Life on Devon's beaches 50 years ago
There’s not much sign of sun protection, hats or cover-ups but there are plenty of ice-creams, buckets and spades and donkey rides
Summer is drawing to a close, although the unsavoury weather has meant it's almost felt like autumn. But we have had some sun and many of us have jumped at the chance to spend the day beside the beautiful Devon seaside.
From taking a stroll along the front, relaxing in a deckchair, building sandcastles, taking a bracing dip in the sea, hanging out with your friends, messing about in a boat, searching for shells or having a family picnic, the beach is normally always guaranteed to be a great day out.
And it was just the ticket for locals and holidaymakers in late August 1974, when a glorious hot spell prompted the crowds to descend on Devon’s south coast and the popular resorts of Paignton and Teignmouth. The glorious weather tempted people of all generations to enjoy the sunshine at the beach in their summer frocks, shorts and flip flops, swimsuits and bikinis.
There’s not much sign of sun protection, hats or cover-ups, but there are plenty of ice-creams, buckets and spades and donkey rides to keep everyone happy on these gently shelving beaches.
So we have dug into the archives to take you back almost 50 years to what life at the beach was like then.
The crowded beach at Paignton in August 1974, with the town behind
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People queue for refreshments outside a beach hut at Paignton, August 1974. And you could book a sea cruise to see the fireworks at Brixham for 70p a head
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On the pedalo are Paignton beach attendant Alan Turnbull, friends Sharon Prosser and Julie Honey of Plymouth and beach attendant Peter Salter, August 1974
(Image: Mirrorpix)3 of 21![Family and friends relax on the beach at Teignmouth in beautiful warm weather in August 1974]()
Family and friends relax on the beach at Teignmouth in beautiful warm weather in August 1974
(Image: Mirrorpix)4 of 21![Children enjoy a donkey ride on the seafront at Paignton, August 1974]()
Children enjoy a donkey ride on the seafront at Paignton, August 1974
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