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
Southwold Holiday
Victor Harrison's 1935 family film of holidays on the Suffolk coast; Southwold, Lowestoft, The Broads, and Thorpeness.
From the collection of:
Overview
Nineteen thirties holiday film of the Harrison family at a number of Suffolk coastal holiday hotspots; including Southwold, Lowestoft, the Broads (Beccles), and Thorpeness. This reel, with scenes in both Dufaycolor and black and white, shows the family having a jolly old time bathing, picnicking at their beach hut, horse riding, and sailing. Intertitles include “Susan on the li-lo” and “tea with the mater”.
The filmmaker, Victor Harrison, stored his family films in the basement of his office, which unfortunately was flooded in a freak rainstorm, which accounts for the water damage shown at the colour sections of the film, giving an unintended psychedelic effect. Nonetheless, the reel is a wonderful record of family holiday activities in the nineteen thirties. EAFA acquired a collection of 16mm films (60 odd rolls) from John Harrison, who features frequently along with sister Susan in the family films captured by their father Victor Harrison. Many films in the collection show time spent on their yacht Elver, a familiar sight in the Blackwater throughout the 1930s.
Related
Watch for free
In One End In One End
Documentary 1977 28 mins Location: Southwold
Real ale and folk music in the pub – performed by Fairport Convention – are celebrated in this portrait of Southwold on the Suffolk coast and the work of the Adnams brewery.
Watch for free
The Holiday at Southwold The Holiday at Southwold
Amateur film 1933 26 mins Silent Location: Southwold
The Harrison family revel on the beach, sail their splendid model yachts and entertain friends at Southwold.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
The Taylor Family Days Out The Taylor Family Days Out
Home movie 1959 35 mins Silent Location: Mundesley
In 1959, the extended Taylor family head to the Norfolk coast every Sunday for picnics and a lark about.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
Rural Sports in Southwold Rural Sports in Southwold
Amateur film 1928 4 mins Silent Location: Southwold
Tug o' war, Tradesmen's Cycle Race, Sack Bumping. Rural Sports Day on Southwold Common in which the community gather to take part in the day's scheduled activities.
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.