The fussy design of

Victorian cast iron Promenade

structures carries a

hint of exotic Eastern style.

The fanciful lattice work of the

King’s Road Bandstand,

constructed in 1883,

is just one example of how

seaside architecture

was used to suggest

far away places

transferred to these shores.

Looking out to sea from your  Brighton hotel bedroom,

you will notice that the street lamps and pavement

safety railings are some of the distinctive items that

provide colour and exotic style to the Promenade scene.

They carry a message with light hearted, happy

colours that gives you a feeling of being

away from home with a hint of  ‘seaside fun in the making’.

Many coastal towns share these similar designs in what

has become a regualr  feature of  British

seaside resorts . The extravagant ornamentation, high

up on the lamp standards,

often goes unnoticed from the ground,

it does however additionally function

as a good vantage point for

seagulls monitoring the human activity below.

The temperamental nature of the coastal weather

can  lead to swift changes in the weather and

catch the unsuspecting walker by surprise.

Protection is usually close at hand with the robust

and well constructed shelters

that are dotted along the Promenade.

Benches are provided in each of the four sides

allowing people to move in line with the sun.

In wet conditions it also allows people to shelter

away from the driving wind and rain. A sturdy

roof and frame mean that these buildings stand

available throughout the year.

The cast iron, used so extensively for safety railings

along the Promenade, has long suffered from

the salt carried in the sea air accelerating the rusting

of the metal. Few pieces have survived from

the nineteenth century. Modern manufacturing

methods and protective coatings mean that the

traditional patterns can still be made today with the

benefit of  giving far longer service.

The deck chair originated on board luxury cruise liners.

The folding light wooden frame

and simple canvas seat,

have made it eminently suited

to use on the beach. A popular

favourite on most shores

an empty deck chair usually signals

that the sun has disappeared for a while.