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
Beach Holiday at Sennen Cove
Holidays are close to home for the Parsons' family.
In partnership with:
Overview
This film is delightfully 1930s with cloche hats and shift dresses for the ladies, wide legged pleated pegs with turn ups for men, full bathing costumes for boys, girls and adults (but no Lycra). Filmed at Whitesand Bay Beach which at high tide is split into Sennen Cove Beach to the south and Gwenver or Gwynver Beach to the north. The rocks in the distance are Brisons Rocks but on a clear day it is possible to see the Isles of Scilly.
The Parsons family lived in Redhill in Surrey and owned a house at Sennen Cove. They left an impressive collection of amateur film on 16mm dating from the 1920s including film from Hillsbrow Preparatory School, a London to Eastbourne Old Crocks motorsport rally race and horseriding events. The amateur filmmaking tradition carried on down the generations to the 1970s and more family oriented home movies. They also filmed cruises to New York, Italy and Egypt in the 1930s.
Related
Watch for free
Visit to Germany Visit to Germany
Home movie 1936 28 mins Silent
Lloyd George tours the sights of Nazi Germany while his chauffeurs lark about with an SS Officer in this grimly fascinating film.
Watch for free
Family and Friends Family and Friends
Home movie 1962 24 mins Silent
An intimate portrait of the family life of the Taberhams, including Ruth and Tigger Cat at Christmastime, idling in the garden, and a wedding.
Watch for free
Cwrt-yr-Ala - Twins Cwrt-yr-Ala - Twins
Home movie 1948 8 mins Silent Location: Michaelston-le-Pit
A newly-built, dream home in Michaelston-le-Pit, Cardiff, where industrialist H H Merrett’s grandchildren have ample space to play.
Watch for free
George's Party and Porthcawl Prom George's Party and Porthcawl Prom
Home movie 1957 14 mins Silent Location: Porthcawl
Socialising at home - on George’s birthday, perhaps, and at Christmas – and walking the promenade.
Watch for free
Arthur Conan Doyle Relaxes with his Family at Windlesham Arthur Conan Doyle Relaxes with his Family at Windlesham
Amateur film 1929 17 mins Silent
The creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, relaxes with his family in Windlesham and goes on tour to Egypt, Africa and Australia
Watch for free
Golden Wedding At Ellel House Golden Wedding At Ellel House
Home movie 1950 4 mins Silent Location: Galgate
50 years together - congratulations! A family celebration of a long and happy married life.
Watch for free
Camping Holiday at Sennen Camping Holiday at Sennen
Home movie 1968 1 mins Silent Location: Sennen
Steady now as handheld captures camping holiday
Watch for free
Coastal Camping in Cornwall Coastal Camping in Cornwall
Home movie 1971 3 mins Silent Location: Sennen
Home movie maker films family in Cornish field
Watch for free
Holiday at Sennen Cove Holiday at Sennen Cove
Amateur film 1955 3 mins Silent Location: Sennen
Family enjoys the beach and a lunchtime pasty
Watch for free
Three Dogs in a Boat Three Dogs in a Boat
Amateur film 1930 2 mins Silent Location: Sennen
Sink or swim as Rub and his chums are set adrift
Watch for free
Parsons' Pets Parsons' Pets
Amateur film 1930 9 mins Silent Location: Sennen
A plethora of pets and their owners, the Parsons
Watch for free
Eileen and her show horse Eileen and her show horse
Amateur film 1930 3 mins Silent Location: Sennen
Eileen and her show horse take to the ring as sidesaddle falls out of favour
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.