What was life like in 1930's/40's England?

Question

Personal recollections will be greatly appreciated; recreation, transport, technology etc. Thank you.

Answer 1

The previous answer is wrong in suggesting that the speed limit was 35 mph. In fact there was no speed limit outside towns - within towns it was 30mph. But no one really worried as very few people had cars. Most people still traveled by train over longer distances and by bus and tram in urban areas. Holidays for the majority of people were taken in the UK - for those who could afford them. There was much unemployment in the 1930s and life for many working people was very hard. As has been said, popular entertainment was provided by the radio ('wireless') and the cinema - TV broadcasting began during the 1930s but was confined to London and was for the very rich only as sets were very expensive. The 1940s were dominated by the war. Life became increasingly more difficult due to rationing of food stuffs and clothing. The radio and cinema were very important still - tv broadcasting ceased on the outbreak or war. Few cars were used because of strict petrol rationing and holidays were a rarity - not only because traveling was difficult - 'is your journey really necessary' was a slogan of the times, but because most of the coast was 'out of bounds' due to defences against invasion. Many houses were destroyed as a result of bombing, and the shortage of homes continued until the mid 1950s. Many newly-weds had to live with his or her parents. Rationing continued after war ended - indeed the rationing of bread only came in after the war was over. Things did improve in some ways, however. The free at the point of delivery National Health Service started in 1948. Holidays, post-war, were still taken in the UK. Football was the main sport of the working man, but not with players paid the enormous fees they are today. Cricket was still very important.

Answer 2

What I know I've gleaned from reading British murder mysteries of the time, so bear that in mind.

First of all, the world-wide Depression effected Britain and what they could do. The cinema and radio were the new forms of entertainment, but reading was still very popular; murder mysteries were the rage. Many people like to take holidays by the seaside, some going on the train or by bicycle, as well as by car. The center of life for many villages was the pub.

Transport was mainly with trains yet, as roads tended to be narrow and winding, and speeds for motor cars weren't all that high (in a Lord Peter Wimsey novel set in the '30s, they talked of a legal limit on a highway as 35).

Of course the early 40s brought the War and austerity and the Blitz. I'm sure you'll get some personal recollections of that time.