SNAPS BESIDE THE SEASIDE

English seaside towns have largely managed to retain their quintessential English-ness, partly through design, but mainly through lack of resources and visitors in recent years. Now, new generations of British families are discoveries their charms, as the rigours and expense of foreign holidays are having their effects.

Presenting the seaside as it was for earlier generations, a delightful exhibition of photographs will open at the National Maritime Museum in September. Donkey rides, fishing boats, paddling children and Edwardian ladies parading with their parasols are captured in this collection, as well as working locals. Covering the period 1880 to 1950, it follows the advent of the railways in the mid-nineteenth century and the effect this had upon quiet coastal settlements and towns, bringing piers, promenades and hotels to suit all tastes and budgets.

Many of these snapshots are by Francis Frith, a pioneering Victorian photographer, who built up the largest photographic publishing house in the world. At top, from a shot at Bucks Hill, Devon, and above, paddling at Scarborough.

Beside the Seaside: snapshots British coastal life runs from September 17 to April 19 next year, admission free. Go to http://www.nmm.ac.uk

OLD MUSIC HALL NEW ATTRACTION

An evening underneath the arches by  Charing Cross Station in London, at the New Players Theatre, is a rather more intimate and jolly affair than the usual experience at West End theatres.

It is smaller for a start – just 275 seats in the auditorium – and has a lively piano bar and stylish restaurant. And after a long period of uncertainty, the old place is finally getting its acts together and putting on a range of shows.

At a re-launch opening recently, a parade of talented young singers kicked off the proceedings in a show that was a variety of musical acts and styles. To come are such classics as ‘The House of Bernarda Alba’ and ‘A Patriot for Me’, to be followed in the run up to the Christmas period with ‘Burlesque Esque’ – “which takes you back to the true art of Burlesque”, according to the producers. 'Radio Broadway', pictured, has its West End debut here on September 28, featuring highlights from West End and Broadway musicals.

The theatre has a long history as a Victorian music hall, and The Players Theatre Club, dating from 1936 was a London favourite, attracting Royalty and the Churchill family as regulars over the years, as well as an eclectic mix of fans.

Now, The New Players Theatre and The Players Bar and Restaurant, to give it its full title, offers the opportunity for a show and late night drink and dinner at reasonable prices. Theatre tickets start from around £15 up to about £28, up to £35 for the burlesque evening, and there are two or three course set dinner menus from £12.50 as well as a brasserie menu. Go to www.newplayerstheatre.com

ANTIQUE TREASURE HUNT IN THE COTSWOLDS

A wonderful excuse for touring some of the Cotswolds most delightful towns is presented in the Autumn Selling Exhibition staged by top dealers in the area, running from the 4th to the 18th of October.

The dealers are all members of the Cotswold Art & Antique Dealers’ Association and between them they offer a rich variety of items, from paintings to furniture, china to sculpture and much else besides.

From a starting point of Chipping Campden village, where one might stay at the famous Lygon Arms Hotel, seen here, itself stuffed with antiques, it is a short hop to Broadway village, where the John Noott Galleries will be showing a collection ‘John Syrett, Members of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and Friends’. At Tetbury, ‘Days of Oak 1600 to 1740’ at the Day Antiques shop has some items as reasonably priced as £50, and at Witney, prices start from around £200 for a range of mantel and fireside pieces in Greenway Antiques.

Garden ornaments, clocks, rare inlaid furniture pieces, pottery, needlework, fishing paintings, and military field accessories, including a brass bound mahogany bidet, and a Georgian travel desk priced at £5,950, are other treasures to be found at galleries taking part in this event.  For an exhibition handbook and full details, with map, got to www.cotswolds-antique-art.com.

EXHIBITION OF AFFORDABLE ART

Great exhibition for buying work from new artists as well as established names is the Affordable Art Fair, taking place at Battersea Park in London from October 23 to 26. Over a hundred galleries will be showing paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics and prints, at prices from as little as £50 up to £3,000. www.affordableartfair.com