London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
This film is part of Free
The Finest Air Station in the World
The impressive new Art Deco “air port” brings a touch of glamour to Croydon as it’s opened in May 1928 by the wife of the Secretary State For Air.
From the collection of:
Overview
Croydon was London’s largest airport until the creation of Heathrow after the Second World War. In 1928, it opened grand new buildings to cope with the increased demand for air travel. Costing Ј250,000, these were opened by Lady Maud Hoare in May 1928. Hoare was the wife of Samuel Hoare, the Secretary Of State For Air, and had recently been awarded a DBE after flying 12,000 miles on the London-Cairo-Delhi service. She also visits the runway and steps inside a plane.
Croydon Airport was closed in 1959 and much of it was demolished as the Roundshaw housing estate was built in its place. One of the few buildings to survive was Airport House, featuring the plaque which Lady Hoare is shown unveiling in this film. It is now used as a business centre.
Related
Croydon and Gatwick Airport Croydon and Gatwick Airport
Amateur film 1955 8 mins Silent Location: Croydon
Members of the Surrey Flying Club erect their clubhouse at Croydon aerodrome while a few miles to the south we see Gatwick's pre-war terminal
Croydon Flyover Croydon Flyover
Amateur film 1974 1 mins Silent Location: Croydon
Shot only five years after its opening, this film showcases the Croydon Flyover in all its concrete glory.
Holiday News of Bracklesham Holiday News of Bracklesham
Amateur film 1937 14 mins Silent Location: Croydon
Join the Hinchcliffs at Bracklesham Bay in this family film from 1937 - with beachside frolics, sand yachts and Uncle Bert’s fishing lessons
Jubilee Jubilee
Amateur film 1977 5 mins Silent Location: Croydon
It's all bell bottoms and bunting as families gather to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee.
The New Croydon The New Croydon
1963 9 mins Location: Croydon
Jaunty, optimistic look at Croydon being reconstructed in the 1960s, with large concrete towers presented as a symbol of a bright new future.
Ross Family Pictures Ross Family Pictures
Amateur film 1933 17 mins Silent Location: Croydon
Join the Ross family and friends - and a frisky fox terrier - for fun in the garden, frolics on the beach and plane-spotting at Croydon Aerodrome
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.