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href="https://alondoninheritance.com/"><img src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Header-1.jpg" class="header-image" width="945" height="234" alt="A London Inheritance" /></a> </header> <div id="main" class="wrapper"> <section id="primary" class="site-content"> <div id="content" role="main"> <header class="archive-header"> <h1 class="archive-title"> Category Archives: <span>London Vistas</span> </h1> <div class="archive-meta"><p>Views across London</p> </div> </header> <article id="post-20333" class="post-20333 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-london-history category-londonvistas category-the-thames tag-blackfriars-bridge"> <header class="entry-header"> <h1 class="entry-title"> <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/london-from-the-roof-of-albion-mill/" rel="bookmark">London from the Roof of Albion Mill</a> </h1> <div class="comments-link"> <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/london-from-the-roof-of-albion-mill/#comments">13 Replies</a> </div> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <p><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/a-london-inheritance-walks-33326287375">I have just put a couple of my Limehouse and Wapping walks on Eventbrite for the month of June. Click here for details and booking.</a></p> <p>If you walk to the southern end of Blackfriars Bridge, on the eastern side of the bridge there is a small garden, and it is a perfect example of how places in London can tell multiple stories, and for the garden the story is of the engineer John Rennie, the Albion Mill, a unique view of London, as well as the price of grain and flour in London.</p> <p>This is Rennie Garden alongside the path that runs up to, and along the eastern side of Blackfriars Bridge:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-5.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-5.jpg" alt="Rennie Garden" class="wp-image-20314"/></a></figure> <p>This is a very small garden and consists of a few trees and two blocks of planting:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-4-scaled.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1920" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-4-scaled.jpg" alt="Rennie Garden" class="wp-image-20313" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-4-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-4-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>Which really look good, and bring a splash of colour on a sunny May morning:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-3-scaled.jpg"><img decoding="async" width="2560" height="1920" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-3-scaled.jpg" alt="Rennie Garden" class="wp-image-20312" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-3-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-3-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>The gardens were created in 1862 by the Corporation of London and named the Rennie Garden after the engineer John Rennie.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-2.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-2.jpg" alt="Rennie Garden" class="wp-image-20311"/></a></figure> <p>The following extract from the 1894 edition of the Ordnance Survey map shows the gardens (ringed in red), as a very small patch of public gardens squashed between the railway and the road, both of which were running on to the bridges which crossed the Thames (<a href="https://maps.nls.uk/index.html">‘Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland</a>“):</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-25.jpg"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="697" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-25-1024x697.jpg" alt="Rennie Garden" class="wp-image-20332" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-25-1024x697.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-25-300x204.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-25-768x523.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-25-624x425.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-25.jpg 1252w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>In the above map, some stairs can be seen running down to the foreshore from the north of the gardens. The stairs are still there today, however they now lead down to the walkway along the side of the river:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-6-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1920" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-6-scaled.jpg" alt="Rennie Garden" class="wp-image-20315" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-6-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-6-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>There are though stairs on the other side of the river wall which lead down to the foreshore. This is not a historic set of stairs and they seem to have been built around the same time as the bridge.</p> <p>So why are the gardens named after John Rennie, and what is the connection with a mill, the price of flour and a view of London?</p> <p>John Rennie was the architect of London Bridge (the version of the bridge that was later demolished and moved to Arizona in the US). After Rennie’s death in 1821, the bridge was built by his son, also named John, who continued his father’s practice as a civil engineer.</p> <p>According to “A Biographical Dictionary of English Architects” by H.M. Colvin, (1954), John Rennie (1761 to 1821) <em>“was the younger son of a Scottish farmer, and was born in Phantassie in East Lothian on June 7th, 1761. As a child he showed a remarkable aptitude for mechanical pursuits, and he afterwards found congenial employment with a millwright. His earnings enabled him to study at Edinburgh University for three years before establishing himself as a millwright and general engineer. In 1784 he went to Birmingham in order to assist Boulton and Watt in designing and executing the machinery for the Albion Flour Mill ay Southwark”</em>.</p> <p>And that is the connection between John Rennie and the gardens, as they are on part of the site of the Albion Flour Mill, the first steam powered flour mill in London and at the time of completion, the largest in the world.</p> <p>The Albion Flour Mill, Blackfriars Bridge is shown in the following print, with the edge of the bridge (the version before the Blackfriars Bridge we see today) at the right edge of the print:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-19.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="688" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-19-1024x688.jpg" alt="Albion Mill" class="wp-image-20326" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-19-1024x688.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-19-300x202.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-19-768x516.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-19-1536x1032.jpg 1536w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-19-2048x1376.jpg 2048w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-19-624x419.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>Before the Albion Mill, there had been a number of much smaller mills scattered across London and the counties surrounding the city, using a range of power sources such as wind and water.</p> <p>The introduction of steam power rendered all these other mills redundant as the Albion Mill could process large quantities of grain with a reduced level of manpower. Being next to the river enabled both coal and grain to be delivered directly to the mill.</p> <p>Newspapers reported on the opening of the Albion Mill, and the following from the 10th of April 1786 is typical <em>“A few days since the Albion Mill, on the Surrey side of Blackfriars Bridge, commenced working. This mill, the largest in the world, has been erected by the proprietors for the beneficent and salutary purpose of supplying this great metropolis with flour, and of course reducing the price of bread, the greatest blessing the poor can experience on this earth. The machinery is worked by the operation of steam, and we are happy to say, there is every reason to expect it will amply fulfil the intent, and fully reward the ingenuity and public spirit of those gentlemen who have risked their money in this arduous and laudable undertaking”</em>.</p> <p>As well as being the first use of steam power in London to produce flour, the Albion Mill’s name was associated with a panoramic drawing made from the roof of the building <em>“London from the roof of Albion Mills”</em>.</p> <p>The panorama as a form of painting and exhibition was invented by a Scottish painter, Robert Barker. One of the 19th century accounts of the history of the panorama claims that Barker had been imprisoned for debt in Edinburgh in 1785. <em>“His cell was lighted by an air-hole in one of the corners, which left the lower part of the room in such darkness that he could not read the letters sent to him. He found, however, that when he placed them against the part of the wall lighted by the air hole the words became very distinct. the effect was most striking. It occurred to him that if a picture were placed in a similar position it would have a wonderful effect. Accordingly on his liberation he made a series of experiments which enabled him to improve his invention, and on June 19, 1787, he obtained a patent in London, which established his claim to be the inventor of the panorama”</em>.</p> <p>To display his new invention, Barker raised enough money to build <em>“an entire new Contrivance or Apparatus for the Purpose of displaying Views of Nature at large by Oil-painting, Fresco or any other mode of painting and drawing”</em>. This was to be found next to Leicester Square, with a small entrance from Cranbourn Street.</p> <p>Barker gave his display the name “Panorama”, and once inside, spectators would stand on a raised circular platform in the centre of a round building. They were about 30ft away from the circular wall on which was painted the scene to be viewed, stretching for the full 360 degrees around the spectators.</p> <p>After entering in the dark, light was then let in from the roof, and it was focused on the scene painted on the surrounding wall – the panorama.</p> <p>The lighting and the quality of the painting on the wall gave the effect of standing in the middle of the real scene that was portrayed around the wall.</p> <p>To keep paying spectators returning, Barker regularly changed the panoramas on display, and they were not limited to landscapes. One very popular panorama was of the Naval Grand Fleet lying at Spithead, with Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight in the background.</p> <p>Robert Barker’s panoramas were very successful and always drew a crowd wherever they were on display. He opened panoramas in France, Holland and Germany, and the panoramas on display in Leicester Square would also go on tour around the country, as the following from Aris’s Birmingham Gazette on the 22nd of October, 1798 illustrates:</p> <p><em>“By particular Desire of a Number of Families of Distinction in Birmingham and its Environs; the PANORAMA, Union-street, or perspective VIEW of the GRAND FLEET at Spithead, will continue open till Saturday next, the 27th instant, on which day it will positively and finally close, in order to embark for Hull, where it is engaged. That part of the public who have not yet had an opportunity of seeing the Grand Exhibition, will do well to take the present Opportunity of seeing the Wooden Walls of England before their Departure. Admittance One Shilling.”</em></p> <p>After completion, the Albion Mill was the highest building between St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, so it was the ideal location from where to make another panorama, and to do this Barker sent his 16 year old son up to the roof of the mill in the winter of 1790 to 1791 to paint the view for the full 360 degrees – a vast panorama of London at the end of the 18th century.</p> <p>The British Museum have a copy of the panorama from the roof of Abbey Mill in their collection, and it is available for use under a Creative Commons license, so although today I cannot get to the same height and specific location from where the panorama was made, below is a very rough comparison of the early 1790s with the view of London today.</p> <p>All the prints in this post are <em> <a href="https://www.britishmuseum.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">© The Trustees of the British Museum</a></em> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)</em></a></p> <p>Looking to the east:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-14.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="642" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-14-1024x642.jpg" alt="Panorama from the roof of Albion Mill" class="wp-image-20321" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-14-1024x642.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-14-300x188.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-14-768x481.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-14-1536x963.jpg 1536w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-14-2048x1284.jpg 2048w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-14-624x391.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-13.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-13.jpg" alt="Panorama from the roof of Albion Mill" class="wp-image-20320"/></a></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-26.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-26.jpg" alt="Panorama from the roof of Albion Mill" class="wp-image-20334"/></a></figure> <p>Looking to the north and we can see St. Paul’s Cathedral, spires of the City churches, and the Blackfriars Bridge on the left:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-15.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="561" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-15-1024x561.jpg" alt="Panorama from the roof of Albion Mill" class="wp-image-20322" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-15-1024x561.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-15-300x164.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-15-768x420.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-15-1536x841.jpg 1536w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-15-2048x1121.jpg 2048w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-15-624x342.