Skip to content

Historical Brighton photos go on display

Christian Fuller
BBC News, South East
The Regency Society An old black and white photograph of two cars racing on a road, with hundreds of spectators looking on. The Regency Society
Motor speed trials were held in Madeira Drive in 1932, with more than 100,000 spectators

A new exhibition of historical photographs of Brighton and Hove has gone on display in the city.

The Regency Society, which campaigns to celebrate and protect the city's heritage, has a collection of more than 7,500 images.

The new display from The James Gray Collection dates from 1850 to 1943 and showcases Brighton's "vibrant and ever changing history", the society said.

The photos are on show on the seafront, near the i360, until 27 April.

The Regency Society A black and white image of three soldiers and a large anti-aircraft gun in front of a large hotel. The Regency Society
The exhibition includes images of anti-aircraft weapons in front of the Grand Hotel in 1943 and the first pier in the city
The Regency Society A black and white image of the West Pier. There are horses and carriages in front of the pier, on the road, and groups of people walking. The Regency Society
An image of the the West Pier, which burnt down in 2003, is among those on show

The exhibition of 36 images includes the first pier in the city, ladies-only bathing beaches, aeroplanes landing on Brunswick Lawns and anti-aircraft guns in front of the Grand Hotel during World War Two.

The Regency Society A black and white image of a large group of men. There is a handful of men inside a carriage on the Volk's Railway. The Regency Society
The photographs include the opening of Volk's Electric Railway in 1883 and a mixed bathing beach in Hove in 1919
The Regency Society A black and white image of a large group of children on Brighton beach. The Regency Society

James Tulley, vice chair of the Regency Society, said it offered a rare glimpse into the social and architectural evolution of Brighton and Hove's seafront.

"The exhibition beautifully highlights what makes Brighton and Hove so special, presenting captivating images that celebrate the heritage and character of its famous seafront," he said.

Alex Bamford A dozen or so people are looking at a number of images. There is a pebbled beach in the background, as well as the sea. Alex Bamford
The free exhibition is on display on Brighton seafront until 27 April

The display is taken from The James Gray Collection.

Mr Gray was an insurance broker whose hobby was collecting old photographs of Brighton and its surroundings.

After his death in 1998, the Regency Society purchased his collection of photographs, with a view to conserving them and making them more widely accessible.

The exhibition is free to view.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

Related stories
Related internet links