Dr Kathryn Ferry
@seasideferry.bsky.social
Historian specialising in seaside, architecture & design. I write books, give talks and do a bit of telly.
Founder member @seasidenetwork.bsky.social
Fellow @royalhistsoc.bsky.social Rep'd by @pastpreservers.bsky.social
https://linktr.ee/kathrynferry
Founder member @seasidenetwork.bsky.social
Fellow @royalhistsoc.bsky.social Rep'd by @pastpreservers.bsky.social
https://linktr.ee/kathrynferry
#scarborough is bidding to become the UK's first Town of Culture so I've been on BBC Radio York this morning to give it my backing. Would be amazing for our first seaside resort - created 400 years ago - to be our first Town of Culture 🤞
January 14, 2026 at 11:19 AM
#scarborough is bidding to become the UK's first Town of Culture so I've been on BBC Radio York this morning to give it my backing. Would be amazing for our first seaside resort - created 400 years ago - to be our first Town of Culture 🤞
I'm currently without mains water which makes me realise how much we take it for granted.
Few Victorian houses had water supplies so public drinking fountains were a revolutionary innovation. To learn more about their history join me online on Sat 7 Feb
portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1...
Few Victorian houses had water supplies so public drinking fountains were a revolutionary innovation. To learn more about their history join me online on Sat 7 Feb
portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1...
Pure and Free: The surprising history of Britain’s Victorian Drinking Fountains with Kathryn Ferry
Talk on Zoom by Kathryn Ferry, historian, author, lecturer and broadcaster
portal.sog.org.uk
January 11, 2026 at 6:28 PM
I'm currently without mains water which makes me realise how much we take it for granted.
Few Victorian houses had water supplies so public drinking fountains were a revolutionary innovation. To learn more about their history join me online on Sat 7 Feb
portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1...
Few Victorian houses had water supplies so public drinking fountains were a revolutionary innovation. To learn more about their history join me online on Sat 7 Feb
portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1...
The light was so gorgeous when I visited #Portmeirion last year to research my @countrylifemag.bsky.social article - these pics should help take you away from a grey January day to sunny North Wales 😎 Happy 100th birthday Portmeirion.
January 9, 2026 at 6:33 PM
The light was so gorgeous when I visited #Portmeirion last year to research my @countrylifemag.bsky.social article - these pics should help take you away from a grey January day to sunny North Wales 😎 Happy 100th birthday Portmeirion.
Just been to the supermarket and seen that my article celebrating the centenary of #Portmeirion is the cover feature for this week's @countrylifemag.bsky.social
What a nice start to the year!
What a nice start to the year!
January 7, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Just been to the supermarket and seen that my article celebrating the centenary of #Portmeirion is the cover feature for this week's @countrylifemag.bsky.social
What a nice start to the year!
What a nice start to the year!
@thevicsoc.bsky.socialy My nomination for the next Top Ten endangered buildings list is the former Shapland and Petter factory at #Barnstaple in North Devon. It's been allowed to deteriorate for years so really needs help
December 31, 2025 at 1:20 PM
@thevicsoc.bsky.socialy My nomination for the next Top Ten endangered buildings list is the former Shapland and Petter factory at #Barnstaple in North Devon. It's been allowed to deteriorate for years so really needs help
Reposted by Dr Kathryn Ferry
One of the best '30s tourist guides I've seen in a while. The colourful covers to the Official Guide to Southsea & the City of Portsmouth issued by marvellously named Piers, Beach & Publicity Committee of Portsmouth Corporation. @seasideferry.bsky.social #portsmouth #holidays
↘️ flic.kr/p/2rK8GSQ
↘️ flic.kr/p/2rK8GSQ
December 5, 2025 at 4:53 PM
One of the best '30s tourist guides I've seen in a while. The colourful covers to the Official Guide to Southsea & the City of Portsmouth issued by marvellously named Piers, Beach & Publicity Committee of Portsmouth Corporation. @seasideferry.bsky.social #portsmouth #holidays
↘️ flic.kr/p/2rK8GSQ
↘️ flic.kr/p/2rK8GSQ
Reposted by Dr Kathryn Ferry
@ledbydonkeys.org dunno if you wonderful lot were responsible for this poster spotted apparently in south london before sadly quickly removed…?
Of course it would be terrible if we were to spread it on social media!
Of course it would be terrible if we were to spread it on social media!
December 2, 2025 at 8:12 AM
@ledbydonkeys.org dunno if you wonderful lot were responsible for this poster spotted apparently in south london before sadly quickly removed…?
Of course it would be terrible if we were to spread it on social media!
Of course it would be terrible if we were to spread it on social media!
Reposted by Dr Kathryn Ferry
Wow - this guy must be really, REALLY bad with money if an extra £208 per month will “ruin” his retirement.
Let’s take a look at his situation based on what he told the @Telegraph
Because this does NOT add up!
No, this is not a “poor pensioner” scrabbling around for pennies…
🧵1/9
Let’s take a look at his situation based on what he told the @Telegraph
Because this does NOT add up!