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-8.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-8.jpg" alt="Panorama from the roof of Albion Mill" class="wp-image-20316"/></a></figure> <p>To the west:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-16.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="556" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-16-1024x556.jpg" alt="Panorama from the roof of Albion Mill" class="wp-image-20323" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-16-1024x556.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-16-300x163.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-16-768x417.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-16-1536x834.jpg 1536w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-16-2048x1112.jpg 2048w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-16-624x339.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-9.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-9.jpg" alt="Panorama from the roof of Albion Mill" class="wp-image-20317"/></a></figure> <p>To the south-west:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-17.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="550" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-17-1024x550.jpg" alt="Panorama from the roof of Albion Mill" class="wp-image-20324" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-17-1024x550.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-17-300x161.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-17-768x412.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-17-1536x825.jpg 1536w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-17-2048x1100.jpg 2048w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-17-624x335.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>A very different view today:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-11.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-11.jpg" alt="Panorama from the roof of Albion Mill" class="wp-image-20318"/></a></figure> <p>To the south:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-18.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="635" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-18-1024x635.jpg" alt="Panorama from the roof of Albion Mill" class="wp-image-20325" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-18-1024x635.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-18-300x186.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-18-768x476.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-18-1536x952.jpg 1536w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-18-2048x1270.jpg 2048w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-18-624x387.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>To mirror the above view, I would be looking straight at the Rennie Garden as in the photos earlier in the post.</p> <p>As with Robert Barker’s other panoramas, the View from the Roof of Albion Mill also travelled across the country, and internationally, so for example, in 1796 it was on display in Philadelphia in the US, where you could walk in to see the view of London for half a dollar.</p> <p>The panorama was also printed onto single sheets to give an idea of the view of London:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-20.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="778" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-20-1024x778.jpg" alt="Panorama from the roof of Albion Mill" class="wp-image-20327" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-20-1024x778.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-20-300x228.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-20-768x583.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-20-1536x1167.jpg 1536w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-20-2048x1556.jpg 2048w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-20-624x474.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>The Albion Mill did not last for long as in March 1791, a couple of months after the panorama was completed, the entire building burnt down.</p> <p>The following report from newspapers of the time covers the fire, and also provides a possible cause:</p> <p><em>“Yesterday morning, soon after six o’clock, a most dreadful fire broke out in the Albion Mills, on the Surrey Side of Blackfriars Bridge, which raged with such unbaiting fury, that in about half an hour the whole of that extensive edifice, together with an immense quantity of Flour and Grain, was reduced to ashes; the corner wing, occupied as the house and offices of the Superintendent, only escaping the sad calamity from the thickness of the party wall</em>.</p> <p><em>It was low water at the time the fire was discovered, and before the engines were collected, their assistance was ineffectual; for the flames burnt out in so many directions, with such incredible fury, and intolerable heat, that it was impossible to approach on any side till the roof and interior part of the building tumbling in completed the general conflagration in a column of fire, so awfully grand as to illuminate for a while the whole horizon.</em></p> <p><em>The wind being easterly, the flames were blown across Albion place, the houses on the west side of which were considerably scorched, and the inhabitants greatly alarmed.</em></p> <p><em>In the lane adjoining the Mills one house was burnt to the ground, and others considerably damaged. The Accident is supposed to have been occasioned by the Machinery having been overheated by Friction.</em></p> <p><em>Another circumstance has been mentioned, that might operate either as an original or secondary cause in producing the above catastrophe:- A quantity of Grain that lay contiguous to the Machinery had been damaged by the late Floods, and was Yesterday Morning observed to have acquired such a degree of Heat, as made some of the Workmen conceive that it might be dangerous to put the Mills in motion. The Remark was not attended to, and the Consequence has been what we have related.”</em></p> <p>So after 5 short years the Albion Mills had completely burnt down.</p> <p>The following print shows the mill on fire, attempts to pump water from the river at low tide, into the fire, and watching crowds lining the side of Blackfriars Bridge:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-21.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="743" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-21-1024x743.jpg" alt="Albion Mill" class="wp-image-20328" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-21-1024x743.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-21-300x218.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-21-768x557.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-21-1536x1115.jpg 1536w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-21-2048x1486.jpg 2048w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-21-624x453.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>The total loss of the Albion Mill was estimated by the companies that had insured the mill at around £90,000. There were also concerns about the loss of a large quantity of grain, and what this would do to the price and availability of flour. The proprietors of the mill were able to assure concerned Londoners that whilst a large quantity had been lost at the Albion Mill, they still had large quantities at other grain stores.</p> <p>There were many though, who celebrated the loss of the Albion Mill, and a number of satirical prints were published about the fire:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-23.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="817" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-23-1024x817.jpg" alt="Albion Mill" class="wp-image-20330" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-23-1024x817.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-23-300x239.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-23-768x613.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-23-1536x1226.jpg 1536w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-23-2048x1634.jpg 2048w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-23-624x498.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>In the above print, the dejected owners can be seen in the boat at lower left. In front of the building there are two barges on the river. The left barge is filled with sacks labelled Pot80 (potato), and the barge on the right with sacks of Indian Wheat. These sacks were implying that the flour produced at the mill had been adulterated. A number of demons can be seen rejoicing at the fire.</p> <p>The opening of the Albion Mill had a very serious impact on all the millers in London and the counties surrounding the capital. The use of steam power had allowed the mill to produce flour quickly and efficiently, and the impact of this resulted in the closure of many other mills.</p> <p>As an example of both the impact of the working Albion Mill, and the after effects of the fire, the following is from the Hampshire Chronicle on the 14th of March 1791:</p> <p><em>“The Berkshire millers are sensibly affected by the late fire at the Albion mills, but not with grief. Many of them, who gave over working two years since, have again set their wheels in motion</em>.</p> <p><em>The flour-mills at Blackwall, Poplar, Limehouse, Rotherhithe, and many other places, which have stood still upwards of these three years, have also begun working again, owing to the Albion mills being burnt down.”</em></p> <p>The price of flour had increased during the time of the mill’s operation. In the five years prior to opening, the average price of flour had been 44 shilling, 6 and a quarter pence. During the years the mill was in operation, the average price had increased to 45 shillings and 2 pence. A small increase, but still an increase.</p> <p>It was argued that the increase in price was down to two bad harvests and that there had been a scarcity of wheat throughout all of Europe.</p> <p>The following print also had a celebratory theme to the fire at Albion Mills, with a demon playing a fiddle on Blackfriars Bridge as the mill burns, whilst another demon fans the flames:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-24.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="634" height="1024" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-24-634x1024.jpg" alt="Albion Mill" class="wp-image-20331" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-24-634x1024.jpg 634w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-24-186x300.jpg 186w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-24-768x1241.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-24-950x1536.jpg 950w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-24-1267x2048.jpg 1267w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-24-624x1008.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-24.jpg 1547w" sizes="(max-width: 634px) 100vw, 634px" /></a></figure> <p>The following print is titled <em>“A New Dance, as it was performed with Universal Applause, at the Theatre Blackfriars March 2nd 1791”</em> and shows a celebrating crowd on the bridge, and three men dancing in the foreground. The man on the right has a sheaf of papers over his shoulder on which is written <em>“Success to the Mills of Albion but no Albion Mills”</em>:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-22.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="867" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-22-1024x867.jpg" alt="Albion Mill" class="wp-image-20329" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-22-1024x867.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-22-300x254.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-22-768x650.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-22-1536x1300.jpg 1536w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-22-2048x1733.jpg 2048w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Albion-Mill-22-624x528.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>One of the main complaints against the Albion Mill was that by being able to process so much grain and flour, and by forcing so many other mills to close, it was becoming a monopoly. These allegations may have had some truth, as soon after the fire, it was reported that:</p> <p><em>“However well or ill informed the charge of monopoly against the Albion Mill Company may have been, the destruction of their mill has been followed by an almost immediate fall of three shillings per quarter in the price of wheat. This is proof that they were generally considered as having it in their power to keep up the price artificially.”</em></p> <p>There were proposals to rebuild the mill in the years following the fire, however permission was not granted for the project, and houses were later built on the site of the Albion Mill.</p> <p>I always find it surprising how you can take one very small spot in London, in this post, Rennie Garden at the southern end of Blackfriars Bridge, and find layers of history, and so many other connections. The story of John Rennie, a leading mechanical engineer in the later decades of the 18th century, the first steam driven mill in London, the story of the panorama and a unique and innovative view of London in the late 18th century, and the price of grain and flour.