Festival of Britain

A visit to the Festival of Britain at London's South Bank and Battersea Park.

Amateur filmmaker Harold William Jones visits London to capture the sights of the Festival of Britain, a national exhibition designed to bolster national pride and encourage quality in the rebuilding of towns and cities following World War II. After brief views of a Changing of the Guards ceremony, Jones introduces the South Bank site with a view of the Skylon tower floating in front of the main pavilion, the Dome of Discovery. On a busy South Bank, large crowds wander the festival grounds, looking at exhibits and pavilions, and taking in the sights, which mix futuristic design and technology with old British charm. As well as highlighting many of the sculptures and murals around the site, Jones shows festival structures such as the old Lambeth shot tower and Royal Festival Hall. Hopping on a Thames boat bound for the festival's Pleasure Gardens at Battersea Park, Jones presents views of the Houses of Parliament and Battersea Power Station, before exploring the gardens, which feature fountains, fairground rides, fantastical sculptures, parades and costumed performers. The day concludes with the bright colours of the fairground at night, and the burst of light from a fireworks display.

Featured Buildings

Battersea Power Station, London; Dome of Discovery, London; Lambeth shot tower, London; Royal Festival Hall; Houses of Parliament (Palace of Westminster), London; Royal Festival Hall, London; Skylon Tower, London

Featured Events

Festival of Britain, 1951

Keywords

Architecture; Design; Exhibitions; Festival of Britain; Innovation; Postwar

Other Places

Battersea, Greater London; South Bank, Greater London