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
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
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.
Watch for free
The Sidmouth Folk Festival The Sidmouth Folk Festival
News 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
News 1980 5 mins Location: Sidmouth
Cat on Water! Catamaran race off Sidmouth
Watch for free
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
Watch for free
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Watch for free
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Watch for free
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
Watch for free
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
Watch for free
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.