Life at the shore often includes beach huts in the UK, and there are about
20,000 of them scattered along the island's coastline which measures
approximately 8,000 miles.
The history of these small wooden buildings is timeless.
To own one is like having a precious piece of shoreline history in your
pocket. To purchase one these days can be like buying a quite decent
full-sized house. . . . . . .you'd need deep pockets!!
One hut, in Dorset, was recently for sale at over five hundred
thousand pounds, twice the price of the current average home.
Apparently it's cute but doesn't have a toilet!
These are the colorful huts along the beach at Corbyn Head in my
hometown of Torquay. I spent a lot of my childhood beach days
here, swimming, fishing for hermit crabs in the rock pools, picnicking,
and even managed to almost get stranded with a friend at high tide
in the red sandstone caves in the cliff!
Behind the beach is The Grand Hotel where author Agatha Christie
spent her honeymoon. Born and raised in Torquay she is now celebrated
annually - info below if you are interested in attending in September.
What an amazing author she was!
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller;
15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976) was an English writer known for her
sixty-six detective novels and fourteen short story collections, particularly
those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.
She also wrote the world's longest-running play, The Mousetrap, which
was performed in the West End from 1952 to 2020, as well as six novels
under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott.
In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) for her contributions to literature.
Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer
of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
via Wikipedia
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I knew author Agatha Christie was born and raised in Torquay and I knew she spent her honeymoon in The Grand Hotel. But I cannot remember if Christie had access to a beach hut herself, or even if she mentioned them in her novels.
ReplyDeleteMy parents didn't have enough money in the 1950s and early 60s to buy a beach hut, but we loved using other families' huts. Thanks for the link... it was a great experience
Hels
https://melbourneblogger.blogspot.com/2022/05/thank-you-uk-australias-bathing-boxes.html
Hels, I left a comment on your May post about the beach huts - thanks for the link which I've enjoyed so much.
DeleteI 'm planning another post later on Agatha C. in Torquay!
I well remember the beach huts in Scarborough! Never actually been inside one, but I know they are highly sought after. To pay so much money for one seems outrageous, though.
ReplyDeleteDame Agatha was a very unusual woman!
Hope you're not melting in Yorkshire Meike!
DeleteIf you open Hels' link in her comment above, there's a very interesting story of beach huts along Australian beaches.
Yes, Dame Agatha lived a very unusual but interesting life for a woman in her time. Just wish I knew where she found the time to write so much!!!!!
I love Agatha Christie! I had no idea beach huts were privately owned or that they were worth that much!
ReplyDeleteAs a child, now and again, we would hire a beach hut for the day. I'm not sure if you an do that anymore as they are now so desirable ! They weren't thought of as much in the old days but, as you say, they now command astronomical prices .... ridiculous when you think how small they are. I always found the story odd when Agatha Christie went missing and, when they found her, she said she had amnesia ..... it was all very peculiar ..... would have made a great novel !!! XXXX
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the price of this little huts. It's astronomical! I wish I had a deep pocket though, because they are really cute. Lack of toilet facilities may be a problem though. I love Dame Agatha and have read many of her books, usually in a day or two as I could never put them down
ReplyDeleteI love those beach huts! I didn't know that Agatha Christie was from your home town.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea those little beach huts could cost so much. Definitely prime property. They are really cute. How fun to have Agatha Christie grow up and live in your town. That is just extra special.
ReplyDelete