What does it mean to grow up by the sea today?

From ambition and creativity to isolation and inequality, explore intimate photographs and firsthand accounts that document what life is really like for young people growing up in coastal Britain.

About the exhibition

Documentary photographer Polly Braden and journalist Lisa Bachelor spent more than a year travelling to coastal communities across England, working closely with young people aged 16–25 using photographs, film and personal stories to explore their lives.

Created as part of The Guardian’s Seascape series, Against the Tide looks beyond the negative portrayals to reveal a more complicated picture of coastal Britain today.

Across Tendring, Weston-super-Mare, Scarborough, Grimsby, Southend, Portsmouth, Whitehaven, Rhyl and Blackpool, Polly’s photographs bring us into the lives of a generation growing up in some of the most deprived and often-forgotten places in England.

Alongside accounts of isolation and lack of opportunity are expressions of resilience, ambition and hope, and a clear message: coastal towns are not just sites of decline, but places of creativity and possibility.

Young people involved in this exhibition have created their own photographs, exchanged ideas with peers and shared their experiences with UK policymakers, showing how creativity and personal stories together can help inform decisions about coastal communities beyond words and numbers.

What to expect

Discover intimate portraits, honest first-hand accounts and a close-up look at the everyday lives of young people growing up in coastal England.

Polly’s photographs are paired with the words and experiences of the young people she met, creating a layered portrait of places that are often overlooked or reduced to stories of decline.

These artworks reflect both the challenges and strengths of coastal communities. Young people speak about education, work, mental health, belonging and opportunity.

They also share stories of friendship, creativity, resilience and pride in where they come from.

About Polly Braden

Polly Braden is a documentary photographer known for her intimate, long-term collaborations.

Her work focuses on overlooked communities and social issues, and her distinctive style combines quiet observation with deep empathy.

Polly believes art can do more than tell stories. It gives people a chance to speak for themselves, encourages empathy and starts conversations about issues that matter.

With special thanks to Attwells Solicitors, Seán Kelly, and Catherine for their generous contribution towards this exhibition.