Tourists: How the British Went Abroad to Find Themselves

In 1815, the Napoleonic Wars ended, and the British middle classes flocked to Europe to see the sights. In Tourists, Lucy Lethbridge examines two centuries of tourist experiences, from the stagecoach to the beach resort, and how it has reflected changing attitudes to modernity and exposed deep fears, hopes, and longings for home.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 18 August 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Foyles Non-Fiction Book of the Month




I cannot express enough my strong recommendation for this book, especially if you are planning a holiday. Tom Holland, in his review, describes it as "delightful." Lucy Lethbridge has crafted a truly remarkable work. Kathryn Hughes, from The Mail on Sunday, praises it as a "glorious romp of a book."


In 1815, the Battle of Waterloo marked the end of the Napoleonic Wars, and the European continent once again welcomed British tourists. The nineteenth century was a time characterized by steam technology, mass industrialization, and movement. Following in the footsteps of the Grand Tourists a century earlier, the British middle classes flocked to Europe to explore its wonders.


In "Tourists," Lucy Lethbridge brings to life the voices of these travelers, capturing their bewilderment, shock, delight, and amazement. She delves into two centuries of tourist experiences, examining the discomfort of stagecoaches and the "self-contained pleasure palace" of beach resorts. Among a diverse cast of characters, we meet the influential figures of Victorian tourism, such as Albert Smith, Henry Gaze, and Thomas Cook, as well as their successor, Vladimir Raitz, the pioneer of modern beach holidays.


The growth of popular tourism introduced new markets for guidebooks, souvenirs, cuisine, and health cures. It bridged class differences but also exacerbated them. It both destroyed and preserved traditional cultures. From portable cameras to postcards and suntans, "Tourists" explores how tourism has reflected changing attitudes toward modernity and how, from grand hotels to campsites, foreign holidays expose deep fears, hopes, and even longings for home.


This book is a captivating journey through time, offering a unique perspective on the evolution of tourism and its impact on society. It is a must-read for anyone with an interest in history, travel, or the human experience.

Weight: 610g
Dimension: 162 x 242 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781408856222