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alondoninheritance.com</a></p> <div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-official sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/london-from-the-roof-of-albion-mill/" data-text="London from the Roof of Albion Mill" data-via="VanishedLondon" >Tweet</a></li><li class="share-facebook"><div class="fb-share-button" data-href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/london-from-the-roof-of-albion-mill/" data-layout="button_count"></div></li><li><a href="#" class="sharing-anchor sd-button share-more"><span>More</span></a></li><li class="share-end"></li></ul><div class="sharing-hidden"><div class="inner" style="display: none;width:150px;"><ul style="background-image:none;"><li class="share-bluesky"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="sharing-bluesky-20333" class="share-bluesky sd-button" href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/london-from-the-roof-of-albion-mill/?share=bluesky" target="_blank" title="Click to share on Bluesky" ><span>Bluesky</span></a></li><li class="share-end"></li></ul></div></div></div></div></div> </div> <footer class="entry-meta"> This entry was posted in <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/category/london-history/" rel="category tag">London History</a>, <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/category/londonvistas/" rel="category tag">London Vistas</a>, <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/category/the-thames/" rel="category tag">The Thames</a> and tagged <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/tag/blackfriars-bridge/" rel="tag">Blackfriars Bridge</a> on <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/london-from-the-roof-of-albion-mill/" title="6:30 am" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2024-05-12T06:30:00+00:00">May 12, 2024</time></a><span class="by-author"> by <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://alondoninheritance.com/author/admin/" title="View all posts by admin" rel="author">admin</a></span></span>. </footer> </article> <article id="post-19589" class="post-19589 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-londonvistas tag-music tag-videos"> <header class="entry-header"> <h1 class="entry-title"> <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/london-captured-in-music-videos/" rel="bookmark">London – Captured in Music Videos</a> </h1> <div class="comments-link"> <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/london-captured-in-music-videos/#comments">36 Replies</a> </div> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <p><strong><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">If the WordPress YouTube Block works there should be several videos embedded in this post. I am not sure if they will show in the emailed version of this post. If not, go to the home page by clicking here to view the post.</a></strong></p> <p>One of the problems with using the Internet whilst working on the computer is the risk of being distracted. Often whilst researching and writing a post, if I am looking at online resources such as old newspapers or library materials, I will find a new subject completely different to what I should be concentrating on. </p> <p>YouTube is another terrible distraction. I often have a music playlist running in the background, but then start looking at the videos, and London spotting has been a way of trying to justify this distraction.</p> <p>I know it is an age thing, but the period from around 1976 to the late 1980s were definitely one of the most creative periods. I started to see bands whilst still at school, with the first being the Canterbury band Caravan back in May 1974. Incredibly they are still going and we saw them last year at the Union Chapel in Islington.</p> <p>My first big concert was seeing Yes at Queens Park Rangers Loftus Road stadium back in 1975. Since then, it has been so many bands at so many venues, and many are still touring today, and so far next year, Squeeze and Human League are booked.</p> <p>Whilst music films / videos had been around for many years, from the late 1970s they became almost an essential media format to go with any band or song aiming to make an impression.</p> <p>Many of these had an element filmed in London, and they show not just a band, but also a city as they both were around 40 years ago.</p> <p>So for today’s Christmas Eve post, a brief selection of videos with views of London, in no particular order, starting with one which by chance I saw being filmed.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Altered Images – Happy Birthday (1981)</h2> <p>I was in Blackfriars when this was filmed, and saw the external sequence of the video which had a table set up for a birthday party between the road and rail bridges at Blackfriars. The video was made 42 years ago, and the tree at the opposite side of the river is in the video and can still be seen today.</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6t1vaF50Ks0?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Clash – London Calling (1979)</h2> <p>The video to go with London Calling was recorded on a dark and wet night on a boat or pier on the south bank of the river next to the Albert Bridge:</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EfK-WX2pa8c?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Specials – Ghost Town (1981)</h2> <p>A brilliant song which is really evocative of the early 1980s. There are shots of the City, around the Bank of England, the towers in the Barbican, and along London Wall, with much of the video being shot in east London around the docks, and through the Rotherhithe Tunnel. The video features Terry Hall who sadly died a year ago in December 2022.</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RZ2oXzrnti4?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ultravox – Vienna (1980 / 1981)</h2> <p>Whilst much of the video was shot in Vienna, early parts of the video were shot in Covent Garden, for example starting at 52 seconds you can see St. Paul’s, Covent Garden in the background:</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xJeWySiuq1I?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dexys Midnight Runners – Come On Eileen (1982)</h2> <p>The video was filmed around Kennington. The shop at the beginning of the video is number 151 on the corner of Brook Drive and Hayles Street. The pub in the background starting at 1 minute 32 seconds is the old Two Eagles on the corner of Austral Street and Brook Drive. The pub is now flats.</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6BODDyZRF6A?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Katrina & The Waves – Walking On Sunshine (1985)</h2> <p>Much of the video for this song was filmed in east London, in the old warehouses in and along Wapping High Street and Wapping Wall. There is a segment in the video which starts at 39 seconds, which features in my Wapping walk, where the band are in St. John’s Churchyard by Wapping High Street. </p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iPUmE-tne5U?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Human League – Love Action (1981)</h2> <p>The church used in this video was St Saviour’s in Warwick Avenue, and the main entrance to the church on Warrington Crescent can be seen starting at 1 minute, 4 seconds. The entrance looks almost exactly the same today. </p> <p>I cannot work out where the flats were. Apparently in south London and almost certainly long demolished.</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FBEIkZ8egfY?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Human League – (Keep Feeling) Fascination (1983)</h2> <p> The house that has been painted orange in this video was part of an estate that would soon be demolished. The house was at the corner of First Avenue and Third Avenue in Plaistow, east London. The scenes of the band playing were recorded in a studio.</p> <p>Whilst the houses in the video have long been demolished, the street layout is today the same, and for nerdy location spotting, the large BT manhole cover in the pavement at the corner can just be seen in the video and is still on the pavement today.</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QqqBs6kkzHE?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pet Shop Boys – West End Girls (1984)</h2> <p>This video starts off in Wentworth Street in east London and ends in Leicester Square with a number of locations used throughout the video including Waterloo Station, with the old W.H. Smith shop featuring.</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p3j2NYZ8FKs?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Depeche Mode – Just Can’t Get Enough (1981)</h2> <p>The external scenes in this video almost look like an after thought. Whilst nearly all the video is filmed in a studio, there are a couple of “blink and you miss it” moments when there are shots on the South Bank. The first at 1 minute 42 seconds, in the Undercroft with Hungerford Bridge just visible in the background, and at 2 minutes 58 seconds, the stairs that were at the Belvedere Road side of the Royal Festival Hall, with the windows of the old Down Stream building of Shell Centre in the back ground.</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_6FBfAQ-NDE?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Communards – Don’t Leave Me This Way (1986)</h2> <p>At the very start of this video there are shots around Battersea Power Station, an area that looks very different today:</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1RHBAd5YUR8?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">ABC – When Smokey Sings (1987)</h2> <p>As with many other videos, this one solved the problem of what do you do with a long instrumental section at the start of the track, by driving around London, before the video heads to the studio for the rest of the track.</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BTV5FvNCbhk?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Stranglers – Strange Little Girl (1982)</h2> <p>Strange Little Girl by the Stranglers by contrast was all filmed on the streets of London, starting at Liverpool Street Station before the rest of the video being mainly around Cambridge Circus and Leicester Square.</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jDpNhgIq0pg?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Queen – A Kind of Magic (1986)</h2> <p>Queen were one of the more innovative bands at using video, and it probably helped that they had sufficient budget to create these, although the video for Bohemian Rhapsody was probably a gamble at the time, but turned out to be one of the more remarkable of this new type of media.</p> <p>Queen’s A Kind of Magic was filmed in the Playhouse Theatre, which is tucked in between Charing Cross Station and Craven Street / Northumberland Avenue.</p> <p>The theatre was derelict at the time, having closed as a BBC studio in 1976. I was working across the river on the South Bank in the 1980s and saw a fire at the theatre at one point, although I do not think it caused too much damage.</p> <p>The theatre was also at risked of demolition, however a year after Queen filmed in the theatre, it was restored and reopened, and is still a working theatre today.</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0p_1QSUsbsM?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Verve – Bitter Sweet Symphony (1997)</h2> <p>Whilst my preferred period is from 1976 to the late 1980s, there is obviously much brilliant music both before and after. One example that makes use of London’s streets is Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve. </p> <p>Almost the whole of the video is Richard Ashcroft walking along Hoxton Street, bumping into people as he goes. The video starts off on the corner of Hoxton Street and Falkirk Street, and he walks north along the eastern side of the street. The Golden Fried Chicken in 1997 is now Hoxton Chicken and Pizza.</p> <p>At 58 seconds into the video you can see <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/eventsandceremonies/shenfield-street-hoxton-at-the-coronation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shenfield Street, which I wrote about in this post</a> (got to get at least one link in to one of my posts).</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1lyu1KKwC74?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fat Les – Vindaloo (1998)</h2> <p>Fat Les was a band put together by Keith Allen, Alex James of Blur and artist Damien Hirst. Vindaloo was created as the unofficial song for the 1998 World Cup. </p> <p>The video was a brilliant parody of Verve’s Bitter Sweet Symphony, also filmed along Hoxton Street, and starting at the same junction with Falkirk Street.</p> <p>Unlike the Verve’s video, where Ashcroft walks alone for the majority of the video, in Vindaloo, a large group quickly forms, with Keith Allen playing a prominent role. The group is good for a bit of people spotting.</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/va6nPu-1auE?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wilko Johnson and Roger Daltry – Going Back Home (2014)</h2> <p>Wilko Johnson (of the brilliant Dr. Feelgood) and Roger Daltry of the Who released an album with the same name in 2014.</p> <p>The video that went with the title track is a really clever combination of old and new film of both Johnson and Daltry, but also from the 1970s with some scenes which I find very familiar.</p> <p>The video includes scenes of the elevated section of the M4 in west London, the old Shell Haven refinery at Canvey Island (where Dr. Feelgood originally formed), along with Southend including the Kursaal.</p> <p>There is a brilliant 1975 film of a Dr. Feelgood concert at the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzF0AETdRF8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kursaal at this link, which starts of with some aerial film from the end of Southend pier down to the Kursaal</a>.</p> <p>Wilko Johnson sadly died in November 2022. </p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LeoKCJNI-k4?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Divine Comedy – National Express (1999)</h2> <p>The Human League video used a street before demolition. The Divine Comedy used a hospital shortly before demolition for the video to go with National Express.</p> <p>The video was filmed in the old Joyce Green Hospital in Dartford, Kent (which hopefully is close enough to greater London to be included in this post):</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p_GLSgJ39Dc?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Kinks – Come Dancing (1982)</h2> <p>Come Dancing by the Kinks was also filmed at site which has since been demolished, with the Ilford Palais being used for the dance hall shots.</p> <p>Many of the external shots were filmed around Hornsey, where Ray Davies had a studio. Starting at 53 seconds is the shop Keevans, which was on the corner of Hillfield Avenue and the High Street. The shop is now a hair and beauty salon, but the building to the left in Hillfield Avenue is recognisable due to the distinct decoration around the windows and doors.</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xRUE0aAI5o8?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cathy Dennis – Waterloo Sunset (1997)</h2> <p>Cathy Dennis did a rather good version of the Kinks song Waterloo Sunset, and in the video to go with the song, she is being driven around London in a black cab, with old and current scenes of London in the background. The video has a twist at the end when the cab driver is revealed.