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
Here and There in a Coronation Year
A patriotic tour of the coast in celebration of the new monarch.
In partnership with:
Overview
1937 was a year of celebration. Bunting and street parties were held to mark the crowning of the new monarch, George VI. This amateur film follows a family on picnics and a tour of the coast of North Devon at Woolacombe and Clovelly and on a trip around Cornwall to Carbis Bay, St Ives, Sennen Cove, Mullion Cove, Newlyn, Mousehole, St Michael's Mount during the Whitsun holidays. Flags, crockery, tea, this film exudes quintessential Britishness right down to its jelly moulds.
The coronation of George VI took place on 12 May 1937 although he became King the day after the abdication of his brother Edward VIII on 11 December 1936. A joyous occasion for the nation and a public holiday, the coronation was broadcast on radio with the state procession shown live on television and filmed extracts shown in cinemas. Following the Wall Street Crash of 1929, the Great Depression threatened the world economy, Britain was governed by a coalition government of all the major parties from 1931 to 1940 known as National Government and Neville Chamberlain was about to become its new Prime Minister.
Related
Currently unavailable
Hitchin Coronation Celebrations Hitchin Coronation Celebrations
Non-Fiction 1936 8 mins Silent Location: Hitchin
By George! (and Mary)... Patriotic crowds pack the streets of Hitchin for exuberant coronation celebrations.
Currently unavailable
Jewish Ex-Service Men's Coronation Parade 1 Jewish Ex-Service Men's Coronation Parade 1
Amateur film 1937 4 mins Silent Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
A proud expression of Jewish identity and heroism at a Coronation parade to the Eldon Square World War One memorial in Newcastle.
Currently unavailable
Coronation Street Party - Parc-Y-Dre Road, Ruthin, 1953 Coronation Street Party - Parc-Y-Dre Road, Ruthin, 1953
Amateur film 1953 8 mins Silent Location: Ruthin
Right royal revels in Parc-Y-Dre Road involving a decorated donkey, a mystery man and a pile of greenery and cardboard that will provide a community beacon at dusk.
Watch for free
Coronation of Edward VII (1902) Coronation of Edward VII (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 0 mins Silent Location: Westminster Abbey
A short glimpse of the new King's delayed coronation procession through London.
Watch for free
Woodford Celebrates the Coronation Woodford Celebrates the Coronation
Documentary 1953 2 mins Silent Location: Woodford
A great parade in celebration of the day of Elizabeth II's coronation, complete with a guest appearance from the Prime Minister!
Watch for free
Coronation Scenes Coronation Scenes
Amateur film 1937 6 mins Silent Location: Westminster
The streets of Westminster and Camberwell are festooned with bunting and banners in preparation for the Coronation of George VI in this remarkable colour film from A E Ford.
Watch for free
Lady Pilots Lady Pilots
Non-Fiction 1935 3 mins Silent Location: Devon
Talented women become mistresses of the skies.
Watch for free
Jubilee Jubilee
Current affairs 1977 13 mins Location: Bath
A special report looks into the preparations for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and her subsequent tour of the South West.
Watch for free
Daz with the Blue Whitener Daz with the Blue Whitener
Advert 1967 2 mins Location: Devon
Mrs Cross takes the Daz test but what will the outcome be?
Watch for free
One Per Cent of Us - One in a Hundred One Per Cent of Us - One in a Hundred
News 1986 52 mins Location: Plymouth
This documentary charts the progress and challenges of disabled people living in the community.
Watch for free
One Per Cent of Us - Children No More One Per Cent of Us - Children No More
News 1976 45 mins Location: Plymouth
The TV cameras return to Downham School to see what has changed for disabled children since 1966.
Watch for free
Clothes to Please Clothes to Please
Current affairs 1963 1 mins Location: Devon
Responses to questions about dressing to please are of their day.
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.
Watch for free
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.
Watch for free
Edgar Wright on The Running Man Edgar Wright on The Running Man
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
The director talks to Mark Kermode about putting Stephen King's dystopian life-or-death gameshow thriller through its paces.
Watch for free
Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 69 mins
Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.
Watch for free
Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 73 mins
Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate actor’s actor discusses his career in conversation with Mark Kermode.