Free
Spring Collection
May Day Ponies May Day Ponies
News 1974 4 mins Location: Upper Gornal
Sam Jeavons is a Black Country horse man through and through and May Day is a time to decorate his wagon and bring some colour to Upper Gornal's streets.
Springtime in an English Village Springtime in an English Village
Documentary 1944 7 mins Location: Stanion
An extraordinary and unexpected snapshot of rural life in wartime in which a young black girl is crowned Queen of the May.
The Legend of the Good Beasts The Legend of the Good Beasts
Children's 1956 24 mins
Fabergé animals in a Russian influenced Easter tale narrated by Peter Ustinov
Easter Parade, Hyde Park Easter Parade, Hyde Park
1958 4 mins Silent Location: Hyde Park
Easter Parade in Hyde Park, April 1958.
Welcome Spring Welcome Spring
Amateur film 1952 9 mins Silent
Spring comes to Scotland in the 1950s: feed playful lambs, pick a host of glorious daffodils, and harness your faithful horse to the plough in this lovely amateur colour film.
Avalanche of Lambs Avalanche of Lambs
Non-Fiction 1923 1 mins Silent
A fluffy white blizzard - of hundreds of newborn lambs - hits a Reading farm, keeping the shepherd's hands full.
Easter Holiday Activities Easter Holiday Activities
News 1957 6 mins Silent Location: Birmingham
Out and about across the Midlands to see what people do with their Easter Monday holiday. Spring is in the air with time for swimming, funfairs and a good honest pint.
Gumber Farm Gumber Farm
Amateur film 1939 21 mins Silent Location: Slindon
A film of bucolic bliss - where children enjoy both summer fun and winter frolics despite the start of the Second World War
Preston Egg Rolling (c.1901) Preston Egg Rolling (c.1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 3 mins Silent Location: Preston
Easter Monday festivities in Avenham Park, Preston.
A Spring Wedding - the 11th of March 1963 A Spring Wedding - the 11th of March 1963
Amateur film 1963 10 mins Location: Pontypridd
Bedding, table lamps, coffee set, lighter, toaster … gifts that will set up Patricia Morgan and Kenneth Haynes for married life after their wedding at St Mary’s Church, Glyntaf.
Easter Holiday Scenes Easter Holiday Scenes
Non-Fiction 1929 8 mins Silent Location: Blackpool
It’s Easter and men, women and children all over England enjoy a day out, be it on the beach, at the races or at the zoo
Spring Comes to the Zoo Spring Comes to the Zoo
Non-Fiction 1923 1 mins Silent Location: Regent's Park
Animal antics at Regent's Park Zoo as the doors are opened to a spring-time crowd.
Dartington May Day Dartington May Day
Current affairs 1969 2 mins Silent Location: Dartington
May Day celebrated by Dartington schoolchildren
School May Day School May Day
Amateur film 1969 13 mins Silent Location: Ealing
May Day pageantry at Hobbayne School
Bootle May Day Demonstration and Crowning of the May Queen (1903) Bootle May Day Demonstration and Crowning of the May Queen (1903)
Non-Fiction 1903 18 mins Silent Location: Bootle
May Day revellers brave a wet and windy day in Edwardian Merseyside.
Spring Comes to England Spring Comes to England
Government sponsored film 1934 16 mins Location: Isles of Scilly
Farming techniques and modern methods bring new crops to market.
May Day Celebrations May Day Celebrations
Amateur film 1966 7 mins Silent Location: Daventry
Large crowds are drawn to a traditional English May Day celebrations in Daventry complete with a flower garlanded May Queen and dancing in the town square.
A Hill, Some Sheep and a Living A Hill, Some Sheep and a Living
1966 26 mins Location: Pendle Hill
A deft TV documentary portrait of the life of a shepherding family during lambing season in north-east Lancashire.
Spring Time in Lakeland Spring Time in Lakeland
Amateur film 1952 12 mins Silent Location: Brothers Water
Come and celebrate the joys of spring out and about in the Lakes.
Llandudno May Day (1907) Llandudno May Day (1907)
Non-Fiction 1907 5 mins Silent Location: Llandudno
May Day festivities in the North Wales town.
Pwllheli May Queen Pwllheli May Queen
Non-Fiction 1931 4 mins Silent Location: Pwllheli
Locals of Pwllheli in North Wales turn out to celebrate the crowning of their May Queen
Rhyl May Day Rhyl May Day
Non-Fiction 1920 6 mins Silent Location: Rhyl
After a five year lull for the war, Rhyl resumes its May Day celebration and does the occasion proud.
