The People’s Archive® · Collection
Seaside trips, holiday camps and family photographs.
From caravanning in North Wales to a chalet on the Isle of Wight, our crowdsourced archive highlights British holidays and day trips from the 20th century.
Select a photograph to enlarge and browse the collection.
Peter Degnan"My Grandfather on the beach in Blackpool, 1961.Shoes on, trousers and blazer with hanky in pocket. Probably four layers, including his simmit (vest)."
Val Shannon"This was our first girls' holiday to Newquay in Cornwall, aged 18; we travelled down from the Broomwood Estate in Timperley, South Manchester."
Jennifer Johnston"This was taken in 1970 in Millport, on the Isle of Cumbrae, off the West Coast of Scotland. We took our family holidays there, the same 2 weeks in July, for what seemed like forever! That’s my mum Kate, my brother David on the trike and me in the pushchair."
Jenny Berrisford"My big sister Mary makes some 'friends' on holiday at Pontin's Prestatyn, 1978."
Johanna with her dad, brother and his friends.
Johanna Roberts
Linda’s mum, still wearing her curlers on the camping trip.
Linda Webb
Pat is Sue’s sister and Mavis is Pat’s friend. Sue pointed out their matching outfits.
Sue McIndoe
Lee BonneyLee "My grandparents took me to Blackpool twice a year for two weeks. I live here now and I'm volunteer for the Blackpool RNLI."
Tracy Barclay"A photo taken during a trip to Burnham-on-Sea of myself and my mother (and Mickey Mouse) in 1984."
"Girls from Lancashire near Blackburn and boys from northeast Tyneside - innocent days, and we had so much fun (school camp - club house/pool) we met up with the same lads the year after - young love.”
The school group came from Great Harwood, Lancashire.
Jo Murray
This group of mates includes future Stone Roses guitarist John Squire (pictured front) and long-serving drummer of The Fall, Simon Wolstencroft.
Jo Weaving“My mum Sara, grandma Ethel and sister Char. We would holiday 7 miles down the road and pitch up in an empty field. Dad would camp with us but still get up and go to work at Rank Xerox each morning.”
“My family on a day trip to Blackpool. We’d travel up every year from Coventry. Fond memories!"
John is in the pushchair, with his sister Kirsty, grandparents Peggy and Sam Eardley, and cousins Helen and Rich Jones, who were visiting from Canada. The family’s annual trips ran from 1955 to 1997.
John Dawkins
During the post-World War II era, British holidays underwent a rejuvenation as the nation sought to rebuild and find solace. The 1950s witnessed a rise in seaside holidays, with families flocking to coastal resorts like Blackpool and Brighton. Holiday camps, including Butlin's and Pontins, offered families affordable, organised entertainment. Butlin's had opened its first camp at Skegness in 1936.
The 20th century transformed British holidays from modest seaside retreats to a diverse range of experiences both at home and abroad. The resilience and adaptability of the British holiday spirit have mirrored the societal changes throughout the decades. As we step into the 21st century, the evolution of British holidays continues, shaped by new technologies, changing preferences, and a desire for new experiences.
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Contribute to The People’s Archive
Do you have personal photographs of British holidays or day trips? We welcome photographs and memories of seaside visits, holiday camps, caravan parks and family breaks.
How to contributeRead the submission guidance and terms before sending your photographs.
Clear scans or digital copies of personal and family photographs are welcome.
Include names, locations, approximate dates and any memories. Tell us where details are uncertain.
Find out how to send your photographs. BCA reviews contributions and selects photographs for The People’s Archive.