London History

London History "Step back in time and explore the rich history of London through rare photos, iconic landmarks, and untold stories from the city's past."

The Isle of Dogs During the (1980s)The Isle of Dogs stood at a turning point between its industrial past and its future ...
12/12/2025

The Isle of Dogs During the (1980s)

The Isle of Dogs stood at a turning point between its industrial past and its future as a financial hub. The once-busy docks were quiet, with empty warehouses and abandoned cranes marking the end of the shipping era. Streets that once supported thousands of workers felt subdued and underused. Despite this decline, signs of new development were beginning to appear. Later in the decade, the creation of the Docklands Light Railway and the Canary Wharf project sparked regeneration. Locals experienced a mix of uncertainty and hope as the area changed around them. The landscape of the Isle of Dogs became a symbol of London’s shifting economy. The 1980s photographs show a district in transition, preparing for its dramatic rebirth.

Three Views of Glen Terrace, E14 (1982)These three images of Glen Terrace offer a remarkable visual history of nearly a...
12/12/2025

Three Views of Glen Terrace, E14 (1982)

These three images of Glen Terrace offer a remarkable visual history of nearly a century of change. The 1925 photograph shows a modest residential street with traditional terraced houses typical of working-class East London. By 1982, the area had transformed significantly due to post-war rebuilding and urban renewal projects. Many older buildings were replaced, and new housing developments appeared. The modern-day view shows yet another stage of redevelopment, shaped by the Docklands regeneration of the 1990s and 2000s. Each image reflects shifting social and economic conditions in the Isle of Dogs. The contrast between the three periods highlights London’s constant evolution. Together, they form an important record of how one small street can mirror the transformation of an entire district.

West India Dock Road, Limehouse Painting by Steven ScholesSteven Scholes’ painting of West India Dock Road captures the ...
12/12/2025

West India Dock Road, Limehouse Painting by Steven Scholes

Steven Scholes’ painting of West India Dock Road captures the atmosphere of Limehouse during its historic dockland era. Warm colours and glowing streetlights give the scene a nostalgic, almost cinematic quality. The road was once a major route linking the docks with the rest of London. Warehouses, taverns, and small shops lined the busy street, serving sailors, dockworkers, and local families. Scholes expertly portrays the bustle of everyday life, with pedestrians and horse-drawn carts adding movement. The painting highlights the multicultural character of Limehouse, a district shaped by global trade. It also reflects the charm of East London before redevelopment altered the area. Scholes’ work preserves the memory of a community built around maritime industry and tradition.

The Ladywell Water Tower, Lewisham (1897)Built in 1897, the Ladywell Water Tower served as a crucial part of Lewisham's ...
12/12/2025

The Ladywell Water Tower, Lewisham (1897)

Built in 1897, the Ladywell Water Tower served as a crucial part of Lewisham's Victorian water supply system. Its striking brick design and tall structure made it a prominent feature of the local landscape. The tower stored and distributed water to surrounding communities during a time of rapid population growth. Decorative brickwork and arched details reflect the pride Victorian engineers placed in public utilities. For decades, the tower stood as a symbol of improved sanitation and modern infrastructure. It witnessed the transformation of Ladywell from a semi-rural suburb into a fully developed urban district. Although no longer used for its original purpose, the tower remains an architectural landmark. Its presence preserves an important chapter in Lewisham’s municipal history.

View of the Thames with St Paul’s Cathedral from Blackfriars by Henry Pether (1828–1865)Henry Pether’s painting of the T...
12/12/2025

View of the Thames with St Paul’s Cathedral from Blackfriars by Henry Pether (1828–1865)

Henry Pether’s painting of the Thames from Blackfriars captures London during the early Victorian era. Soft evening light reflects off the water, creating a calm and atmospheric scene. St Paul’s Cathedral dominates the skyline with its iconic dome rising above the city. The river is dotted with small boats, reminding viewers of the Thames’s role as a major transport route. Buildings along the banks show a mix of Georgian and early Victorian architecture. Pether’s attention to light and detail gives the painting a poetic quality. It offers a peaceful look at a city still expanding through industry and trade. His artwork remains a valuable visual record of London before modern urbanization transformed the riverside completely.

