Travel, early-mid 20th Century: Site Contents

Travel in the early-mid 20th century was very different from today. Journeys were slower, often noisier and dirtier, and far less comfortable by modern standards. Yet for many people they were exciting experiences, especially for children and for families who rarely travelled far from home. Steam trains, trams, trolleybuses, bicycles and early motor cars were all part of everyday life, while Londoners became used to the Underground as a normal way of getting about. Ordinary people generally travelled only when necessary or for special outings, and even a simple day trip could feel like a great adventure.

This website describes what travel was really like from the viewpoint of people who experienced it at the time. It includes recollections of crowded buses and smoky trains, the excitement of seaside outings, early motoring, cycling, railway stations, tickets, conductors and many other details now long vanished from everyday life. Like throughout the site, the emphasis is on ordinary people’s experiences, memories and feelings rather than formal transport history.

Scroll down for clickable links to individual pages which are shown under descriptive headings.