Visit to Margate 1950

Holidaymakers flock to the beach to enjoy traditional coastal entertainments in this dazzling, colourful snapshot of Margate in its heyday.

Glorious colour scenes capture a refulgent Margate in its prime with packed hotels and beaches and a busy promenade. Elated children play with the sand and splash around in the gentle waves while adults snooze on the deck chairs. A cheeky impostor briefly interrupts the beauty queen contest, in which young ladies parade the latest swimwear fashions. The graceful winner is all smiles as she poses for the camera in this saccharine portrayal of 1950s coastal leisure time.

This film is from the collection of Redbridge Museum, Local Studies and Archives.