A week in the life of a 1958 East End family

History · Published 21 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Experience the domestic rhythms of post-war London through a classic BBC documentary. This archive clip captures the intimate, daily lives of the Gladden family in Bethnal Green.

The documentary 'Eye to Eye' follows the Gladden family, a large, close-knit group living in the East End of London. The household includes four sisters—Vi, Lil, Nell, and Eileen—each with a husband, along with eight children and a pet budgerigar.

Originally broadcast on March 7, 1958, the footage serves as a historical record of typical family life during this era. It highlights the proximity of the family members, who lived within a stone's throw of one another, providing a window into the social fabric of the time.

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