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Painted face-in-the-hole board showing two seaside bathers in striped Victorian swimsuits paddling in the sea

Ethel & Ernie Face-in-the-Hole Board

Hire from £75.

The Ethel & Ernie seaside photo board

The Ethel & Ernie face-in-the-hole board is a 100cm x 180cm PVC foam print on a lightweight aluminium frame with steel T-legs. The design shows a classic 1950s British seaside postcard scene - an overweight couple in striped bathing costumes enjoying a paddle in the sea, with seagulls and a red sailboat on the horizon. Two circular holes are cut over the characters' heads so guests can pop their faces through for a funny photo.

The illustration is painted in a warm watercolour style with soft shading, and the board itself is printed in matt laminate vinyl which is UV and water resistant, fade resistant, and glare-free for photos. It's difficult to ignite (BS476 Part 7, 1987 Class 1 Fire Rated) and the PVC foam material is fully recyclable.

This type of board - variously called a face-in-the-hole board, photo cut-out, peep board, or seaside standee - is a proper part of British coastal heritage. You'd find them on seafronts and piers up and down the country for decades, and they've been a staple at fun days, fetes, and seaside-themed events ever since. Ethel and Ernie specifically are one of the most recognisable seaside characters from that era, and one of a full collection that also includes Punch and Judy, Skinny Jimmy, Betty and Billy, Fat Mabel, and Strong John.

The board comes complete with its stand - steel T-legs measuring 63cm high by 90cm wide - and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use on grass or hard surfaces.

Get a Quote
Painted face-in-the-hole board showing two seaside bathers in striped Victorian swimsuits paddling in the sea
Board size
100 x 180cm
Face holes
2
PVC foam
5mm
From
£75

What's included

  • Delivery, setup and collection by our own team
  • The 100cm x 180cm board with aluminium frame and steel T-leg stand
  • £5M public liability insurance as standard
  • Risk assessments and method statements emailed to you or your venue before the event
  • Operational briefing for your event staff

Delivery charges and minimum order values may apply depending on hire duration and location. Discounts available for multiple items on the same delivery - contact us for a quote.

We also offer custom branding on these boards if you want your logo or artwork on the design. Our in-house branding team can produce bespoke versions from scratch, or add sticker branding to the board surface. More about our branding service, or call 01709 818686 to discuss.

Front view of the Ethel and Ernie seaside face-in-the-hole photo board on its stand

Where the Ethel & Ernie board works

  • Seaside-Themed Events and Vintage Parties

  • Corporate Fun Days and Family Days Out

  • School Fetes and Community Events

  • Charity Fundraisers and Promotions

  • Retail Displays and Marketing Campaigns

  • Beach Events and Seafront Festivals

Size

Dimension
Board: 100cm x 180cm (3.3ft x 5.9ft)
Stand legs: 63cm high x 90cm wide
Material: 5mm PVC foam (foamex)

Allow around 2 metres of clear space in front of the board for guests to line up and take photos.

Suitability

  • Indoors on Artificial Grass
  • Indoors on Hard Surface
  • Outdoors on Grass
  • Outdoors on Hard Surface

Suitable for all ages.

Why not add?

While we supply everything needed to run the board, these extras pair well with it:

Buy or hire

If you'd prefer to own the board rather than hire it, we can sell it to you directly. We also stock other designs from the same range - get in touch or call 01709 818686 for pricing.

Bespoke boards with your own artwork or branding are available to order from the original designers (Photo Cutouts UK) and we can arrange this as part of your hire package.

Venues we deliver to

From our warehouse in Rotherham we're five minutes from the A1, M1 and M18, which puts us in reach of the major exhibition venues and event spaces without much lead time. We deliver regularly to NEC Birmingham, ExCeL London, Manchester Central, Olympia London, Harrogate Convention Centre and ACC Liverpool, as well as across South and West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, and the Midlands. UK-wide delivery is available and Europe-wide delivery is available for larger packages.

This board works particularly well at seaside-themed events, summer fun days, and family-friendly corporate events. Pair it with the other photo cut-outs and seaside hires below for a full vintage activation.

What's the difference between a face-in-the-hole board and a photo booth?

A face-in-the-hole board is a static printed board with cut-out holes for guests to put their faces through - it's a physical prop, not electronic. There's no camera, no screen, no AI or digital effects. Guests take their own photos with their own phones or a camera. It's simpler, cheaper, and doesn't need power or an attendant, which is why it's popular at school fetes and community events where those things aren't available.

Is the board waterproof?

The board is printed on 5mm PVC foam (foamex) with a matt laminate vinyl finish that is water resistant and suitable for outdoor use. It'll handle a bit of rain without damage, but we'd still recommend bringing it in if the weather turns properly bad - it's not built for being left out in a downpour all day.

Can I use this at a beach or seaside event?

Yes, it's a proper seaside design and works great at beach events, seafront festivals, and vintage-themed parties. The PVC foam material handles salt air fine, though sand can get into the stand legs so a quick wipe down after the event is all it needs.

How many people can use it at once?

There are two face holes so two people can take photos at the same time. It's fast-moving - people pop their faces through, take a photo with their own phone, and move on. No attendant needed.

Gallery

  • The Ethel & Ernie board - a 1950s seaside postcard design with two face holes, painted in watercolour style

Related Products

Ethel and Ernie are a properly retro face-in-the-hole board - guests pop their face into the seaside-postcard scene. If you want other seaside themes there's the Punch and Judy board, the beach-themed set, and Little Jonny in the same style. For a fuller seaside setup you could add deck chairs, a giant deck chair prop, or even a hook-a-duck stall. Want a hand putting it together? Drop us a line and we'll suggest a setup.

Hire the Ethel & Ernie Face-in-the-Hole Board

Send through your dates, venue and footfall and we'll come back with a quote. Want a wider seaside or vintage theme? Mention it in your message and we'll suggest a full setup.

Is it on grass or hard standing?
Do you have electricity on site (within 25 metres)?
Do you require the items to be staffed by us?
For event bookings
Are you VAT registered?