The archive of family albums contains numerous photographs of people on their annual holiday or on day-trips to the seaside. Blackpool was far and away the most popular destination, and Southport, the Isle of Man and North Wales also feature in the archives. Photographs of hiking and camping trips can be found, but are much less numerous, as these were generally the activities of the middle classes. Photographs of camping holidays are often of lads' groups or scouts. The almost complete absence of photographs taken abroad is an indication of how much has changed in the holidays of the working classes.

The departure for a holiday was often the occasion for a photograph. This is especially true for group outings, when crowds of expectant people would pose for pictures either waiting to board their transport, or seated inside waiting to depart. Such trips included works outings, children's organisations such as lads' clubs, scouts and guides, and church groups.

The majority of photographs show people enjoying themselves in the traditional manner, be it strolling on the promenade, paddling, building sandcastles, donkey riding, playing crazy golf, or just sitting on the beach relaxing. The photographs taken in the studios at holiday resort seem to parody the seriousness of those taken in the city. Backdrops include aeroplanes, public bars, improbable-looking motor cars and crescent moons, while giant beer bottles, donkeys and motor bikes appear regularly as favourite props.

Accommodation was usually a boarding house or a caravan, and there are some photographs which include mementoes of places people stayed at. Photographers would often take pictures on Saturday mornings of departing guests grouped together outside their boarding houses.