A historian’s love of Victorian buildings, winter gardens, theatres, holiday camps and promenade amusements will form the basis of a guest lecture for the Isle of Architecture project next week.

Dr Kathryn Ferry is to give a talk at the Peel Centenary Centre, on Thursday, March 2, about her affinity with seaside architecture, as part of the year-long appreciation of Manx architecture.

The architectural historian is a highly respected writer and broadcaster on many ’seaside’ related subjects including holidays, beach huts and bungalows, and the Isle of Man features very highly in her books.

’We’re delighted that Kathryn is our first off-island speaker,’ said Dr Catriona Mackie of isle of Architecture. ’Her expertise and enthusiasm for the seaside and its architecture is something the Island can really tap in to.

’Isle of Architecture is a celebration of the built environment, encouraging everyone to take a closer look and appreciate our architectural heritage,’ she said. ’We’re looking forward to welcoming a large audience to the Centenary Centre to hear Kathryn talk about how seaside holidays played a big part in what we see every day.’

Local independent booksellers Bridge Bookshop will have a pop-up shop on the night and will be selling a selection of Kathryn’s books, including ’The British Seaside Holiday’.

The lecture is free to enter and begins at 7pm, with doors opening at 6.30pm.