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London Then and Now: A City Through Changing Lenses

Photographs taken decades apart reveal how London’s streets and landmarks have transformed. Early images show quieter roads, smaller crowds, and architecture untouched by modern development. In the present, those same places pulse with new buildings, heavier traffic, and altered skylines.

In many older shots, the pace feels slower. People walk in smaller numbers, and vehicles are fewer and simpler. Modern counterparts replace that calm with busier pavements, layered signage, and transport that never seems to stop.

Some views highlight how certain structures have stood firm through decades of change. Their surroundings, however, tell a different story—new facades, altered road layouts, and infrastructure reshaping the space around them.

The contrast between clothing styles adds another layer. Historic photographs capture formal hats, long coats, and dresses in muted tones. Current images replace them with casual wear, brighter colours, and a wider range of fashion.

#1 An exterior shot of the completed Gloucester Road Station in 1868 and 2014.

#2 A street seller of sherbert and water on the streets of London in 1893 and the same street in 2014.

#4 The view north up Brick Lane in Spitalfields, close to the markets in 1957 and 2014.

#5 People sunbathing in Hyde Park in 1956 with Marble Arch and the Odeon cinema in the background in 2014.

#6 A night shot outside the Palace Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue before an evening’s performance in 1958 and 2014.

#7 A view of Duncannon Street decorated with bunting and banners for the coronation ceremony of Edward VII. There are pedestrians and vehicles in the foreground and the National Gallery is visible in the distance in 1902 and 2014.

#9 A view of Bow Lane, off Cheapside in the City of London in c.1930 and 2014.

#10 Blackfriars station entrance from outside 179 Queen Victoria Street in c.1930 and 2014.

#11 A street scene in London’s Covent Garden with the underground station and a horse and cart in the background in c.1930 and the same street in 2014.

#12 A view of the forecourt of the Southern Railway’s terminus at London Bridge in c.1930 and 2014.

#13 A view from the west side of Tower Bridge in c.1930 and 2014.

#14 Byward Street near Tower Hill in c.1930 and 2014.

#15 An evening street scene outside Foyles book shop on Charing Cross Road in c.1935 and 2014.

#16 Boy shining shoes outside the Tea Room at Victoria station in 1950 and the same location in 2014.

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Written by Kevin Clark

Kevin Clark is a historian and writer who is passionate about sharing the stories and significance behind historical photos. He loves to explore hidden histories and cultural contexts behind the images, providing a unique insight into the past.

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