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Such is the unbroken nature of the West Dorset coastline that artificial harbours had to be constructed at Lyme Regis and West Bay.

Again, the cliffs stand out in the background. As the railway did not arrive until 1874, the town remained unspoilt by mass tourism, especially as the beach was shingle.

This offers a closer view of the southern end of the High Street.

The long esplanade is one of Penzance's great assets; here we look towards the harbour area, with the lofty church tower as a prominent landmark.

Busy with vendors and visitors and strewn with small boats and sailing craft, Southsea's beach is alive with activity in this Victorian photograph.

An indication of the lack of visitors to Sidmouth can be gleaned from this picture, taken from the Esplanade. The sea wall was constructed in 1835 and the shingle beach can be clearly seen.

Salcombe was preserved from wholesale development because it was never reached by the railway. Kingsbridge, five miles to the north, was the closest the line ever penetrated.

Rock is now a very popular resort for dinghy sailors on the north shore of the Camel estuary, which is seen behind at high tide.

This modest resort of broad beaches and spectacular rock scenery can be reached along the sands from Newquay.

Entry to the chasm was relatively expensive in Victorian times.

The beach is shingly, but the bathing is safe. There are a number of excellent country walks in the area, many of them boasting wonderful views across to the Isle of Wight.

Entry to the chasm was relatively expensive in Victorian times.

The little beach huts and tearooms look cosy enough sheltering under the cliff, but as the name implies it would be a different matter on the cliff top.

The old limekiln stands on the beach between the curving pier and the fish palace.

By the 1920s, bathing costumes had become more practical than those shown in the previous illustrations, and the bathing machines had become redundant in favour of smaller kiosks and tents.

During the Second World War villagers were evacuated from many villages around the South Hams so that the district could become a D-Day training ground for American troops, who would practise landings

On Swanage's mixed bathing beach tents were provided for changing and preserving the modesty of visitors.

Chesil Beach is a great ridge of shingle eight miles long with a lagoon of brackish water between it and the mainland.

This delightful scene shows a group of youngsters enjoying the harbour beach. Behind them are classic St Ives fishing boats, known as luggers because the type of sail they used was called a lug sail.

The lack of people on this quiet beach at Elmer, near Bognor Regis, does not appear to distract from the enjoyment of these two young children.

At East Runton you could walk out along broad stretches of beach and enjoy digging for fossils in the soft cliffs, a pastime made popular by the Victorians.

The long promenade to the pierhead - about a third of a mile - had continuous seating each side; the tube forming the top rail of the backrest on the south side doubled up as a gas pipe to provide lighting

At this time, close to the end of the Victorian era, staying fully clothed on the beach was very much the norm, with sand castles and donkey rides the prime amusements for the children; the adults relax

Nearly a century after its foundation, the town was already dominating the skyline, and its beaches were among the most crowded on the south coast.