</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eTSnZti-YeY?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Blur – Parklife (1994)</h2> <p>The video for this song was mainly filmed on the Greenwich Peninsula. </p> <p>The terrace of houses that feature in the video are next to the Pilot pub <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonpubs/pilot-ceylon-place-greenwich/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(see my post here about the pub and the terrace)</a>. The video was made before the Millennium / O2 Dome was built and in the background we can see some of the area, including one of the old gas holders.</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YSuHrTfcikU?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Amy Winehouse – Back to Black (2007)</h2> <p>Many of the street scenes in this video with Amy Winehouse are in Stoke Newington, with the cemetery shots being set in Abney Park Cemetery. A brilliant song by an artist who died far too young.</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TJAfLE39ZZ8?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lily Allen – LDN (2006)</h2> <p>This is a brilliant song and video. The video follows Lily Allen walking through the streets of London as the words and song contrast both positive and negative views of the city. </p> <p>The following words from the song <em>“When you look with your eyes everything seems nice, But if you look twice you can see it’s all lies.”</em> are a lesson for how to walk around the streets of London. Not necessarily in a negative way, but to see what is really happening, what is driving change, and the problems that London has, as does any large, complex city (the song starts at 42 seconds).</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wmYT79tPvLg?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ray Davies and Chrissie Hynde – Postcard from London </h2> <p>To end on a suitable video, this is Postcard from London by Ray Davies of the Kinks and includes Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders. The track was a Christmas charity single by Davies and has scenes of Christmas in London.</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="625" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L5iB8iTE0CI?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span> </div></figure> <p>That is just a brief sample of the many music videos that have featured London in one way or another. Just another way in which the city has featured in popular culture.</p> <p>And with that selection of some of the songs that distract me when I am trying to work at the computer, it just leaves me to wish you a very happy Christmas, however you celebrate (or not), and a peaceful few days between Christmas and the New Year.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alondoninheritance.com</a></p> <div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-official sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/london-captured-in-music-videos/" data-text="London - Captured in Music Videos" data-via="VanishedLondon" >Tweet</a></li><li class="share-facebook"><div class="fb-share-button" data-href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/london-captured-in-music-videos/" data-layout="button_count"></div></li><li><a href="#" class="sharing-anchor sd-button share-more"><span>More</span></a></li><li class="share-end"></li></ul><div class="sharing-hidden"><div class="inner" style="display: none;width:150px;"><ul style="background-image:none;"><li class="share-bluesky"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="sharing-bluesky-19589" class="share-bluesky sd-button" href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/london-captured-in-music-videos/?share=bluesky" target="_blank" title="Click to share on Bluesky" ><span>Bluesky</span></a></li><li class="share-end"></li></ul></div></div></div></div></div> </div> <footer class="entry-meta"> This entry was posted in <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/category/londonvistas/" rel="category tag">London Vistas</a> and tagged <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/tag/music/" rel="tag">Music</a>, <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/tag/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a> on <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/london-captured-in-music-videos/" title="7:30 am" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2023-12-24T07:30:00+00:00">December 24, 2023</time></a><span class="by-author"> by <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://alondoninheritance.com/author/admin/" title="View all posts by admin" rel="author">admin</a></span></span>. </footer> </article> <article id="post-18705" class="post-18705 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-london-buildings category-londonvistas category-thebombedcity tag-paternoster-square tag-st-pauls-cathedral"> <header class="entry-header"> <h1 class="entry-title"> <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/london-buildings/paternoster-square-destruction-and-development/" rel="bookmark">Paternoster Square – Destruction and Development</a> </h1> <div class="comments-link"> <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/london-buildings/paternoster-square-destruction-and-development/#comments">26 Replies</a> </div> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <p>The area to the north of St. Paul’s Cathedral was destroyed during the war, mainly due to the use of incendiary bombs on the night of the 29th of December 1940. The destruction covered ancient streets such as Paternoster Row and Paternoster Square, and the shells of buildings were demolished and removed leaving a wide open space ready for new development.</p> <p>The site was redeveloped during the 1960s, with the pre-war streets and original architectural styles being ignored, with an office complex built which followed a number of post war City planning themes which I will come on to later in the post.</p> <p>The 1960s development was not popular, obstructed key views of the cathedral and tended to separate the cathedral from the area to the north. The buildings were not that well maintained and by the late 1980s the area was not an attractive place to work, or walk through, and did nothing to enhance the cathedral just to the south.</p> <p>In the early 1990s, a proposed Masterplan was published by “Masterplanners” Terry Farrell, Thomas Beeby and John Simpson & Partners, and Design Architects Robert Adam, Paul Gibson, Allan Greenberg, Demetri Porphyrious and Quinlan Terry. </p> <p>I have a copy of the Masterplan and it is fascinating to compare the original proposals with the site we see today. Not quite so architecturally ornate as the Masterplan, but very similar to what was originally proposed, and (in my view) a significant improvement on the 1960s development.</p> <p>The following image is from the Masterplan and shows a <em>“View of Paternoster Square looking south-east to the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral”</em>. The image is by Edwin Venn.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-1-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="671" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-1-1024x671.jpg" alt="Paternoster Square" class="wp-image-18664" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-1-1024x671.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-1-300x197.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-1-768x503.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-1-1536x1006.jpg 1536w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-1-2048x1342.jpg 2048w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-1-624x409.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>As with City developments such as the Barbican and Golden Lane estates, the damage inflicted on the City during the last war created the large area of space which could take a major, transforming development, rather than the simple rebuild of individual buildings.</p> <p>The following photo is one of my father’s, taken from the Stone Gallery of St. Paul’s Cathedral:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-40-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1748" height="2560" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-40-scaled.jpg" alt="View of bombed Chapter House" class="wp-image-18703" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-40-scaled.jpg 1748w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-40-205x300.jpg 205w" sizes="(max-width: 1748px) 100vw, 1748px" /></a></figure> <p>The shell of a building at the bottom left is the Chapter House of the Cathedral.</p> <p>The circular features between what was Paternoster Square and the remains of the Chapter House are the outline of water tanks that were placed on site during the war to provide supplies of water for firefighting.</p> <p>The following extract from Bartholomew’s 1940 Reference Atlas of Greater London shows the area to the north of the cathedral. In the map, a Paternoster Square can be seen. In the above photo, this is the rectangular feature at top left, with roads on all sides, but not a building in sight.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-41.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="940" height="736" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-41.jpg" alt="Map of pre-war St Paul's and Paternoster Row" class="wp-image-18704" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-41.jpg 940w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-41-300x235.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-41-768x601.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-41-624x489.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" /></a></figure> <p>As well as Paternoster Square, the map shows a network of streets such as Ivy Lane, Three Tuns Passage, Lovells Court and Queens Head Passage. </p> <p>Running across the area was Paternoster Row, and the following photo from the book, the Queen’s London, published in 1896, shows the view along Paternoster Row, a narrow street but with substantial 19th century City office buildings on either side.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-42-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1871" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-42-scaled.jpg" alt="Paternoster Row" class="wp-image-18706" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-42-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-42-300x219.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>In the following photo, the dense network of streets and buildings to the north of the cathedral can be seen:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-47.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="624" height="376" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-47.jpg" alt="St Paul's before the war" class="wp-image-18715" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-47.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-47-300x181.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px" /></a></figure> <p>Another of my father’s views from the Stone Gallery, looking slightly above the earlier photo, with a bus running along Newgate Street. The Paternoster Square developments would occupy the area to the south of Newgate Street.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-44-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1721" height="2560" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-44-scaled.jpg" alt="View from St Paul's of bombed landscape" class="wp-image-18708" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-44-scaled.jpg 1721w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-44-202x300.jpg 202w" sizes="(max-width: 1721px) 100vw, 1721px" /></a></figure> <p>The same view today, showing the buildings of the Paternoster Square development:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-45-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1700" height="2560" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-45-scaled.jpg" alt="Paternoster Square" class="wp-image-18709" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-45-scaled.jpg 1700w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-45-199x300.jpg 199w" sizes="(max-width: 1700px) 100vw, 1700px" /></a></figure> <p>The area, and street names are of some considerable age. The first written records of the streets date from the 14th century, with Paternosterstrete in 1312 and Paternosterrowe in 1349.</p> <p>From the early 19th century onwards, the area was home to many publishers, stationers and book sellers. Much of the stock held by these businesses contributed to the fires started on the 29th of December 1940.</p> <p>Harben’s Dictionary of London references a Richard Russell dwelling there in 1374 and described as a <em>“paternosterer”</em>, and that paternosterers were turners of beads, and gave the street its name.</p> <p>Harben also states that <em>“A stone wall was found under this street at a depth of 18 feet running towards the centre of St. Paul’s. A few yards from this wall in the direction of St. Martin’s-le-Grand wooden piles were found covered with planks at a depth of 20 feet”, </em>and that under Paternoster Square,<em> “Remains of Roman pavements and tiles were found in 1884”</em>.</p> <p>W.F. Grimes’ book, about his post war excavations across the City, “The Excavation of Roman and Mediaeval London” records his limited excavations across the area in 1961 to 1962, and that much of the Paternoster area <em>“was not available for examination because the cellars had retained their bomb rubble and the sites around Paternoster Square had become a garage and car parks.”</em></p> <p>In the limited excavations that did take place, Grimes found evidence of ditches and post holes, possibly where the wooden piles were found in the 19th century. He concludes that the area was probably occupied by timber framed buildings rather than stone. </p> <p>The main discovery on the site was a hoard of about 530 coins, <em>“mainly barbarous copies of coins of the Gallic Empire of the late third century A.D.”</em></p> <p>The limited excavation took place prior to the 1960s development of the site. This create a dense cluster of office blocks between the cathedral and Newgate Street, which can be seen in the following photo, to the right of the cathedral:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-43-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="646" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-43-1024x646.jpg" alt="1960s Lord Holford development" class="wp-image-18707" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-43-1024x646.