Bank holidays
Bank and public holidays are essential breathing spaces within the working year and welcome breaks from the treadmill of routine.
Non-religious days off were introduced in 1871, and were later widened to include Easter and Christmas.
This collection looks back at how people have spent these days off, and reveals how some features remain constant (traffic and ice cream) while others have fallen out of favour (May Queens and Easter bonnets).
However, one thing remains consistent throughout - the determination to have a good time.
1940s and 1950s
The way we choose to spend our precious time off says a lot about us.
Whether your day off is spent at the seaside, mostly in a traffic jam, catching up with DIY or at the shops, this collection shows the changing face of Britain at play.
1960s and 1970s
More cars meant more Bank Holiday gridlock. By the end of the 1970s the foreign package holiday had truly arrived, but a traditional seaside getaway was still as attractive as ever.
1980s and beyond
While features such as traffic and ice cream remained the same, things like May Queens and Easter bonnets have fallen out of favour. However, one thing remains consistent throughout - the determination to have a good time.
