To the Sea by Train

By: Andrew Martin

Narrated by: Andrew Martin

Throughout the 20th century, the seaside service posters of Britain's railways promised fresh air and frivolity to millions of urban dwellers with the phrase: 'To the sea by train'. A staple of modern British life, the seaside getaway was intertwined with the train, in whose compartments holidaymakers were shunted from smog-choked cities to sandy coves. With his signature wit and anecdotal style, Andrew Martin captures an era defined by its railways: from the development of Brighton and Scarborough into pleasure resorts, and the introduction of bank holidays and two-day weekends, to the advent of cheap flights and the British coast's subsequent decline. Humorous and evocative, To the Sea by Train takes a charming tour through Britain's most beloved pastime.

©2025 Andrew Martin (P)2025 Isis Audio

Relaxing journey

Andrew Martin is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors—I recommend anything he’s written without hesitation.

This book is both wonderfully relaxing and deeply fascinating. You could listen to it on the beach or during a rainstorm and enjoy it just the same. The fact that it’s narrated by the author himself is clutch—he’s not only a gifted writer but also an excellent storyteller.