Shore Road with horses and carts of sand
Shore Road between 1875 and 1886 with bathing machines on the narrow beach and a horse and cart with sand from Sandpit field.
In the foreground is Sandpit field which had sand extraction pits with a stone spoil heap at the bottom of the photo, there are two horses and carts loaded with sand being pulled South along Shore Road.
On the beach are wheeled bathing machines. The bathing machine was a device, popular from the 18th century until the early 20th century, to allow people to change out of their usual clothes, change into swimwear, and wade in the sea on beaches.
In the centre of the photo where Playland and the Parade are now located are stacks of Purbeck Stone waiting to be loaded onto boats.
You can view a high resolution zoomable photo at www.virtual-swanage.co.uk/gallery/thebigpicture/?lookat=1800s
Image Ref: VS1987
Year: 1880
Copyright: Unknown
Photographer: Unknown