Byelaws were brought in to ensure the separation of ladies and gentlemen on the Torquay beaches. There were 4 bathing places for ladies, and 5 for men. Byelaws included, in 1887 no bathing with or without drawers between Belgrave and Imperial and in 1889, no person of the male sex shall at any time bathe within 50 yards of a ladies bathing machine. Why do you think women might need a Ladies' Bathing Cove in Victorian times?

Notice the strange "sheds on wheels". These were called bathing machines. When people wanted to swim, they hired a bathing machine. They changed inside and the machine was slowly allowed to run into the water until it was deep enough for the people inside to get out and swim. Can you see how the bathing machines were let down into the sea and pulled out again? People did not want to be seen undressed for swimming. Bathing machines helped them have a dip in the sea without being seen.

Can you see what other facilities are there for the ladies to use? What is the evidence for other uses of the beach? Notice the boats pulled up on the sand. These were probably for fishing.

Compare this photograph with those of Anstey's cove. Are there any clues which might help you to make more sense of the evidence here? Notice how the bathing machines were let down into the sea and pulled out again.