The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
This film is part of Free
Thorpeness - Beaching and Boating
Delightful record of a family outing at Thorpeness on the Suffolk coast; at the beach and boating on the Meare, in the 1930s.
From the collection of:
Overview
A family film full of delights captured in the 1930s of the Catchpole family from Norwich on holiday in Thorpeness on the Suffolk coast. After posing together for a photo portrait, the family have a jolly time larking about on the beach and in the sea, and later punting on the Meare, losing one of the party in the water! Shows fabulous 1930s swimwear and fashions.
Thorpeness is a village in the county of Suffolk. The Meare is an artificial boating lake in the village. From a compilation of films most likely filmed by amateur cine enthusiast Cyril Catchpole.
Related
Rambles Around East Anglia - Part Two Rambles Around East Anglia - Part Two
Amateur film 1960 30 mins Silent Location: Aldeburgh
Amateur filmmaker captures East Anglia's coastal landmarks; incl. Thorpeness' 'House in the Clouds', Happisburgh Lighthouse, in 1959.
Southwold Holiday Southwold Holiday
Home movie 1935 16 mins Silent Location: Southwold
Victor Harrison's 1935 family film of holidays on the Suffolk coast; Southwold, Lowestoft, The Broads, and Thorpeness.
Suffolk Villages Suffolk Villages
Amateur film 1964 27 mins Silent Location: East Bergholt
Leisurely picnics and gathering lavender. Herbert Smerdon and friends tour the pretty villages in rural Suffolk circa 1964.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
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.