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Flashback: London August Bank Holiday 1949

In a London still visibly recovering from the effects of World War 1, a BBC news team set off from Alexandra Palace to spend the day visiting the capital's main attractions. (1949)

In a London still visibly recovering from the effects of World War 1, an intrepid BBC news team set off from Alexandra Palace to spend the day visiting the capital's main attractions and speaking to the people they find there. There is an eerie lack of traffic and the devastation around St Paul's Cathedral is shocking. It is only when the team reach Hampstead Heath fair in the evening that there is a sense of people really letting their hair down. (1949)

20 minutes

Last on

Mon 1 Aug 1949 21:45
BBC Television Service

Did You Know?

The Blitz in London lasted from September 1940 to May 1941. In all, about 20,000 people died and one third of the housing stock was damaged or destroyed. St Paul's was saved by the diligent efforts of volunteer firewatchers who dealt with each incendiary device as it landed.

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Broadcast

  • Mon 1 Aug 1949 21:45
    BBC Television Service

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Bank Holidays Collection

Bank Holidays Collection

This programme is available online as part of the Bank Holidays Collection.