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Dickens's Secret Summer Escapes Revealed
20 Aug
Summary
- Dickens sought seaside breezes and family holidays away from London's heat.
- Letters reveal his elaborate outdoor shower and picnic plans.
- He enjoyed travel, even with inconveniences like bugs and fleas.
Exhibition at London's Charles Dickens Museum highlights the writer's holiday habits, revealing a lesser-known side of his life.
Letters from August 1840 show Dickens anticipating escapes from London's summer heat to Broadstairs, Kent. He described the city as empty, with everyone heading to crowded watering places. These newly public writings shed light on his vacation activities, which included picnics and even constructing an outdoor shower.
Dickens's travels took him to places like the Isle of Wight and Italy. He described setting up a large shower cubicle on the Isle of Wight beach, amusing himself and astonishing locals. His holidays often involved family and friends, with provisions from Fortnum & Mason for Thames picnics.
Despite the allure of relaxation, Dickens often took his work with him, sometimes bringing favorite furniture. His journeys, like a six-month excursion, were adventurous, involving challenging accommodations and numerous insects. He viewed holidays as a chance to "relax energetically," embracing the experience wholeheartedly.
