The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
Holidays around Sidmouth
Sidmouth sits hidden among the cliffs and the area is filmed by an enthusiastic holidaymaker.
In partnership with:
Overview
A holiday is taken to the Devon area and the town of Sidmouth, originally a small fishing village on the River Sid. The town grew between the cliffs and in 1874 a railway station opened. Sea View was bought by Sidmouth Urban District Council in 1930 and the house was demolished to make way for the Duke of Connaught to open the new public gardens in 1934, hence Connaught Gardens. On Salcombe Hill and with a view over Sidmouth is the Norman Lockyer Observatory which opened in 1912.
Beer is a quaint fishing village that still hosts a regatta with old luggers and redsails. The beach is distinctive with its coastal wooden fleet of boats that are still launched from the beach. Exmouth is a busy tourist location offering many watersports and closely linked to nearby Exeter. The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, which is an important area for its geology stretches from here to Poole in Dorset. Lyme Regis in Dorset epitomises the classic historical seaside retreat and the harbour wall the Cobb has been evoked in novels and used in films. Louisa Musgrove has a famous fall from the Cobb in Jane Austen's novel Persuasion.
Related
Watch for free
Sri Lankan Kandyan Dance Troop at Sidmouth Sri Lankan Kandyan Dance Troop at Sidmouth
Current affairs 1980 2 mins Location: Sidmouth
A Sri Lankan dance troop enthrals folk festival goers.
Watch for free
Devon Devon
Travelogue 1939 18 mins Location: Exeter
The cream of Devon painted in an unfamiliar palette in this Dufaycolor travelogue
Watch for free
Winter Tour Winter Tour
Documentary 1949 10 mins Silent Location: Barnes Common
A grand coach tour makes its way to Hampshire, Dorset and Devon, leaving London far behind
Watch for free
The Resort of Sidmouth The Resort of Sidmouth
News 1950 11 mins Silent Location: Sidmouth
This fifties holiday film captures the mood of the day in beautiful colour.
Watch for free
The Sidmouth Folk Festival The Sidmouth Folk Festival
Current affairs 1970 7 mins Location: Sidmouth
International folk bands and troupes put on an act at Sidmouth
Watch for free
Hawke Surfcat Catamarans Hawke Surfcat Catamarans
Current affairs 1980 5 mins Location: Sidmouth
Cat on Water! Catamaran race off Sidmouth
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror New Perspectives: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Coghlan of Northumbria University explains why FW Murnau's 1922 vampire story is an endlessly intriguing work of art.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Watch for free
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Watch for free
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.