St Paul’s Cathedral with Tower Bridge in the Distance (Undated Photograph)This lovely photograph of St Paul’s Cathedral ...
11/12/2025

St Paul’s Cathedral with Tower Bridge in the Distance (Undated Photograph)

This lovely photograph of St Paul’s Cathedral with Tower Bridge in the background shows a London skyline untouched by modern high-rise development. The absence of tall buildings suggests the photo was taken before the late 1960s, possibly in the 1940s or early 1950s. The city appears open and uncluttered, defined mainly by church spires, warehouses, and older stone structures. St Paul’s stands proudly above everything, just as Sir Christopher Wren intended. The clear view to Tower Bridge highlights how different London once looked. The atmosphere feels peaceful, with soft light casting gentle shadows across the rooftops. Scenes like this remind us how dramatically the skyline has evolved in recent decades. The photograph offers a rare window into a quieter London dominated by history rather than height.

A View Over London from St Paul’s Cathedral (4 October 1960)This 1960 photograph taken from the dome of St Paul’s Cathed...
11/12/2025

A View Over London from St Paul’s Cathedral (4 October 1960)

This 1960 photograph taken from the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral reveals a fascinating London skyline just before the era of modern skyscrapers. From this height, visitors could see the River Thames winding through the city and the dense pattern of rooftops stretching into the distance. Construction cranes hinted at the rebuilding still underway after wartime damage. Many famous landmarks such as Tower Bridge and the older commercial districts remain clearly visible. The scene captures London in a moment of transition, balancing post-war recovery with new architectural ambitions. Roads were filled with buses, black cabs, and early modern vehicles. It was a time when the city felt spacious compared to today’s skyline. This view preserves the character of mid-20th-century London just before it changed dramatically.

Lewisham High Street with Chiesman’s & The Salisbury (c. 1930)This colourised photograph from around 1930 shows a vibran...
11/12/2025

Lewisham High Street with Chiesman’s & The Salisbury (c. 1930)

This colourised photograph from around 1930 shows a vibrant scene along Lewisham High Street. On the left stands Chiesman’s, the popular local department store known for its clothing, household goods, and friendly service. Across from it is the historic Salisbury public house, a familiar landmark to generations of locals. The street is alive with buses, bicycles, and pedestrians going about their daily routines. Shop signs and window displays reflect the commercial energy of the era. The architecture captures a mix of Edwardian and early 20th-century styles before later redevelopment transformed the area. The image offers a nostalgic glimpse into Lewisham’s past as a busy shopping district. Today, it stands as a reminder of the community-focused charm that shaped the High Street nearly a century ago.

The BT Tower, London (1965)Completed in 1965, the BT Tower instantly became one of London’s most recognizable modern lan...
11/12/2025

The BT Tower, London (1965)

Completed in 1965, the BT Tower instantly became one of London’s most recognizable modern landmarks. Rising above Fitzrovia, it symbolized the technological optimism of the 1960s. At the time of its completion, it was the tallest building in the city, designed to support microwave communications across the country. Its sleek cylindrical shape contrasted sharply with the older Victorian and Edwardian architecture around it. The tower housed communication equipment, offices, and even a revolving restaurant that offered panoramic views. Visitors were fascinated by the futuristic design and its role in national broadcasting. It quickly became a symbol of Britain’s modernization during the post-war era. Decades later, it remains an iconic part of London’s skyline and a reminder of the country’s pioneering telecommunications history.

Three archive pictures of Bow Road and the Ferodo Bridge - Turn of the 19th/29th Century, (1920s and 1989)
11/12/2025

Three archive pictures of Bow Road and the Ferodo Bridge - Turn of the 19th/29th Century, (1920s and 1989)

Remarkable photo of a German V1 fully autonomous early cruise missile hitting London area in (1945)
10/12/2025

Remarkable photo of a German V1 fully autonomous early cruise missile hitting London area in (1945)

Imperial Institute, London (Circa 1905)
10/12/2025

Imperial Institute, London (Circa 1905)

Address

London

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when London History posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share