*BOOKOFF POLECA*
The Last Resort is one of the most influential photobooks of the late 20th century — a sharp, unsettling portrait of British seaside culture at a moment of social and economic change. Photographed in the early 1980s in the resort town of New Brighton, Martin Parr captures leisure, consumption, and class with brutal honesty and unmistakable wit.
This book didn’t just document Britain — it redefined documentary photography.
A turning point in photography: One of the first major documentary works in colour
Unflinching social critique: Tourism, poverty, boredom, excess — all in one frame
Parr at his most radical: Observational, ironic, deeply uncomfortable
Still relevant: Its themes resonate powerfully today
What looks cheerful at first glance quickly reveals something far more complex.
Vivid colour photographs of British holidaymakers
Scenes of overcrowded beaches, fast food, litter, and leisure
Moments that balance humour with discomfort
A cohesive visual essay on class, consumption, and escapism
Images that linger long after viewing
Parr’s camera doesn’t judge — it exposes.
Photography collectors and students
Fans of documentary and street photography
Readers interested in British social history
Anyone curious about photography’s relationship with class and culture
A bold, thought-provoking gift
A book that looks fun — until you really look.
The Last Resort remains a cornerstone of contemporary photography, a work that continues to challenge how we see society, leisure, and ourselves.
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Discover the present and future condition of holiday resorts through the eyes of photographers who have documented the hot summer days. If you wish to escape the sweltering heat of these months, dive in the sea of photography and swim with the bookish tide, check out our books’ selection.