Booth: Hastings, May Procession and Ilkeston Carnival Booth: Hastings, May Procession and Ilkeston Carnival
Amateur film 1937 16 mins Silent Location: Hastings
From a seaside getaway in Hastings to all the marching bands that Ilkeston could muster. A home movie that travels the UK.
Jarping Jarping
News 1978 6 mins Location: Chinnor
An ancient Swiss tradition or just an incomprehensible egg smashing excuse for a booze up?
Birdwell Primary School May Queen 1961-1964 & School Centenary Birdwell Primary School May Queen 1961-1964 & School Centenary
Amateur film 1964 60 mins Silent Location: Barnsley
You may remember school processions, or having to perform in a play in front of the parents, as rather dull; not for these children in the early 1960s who clearly relish showing off.
Chesterfield May Day 1978 Chesterfield May Day 1978
Amateur film 1978 11 mins Silent Location: Chesterfield
Politics, partying, and a penalty shoot-out at the Derbyshire town's inaugural May Day bank holiday funfair
Hunslet Carnival and Gala (1904) Hunslet Carnival and Gala (1904)
Non-Fiction 1904 5 mins Silent Location: Hunslet
A spectacular street procession in the heart of industrial West Yorkshire.
Easter Eggs Easter Eggs
News 1967 2 mins Location: Birmingham
John Swallow attempts to discover what people know about the tradition of eggs at Easter. Is it a Pagan or Christian religious symbol or is it just good for the food trade?
May Pole Dance July 1956; Picnic Trip to Finchley July 1956; London Zoo Aug 1956; Windsor Castle Sept 1956 May Pole Dance July 1956; Picnic Trip to Finchley July 1956; London Zoo Aug 1956; Windsor Castle Sept 1956
Home movie 1956 13 mins Silent Location: Brent
Four films capturing a family summer in 1956, with highlights coming from London Zoo, where a very different attitude to animal care is on display.
Rhyl May Day Procession 1903 Rhyl May Day Procession 1903
Non-Fiction 1903 2 mins Silent Location: Rhyl
Rhyl's holiday season kicks off with a bang as residents and traders put their best foot forward for the May Day parade
Manvers May Day Parade Manvers May Day Parade
Non-Fiction 1919 13 mins Silent Location: Wath Upon Dearne
The whole spectrum of colliery workers and their families take a break from work, parade their horses and exhibit their natural cheerfulness.
Knutsford Royal May Day Carnival (1904) Knutsford Royal May Day Carnival (1904)
Non-Fiction 1904 1 mins Silent Location: Knutsford
The May Queen and Morris men celebrate May Day in Edwardian Cheshire.
O'Er Hill and Dale O'Er Hill and Dale
1932 16 mins Location: Cheviot Hills, The
The day-to-day life and work of a characteristic Scottish shepherd in the border country during lambing season.
Shotton May Fair and John Summers' Picnic, 1913 Shotton May Fair and John Summers' Picnic, 1913
Non-Fiction 1913 9 mins Silent Location: Higher Shotton
You wouldn't dress like that for the beach nowadays, but these day trippers are having a whale of a time
May Day Sports 1979 May Day Sports 1979
Amateur film 1979 6 mins Silent Location: Pulham Market
A wet welly race, tug o' war, and maypole dancing are the traditions of the May Day celebrations in Pulham Market.
Country Close-Up: McConkey the Donkey and his cart Country Close-Up: McConkey the Donkey and his cart
School programme and Educational film 1958 21 mins Silent Location: Maesmawr Hall
From treacle for a pony to sandwiches for harvesters, the Trant children contribute to the smooth running of Maesmawr Hall farm, Welshpool.
Easter Parade Easter Parade
Amateur film 1966 4 mins Silent Location: Battersea Park
All things bright and beautiful: flowers, floats, fire engines and the football World Cup burst into colour at the Easter festivities.
The Arthur Webster Memorial Hospital The Arthur Webster Memorial Hospital
Amateur film 1914 9 mins Silent Location: Shanklin
Join in the fun at a garden party at the Arthur Webster Memorial Hospital at Shanklin on the Isle of Wight.
Easter Monday Holiday Spirit Easter Monday Holiday Spirit
News 1962 1 mins Silent Location: Felixstowe
Anglia Television document how East Anglians have chosen to spend their Easter extended weekend.
