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Stunning, 360-degree action of the speeding wheels at London's premier cycling circuit.
Non-Fiction 1924 1 mins Silent
'Remarkable pictures taken with our special camera', boasts this newsreel item, and there's no denying the stunning clarity of these images, which never lose their focus on the speeding riders - even if the audience is all in a blur! Cycling's popularity peaked in the 1920s, and attendance at the annual Good Friday event could exceed 10,000 fans, all hoping to see records shattered.
Herne Hill's state-of-the-art velodrome was built in 1891 to provide a safe, banked cycle track for south London. Such was cycling's popularity by the 1920s that the newsreels regularly brought their cameras to events like this one, bringing all their ingenuity and technical invention to the challenge of tracking the tirelessly spinning wheels.
Non-Fiction 1974 3 mins Location: Gloucester
Gloucester's answer to Evel Knievel may not be able to afford a motorbike but he won't let that deter him...
Non-Fiction 1902 1 mins Silent Location: Leeds
Edwardian ladies work their pedals, eagerly watched by workers and an attention-seeking dog.
Amateur film 1960 11 mins Silent Location: Blaydon
Blazing saddles on the 140-mile Blaydon route of the 1960 British National Road Race with one of the greatest amateur road cyclists of all time.
Non-Fiction 1947 14 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
Rare film of an exciting sprint and cycle racing event just after the war, capturing most of the large expectant crowd and many competitors.
Non-Fiction 1970 6 mins Location: Wolverhampton
A tough training regime for a cycling world champion. Although it helps that he goes home to a fellow Olympian.
Sport 1957 5 mins Silent Location: Belfast
Crowds flood Belfast to catch a glimpse of the Tour of the North cyclists
Non-Fiction 1925 1 mins Silent Location: Herne Hill
Music hall star George Robey kicks off the action at this international ladies' footie match at Herne Hill, South London.
Non-Fiction 1927 1 mins Silent Location: Herne Hill
The adrenaline rush of a race at South London's famous velodrome at the height of a cycling boom.
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Herne Hill
Women cyclists go for gold! Singer Gracie Fields presents the grand prize at South London's premier women's cycling event.
Non-Fiction 1928 1 mins Silent Location: Herne Hill
With neither gears nor lycra to help them, the cream of Britain's cyclists battle it out at the Herne Hill velodrome ahead of the 1928 Olympics.
Advert 1946 1 mins Silent
Life is looking up! The war is over and the “Corona” Man can visit his “Corona” families once more, door-to-door.
Advert 1962 0 mins Location: Rhyl
Cinema advertisement for Marine Lake & Ocean Beach, Rhyl, a popular destination for crowds set on a day's fun on free rides.
Advert 1942 7 mins Silent Location: Blaenau Ffestiniog
Who could deny these advertising claims: "Attractive hair is the ambition of every woman", and "Your family will enjoy Lincoln potatoes"?
Advert 1955 1 mins
Operatic chickens, shrimps and salmon sing-a-long with a paste pot chorus in this vibrantly animated advert for Shippam's
Advert 1956 2 mins Location: Market Harborough
Liberté, égalité and fraternité in corsets, girdles and bras.
Advert 1930 9 mins Silent Location: East Sussex
This amazing discovery shows how cinema advertising used to look in Bygone Britain - a truly nostalgic gem of a film for lovers of Britain's past
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