of a bathing machine or a beach hut using lolly pop sticks