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-43-300x189.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-43-768x484.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-43-1536x968.jpg 1536w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-43-2048x1291.jpg 2048w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-43-624x393.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>The 1960s development of the site was based on the plans by architect and planner Lord Holford who was commissioned by the City Corporation to advise them on architectural policy, and the development of buildings within the <em>“orbit of the dome of St. Paul’s”</em>. </p> <p>Lord Holford’s plan for the site followed post-war thinking about the City’s redevelopment. This included the separation of traffic and pedestrians, with vehicles having priority at ground level, and pedestrians moved to elevated walkways. </p> <p>The original street plans were rejected in favour of a rigid matrix of building blocks, which resulted in a horizontal slab of blocks with the 18-storey office tower Sudbury House being the highest. </p> <p>Lord Holford’s explanation of his approach to the design of the site was that <em>“there is more to be gained by contrast in design, than from attempts at harmony of scale or character of spacing”</em> (I think this is the design approach used for the current developments between Vauxhall and Battersea Power Station).</p> <p>Not all of Holford’s ideas were implemented, and many of the buildings were by other architects, so the new development ended up as a rather uninspiring addition to the land north of the cathedral.</p> <p>The following photo shows the 1960s office block immediately to the right of the old St. Paul’s Chapter House:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-2-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="805" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-2-1024x805.jpg" alt="1960s Lord Holford development" class="wp-image-18665" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-2-1024x805.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-2-300x236.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-2-768x604.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-2-1536x1208.jpg 1536w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-2-2048x1611.jpg 2048w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-2-624x491.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>In the following photo, the Chapter House is the older building in dark brick behind the tree, and the new lighter red brick building to the right occupied the site of the 1960s office block seen in the above photo:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-32.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-32.jpg" alt="St Paul's Chapter House" class="wp-image-18695"/></a></figure> <p>The following photo shows one of the access ramps that took pedestrians up to the pedestrian area. To the right is the lower vehicle route, with access to car parking:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-3-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="794" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-3-1024x794.jpg" alt="1960s Lord Holford development" class="wp-image-18666" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-3-1024x794.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-3-300x232.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-3-768x595.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-3-1536x1190.jpg 1536w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-3-2048x1587.jpg 2048w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-3-624x484.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>I may be completely wrong, but I vaguely remember there being a pub on the upper pedestrian area, which had an outside area with a view over the surrounding streets.</p> <p>The 1960s development took no regard of the views of the cathedral just to the south. </p> <p>This is the view to the northern entrance to the cathedral, with only a small part visible through a tunnel that takes a pedestrian walkway through an office block:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-7.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="847" height="1024" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-7-847x1024.jpg" alt="1960s Lord Holford development" class="wp-image-18670" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-7-847x1024.jpg 847w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-7-248x300.jpg 248w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-7-768x929.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-7-1270x1536.jpg 1270w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-7-1693x2048.jpg 1693w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-7-624x755.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-7.jpg 1941w" sizes="(max-width: 847px) 100vw, 847px" /></a></figure> <p>In the Masterplan, the proposed redevelopment delivers this alternative view of the same part of the cathedral:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-10-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="806" height="1024" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-10-806x1024.jpg" alt="Paternoster Square" class="wp-image-18673" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-10-806x1024.jpg 806w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-10-236x300.jpg 236w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-10-scaled.jpg 2014w" sizes="(max-width: 806px) 100vw, 806px" /></a></figure> <p>And whilst the buildings are less ornate than originally proposed, the view today is much the same as in the Masterplan, also with a café, on the site of the walkway:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-34.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-34.jpg" alt="Paternoster Square" class="wp-image-18697"/></a></figure> <p>The caption to the following illustration reads <em>“St. Paul’s Church Yard will be re-aligned and the Cathedral gardens re-laid and enclosed”</em>:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-6-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="864" height="1024" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-6-864x1024.jpg" alt="St Paul's Churchyard" class="wp-image-18669" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-6-864x1024.jpg 864w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-6-253x300.jpg 253w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-6-768x910.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-6-1296x1536.jpg 1296w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-6-1728x2048.jpg 1728w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-6-624x739.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /></a></figure> <p>The gardens were re-laid and enclosed, and new office blocks occupied the space to the north, and whilst these were very different to the 1960s versions, they were not quite as ornate as the Masterplan envisaged:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-38-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1920" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-38-scaled.jpg" alt="St Paul's Churchyard" class="wp-image-18701" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-38-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-38-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>The objectives of the Masterplan were to:</p> <ul><li>Restore views of St. Paul’s Cathedral from Paternoster Square at ground level and on the skyline, respecting St. Paul’s Heights and Strategic Views</li><li>To create buildings that are in harmony with St. Paul’s Cathedral</li><li>To restore the traditional alignment of St. Paul’s Church Yard and the Cathedral Gardens creating an enhanced public space</li><li>To re-establish a traditional street pattern and return pedestrian routes into the site to ground level</li><li>To create a new, traffic-free, public open space allowing ease of access, especially for the disabled</li><li>To follow the City tradition of classical architecture, using traditional materials such as stone, brick, tile, slate and copper</li><li>To be flexible enough for key corners, outside the Planning Application site to be integrated at a later date</li><li>To create a thriving new business community in the best traditions of City life</li><li>To create a much-needed, new shopping area in the heart of the City, with a variety of shops, restaurants and entertainment, linked into St. Paul’s Underground Station</li><li>To create new open public spaces for relaxation and enjoyment by office workers, visitors and shoppers alike</li></ul> <p>It is interesting to compare the development today with these objectives. </p> <p>There was an intention to follow the City tradition of classical architecture, and this could be seen in the illustrations of the planned buildings, such as the following example showing <em>“the frontage of the new buildings on Newgate Street”</em>:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-8.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="853" height="1024" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-8-853x1024.jpg" alt="Paternoster Square" class="wp-image-18671" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-8-853x1024.jpg 853w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-8-250x300.jpg 250w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-8-768x922.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-8-1279x1536.jpg 1279w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-8-1705x2048.jpg 1705w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-8-624x749.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-8.jpg 1727w" sizes="(max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px" /></a></figure> <p>The frontage along Newgate Street today is comprised of standard office block design, without the classical architecture proposed in the Masterplan.</p> <p>The title of the following illustration is <em>“A Meeting Place – Paternoster Square will provide a social focus for the City, a place to meet friends and colleagues, to browse or to use the health club”</em>:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-11.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="706" height="1024" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-11-706x1024.jpg" alt="St Paul's Cathedral" class="wp-image-18674" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-11-706x1024.jpg 706w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-11-207x300.jpg 207w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-11-768x1114.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-11-1059x1536.jpg 1059w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-11-1412x2048.jpg 1412w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-11-624x905.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-11.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 706px) 100vw, 706px" /></a></figure> <p>This approach can be seen across the Paternoster Square development, but in less ornate settings. Whilst the buildings do not have the same classical architectural styling, they do make use of stone, and there is a considerable amount of brick throughout the site which is a pleasant change from the glass and steel of many other recent City developments:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-33.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-33.jpg" alt="St Paul's Cathedral" class="wp-image-18696"/></a></figure> <p>Whereas today, Paternoster Square is at a single level, in the Masterplan it was intended that there would be steps leading down to a Lower Court, so whilst the plan did away with the upper pedestrian and lower vehicle levels of the 1960s development, it did retain different levels, but for pedestrians. The Lower Court:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-12.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="724" height="1024" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-12-724x1024.jpg" alt="Paternoster Square" class="wp-image-18675" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-12-724x1024.jpg 724w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-12-212x300.jpg 212w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-12-768x1087.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-12-1085x1536.jpg 1085w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-12-1447x2048.jpg 1447w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-12-624x883.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-12.jpg 1590w" sizes="(max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px" /></a></figure> <p>The plan was that Paternoster Row would become almost a continuation of Cheapside.</p> <p>Cheapside was, and to an extent still is, the main shopping space of the City, and the One New Change development has enhanced this, but in the Masterplan, shopping would continue from Cheapside, across the road into Paternoster Row, and the underground station, which today is reached via a separate access point to the edge of the development, would have been integrated into the plan, as shown in the following illustration:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-13.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="709" height="1024" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-13-709x1024.jpg" alt="St Paul's Underground Station" class="wp-image-18676" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-13-709x1024.jpg 709w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-13-208x300.jpg 208w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-13-768x1110.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-13-1063x1536.jpg 1063w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-13-1417x2048.jpg 1417w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-13-624x902.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-13.jpg 1595w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 100vw, 709px" /></a></figure> <p>The St. Paul’s Chapter House was reduced to a shell of a building, as shown in my father’s photo, however it was restored and survived the 1960s redevelopment, and was included in the Masterplan, where it can be seen in the centre of the following illustration. </p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-17.