Genealogy Australia

Weston is a classic example of that great British invention, the seaside resort. Within a century it grew from a tiny fishing village into the largest town in the county, after Bath. The first hotel, ‘The Royal' was built in 1810 and a coach service from Bristol brought wealthy patrons until, after 1841, Brunel's new railway opened the floodgates to expansion. A gifted local architect, Hans Fowler Price, was able to stamp a distinctive character on the new resort's fabric and his fine building constitute a special heritage. The 19th century brought some surprises, such ad the arrival of the English end of the transatlantic telephone cable, in1885, but the 20th century saw Weston still a very busy resort until the rise of the car and cheap foreign travel brought changes and a search for a new identity. This gripping account of Weston's entire past is splendidly illustrated.