Curious Photos from the Past of Great Britain (21 photos)

The 20th century was an era of significant change for Great Britain. The country experienced two world wars, colonial upheavals, economic crises and social reforms that changed its position in the world and its internal structure.





Tea break. England, 1968.

Tea break is a cultural and social tradition that is deeply rooted in British life. It reflects not only the English love of tea drinking, but also their special approach to organizing the working day, rest and communication. This practice has become an integral part of everyday life for both the working classes and the aristocracy.

Tea was brought to Britain from China in the 17th century and was initially considered a luxury available only to the upper classes.

It gradually became more accessible thanks to the development of trade with Asia and the establishment of plantations in the colonies (for example, in India).



An experimental tram in Blackpool, England, 1934.

This is a unique type of tram that has long served as a symbol of the town of Blackpool on the northwest coast of England. This tram differs from other models in its open design, which allows passengers to enjoy the sea air and views of the city.

Because of their open design, convertible trams were used primarily in warmer weather, when the weather allowed passengers to sit comfortably outdoors.





Queen Elizabeth II greets swimming captain D.G. Owen during a visit to Mill Hill School, 1957.



A cheese competition at the Olympia Dairy Show. London, 1951.



Three tourists relax with their feet in Blea Tarn Loch. UK, circa 1940.

The region is known for its stunning natural beauty, including many lakes, hills and mountains, making it a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers.



Dundee, Scotland, 1959.



Photographer: Michael Peto.

Girls in bathing suits. England, 1919.

The bathing suits of the time covered almost the entire body. They consisted of several layers of clothing. The top part often resembled a long-sleeved T-shirt or a turtleneck. The bottom part looked like wide trousers or a knee-length skirt. Some styles had attached stockings or strips of fabric to hide the legs.

Swimsuits were made from heavy, opaque materials such as wool or cotton. These materials did not dry well and could be quite heavy when wet.



London children and a dog, 1950s.



A musical milkman on the street in London, 1930.

Music as a means of announcing that the milkman has arrived! Another way to do this is to ring a bell, which immediately alerts the entire area that a milkman has arrived.



A policeman stops traffic to allow four "chicks" to cross the Serpentine Bridge in Hyde Park, London, March 10, 1966.

The girls are on a promotional run to promote the British Egg Marketing Council's "Breakfast for the Fortnight".



Photographer: Douglas Miller

Glasgow, Scotland, 1971.

The selection includes photographs by the famous British photographer Nick Hedges. His photographs in the 1970s became a powerful documentary of the social problems of Great Britain at that time. He captured the lives of people living in dilapidated housing and slums in many cities.



A brewer and his pet raven at a London brewery, 1934. From the source: Brewers are superstitious about ravens, and some still keep them as pets in their yards; there is still a belief that a raven ensures good beer.

There are many things connected with ravens in England: proverbs, rhymes, omens, and fairy tales.

England's most famous ravens live in the Tower of London. According to ancient legend, if the ravens leave the Tower, the kingdom will collapse.

There are currently six ravens at the Tower (the minimum number required to uphold tradition), cared for by special raven keepers.

These birds have their wings clipped to prevent them from flying away, but they are still active and interact with visitors.



Ten-year-old John Speed ​​from Fareham, Hampshire, inspects a steam locomotive at the Southern Region British Railways Works in Eastleigh, 1960.

Class of locomotive: Battle of Britain Class Locomotive. This locomotive is 20.54 meters long and weighs 87.38 tons.



Photographer: William Wanderson

Merchant ship Seguranca, 1910s. An American ship seized by the British for carrying what they considered contraband. Britain often seized ships bound for neutral ports, where the goods could then be shipped to Germany. This caused great concern in the United States as a violation of free trade.



A delivery boy in Derry, Ireland, 1934.

He's delivering buttermilk. Buttermilk is a skimmed cream, a by-product of making butter from cow's milk.



Leeds, 1970s.



Photographer: Nick Hedges

A puddle jump near Hyde Park. London, 1939.



Photographer: J. A. Hampton.

A car crash at the junction of Clerkenwell Road and Farringdon Road. London, 11 June 1962. Photographer Colin O'Brien, who took this photo, said: "I later read that a child had died in the accident. There were rumours that the traffic lights had failed and all turned green at the same time.



Keeper Herbert Jones weighs a king penguin calf at London Zoo in 1952. At 13 weeks old, it weighs 28 pounds (12.7 kilograms) and is in excellent health.



A makeshift kitchen on the stairs of a house in the south of London, 1972.