Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
This film is part of Free
A Visit to Heathrow Airport, Eastbourne and the Devil's Dyke
Heathrow is buzzing in Ted Diamond's nostalgia-fest filmed on the terraces of the Queen's Building - featuring long gone airlines, aircraft and car parks
From the collection of:
Overview
It's a busy Tuesday on the viewing terraces of the now-demolished Queens Building at London’s Heathrow Airport. As a variety of classic aircraft types arrive and depart we also see the inadequate airport car parking of the time. We then board a coach to Eastbourne with the rest of the Diamond family. A trip to Beachy Head follows with views of the lighthouse below. Finally, we arrive at Devil's Dyke near Brighton with big sky views over the South Downs.
The spectator viewing terraces and rooftop gardens on the roof of the Queen's Building at London's Heathrow Airport were a very popular destination with visitors and plane spotters alike, as can be seen from this film. It is said that in 1956 the venue was one of the most visited of London's attractions. The Queen's Building was demolished in 2009 to make way for a redeveloped Terminal 2 which opened in 2014.
Related
A Visit to Heathrow Airport A Visit to Heathrow Airport
Amateur film 1961 5 mins Silent Location: Heathrow Airport London
At a time when flying still had a touch of glamour, Heathrow's Queens Building could provide the perfect venue for a pleasant afternoon's plane spotting
London tourist scenes & a house and garden in Bromley London tourist scenes & a house and garden in Bromley
Amateur film 1976 11 mins Silent Location: Tower Br
1970s Bromley is the venue for this enjoyable film from Tony Mitchell – with back garden frolics – in flares – as well as days out to London, Greenwich and Heathrow Airport
London Airport London Airport
Documentary 1949 10 mins Location: Heathrow Airport London
The construction of Heathrow airport, from the beginning in 1944
Canadian visitors to Chichester Canadian visitors to Chichester
Amateur film 1979 12 mins Silent Location: Chichester
An amateur film about a Canadian couple who visit the sights and changing landmarks of Chichester before returning home via Heathrow Airport.
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.