Bikinis And Babes Of The 1960s Camping and Outdoor Life Exhibition In Olympia, London

THE 1960s were all about the babes. The bikini, the mini skirt and those kinky boots released women. For the first time since dinosaurs roamed the Earth (see documentary), the sun kissed bare legs and arms. Fresh air circulated freely around the female form. And these city gels were free to move to the countryside. No heavy boots, sheepskin vests and horsehair scarves for the modern women. For her it was mini skirts a-go-go for all days and all weathers.

We’ve hit the archive to bring you these photos from the Leisure and Lifestyle – Camping and Outdoor Life Exhibition in Olympia, London.

 

 

Rosemary models the tent porch.

Rosemary Donnelly, 21, of Plymouth, inside a new 1967 Medi Candy luxury tent, with a selling price below comparable products from Europe, during the 9th Camping and Outdoor Life Exhibition at Olympia, London. The tent, which can be easily packed into a car boot, has a porch and includes an air-operated fan ventilator. Archive-pa126426-2 Ref #: PA.16532052  Date: 03/02/1967

Rosemary Donnelly, 21, of Plymouth, inside a new 1967 Medi Candy luxury tent, with a selling price below comparable products from Europe, during the 9th Camping and Outdoor Life Exhibition at Olympia, London. The tent, which can be easily packed into a car boot, has a porch and includes an air-operated fan ventilator.
Date: 03/02/1967

 

 

These three laugh in the face of summer rains (and a loose tent pole).

A SPECIALLY DESIGNED TENT WHICH CAN BE ERECTED AT THE REAR TO GIVE AN ADDITIONAL ROOM MEASURING ABOUT 7ft.3in.BY 10ft. IS A FEATURE OF THE SPRITE COUNTRYMAN CARAVAN AND IS SEEN BEING DEMONSTRATED DURING A PREVIEW OF THE INTERNATIONAL CARAVAN EXHIBITION, OPENING AT THE OLYMPIA IN LONDON. Picture date: 29th Nov 1960. PA NEWS PHOTO 29/11/60 Ref #: PA.1166977  Date: 29/11/1960

A SPECIALLY DESIGNED TENT WHICH CAN BE ERECTED AT THE REAR TO GIVE AN ADDITIONAL ROOM MEASURING ABOUT 7ft.3in.BY 10ft. IS A FEATURE OF THE SPRITE COUNTRYMAN CARAVAN 
Date: 29/11/1960

 

 

She waiting for you. But what are you waiting for? Come on. Buy the Nomad tent. Top wondering around aimlesslessly (geddit?).

 

A Nomad Tourmaster tent at the Camping and Outdoor Life Exhibition, Olympia. Ref #: PA.6378536  Date: 08/01/1963

A Nomad Tourmaster tent at the Camping and Outdoor Life Exhibition, Olympia.
Date: 08/01/1963

 

Win Kensington’s Susan Hampshire !

 

Actress Susan Hampshire in a flurry of raffle tickets at Colex ' 70, the 12th annual Camping and Outdoor Life and Travel Exhibition which opened at Olympia, London. Susan is seated on the bonnet of the new Volkswagon Beetle, which is first prize in a raffle organised by the Eastern Centre of the Volkswagon Owner's Club in conjunction with the Stars Organisation for Spastics. The raffle tickets were sold by the actress. Archive-pa143437-2 Ref #: PA.16531927  Date: 31/12/1969

Actress Susan Hampshire in a flurry of raffle tickets at Colex ‘ 70, the 12th annual Camping and Outdoor Life and Travel Exhibition which opened at Olympia, London. Susan is seated on the bonnet of the new Volkswagon Beetle, which is first prize in a raffle organised by the Eastern Centre of the Volkswagon Owner’s Club in conjunction with the Stars Organisation for Spastics. The raffle tickets were sold by the actress.
Date: 31/12/1969

 

 

Wendy is by her mobile house. It is Wendy’s house.

 

Wendy Pattenden, 26, of Bournemouth, demonstrates a tent trailer at Colex ' 70, the 12th annual Camping and Outdoor Life and Travel Exhibition which opened at Olympia, London. The trailer is made by Concraft Trailers of Roundhill, Tusmore in Bicester, Oxfordshire. Archive-pa143437-1 Ref #: PA.16531914  Date: 31/12/1969

Wendy Pattenden, 26, of Bournemouth, demonstrates a tent trailer at Colex ‘ 70, the 12th annual Camping and Outdoor Life and Travel Exhibition which opened at Olympia, London. The trailer is made by Concraft Trailers of Roundhill, Tusmore in Bicester, Oxfordshire.
Date: 31/12/1969

 

 

Three in the back. One in the passenger seat. And another on the roof. Plenty of room for all your girlfriends.

 

A model demonstrating a car tent. Ref #: PA.6394933  Date: 08/01/1963

A model demonstrating a car tent.
Date: 08/01/1963

 

 

Diane Langton, 22, of Fulham, marvels at the shower while Ruth Senior, 25, of Boston, Lincolnshire, gets ready to detonate.

 

A portable shower, one of the highlights of the show, is demonstrated by (from left) Diane Langton, 22, of Fulham, and Ruth Senior, 25, of Boston, Lincolnshire, on the opening day of the 8th Camping and Outdoor Life Exhibition at Olympia, London. The exhibition is sponsored by the Camping Club of Great Britain and Ireland. Archive-pa126426-1 Ref #: PA.16532050

A portable shower, one of the highlights of the show, is demonstrated by (from left) Diane Langton, 22, of Fulham, and Ruth Senior, 25, of Boston, Lincolnshire, on the opening day of the 8th Camping and Outdoor Life Exhibition at Olympia, London. The exhibition is sponsored by the Camping Club of Great Britain and Ireland.  PA.16532050

 

 

Wendy’s back. But what’s in the bucket?

 

In London's icy weather, Wendy Pattenden, 26, of Bournemouth, discarded her clothes to demonstrate a sauna for campers at Colex '70, the 12th annual Camping and Outdoor Life and Travel Exhibition which opened at Olympia, London. The sauna is from Norpe Saunas of Finland. Archive-pa143437-1 Ref #: PA.16532025  Date: 31/12/1969

In London’s icy weather, Wendy Pattenden, 26, of Bournemouth, discarded her clothes to demonstrate a sauna for campers at Colex ’70, the 12th annual Camping and Outdoor Life and Travel Exhibition which opened at Olympia, London. The sauna is from Norpe Saunas of Finland. Date: 31/12/1969

 

 

And now for the pick of the bunch.

Come on in, baby, it’s cold outside.

A tent exhibit at the Camping and Life Exhibition, Olympia. Ref #: PA.6378576  Date: 08/01/1963

A tent exhibit at the Camping and Life Exhibition, Olympia. Date: 08/01/1963

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