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
On Glorious Devon's Ocean Coast
Ilfracombe on Devon's north coast is the perfect destination according to its Chamber of Commerce.
From the collection of:
Overview
This is a tourist information film made to encourage visitors to Ilfracombe on Devon's ocean coast in other words North Devon. The film targets honeymooners and families and amusingly states that while husbands play (bowls) wives may explore the shops and the old buildings around the harbour! The shirtwaister or shirtdress is the fashion statement of the day and swimming costumes are rather shapely corset-like affairs of polka dot or floral designs in bright colours.
Swimcaps are also worn to protect hairstyles which necessitated nightly sleeping in curlers. Ilfracombe stretches from Hele Bay past the Torrs to Lee Bay and is dominated by Hillsborough Hill. Today, artist Damien Hirst's bronze Verity depicts a pregnant woman and stands at the harbour entrance. The area is hilly and artificial tunnels were carved out of the rock in the 1820s to provide access to the Tunnels Beaches and tidal bathing pools. Woolacombe features as a destination for surfing and Watersmeet and Valley of the Rocks are seen on a Lynton and Lynmouth trip. There are also trips to Bideford, a white funnel steamer trip to Lundy and Clovelly and a look at the Norman Manor Farm Estate at Chambercombe.
Related
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
Seaside Seaside
News 1983 26 mins Location: Ilfracombe
TV presenter and broadcaster Robert Robinson illustrates the transformation from off to on season in Ilfracombe.
Watch for free
Ilfracombe Ilfracombe
Amateur film 1960 31 mins Location: Ilfracombe
A promotional film shows the famous holiday destination of Ilfracombe.
Watch for free
Devon/Fishing Net Industry Devon/Fishing Net Industry
1911 14 mins Silent Location: Ilfracombe
Recreation rules the day at Ilfracombe, while work continues on Hastings beaches
Watch for free
Baer: VE Day Baer: VE Day
Home movie 1945 19 mins Silent Location: Littleover
At Littleover in Derby the end of war in Europe is marked by Britannia leading a fancy dress parade. And, after nearly six years of war, it's finally time for a street party!
Watch for free
Butcher's guardpuma Butcher's guardpuma
Current affairs 1976 3 mins Location: Ilfracombe
Solomon the guard puma - put your paws up!
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.