Between 1875 and 1914, conditions improved greatly for the poor in Britain. Two Education Acts were passed requiring all children to attend school. New "red brick" universities were established focused on science and technology. By the late 1800s, the working class had more free time and began traveling for leisure activities like holidays at the seaside. Cricket and football also grew enormously popular among the public. However, poverty remained a major problem in Britain even as reforms to improve factory conditions and child labor laws were passed in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

1. The end of an age