BBC Archive

Curated extracts from the BBC's huge content archive.

Gems from the Archive

1977: The 78-year-old sack-racer. Video, 00:02:21
Meet 78-year-old Geordie, Albert Haswell. A sack-racing phenomenon with 68 years worth of experience in the sack, who is prepared to take on all comers.
Attribution
On This Day
Posted
27 April 1977
1959: Waskerley 'ghost' Village. Video, 00:07:06
Attribution
On This Day
Posted
27 April 1959
Archive Quiz: Signs of Spring
Attribution
BBC
1974: Woman's Hour - Gerry Marsden. Audio, 00:06:17
Attribution
BBC Archive
Posted
27 April 1974
1993: Night Trap controversy. Video, 00:01:32
Attribution
BBC Archive
Posted
27 April 1993

Understand more about one of the world’s oldest and largest multimedia archives.

BBC Archives Technology & Services

Made of Scotland

1974: The smallest school in Britain. Video, 00:06:22
Attribution
BBC Archive
Posted
13 June 1974
1996: Making Grand Theft Auto. Video, 00:05:55
Attribution
BBC Archive
Posted
16 May 1996
1966: The 'mini kilt' Video, 00:03:14
Attribution
BBC Archive
Posted
1 August 1966
1975: Billy Connolly on Nationwide. Video, 00:06:07
Attribution
BBC Archive
Posted
28 May 1975

BBC Archive from around the UK

Explore thousands of BBC archive films. This unique collection shows life and events across the UK since the 1940s.

Watch on BBC iPlayer

Fanny Cradock Invites You To ... Video, 21 minutes
Attribution
BBC Archive
Boys from the Blackstuff
Attribution
BBC Two
Life on Earth (1979) Video, 54 minutes
Attribution
BBC Two

Explore More

2001: Teenage Susie Wolff on her driving ambitions. Video, 00:02:02
Attribution
BBC
Posted
16 April
1971: Calypso comes to Carnaby Street. Video, 00:03:07
Attribution
BBC
Posted
15 April
1981: Blue Peter shows off the tech behind the first London Marathon. Video, 00:03:32
Attribution
BBC
Posted
14 April
1980: Which books do kids love reading most? Video, 00:03:18
Attribution
BBC
Posted
9 April
1995: The day when nearly every UK phone number changed. Video, 00:02:03
Attribution
BBC
Posted
8 April
1976: Operation Hot Cross Bun gets underway. Video, 00:02:32
Attribution
BBC
Posted
26 March
2006: Steve Wozniak on building the first Apple computer. Video, 00:07:23
Attribution
BBC
Posted
25 March
1993: Dame Jenni Murray discusses Woman's Hour. Video, 00:08:06
Attribution
BBC
Posted
20 March
1973: Shoppers rush to bag bargains before VAT is introduced. Video, 00:02:25
Attribution
BBC
Posted
19 March
1970: The village with one loo. Video, 00:03:56
Attribution
BBC
Posted
17 March
1984: All Aboard the Fashion Bus! Video, 00:04:24
Attribution
BBC
Posted
9 March
1970: The secrets of the romantic fiction writer. Video, 00:05:22
Attribution
BBC
Posted
6 March
2016: Cillian Murphy on the success of Peaky Blinders. Video, 00:01:26
Attribution
BBC
Posted
5 March
1982: Training for the women's Oxford v Cambridge boat race. Video, 00:07:46
Attribution
BBC
Posted
4 March
1973: The Office goes open plan. Video, 00:05:17
Attribution
BBC
Posted
3 March
1996: Eating a raw leek for St David's Day! Video, 00:03:02
Attribution
BBC
Posted
26 February
1985: How tasty are British Army ration packs? Video, 00:06:10
Attribution
BBC
Posted
10 February
1998: The railway fans driving Europe's last commuter steam train. Video, 00:01:54
Attribution
BBC
Posted
9 February
1984: Blue Peter demonstrates hair extensions. Video, 00:03:39
Attribution
BBC
Posted
6 February
1984: Is New York ready for the British Pork Pie? Video, 00:03:20
Attribution
BBC
Posted
5 February
1975: Could you do your food shop just once a year? Video, 00:03:46
Attribution
BBC
Posted
23 January
1979: The Mallalieu: an upcycled custom built car with style. Video, 00:05:45
Attribution
BBC
Posted
23 January
1975: A new bedtime essential – the duvet! Video, 00:03:03
Attribution
BBC
Posted
21 January
1984: The pub that time forgot. Video, 00:03:52
Attribution
BBC
Posted
21 January

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