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="837" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-17-1024x837.jpg" alt="St Paul's Chapter House" class="wp-image-18680" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-17-1024x837.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-17-300x245.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-17-768x628.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-17-1536x1256.jpg 1536w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-17-2048x1675.jpg 2048w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-17-624x510.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>To the left of the Chapter House is a rather ornate three storey gateway into Paternoster Square, which today has been replaced by Temple Bar.</p> <p>Temple Bar was included as an option in the Masterplan, which is described as <em>“currently in a state of decay in a Hertfordshire Park”</em>.</p> <p>As mentioned earlier, the central Paternoster Square was intended to be multi-level, and in the following illustration, there is a rather impressive Loggia (an outdoor corridor with a covered roof and open sides), that would have provided a lift down to the Lower Court, would provide shelter, and would mark the access point to the Lower Court:</p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-18-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="516" height="1024" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-18-516x1024.jpg" alt="Loggia" class="wp-image-18681" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-18-516x1024.jpg 516w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-18-151x300.jpg 151w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-18-768x1524.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-18-774x1536.jpg 774w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-18-1032x2048.jpg 1032w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-18-624x1239.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-18-scaled.jpg 1290w" sizes="(max-width: 516px) 100vw, 516px" /></a></figure></div> <p>A key aim of the Masterplan was to bring life back to the area, and one of the ways to do this was via retail, and the plan stated that <em>“Paternoster Square will be established as one of the foremost shopping areas in central London. There will be more than 80 shops, including a quality food hall or department store”</em>.</p> <p>The approach to retail included a Shopping Avenue, which was a covered route between the Lower Court and St. Paul’s Underground Station:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-19-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="747" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-19-1024x747.jpg" alt="Shopping Avenue" class="wp-image-18682" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-19-1024x747.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-19-300x219.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-19-768x560.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-19-1536x1120.jpg 1536w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-19-2048x1493.jpg 2048w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-19-624x455.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>Shops would also line the new Paternoster Row:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-20.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="729" height="1024" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-20-729x1024.jpg" alt="Paternoster Square" class="wp-image-18683" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-20-729x1024.jpg 729w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-20-214x300.jpg 214w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-20-768x1079.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-20-1093x1536.jpg 1093w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-20-1458x2048.jpg 1458w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-20-624x877.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-20.jpg 1793w" sizes="(max-width: 729px) 100vw, 729px" /></a></figure> <p>And along the route of the old Ivy Lane, there would be Ivy Lane Arcade <em>“designed in the tradition of famous London arcades. It will attract specialty shops such as jewelers and galleries”</em>:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-21.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="741" height="1024" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-21-741x1024.jpg" alt="Paternoster Square" class="wp-image-18684" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-21-741x1024.jpg 741w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-21-217x300.jpg 217w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-21-768x1062.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-21-1111x1536.jpg 1111w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-21-1481x2048.jpg 1481w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-21-624x863.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-21.jpg 1826w" sizes="(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px" /></a></figure> <p>And shopping around Paternoster Square and Lower Court:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-22-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="735" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-22-1024x735.jpg" alt="Paternoster Square" class="wp-image-18685" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-22-1024x735.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-22-300x215.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-22-768x551.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-22-1536x1102.jpg 1536w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-22-2048x1470.jpg 2048w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-22-624x448.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>The Paternoster Square estate does have some shopping, but far less than was intended in the original Masterplan. There is no lower court and no covered shopping avenues. </p> <p>Most of the shops are either restaurants, bars or take away food and coffee shops, aimed at local office workers and at the number of visitors who pass through as part of a visit to the area around St. Paul’s Cathedral.</p> <p>There are also many other differences. Whilst the overall concept appears the same, the classical building style is now very limited as is the overall decoration across the buildings and ground level pedestrian spaces.</p> <p>In 1995, the owners of the land commissioned Whitfield Partners to deliver a Masterplan for redevelopment, and it is the outcome of this plan that we see today. Similar in concept, but different in implementation.</p> <p>The Paternoster Square development today has a large central space, is pedestrianised, and some of the pedestrian walkways do roughly align with some of the original pre-war streets.</p> <p>The objective of bringing life back to the area has been achieved, and during the day it is generally busy with local workers, visitors and tourists, and on a summer’s afternoon, the bars and restaurants are particularly busy.</p> <p>The central square features a 23.3 metre tall column, which conceals air vents to the parking space below the square:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-29.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-29.jpg" alt="Paternoster Square" class="wp-image-18692"/></a></figure> <p>The Masterplan by Farrell, Beeby and Simpson included a Loggia which would have provided a lift down to the Lower Court, and mark the access point to the Lower Court. </p> <p>Whilst the Loggia and Lower Court were not part of the implemented Masterplan, there is a covered way along the northern edge of the square which has similarities to the original Loggia:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-28.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-28.jpg" alt="Paternoster Square" class="wp-image-18691"/></a></figure> <p>In the above photo, two groups of tourists with guides can be seen to the right. Between them is the artwork <em>“The Sheep and Shepherd”</em> by Elisabeth Frink. This came from the earlier Paternoster Square development as it was installed on the north side of the estate in 1975 when it was unveiled by Yehudi Menhuin.</p> <p>It was moved to the high walk outside the Museum of London in 1997 prior to demolition of the 1960s estate, then returned to Paternoster Square in 2003. </p> <p>The Sheep and Shepherd stands where Paternoster Square joins to Paternoster Row (which, as far as I can tell is very slightly north of the street’s original alignment).</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-48-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-48-scaled.jpg" alt="The Sheep and Shepherd" class="wp-image-18713" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-48-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-48-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>Looking through the Loggia that was built as part of the new development:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-27.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-27.jpg" alt="Paternoster Square" class="wp-image-18690"/></a></figure> <p>Rather than lots of classical decoration to the buildings, there is a “Noon Mark” on one of the buildings to the north of the square. In strong sunlight, at midday, the shadow indicates roughly the day of the year:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-24.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-24.jpg" alt="Noon mark solar clock" class="wp-image-18687"/></a></figure> <p>A key point with the development is the height of the buildings. In the 1960s development, there were office blocks that ran both parallel and at right angles to the cathedral and views of the cathedral were limited.</p> <p>With the new development, building heights are lower and allow views of the cathedral. As can be seen in the following photo from the north west corner of Paternoster Square, the new buildings are just slightly higher than the original Chapter House (the older, dark brick building to the right of the column):</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-26.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-26.jpg" alt="St Paul's Cathedral" class="wp-image-18689"/></a></figure> <p>Whilst a number of the walkways do roughly align with the original streets, Paternoster Square is in a different place to the original square, which would have been to the northwest of the current square, to the right of the building in the following photo, which does retain some classical styling at ground level, but is a modern building above:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-36-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1920" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-36-scaled.jpg" alt="Paternoster Square" class="wp-image-18699" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-36-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-36-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>This is the view from the western end of Paternoster Lane towards the central square. This stretch of walkway is almost exactly on the original route of Paternoster Row:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-30.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-30.jpg" alt="Paternoster Lane" class="wp-image-18693"/></a></figure> <p>Sometimes it seems as if all the large sculpture across London’s streets is there to hide an air vent. This is the purpose of the column in the central square and also the purpose of a work of art on the corner where Paternoster Lane meets Ave Maria Lane:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-31.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-31.jpg" alt="Thomas Heatherwick" class="wp-image-18694"/></a></figure> <p>This is a 2002 work by Thomas Heatherwick, and consists of sixty three identical isosceles triangles of stainless steel sheet welded together.</p> <p>Round to the front of St. Paul’s Cathedral, and to the north of the large open space in front of the cathedral is an office block with shops at ground level which follows the alignment of the old street St. Paul’s Churchyard:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-35-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1920" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-35-scaled.jpg" alt="St Paul's Churchyard" class="wp-image-18698" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-35-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-35-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>The following photo is taken from Cheapside looking towards the cathedral and Paternoster Square development, and may offer a clue as to why the implemented Masterplan is different to the Masterplan of Farrell, Beeby and Simpson:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-39-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1920" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-39-scaled.jpg" alt="St Paul's Underground Station" class="wp-image-18702" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-39-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-39-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>To the right of the above photo are two sides of an octagonal building. It can be seen in the following extract of the photo of the 1960s estate:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-49.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="717" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-49-1024x717.jpg" alt="St Paul's Underground Station" class="wp-image-18716" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-49-1024x717.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-49-300x210.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-49-768x538.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-49-624x437.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Paternoster-Square-49.jpg 1364w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>One of the entrances to St. Paul’s Underground Station is just to the right of the building in the photo, and the building is either part above, or extremely close to, the underground station.