Editing Blackpool (section)

====Sea bathing and the growth of seaside resorts====
In the 18th century, [[sea bathing]] gained popularity for health benefits, drawing visitors to Blackpool as a [[Resort|tourist resort]]. By 1788, there were about 50 houses on the sea bank. Of these around six accommodated wealthy visitors while a number of other private dwellings lodged the "inferior class whose sole motive for visiting this airy region was health".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hutton |first=William |title=A Description of Blackpool in Lancashire Frequented for Sea Bathing |publisher=Peneverdant Publishing |year=1996 |isbn=0952491508 |edition=Fifth |pages=5}}</ref> In 1781, The town's amenities, including hotels, archery stall, and bowling greens, slowly expanded. By 1801, the population reached 473. Henry Banks, instrumental in Blackpool's growth, purchased Lane Ends estate in 1819, building the first holiday cottages in 1837.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The seaside resort: a British cultural export, an article by John K. Walton |url=https://archives.history.ac.uk/history-in-focus/Sea/articles/walton.html#:~:text=Seaside%20resorts%20began%20to%20appear,and%20parts%20of%20Scandinavia;%20and |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=archives.history.ac.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Blackpool |url=https://blackpoolcivictrust.org.uk/history.html |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=blackpoolcivictrust.org.uk}}</ref>