No, this is not a “poor pensioner” scrabbling around for pennies…
🧵1/9
November 29, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Wow - this guy must be really, REALLY bad with money if an extra £208 per month will “ruin” his retirement.
Let’s take a look at his situation based on what he told the @Telegraph
Because this does NOT add up!
No, this is not a “poor pensioner” scrabbling around for pennies…
🧵1/9
Let’s take a look at his situation based on what he told the @Telegraph
Because this does NOT add up!
No, this is not a “poor pensioner” scrabbling around for pennies…
🧵1/9
Next talk on Sunday at Brighton, on seaside architecture and postcard messages. Still a few tickets left I think...
catalystclub.co.uk
catalystclub.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Next talk on Sunday at Brighton, on seaside architecture and postcard messages. Still a few tickets left I think...
catalystclub.co.uk
catalystclub.co.uk
Reposted by Dr Kathryn Ferry
Seductive Scarborough, Yorkshire, "The Glory of the English Coast" : seen here in an advert on the covers of a 1930 London & North Eastern Railway holiday guide; artwork of the castle rising above the town & bay, is by Picking. #yorkshire #holidays #graphicdesign #seaside
↘️ flic.kr/p/2rFSut2
↘️ flic.kr/p/2rFSut2
![Holiday Guide to North Eastern England : booklet No. 3 : London & North Eastern Railway : nd [1930] : back cover : Scarborough by Picking. For several years the London & North Eastern Railway re-issued the relevant pages from their many "Holiday Guide", a vast annual tome, inserted into regional covers such as this; the Holiday Guide to North East England that covers Yorkshire, Co. Durham, Northumberland, Tynedale, Teesdale & the Eden Valley and the Lake District.
The colourful back cover is of Scarborough, from the bay, and is by the artist "Picking"; some one I can find little about but who was commissioned by the LNER and the London Midland & Scottish Railway for handful of posters. This would have been an advert paid for by the Borough's Corporation to attract tourists to "The Glory of the English Coast". The artwork covers the top two-thirds of the page and shows in shades of purple, black for the bulk of the castle hill topped by the stylised castle in gold/yellow and with reflections of the lights of the town on the water in the same colour. The lettering is in a sans serif, similar to the Gill Sans typeface that the LNER was starting to use about that year.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:yqh2atawixxlb6ncx2fh73r6/bafkreieppxc5wp6vdsnc5bvtxl6mdhjr6tj76apgtdcaqa42nvepysmzca@jpeg)
November 17, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Seductive Scarborough, Yorkshire, "The Glory of the English Coast" : seen here in an advert on the covers of a 1930 London & North Eastern Railway holiday guide; artwork of the castle rising above the town & bay, is by Picking. #yorkshire #holidays #graphicdesign #seaside
↘️ flic.kr/p/2rFSut2
↘️ flic.kr/p/2rFSut2
Reposted by Dr Kathryn Ferry
Really looking forward to hearing @seasideferry.bsky.social talking at the Folkestone Book Festival on Wednesday. A seaside town steeped in history, always keen to hear new interpretations.
www.creativefolkestone.org.uk/whats-on/the...
www.creativefolkestone.org.uk/whats-on/the...
The Buildings that Shaped Folkestone with Dr Kathryn Ferry - Creative Folkestone
www.creativefolkestone.org.uk
November 16, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Really looking forward to hearing @seasideferry.bsky.social talking at the Folkestone Book Festival on Wednesday. A seaside town steeped in history, always keen to hear new interpretations.
www.creativefolkestone.org.uk/whats-on/the...
www.creativefolkestone.org.uk/whats-on/the...
So glad you like it @richmurkin.bsky.social 😊 Love the stripey background you've chosen, a bit like deckchair fabric!
I went to @batsfordbooks.bsky.social shop today to buy this by @seasideferry.bsky.social and it’s great! A bittersweet reminder of 80s holidays in run-down North Sea seaside towns
November 15, 2025 at 7:51 PM
So glad you like it @richmurkin.bsky.social 😊 Love the stripey background you've chosen, a bit like deckchair fabric!
