Blackpool North Pier (1903)
Edwardian holidaymakers throng to the attractions at Lancashire's premier seaside resort.
'Pleasure piers' were all the rage in the late 19th century, and Blackpool boasted three. The North Pier was the most exclusive, attracting a well-to-do set, seen here in profusion, sporting top hats and finery. It's hard to know whether the pier was always so popular, or if the camera had lured extra crowds. The final shot reveals a glimpse of the Basset Big Wheel and Blackpool's famous Tower.
Nowadays some 10 million people make an annual trip to Blackpool, but the tourist trade was thriving during the Edwardian era too, with over two million visitors a year. This encouraged massive investment in the entertainment industries, to the extent that the Lancashire town's funfair attractions became the envy of the world. Just 400 metres from the Blackpool Tower, the North Pier is now recognised as a fantastic example of Victorian seaside architecture, providing 'pleasure, novelty, excitement and stimulation'.
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Edwardians at Leisure
A nation unwinds (but keeps its hat firmly on).
Leisure time was a distant dream for millions of working Britons through much of the Victorian era. But by the dawn of the 20th century wages had risen for most. An entire industry sprang up to serve workers with more time on their hands and money in their pockets.
Mitchell and Kenyon were at home in a world of showmen and fairgrounds, where their films were often shown. Fairgrounds feature in several films, as do carnivals and processions, agricultural shows, seaside resorts and some wonderfully eccentric local customs, from egg rolling to well dressing – proving once again that the Edwardians knew how to have fun.
47 videos in this collection
1
2
Trip to Sunny Vale Gardens at Hipperholme (1901)
3
Sedgwick's Bioscope Showfront at Pendlebury Wakes (1901)
4
Great Yorkshire Show at Leeds (1902)
5
Llandudno May Day (1907)
6
Hull Fair (1902)
7
Bailey's Royal Buxton Punch and Judy Show (1901)
8
Lady Godiva Procession in Coventry (1902)
9
Parade on Morecambe Central Pier (1902)
10
Whitsuntide Fair at Preston (1906)
11
Leeds Crossgates Show (1904)
12
Preston Egg Rolling (c.1901)
13
Scenes at Chester on the River Dee (1901)
14
Algie's Circus in Carlisle (1901)
15
Leyland May Festival (1905)
16
Ribble at Preston (c.1901)
17
Bootle May Day Demonstration and Crowning of the May Queen (1903)
18
Tynemouth Swimming Gala in the Haven, North Shields (1901)
19
Blackpool North Pier (1903)
20
Douglas Harbour Paddle Steamer (1902)
21
Sunday Parade in East Park in Hull (1904)
22
Skipton Hospital Procession (1902)
23
Blackpool Promenade Extension (1905)
24
Parade on West End Pier Morecambe (1901)
25
Sunday Promenade of Spectators in West Park, Hull (1902)
26
Blackburn Plant Growing Competition (1905)
27
Waves at Southport (1902)
28
Armley and Wortley Carnival (1904)
29
Scenes in Abington Park, Northampton (1902)
30
Crowd Entering St George's Hall, Bradford (1901)
31
Panorama of Cork Exhibition Grounds (1902)
32
Panoramic View of Southport Promenade (1902)
33
Lytham Trams and Views Along the Route (1903)
34
Preparation of the Cork Exhibition Grounds and Erection of Buildings (1902)
35
Arrival of VIP For Official Opening of Cork Exhibition (1902)
36
Steamboats at Blackpool North Pier (1903)
37
Leeds Lifeboat Procession and Sports at Roundhay Park (1902)
38
Views of the Trent Bridge Boulevard (1902)
39
Leeds Lifeboat Demonstration (1902)
40
Leeds Lifeboat Procession (1902)
41
New Brighton, Egremont and Seacombe Promenade (1904)
42
Les Montagnes Russes, Blackpool’s Latest Attraction (1902)
43
Scenes by the Stone Jetty, Morecambe (1902)
44
Rough Sea at Roker (1901)
45
Green's Racing Bantams at Preston Whit Fair (1906)
46
Lytham Club Day Carnival (1902)
47