Archives on Show: The Festival of Britain
Our Archives on Show events are a chance for us to show you the wide range of material we hold at The London Archives.
Whether you are new to archives and curious to see what we hold, or you are an experienced researcher that wants to learn more, these relaxed events offer a chance for you to see a selection of original materials on a changing monthly theme.
This month's theme: The Festival of Britain
2026 marks 75 years since the Festival of Britain, which aimed to celebrate Britain and its achievements in the period after the Second World War. Based primarily at the new South Bank development in London, it also included a series of events held across the country and numerous touring exhibitions - and it is said that half of the population of 45 million people attended a Festival of Britain event. Chief attractions were the Skylon, the Dome of the Discovery and the Festival Pleasure Gardens at Battersea. Overall, it is believed to have been a huge boost to British art, design, crafts and sport.
In this session we will be showcasing material from our collections that tell the story of the festival and its London sites. Browse original documents including photographs and plans, as well as items that show the influence of the festival on design and architecture in London.
What to expect:
- Curated display of archival material from our collections - available for you to handle and explore at your own pace.
- Informal atmosphere with staff on hand to answer queries about items on display.
- Spend as long as you like looking at the material within the session time - while it doesn't include a formal talk, members of our team will be on hand to answer questions and to discuss the selection of items.
- Each month we focus on a specific topic, type of record, or theme.
Booking Essential: You can book for a one hour session at 1pm or 2pm.