The South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA) is the regional film archive for the South West of England. Established in 1993, SWFTA's core collection comprises of the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and TSW (Television South West). The archive also cares for a significant number of donated film collections, both amateur and professional, dating back to the early 1900s.
This film is part of Free
From Paignton to Dartmouth
An intimate family trip is captured in Devon's beautiful South Hams.
From the collection of:
Overview
Families holidaying at Paignton take a trip along the coast to Salcombe and Dartmouth. The scenery from Paignton on the English Riviera to the Dart and Kingsbridge Estuaries is among the most picturesque in the world and a heritage steam railway operates here. Paignton's Hydro Hotel with mock tudor frontage opened in 1928 and was aimed at the motortourist. Fourteen years of food rationing in Britain ended at midnight on 4 July 1954, did this make us a nation of picknickers?
The Higher Ferry operates between Dartmouth and Kingswear and forms part of the A379 between Torbay and Plymouth. The Lower Ferry is operated by a tug which pushes the floating platform and the river crossing has been in existence since the eighteenth century. Paignton's original department store Rossiters was thought to have been the inspiration for the 1970s TV comedy Are You Being Served? Isaac Singer was an American who set up the Singer Sewing Machine Company and he commissioned Oldway Mansion to be built in the resort. It was remodelled by his son Paris in the style of the Palace of Versailles between 1904 and 1907 and in 1946 it was bought by the local council.
Related
Watch for free
Holiday Season on the English Riviera Holiday Season on the English Riviera
News 1970 3 mins Location: Paignton
How are resorts on the English Riviera gearing up for the latest tourist season?
Watch for free
Paignton 1957 Paignton 1957
Amateur film 1957 31 mins Silent Location: Paignton
The camera - perhaps wielded by an enthusiastic dad - was ever-present on this family holiday in 1950s Devon
Watch for free
Tiger cubs born at Paignton Zoo Tiger cubs born at Paignton Zoo
Current affairs 1973 1 mins Silent Location: Paignton
Cubs come out to play at Paignton Zoo
Watch for free
Paignton Parachutists Paignton Parachutists
Current affairs 1962 1 mins Silent Location: Paignton
Land, Drop and Roll; Parachutists have landed on Paignton Green near the harbour
Watch for free
Paignton Zoo Young Paignton Zoo Young
Current affairs 1976 1 mins Silent Location: Paignton
Baby Season at Paignton Zoo - meet the new arrivals
Watch for free
Sue Barker in the Ladies Tennis BP Cup Sue Barker in the Ladies Tennis BP Cup
News 1977 5 mins Location: Paignton
It's a question of Sue: tennis player Sue Barker competes against an American opponent in the Ladies Indoor Tennis BP Cup.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.