National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Dyffryn. A Short Film of Happy Days during 1935
Days of fishing for mackerel, sea bathing and Barmouth carnival with horse-drawn floats. Smut the dog discovers the joy of digging in the sand.
From the collection of:
Overview
Record of a holiday taken by the Cox family and friends at Dyffryn Ardudwy, together with Smut their terrier dog who enjoys nothing better than digging in the sand. The Coxes arrive by car and celebrate with a cup of tea, days of fishing for mackerel, shooting rabbits, sea bathing and the Barmouth Carnival all to come.
According to the label on the original can, this was the first film shot by Harold Cox who, it is believed, had a music business in Birmingham but who often holidayed in Dyffryn Ardudwy where he and his brother had neighbouring bungalows built (one named ‘Bodlondeb’) for their eventual retirements. Harold’s parents are seen, as are Will Rogers, a friend, and local people e.g. Will Davies, also known as Will Fox because of his prowess at shooting foxes (accompanied by terrier Taff, who could balance on his bike), and Annie Gladys Davies, the Barmouth carnival queen. Harold Cox was known locally for his striking knitted garments which he created on a machine.
Related
Watch for free
Along the Cambrian Coast Along the Cambrian Coast
Travelogue 1930 3 mins Silent Location: Barmouth/Abermaw
Stencil coloured coastline of Wales
Watch for free
A is for Aberdyfi, B for Barmouth and Bala and C for a Camel A is for Aberdyfi, B for Barmouth and Bala and C for a Camel
Home movie 1934 7 mins Silent Location: Aberdyfi
A remarkable sight: a camel on the beach at Barmouth! And work horses pulling felled trees through Dolgellau, and shots of Bala and Aberdyfi.
Watch for free
Roving in Wales Roving in Wales
Amateur film 1937 13 mins Silent Location: Dolgellau
The Cox family, who have lost their hearts to Wales, motor from Dolgellau in Gwynedd to Red Wharf Bay on Anglesey, and Smut the dog comes too.
Watch for free
Shorts of 1936 Shorts of 1936
Amateur film 1936 16 mins Silent Location: Barmouth/Abermaw
The year starts with the death of the King but life goes on for the Cox family and includes a singing dog and “sand frolics”.
Watch for free
Dyffryn for Ever Dyffryn for Ever
Amateur film 1936 12 mins Silent Location: Dyffryn Ardudwy
A station – “Dyffryn on Sea” - without a train, a plane at Llanbedr, automobiles in use at Dyffryn and Barmouth carnivals, and some footballers.
Watch for free
Cambrian Coast Cambrian Coast
Promotional 1940 10 mins Location: Paddington Sta
“Dear Old Wales” awaits the holiday-makers boarding a train at Paddington Station, offering all that London lacks: “smooth sands, sparkling seas, sunshine and good clean air”.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Tangerine New Perspectives: Tangerine
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Wallace, a student at Northumbria university, explains why Sean Baker's LA-set comedy-drama, about a transgender sex worker on the hunt for her cheating -ex, is worth your time.
Watch for free
Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode
Inside Film 2025 44 mins
Daniel Craig talks to Mark Kermode about his acting career, from his early role in Love is the Devil through to the Luca Guadagnino directed Queer.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.
Watch for free
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.
Watch for free
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.