BBC Archive

Curated extracts from the BBC's huge content archive.

Gems from the Archive

1977: Angela Rippon on first ever Top Gear. Video, 00:03:02
Angela Rippon drives from Television Centre in London to Pebble Mill in Birmingham on the first ever edition of Top Gear.
Attribution
BBC Archive
Posted
22 April 1977
1965: Britain's backside. Video, 00:03:10
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BBC Archive
Posted
22 April 1965
Archive Quiz: Signs of Spring
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BBC
1987: Preparations for the first Rugby World Cup. Video, 00:04:45
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BBC Archive
Posted
22 April 1987
1971: Vinyl restoration. Video, 00:04:13
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BBC Archive
Posted
23 April 1971

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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
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BBC Archive
Posted
16 May 1996
1966: The 'mini kilt' Video, 00:03:14
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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
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BBC Two

Explore More

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

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