Festival of Britain

The Festival of Britain opened in 1951 in London, England. At that time, shortly after the end of World War II, much of London was in ruins and redevelopment was badly needed. The Festival was an attempt to give Britons a feeling of recovery and progress. Construction of the site opened up a new public space, including a riverside walkway, where previously there had been only warehouses. There was, however, opposition to the project from those who believed that the money (£8 million) would have been better spent on housing.

The new buildings included a dome (perhaps later the inspiration for the Millennium Dome), the Skylon, an unusual cigar-shaped steel tower supported by cables, and the Guinness Festival Clock.

The location was next to Waterloo Station on the south bank of the Thames.

All the Festival buildings except the Royal Festival Hall[?] were later demolished and replaced by other buildings to become an arts complex known as The South Bank.

See also

• World's fair
• List of world's fairs