Reposted by Dr Kathryn Ferry
Well done @seasideferry.bsky.social and @allanbrodie.bsky.social for sharing our work and some #artdeco seaside gems at this evening's webinar with @artdecosocuk.bsky.social 👍
November 12, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Well done @seasideferry.bsky.social and @allanbrodie.bsky.social for sharing our work and some #artdeco seaside gems at this evening's webinar with @artdecosocuk.bsky.social 👍
#worthing has quite a collection of deckchairs and council initials stamped on the frames suggest some could be almost 100 years old
#seasideheritage
#seasideheritage
November 7, 2025 at 4:09 PM
#worthing has quite a collection of deckchairs and council initials stamped on the frames suggest some could be almost 100 years old
#seasideheritage
#seasideheritage
If you missed our seminar on Georgian Women yesterday it will shortly be available to watch via our website
Thanks to our excellent speakers yesterday for another fascinating seminar. We learnt about Jane Austen, Martha Gunn and the delights (not always!) of a trip to the Georgian seaside
November 6, 2025 at 4:56 PM
If you missed our seminar on Georgian Women yesterday it will shortly be available to watch via our website
On my way back from North Wales after a flying visit to Clough Williams-Ellis home, Plas Brondanw. 14 hours on trains over 2 days but worth it! Looks beautiful even under grey skies
October 28, 2025 at 4:58 PM
On my way back from North Wales after a flying visit to Clough Williams-Ellis home, Plas Brondanw. 14 hours on trains over 2 days but worth it! Looks beautiful even under grey skies
Been researching seaside Floral Halls, a type of concert hall inspired by the Floral Hall next to the Royal Opera House. Designed by EM Barry, it originally combined a concert venue & flower market. Happened to be in Covent Garden today and a lovely volunteer let me see inside
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Been researching seaside Floral Halls, a type of concert hall inspired by the Floral Hall next to the Royal Opera House. Designed by EM Barry, it originally combined a concert venue & flower market. Happened to be in Covent Garden today and a lovely volunteer let me see inside
Reposted by Dr Kathryn Ferry
We're delighted to be working with our friends @artdecosocuk.bsky.social on this upcoming event featuring talks by @seasideferry.bsky.social @allanbrodie.bsky.social and @karenaverby.bsky.social
www.ticketsource.co.uk/art-deco-soc...
www.ticketsource.co.uk/art-deco-soc...
October 21, 2025 at 1:39 PM
We're delighted to be working with our friends @artdecosocuk.bsky.social on this upcoming event featuring talks by @seasideferry.bsky.social @allanbrodie.bsky.social and @karenaverby.bsky.social
www.ticketsource.co.uk/art-deco-soc...
www.ticketsource.co.uk/art-deco-soc...
Reposted by Dr Kathryn Ferry
Looking forward to this event @seasideferry.bsky.social @seasidenetwork.bsky.social @karenaverby.bsky.social
Join us for this special collaborative event with the Seaside Heritage Network, that brings together four speakers with distinctive insights into preservation, design, and place.
October 20, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Looking forward to this event @seasideferry.bsky.social @seasidenetwork.bsky.social @karenaverby.bsky.social
This Thursday I'll be in #Brighton talking about my new book at the West Pier Centre. Do pop along if you're in the area 😊
www.westpier.co.uk/news/twentie...
www.westpier.co.uk/news/twentie...
Twentieth Century Seaside Architecture - 23rd October 2025 - West Pier Trust
Based on Kathryn's new book of the same title, this talk explores how seaside buildings changed between 1920 and 2000. Though this period covers both the
www.westpier.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 9:58 AM
This Thursday I'll be in #Brighton talking about my new book at the West Pier Centre. Do pop along if you're in the area 😊
www.westpier.co.uk/news/twentie...
www.westpier.co.uk/news/twentie...
Walked past this building earlier, the Salvation Army Citadel in #Sheffield. It's boarded up now through lack of use but I learnt from a fellow speaker on Saturday that there were riots against the Sally Army in the 1880s! In #worthing all the windows in their HQ were broken
October 13, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Walked past this building earlier, the Salvation Army Citadel in #Sheffield. It's boarded up now through lack of use but I learnt from a fellow speaker on Saturday that there were riots against the Sally Army in the 1880s! In #worthing all the windows in their HQ were broken
Spent today at the fab National Fairground and Circus Archive @uoscollections.bsky.social
Surprising upshot of browsing through 1932 copies of World's Fair magazine is that I now know who (probably) invented the ice cream cornet - Charles E Menches from Akron, Ohio. Now you know too 🍦🍦🍦
Surprising upshot of browsing through 1932 copies of World's Fair magazine is that I now know who (probably) invented the ice cream cornet - Charles E Menches from Akron, Ohio. Now you know too 🍦🍦🍦
October 13, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Spent today at the fab National Fairground and Circus Archive @uoscollections.bsky.social
Surprising upshot of browsing through 1932 copies of World's Fair magazine is that I now know who (probably) invented the ice cream cornet - Charles E Menches from Akron, Ohio. Now you know too 🍦🍦🍦
Surprising upshot of browsing through 1932 copies of World's Fair magazine is that I now know who (probably) invented the ice cream cornet - Charles E Menches from Akron, Ohio. Now you know too 🍦🍦🍦
@victurk.bsky.social Saw this and (obviously!) thought of you.
I'm sure you know #Sheffield #turkishbaths but it was great to see it so boldly advertised and still in use
I'm sure you know #Sheffield #turkishbaths but it was great to see it so boldly advertised and still in use
October 13, 2025 at 7:21 PM
@victurk.bsky.social Saw this and (obviously!) thought of you.
I'm sure you know #Sheffield #turkishbaths but it was great to see it so boldly advertised and still in use
I'm sure you know #Sheffield #turkishbaths but it was great to see it so boldly advertised and still in use
Really enjoyed my talk at #sheffield Millennium Gallery yesterday. A sell-out crowd which just goes to show that you don't have to be beside the #seaside to appreciate it
October 13, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Really enjoyed my talk at #sheffield Millennium Gallery yesterday. A sell-out crowd which just goes to show that you don't have to be beside the #seaside to appreciate it