Sci-fi, celebrations and chairs: The History Gossip on the Festival of Britain

Inspired by the Great Exhibition of 1851 and a want to give hope to a nation still sifting through the rubble of the Second World War, the 1951 Festival of Britain grew to become a nationwide celebration of progress and modernity, the epicentre of which was right here on London’s South Bank.

In this video, with the aid of some fabulous archive footage and imagery, Kennedy explores how the festival – particularly the hugely popular South Bank exhibition – came together, and what it would have been like for the millions of visitors who stopped by. She also takes a look at the festival’s embrace of contemporary design, which was evident in everything from its structures to sculptures, flyers to furniture. 

She also takes a look at how, though the wider festival site was demolished before the end of 1951, its one physical legacy – our Royal Festival Hall – has continued in the tradition and spirit of the festival for 75 years and counting.