1-192-261 - © Museum of London/Heritage-Images

Construction of the Dome of Discovery, Festival of Britain, London, 1951. Construction workers are just visible on the roof. The dome had a diameter of 365 feet and rose to a maximum height of 93 feet. Inside were displays of British discovery and exploration, on land, sea and eventually space. Between May and September 1951 a grand exhibition was held throughout Great Britain. A Festival Council brought together a team of designers, architects and builders to mastermind this exhibition, whose intention was to demonstrate all that was best about Britain at the time. The central focus was a purpose built exhibition constructed on the South Bank of the Thames in London.