History: Leisure and Entertainment in Twentieth Century London: A Social History

Leisure often related to social class. For some, the main events of the Season were an attraction – the Chelsea Flower Show, the Royal Tournament, the Horse Show and Wimbledon. Others might prefer the grey hound track or the football terrace – White City could attract up to 100,000 for a race night, and 335,0000 spectators were watching football each week in London in the 1948/9 season. Clubbing and shopping became leisure activities, as the dance hall was replaced by the night club and as the department stores of the West End and the suburban high street increased in numbers, aided by improved bus and tube transport. Music, dancing and night life changed too. Labels, often misleading, were given to decades – the Roaring 20’s, the Swinging 60’s, the Cool Britannia of the 90’s. From the circuses at the Hippodrome, to horse racing at Alexandra Palace, to roller skating at Brixton, London offered endless possibilities for leisure Classes are interactive with plenty of discussion. Reading and research beyond the class room are encouraged and research which is written up can be shared with class members via the online Canvas programme. Learners are expected to submit a small amount of written work in response to class subject matter.