</p> <p>I have no evidence to confirm this, however it may be that the estate we see today was down to cost. </p> <p>Whilst the initial planning permission did not include the octagonal building, the Masterplan did. It would have been demolished and the entrance to St. Paul’s Underground Station would be integrated into one of the new buildings as can be seen in one of the earlier pictures. The proposed lower shopping arcade would also have led into the underground station.</p> <p>I imagine that anything involving changes to an underground station incur significant extra planning time and costs.</p> <p>The overall Paternoster estate, whilst aligning with the original Masterplan, does not have the level of classical architecture proposed in the plan, or the split level with the lower court.</p> <p>All this extra work would have incurred cost, and in so much of the built environment, decisions often come down to cost.</p> <p>Having said that, compared to the 1960s development, Paternoster Square is a very considerable improvement.</p> <p>It integrates well with the cathedral to the south, recreates alignments close to some of the original streets, certainly has brought life back into the area from what I recall of the previous development, and is a generally pleasant space to walk through.</p> <p>Reading the Masterplan though, it is interesting to speculate what might have been, if this plan had been adopted.</p> <p>You may be interested in the following posts about the area around St. Paul’s:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/post-war-london-from-the-stone-gallery-st-pauls-the-north-and-west/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Post War London from the Stone Gallery, St. Paul’s – The North and West</a></p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/post-war-london-from-the-stone-gallery-st-pauls-the-south-and-east/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Post War London from the Stone Gallery, St. Paul’s – The South and East</a></p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/thebombedcity/operation-textiles-city-warehouse-29th-december-1940/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Operation Textiles – A City Warehouse In Wartime</a></p> <p class="has-text-align-center"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alondoninheritance.com</a></p> <div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-official sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="https://alondoninheritance.com/london-buildings/paternoster-square-destruction-and-development/" data-text="Paternoster Square - 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Hopefully I can return for a daytime tour, and if you are interested in the tour of this historic church, I have put a link at the end of the post to where I found out about these tours.</p> <p>St Mary Islington is in Upper Street, and is a short walk from Angel underground station, continuing past Islington Green. As you walk along Upper Street, the spire of St Mary’s is a landmark on the right of the street:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-1-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-1-scaled.jpg" alt="St Mary Islington" class="wp-image-17973" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-1-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>Then the full front of the church comes into view, which is easier to see in winter when there are no leaves on the trees between church and street:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-3-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1697" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-3-scaled.jpg" alt="St Mary Islington" class="wp-image-17975" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-3-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-3-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>The church we see today dates from two distinct periods. The front façade of the church (except for the portico and columns), the tower and steeple date from the 18th century, however the body of church is from the mid 20th century.</p> <p>The church was bombed in September 1940 when a bomb landed on the nave, which suffered substantial damage. The tower and steeple survived. The church was rebuilt in the early 1950s to a design by the architectural partnership of Seely & Paget. </p> <p>The new nave of the church was built on the same outline as the original, and walls lined with tall windows to allow a large amount of natural light into the nave of the church. From the churchyard we can see the new nave and the original tower and steeple:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-4-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-4-scaled.jpg" alt="St Mary Islington" class="wp-image-17976" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-4-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-4-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>As with the majority of London churchyards, St Mary’s has been cleared of gravestones and has been converted to a garden. The churchyard was closed to new burials by the 1852 Burial Act which applied to churches in the metropolitan London area. As with so many London churches, St Mary’s had been taking very many burials over the centuries, and with Islington’s rapidly growing population, it was impractical to continue to use the churchyard, even without the 1852 Act.</p> <p>Thirty acres of land was purchased in East Finchley for the use of St Pancras and Islington for burials. </p> <p>The gardens at the rear of the church on a sunny December afternoon:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-5-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-5-scaled.jpg" alt="Graveyard of St Mary Islington" class="wp-image-17977" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-5-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-5-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>Looking back towards Upper Street, with the church on the right, and as with many London churchyards, when they were converted to gardens the gravestones were moved to the edge and form parallel rows along the external wall:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-6-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-6-scaled.jpg" alt="Graveyard of St Mary Islington" class="wp-image-17978" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-6-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-6-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>There is a named grave of a significant Islington resident next to the front of the church, just behind bus stop N on Upper Street. This is the grave of Richard Cloudesley:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-7-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-7-scaled.jpg" alt="Grave of Richard Cloudsley" class="wp-image-17979" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-7-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-7-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>Richard Cloudesley was born around 1470 and died in 1517. He was an Islington resident and landowner. In his will he left two “stony fields” covering an area of around 14 acres, and these became part of a charitable trust which is still in existence and today is simply known as the Cloudesley.</p> <p>The fields were rented out and generated an income, however with the northwards expansion of London during the early 19th century, the land was becoming valuable for house building, so in the 1830s, the trust began selling leases to parts of the lands, and what would become the Cloudesley Estate began to be built. </p> <p>Whilst much of the land and houses have been sold, the Cloudesley charitable trust still owns around 100 properties, and the income from these continues to support the aims of the trust, which includes the health needs of Islington residents, along with a grants programme which helps maintain and repair Church of England churches in Islington.</p> <p>The grave in the above photo is not where Richard Cloudesley was originally buried. His body was taken from an unknown location in the churchyard, and reburied in the current position in 1812. The grave was originally more ornate than we see today, however being so close to the church it suffered from bomb damage in 1940, and in 2017 the Cloudesley charity provided funding to repair and restore the grave.</p> <p>The tower of the church supports a spire – the most visible feature in the surrounding streets:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-2-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1695" height="2560" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-2-scaled.jpg" alt="Spire of St Mary Islington" class="wp-image-17974" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-2-scaled.jpg 1695w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-2-199x300.jpg 199w" sizes="(max-width: 1695px) 100vw, 1695px" /></a></figure> <p>The spire has an interesting history, as in 1787, during repairs to the tower, it was decided to install a lightning conductor on the spire. Rather than construct scaffolding around the spire, the church contracted a basket maker by the name of Thomas Birch, who charged the church £20 to effectively build a wicker casing which fully enclosed the spire. Inside this wicker casing was a set of stairs that allowed workmen to reach the full height of the spire.</p> <p>The spire, surrounded by its wicker case is shown in the following print from 1787 (<a href="https://www.britishmuseum.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">© The Trustees of the British Museum</a>):</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-21.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="694" height="1024" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-21-694x1024.jpg" alt="Wicker spire of St Mary Islington" class="wp-image-17992" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-21-694x1024.jpg 694w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-21-203x300.jpg 203w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-21-768x1134.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-21-624x921.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-21.jpg 1040w" sizes="(max-width: 694px) 100vw, 694px" /></a></figure> <p>Although Thomas Birch was paid £20 by the church, he found another way of making more money and he advertised the spiral staircase as a means for the public to reach the top and see the view. Apparently charging for the climb and view raised a further £50.</p> <p>What is not clear from the above print is where someone climbing the spire could have looked out through the wicker and see the view, whether they had to climb the full height and peer out over the top of the wicker, which would have been an experience not for those with a fear of heights.</p> <p>The site of St Mary’s has been the site of a church for very many years.</p> <p>It is in a key position. Upper Street has long been an important road from the City of London to the north, and the church is alongside this road.</p> <p>There is very little evidence to confirm, however there may have been a church on the site in Anglo-Saxon times. Evidence for this seems to be mainly based on the parish of St Mary the Virgin being established in the year 628 by the Archbishop of Canterbury. </p> <p>There was an 11th century church built on the site, and we were shown a stone with a zig-zag pattern in the crypt which apparently dates from the 12th century church.</p> <p>The next church on the site was built in 1483, and this version of the church would last until the mid-18th century.</p> <p>John Rocque’s map of 1746 shows the church (circled in the following extract), at a time when Islington was still mainly rural with buildings extending along Upper Street and Lower Street (now Essex Road), gardens, and the wider countryside being fields. </p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-24.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="619" height="858" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-24.jpg" alt="Map of Islington" class="wp-image-17995" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-24.jpg 619w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-24-216x300.jpg 216w" sizes="(max-width: 619px) 100vw, 619px" /></a></figure> <p>As well as Rocque’s map, the following print shows what the view of the church would have been at roughly the same time as Rocque’s map (although the print shows a date of 1775, the British Museum record states c. 1750) (<a href="https://www.britishmuseum.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">© The Trustees of the British Museum</a>):</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-22.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="753" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-22-1024x753.jpg" alt="St Mary Islington" class="wp-image-17993" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-22-1024x753.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-22-300x221.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-22-768x565.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-22-1536x1129.jpg 1536w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-22-624x459.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-22.jpg 1564w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>The view is looking across Upper Street towards the church, and shows a cow and sheep being herded along the street. Islington at the time was known as a place where cows were kept with their milk being sold in the City, and Upper Street was also used as a route to Smithfield Market.</p> <p>There appear to be two houses attached to the west front of the church, facing Upper Street. It is not clear when these were built , or there original purpose, however around 1710 rooms in these buildings were used to provide a school.</p> <p>If the 1750 date is correct, then the church in the above print is the 1483 version of the church. By 1750 it has fallen into a poor state of repair, and an Act of Parliament was approved to demolish and rebuild the church.</p> <p>Funds for the new church were gathered by a tax on local land and property owners. </p> <p>The tower in the above print looks reasonably substantial and this appears to have caused a problem when attempts were made to demolish the church. The first attempt to take down the tower was by the use of gunpowder, which did not work, so a large fire was built in the foundations of the tower, which apparently worked.