Southport Pier 1899

When you're on a pier this long, you can be forgiven for taking public transport

At over a kilometre long, Southport Pier will always be a brisk stroll. A tramway was introduced shortly after it was opened in 1860 to help make the journey a little easier, and here a film camera hops on board. The original negative has survived in remarkable condition, offering beautifully crisp images of the Merseyside promenaders.

Though the film was originally catalogued as 1899, the electric trams seen in the final scene suggest a slightly later date. The first electrified tramways opened in 1900, replacing some of the horse-drawn routes that had run since the 1870s.