Thomas Cook ceased trading in 2019, 178 years after Mr. Cook organised his first excursion train. This podcast episode looks into the early years of excursion travel and the explosion in popularity of ‘cheap trips’ opening up a world of experiences for the working classes throughout the mid 19th Century. Who were these people, how did it come about, what was the experience like?
References:
'The Million Go Forth' by Susan Major
'Fire and Steam' by Christian Wolmar
Youtube video version is on the left but alternatively click here for the Audio-only version.