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Lifestyle

Jacqui Turner, Associate Professor in Modern History, University of Reading

Five bizarre historic leisure activities to try with friends – from gurning to stereoscopy

Queen Victoria Britain

Phrenology images from Vaught's Practical Character Reader (1902). Public Domain Review

Leisure activities flourished in 19th-century Britain, as legislation was passed limiting the length of the working day and working week, giving people more free time. If you’re struggling to know how to spend your own free time this summer, take a leaf out of the Victorians’ book with these strangely fun leisure pursuits.

1. Read the bumps on your head

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