Look back at century of holidays
MUSEUM TELLS TELLS STORY OF
AN EXHIBITION that celebrates the holiday habits of generations of people has attracted more than 4,000 visitors since it opened last month.
Featuring everything from day trips to Bradgate Park and weekends in Skegness to exotic holidays in the sun, Wish You Were Here, at Newarke Houses Museum, in Leicester, takes a light-hearted look at more than 100 years of holidays.
In the 1960s, Leicester’s traditional holiday fortnight – when the factories would close – was moved from August to July, giving Leicester people the chance to go away to places like Skegness when it was less busy.
By the 1970s, most workers could enjoy two weeks’ paid holiday a year – and while trips to the British seaside were still popular, the rise of air travel meant many people started looking forward to trips abroad.
Deputy mayor Councillor Piara Singh Clair said: “Our holiday destinations may have changed over the years, but some things are just the same.
“Wherever we go, we still look forward to our break, we still enjoy the change of routine and we still bring back memories that will stay with us.
“This exhibition uses souvenirs, postcards, clothing and memorabilia to capture all the joy of a holiday – and if you’re holidaying at home this year, it’s well worth a visit.”
Wish You Were Here continues at Newarke Houses Museum until September 26.
The holiday theme continues at
Leicester Museum & Art Gallery, which is hosting an exhibition inspired by Thomas Cook – the Victorian travel pioneer whose global business started in Leicestershire.
Round the World with Thomas Cook features items from museum’s collections and the Thomas Cook Archive. It runs until November 14.