Explore the fascinating intersection of British leisure and railway history with To the Sea by Train. This book captures the era when seaside excursions, heavily promoted by railway service posters, defined a staple of modern British life, transporting millions from smog-choked cities to sandy coves.

Written with signature wit and an anecdotal style by Andrew Martin, this volume offers an evocative tour through Britain's most beloved pastime, detailing how railways shaped coastal resorts and the culture of holiday travel.

• Examines the development of major pleasure resorts like Brighton and Scarborough, driven by railway expansion.
• Chronicles the cultural impact of the railways, including the introduction of bank holidays and the two-day weekend.
• Details the shift in coastal travel following the advent of cheap flights and the subsequent decline of traditional seaside rail journeys.

• Author: Andrew Martin
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition: Main
• Language: English
• Print Length: 304 pages
• Publication Date: 14 May 2026
• ISBN-13: 978-1805221579
• Dimensions: 126 x 196 x 26mm (Approx. 4.96 x 7.72 x 1.02 inches)
• Weight: 260 g

To the Sea by Train offers a humorous and evocative journey into a significant period of British railway and social history, highly praised by publications including the Financial Times and Country Life.