Bude and District - The Second Selection: Images of England

This second selection of photographs and postcards depicting Bude and the surrounding district brings together over 200 wonderfully evocative images of this part of Cornwall. Most of the pictures date from the early to mid-twentieth century, and recall a way of life now gone, when sailing ships navigated the coastline and holidaymakers were brought by steam train to the growing seaside resort.

On the breathtaking Atlantic coastline we explore locations from Marsland Mouth in the parish of Morwenstow on the Devon-Cornwall boundary to the parish of St Gennys. Bude itself, and its near neighbour Stratton, have suffered very different fortunes over the year, the former developing into one of the south-west's leading seaside resorts on the back of a thriving tourist trade, the latter fading into relative obscurity. These changes are well documented here, with some quite stunning photographs of both communities.

Inland, we look towards Week St Mary and North Tamerton, and an area of rural agriculture that provided the economic backbone of north Cornwall. Here too, great developments have taken place, and this collection of images provides an important historical document that will enlighten and enthrall all inhabitants of and visitors to this part of the country.