Leyland May Festival (1905) Leyland May Festival (1905)
Non-Fiction 1905 1 mins Silent Location: Leyland
A colourful May festival parade in the Lancashire town.
May-Day May-Day
Amateur film 1899 1 mins Silent Location: Cockermouth
A May Day parade down Cockermouth’s Main Street, filmed by a local draper
Easter Bonnet Parade at the Pandora Inn Easter Bonnet Parade at the Pandora Inn
Current affairs 1966 1 mins Silent Location: Mylor Bridge
A stunning array of millinery is judged as part of the Easter celebrations.
Easter Mission to Denaby Easter Mission to Denaby
Amateur film 1962 3 mins Silent Location: Bentley
Denaby, a quintessential industrial village, is visited by Mexborough School students.
Easter Holiday Troubles Easter Holiday Troubles
Non-Fiction 1968 3 mins Silent Location: Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth, Cleethorpes, Skegness and Clacton all feature sunbathing, donkey rides, bank holiday traffic queues and rowdy youths.
Harwich and Walton at Easter Harwich and Walton at Easter
Home movie 1964 11 mins Silent Location: Harwich
Clearly a family with sea legs, the Wing family from Essex visit Harwich and Walton at Easter time for idling and sailing. Home movie by accomplished amateur filmmaker Ron Wing.
The Warrior's May Queen The Warrior's May Queen
Non-Fiction 1918 1 mins Silent
May I shake your hand, ma'am? Back in Blighty, a soldier finds the proper way to address a queen
Easter Time in Hastings Easter Time in Hastings
Amateur film 1952 32 mins Silent Location: Hastings
Join David and Vincent at Easter in this charming film from 1952. We'll go on an excursion to Pett Level to see frolicking lambs, have a picnic and a walk along the cliffs.
Spring blossom and young animals at Maesmawr Hall, Welshpool Spring blossom and young animals at Maesmawr Hall, Welshpool
School programme and Educational film 1958 10 mins Silent Location: Maesmawr Hall
From exquisite spring blossom to lambs, calves, foals and electric shearing
The Broads - Easter Holidays The Broads - Easter Holidays
Amateur film 1937 2 mins Silent Location: Wroxham Broad
Easter fell at the end of March in 1937 and, judging from the grey skies, wind and woolly jumpers in this film, it may well have been a cold one!
Turner: Easter Monday Wedding 1934 Turner: Easter Monday Wedding 1934
Amateur film 1934 7 mins Silent Location: Arnold
Crowds gather at a Nottingham church to see the bride and groom on their happiest day.
April on the Farm: soil, seeds and offspring April on the Farm: soil, seeds and offspring
School programme and Educational film 1959 10 mins Silent Location: Maesmawr Hall
On a farm the children work too: whilst the men are in the field with the tractors, the youngsters fetch hay for the ponies and mend a puncture.
Manchester Sunday Schools Whit Monday Procession (1904) Manchester Sunday Schools Whit Monday Procession (1904)
Non-Fiction 1904 9 mins Silent Location: Manchester
Crowds throng the city streets to see a parade of beautifully turned out children in a festive parade.
Easter (Adams Personal Film) Easter (Adams Personal Film)
Amateur film 1965 5 mins Silent Location: Crouch End
Enjoy a happy Easter in Crouch End as guests of Mr Adams and family
Easter in the park, Ilford (1939) Easter in the park, Ilford (1939)
Home movie 1938 1 mins Silent Location: Epping Forest
This film offers a rare chance to see a toddler trying to start a car, before he trots through a London park with pipe-smoking father.
Spring Comes to Town Spring Comes to Town
Amateur film 1947 12 mins Location: Hyde Park
Stroll through Hyde Park in your winter coat, but with the daffodils beginning to bloom, spring is nearly here!
Snowdrop Season on the Farm Snowdrop Season on the Farm
School programme and Educational film 1958 8 mins Silent Location: Maesmawr Hall
Spring on the farm: there's never a dull moment with thirsty lambs, braying baby donkey, hedge-laying, gate-hanging and wood-chopping.
Pwllheli May Day Celebrations 1929 Pwllheli May Day Celebrations 1929
Non-Fiction 1929 7 mins Silent Location: Pwllheli
Pwllheli basks in the sun and enjoys a community event that includes 2 Queens, 4 horses, a bride & groom, a bunch of bananas and the fire brigade.