How much Brighton has changed as a resort in the last 75 years was brought home to me when I read the official handbook of 1938.

It starts with an imaginary interview with the Prince Regent written skilfully by Hamilton Fyfe, who managed to mention most attractions in an entertaining way.

Journalist, playwright and editor of the Daily Mirror, Fyfe was a big name at the time but is utterly forgotten today.

A map of rail routes to Brighton occupies the back of the cover while the back cover contains a fares chart showing, among other things, that a return ticket from Bath cost little more than a pound.

All it says about driving is, “Excellent motoring roads from all parts of England,” while Shoreham Airport (which had a station then) is promoted heavily.

Weather readings for the previous five years give the lie to any notion that the sun shone more often then, with only 1933 providing a good summer.

Deckchairs on the beach cost just one old penny to use. Millions were hired each year.

Brighton had the Sussex Daily News and two weekly newspapers (Herald and Gazette) as well as The Argus.

Trams provided an efficient and frequent service, although they were to be abolished the following year. Taxis cost two and a half pence a mile.

The Royal Pavilion was open to the public and was described as the social centre of the town, with many rooms available for hire.

Steamboats were advertised as giving short rides from both piers while there were also many coach trips available for visitors.

Two attractions listed in the 1938 book which would be given less prominence today are hunting and rifle shooting.

Brighton was extremely proud of its two big new open-air swimming pools at Black Rock and Saltdean. The old North Road baths, which I recall as forbidding and dark, are described as the finest on the South Coast.

The Aquarium (now the Sea Life Centre) is called world-famous, offering amusements, sun terraces and a ballroom in addition to the fish.

As for the Sports Stadium in West Street, then about five years old, it is called one of the most modern ice rinks in the world.

Four large cinemas are given separate entries, the Astoria, Odeon, Regent and Savoy, while another 13 smaller venues are listed.

In those days, people tended to spend a fortnight by the sea and often did not move much, so little space is given to attractions further outside the town.

Parks and gardens feature heavily in the guide, with several full-colour pages of flowers planted extensively in regimented rows. These days a more natural look is favoured.

The guide was proud of what Brighton had to offer, stating with some justification that few resorts could compare to it.

Brighton is still a leading resort today but people make shorter, more varied, trips and don’t spend so much time on the beach.

I would like to thanks David Sewell of the Pavilion Gardens cafe for loaning me the book.