- They were the most ubiquitous fashions, pastimes, foods and drinks of their day
- You couldn’t avoid them in the 70s, but they have largely disappeared from modern life
- How many of these once-popular sights and activities do you remember?
They were everywhere in the 70s, but have largely disappeared from modern life.
These are some of the most common sights and activities of the 1970s, from fashion trends and foods to popular pastimes.
Some were particularly prevalent in the north west, while others could be seen up and down the UK.
If you grew up during the 70s, these nostalgic pictures are bound to bring memories flooding back.
We’ve tried to find photos from around the North West, where possible, with many taken from our archives.
What was the best thing about life in the 70s, and what was the worst?
For more nostalgia from the era, why not check out our look back at some of the most dangerous things we all did in the 60s and 70s?
. There are some things you saw all the time in the 70s but rarely see today
There are some things you saw all the time in the 70s but rarely see today | Various Photo: Various
13. Makeshift bike ramps
Youngsters were always on the hunt for a plank of wood in the 70s, which they could turn into a ramp for their bike. Everyone wanted to emulate their hero, Evel Knievel, and perform the most daring jump. Some even persuaded their friends to lie on the ground so they could jump over them. Sadly, we couldn't find a photo of children attempting to launch their bikes in the air, but we did find this picture of youngsters playing on their bikes outside George Best's home in Cheshire in 1970. | Getty Images Photo: Photocall, Manchester, John Madden/Keystone/Hulton Archive
14. Egg-eating competitions
OK, so it's a bit of a stretch to say they were everywhere, but egg-eating competitions were surprisingly popular in the 70s. The trend was probably inspired by the exploits of Paul Newman in the 1967 film Cool Hand Luke, though we doubt anyone managed to get through 50 eggs. We dread to think what the room smelled like after one of these contests. Pictured here are contestants taking part in an egg-eating competition at a pub in Walmer Bridge, Lancashire, in 1974. | Sam Reynolds Photo: Sam Reynolds
15. Hot pants
One of the more risque fashion trends of the 70s was hot pants. These extremely short shorts, pictured here being sported by women on Market Street, Chorley, in 1971, were a common sight in the early 70s. | Iconic Media Group Photo: Lancashire Evening Post