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
The Resort of Sidmouth
This fifties holiday film captures the mood of the day in beautiful colour.
In partnership with:
Overview
This holiday film transports you to Sidmouth and the village of Beer with lovely views of Salcombe Hill overlooking Sidmouth. The old capstan at Beer used for hauling boats up the beach is seen in operation. A trip to Clovelly in North Devon takes in Bickleigh Bridge, Dartmoor and the MV Guidesman tanker on the Exeter canal. The beach scenes at the one time Regency and Victorian resort of Sidmouth show how post war domestic tourism was returning to the resorts of old.
In the Georgian Regency era, son of George III and the Prince Regent's brother popularised the resort. Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and his new wife and baby, the future Queen Victoria in 1819 stayed at Woolbrook Glen. The esplanade and many Georgian and Victorian buildings survive although erosion and storms threaten the red sandstone cliffs and beach. Sidmouth is the gateway the World Heritage Jurassic Coast. Knowle Cottage was built in 1810 and became one of the most famous houses in Sidmouth. It was already a hotel by 1882 and in 1947 was bought by Southern Railway and returned to use as a hotel having been used by the RAF during the Second World War. It is now Council offices and public gardens.
Related
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.
Devon Devon
Travelogue 1939 18 mins Location: Exeter
The cream of Devon painted in an unfamiliar palette in this Dufaycolor travelogue
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
Holidays around Sidmouth Holidays around Sidmouth
Amateur film 1956 3 mins Silent Location: Sidmouth
Sidmouth sits hidden among the cliffs and the area is filmed by an enthusiastic holidaymaker.
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
Hawke Surfcat Catamarans Hawke Surfcat Catamarans
Current affairs 1980 5 mins Location: Sidmouth
Cat on Water! Catamaran race off Sidmouth
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.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.