</p> <p>A new church was built by a Lancelot Dowbiggin. He was a joiner, and may have been local as he was later buried in the churchyard. This latest version of the church did not include the portico and the colonnades, which can be seen in the second photo in the post, and when viewed from a distance do look a bit as if they have been stuck onto an earlier church. These additions were made in 1902.</p> <p>It was Dowbiggin’s church that survived until the bombing in September 1940, and his tower remains to this day.</p> <p>The mid 18th century rebuild of the church included a new set of bells which were cast in the 1770s. These are still in use in the church and were renovated and rehung in 2003. The walk up the tower passed the entrance to where the bells are hung, unfortunately being dark, they could not be seen.</p> <p>Time to have a look inside the church, but before I walked in, I noticed the following poster adjacent to the entrance to the church:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-12-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1808" height="2560" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-12-scaled.jpg" alt="Christmas advertising" class="wp-image-17984" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-12-scaled.jpg 1808w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-12-212x300.jpg 212w" sizes="(max-width: 1808px) 100vw, 1808px" /></a></figure> <p>A lovely bit of graphic design, but the reason it really caught my eye was the similarity to the design on the spine of a series of books produced from the late 1940s to the early 1950s.</p> <p>This was the County Books series, a wonderful set of detailed, illustrated descriptions of English Counties published by Robert Hale Limited of Bedford Square. Each book was written by an author who knew the area. </p> <p>I have the six books covering London, along with books for a couple of surrounding counties, and the following shows the spine of the book on the left and the main cover on the right. As can be seen “The County Books” graphic at the top of the spine is the same as in the poster outside St Mary’s:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-23.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="790" height="855" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-23.jpg" alt="The County Books" class="wp-image-17994" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-23.jpg 790w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-23-277x300.jpg 277w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-23-768x831.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-23-624x675.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px" /></a></figure> <p>I cannot find out who designed the covers for the Robert Hales County Books, but they all have an identical cover design, with only the name of the county, the author and the picture changing from book to book.</p> <p>Walking into the church, and we can see that this is not an old design, and how the large windows of Seely & Paget’s design let in a large amount of natural light, even on a late December afternoon. The following photo is looking from the entrance towards the altar:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-8-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1686" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-8-scaled.jpg" alt="St Mary Islington" class="wp-image-17980" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-8-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-8-300x198.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>The following photo is from near the altar looking back towards the entrance:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-10-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1696" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-10-scaled.jpg" alt="St Mary Islington" class="wp-image-17982" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-10-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-10-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>Due to the degree of bomb damage, there are very few original features to be seen in the church. </p> <p>As well as the portico and colonnades built on the front of the church in 1902, the work also provided a new font for the church, and the original 18th century font was moved to the crypt, and it was this that saved the font in September 1940.</p> <p>The 1902 font was destroyed and as part of the 1950s rebuilt of the church, the 18th century font was moved from the crypt, back up to the main church:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-9-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1702" height="2560" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-9-scaled.jpg" alt="Marble Font" class="wp-image-17981" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-9-scaled.jpg 1702w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-9-199x300.jpg 199w" sizes="(max-width: 1702px) 100vw, 1702px" /></a></figure> <p>And the Arms of George III, which had been hung in St. Mary’s in 1781 were recovered from the ruins of the church, restored and returned to the new church:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-11-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-11-scaled.jpg" alt="Arms of George III" class="wp-image-17983" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-11-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-11-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>My first visit to the church was during the early afternoon, during daylight, as the tour was late afternoon and after dark, so I left the church for a couple of hours then returned for the tour which took in the main body of the church and the crypt, before heading up the tower, the top of which was reached by a very narrow set of steps.</p> <p>The view on reaching the top of the tower was well worth the climb. This is the view looking to the City of London on the right, with the Isle of Dogs and the towers surrounding Canary Wharf on the left:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-18-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-18-scaled.jpg" alt="City of London and Canary Wharf" class="wp-image-17989" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-18-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-18-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>I had set-up the camera with hopefully the right settings to take photos at night, at the top of a tower with a narrow walkway and a light breeze, whilst avoiding any camera shake, and for most of the photos this seems to have worked.</p> <p>A close-up view looking towards the City of London, with the Shard to the right:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-14-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-14-scaled.jpg" alt="City of London" class="wp-image-17985" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-14-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-14-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>And zooming into Canary Wharf and surrounding buildings, showing how large parts of the Isle of Dogs is now covered in tall towers, brightly lit at night:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-19-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-19-scaled.jpg" alt="Canary Wharf" class="wp-image-17990" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-19-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-19-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>Looking towards the south and west, the purple light of the London Eye can be seen on the left edge of the photo, and towards the right is the BT Tower. Upper Street is the road, and to the right of centre is the long roof of the old Agricultural Hall:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-16-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-16-scaled.jpg" alt="Upper Street" class="wp-image-17987" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-16-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-16-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>The following photo is looking north, with Upper Street running up towards Highbury Corner. Just to the right of the far end of the street are the blue lights of the Union Chapel. I believe the yellow lights on the horizon are those of the Emirates Stadium.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-17-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-17-scaled.jpg" alt="Emirates Stadium" class="wp-image-17988" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-17-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-17-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>A final look over towards the City, with one of the stone decorations on the top of the tower in the foreground:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-20-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1700" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-20-scaled.jpg" alt="City of London " class="wp-image-17991" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-20-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/St-Mary-Islington-20-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>The photos hopefully provide an impression of the view from the tower, however looking at the view from a narrow walkway at the top of the tower, with the spire disappearing into the darkness above certainly adds to the experience.</p> <p>I understand that there may well be more tours in the future. They are led by Clerkenwell and Islington Guides, and I found out about the walks from their newsletter which can be subscribed to from the <a href="https://islingtonguidedwalks.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">home page of their website, here</a>.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alondoninheritance.com</a></p> <div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-official sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="https://alondoninheritance.com/london-churches/st-mary-islington-a-tower-with-a-view/" data-text="St Mary Islington - A Tower with a View" data-via="VanishedLondon" >Tweet</a></li><li class="share-facebook"><div class="fb-share-button" data-href="https://alondoninheritance.com/london-churches/st-mary-islington-a-tower-with-a-view/" data-layout="button_count"></div></li><li><a href="#" class="sharing-anchor sd-button share-more"><span>More</span></a></li><li class="share-end"></li></ul><div class="sharing-hidden"><div class="inner" style="display: none;width:150px;"><ul style="background-image:none;"><li class="share-bluesky"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="sharing-bluesky-17996" class="share-bluesky sd-button" href="https://alondoninheritance.com/london-churches/st-mary-islington-a-tower-with-a-view/?share=bluesky" target="_blank" title="Click to share on Bluesky" ><span>Bluesky</span></a></li><li class="share-end"></li></ul></div></div></div></div></div> </div> <footer class="entry-meta"> This entry was posted in <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/category/london-churches/" rel="category tag">London Churches</a>, <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/category/londonvistas/" rel="category tag">London Vistas</a> and tagged <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/tag/islington/" rel="tag">Islington</a> on <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/london-churches/st-mary-islington-a-tower-with-a-view/" title="7:30 am" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2023-01-15T07:30:00+00:00">January 15, 2023</time></a><span class="by-author"> by <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://alondoninheritance.com/author/admin/" title="View all posts by admin" rel="author">admin</a></span></span>. </footer> </article> <article id="post-17282" class="post-17282 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-londonvistas tag-camden"> <header class="entry-header"> <h1 class="entry-title"> <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/the-view-from-pratt-street-camden/" rel="bookmark">The View from Pratt Street, Camden</a> </h1> <div class="comments-link"> <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/the-view-from-pratt-street-camden/#comments">23 Replies</a> </div> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <p>Pratt Street is a short walk from Camden Town underground station. It was one of the first streets in this area of Camden when development started in the late 18th century with construction of Pratt Street starting in 1791.</p> <p>The street was named after Charles Pratt, the 1st Earl of Camden (also the source of the name Camden as he was the owner and developer of the land that we now know as Camden).</p> <p>Charles Pratt’s use of the name Camden came from his ownership of <a href="https://www.historichouses.org/house/camden-place/history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Camden Place in Chislehurst, Kent</a>. The building is still there, however is now part of a golf course.</p> <p>Pratt Street still has some original terrace houses, but there has also been considerable redevelopment over the 200 years of the street’s existence. </p> <p>My visit to the street was not really about the history of the street, but to find one key building at the junction of Pratt Street and Royal College Street. The following map shows Camden Town Station (dark blue circle) and the location of the subject of today’s post, along Pratt Street, in the red circle.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-13.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="798" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-13-1024x798.jpg" alt="Pratt Street, Camden" class="wp-image-17296" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-13-1024x798.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-13-300x234.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-13-768x598.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-13-624x486.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-13.jpg 1095w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>After National Service, my father worked as a Draughtsman for the St. Pancras Borough Council Electricity and Public Lighting Department. The part of the council that had responsibility for the generation and distribution of electricity to the borough, along with installation and maintenance of street lighting. </p> <p>This role would transfer into the London Electricity Board (LEB), which was part of the nationalisation of the electricity industry by the Electricity Act of 1947, which created 15 area electricity boards across the country. These boards were under the control of the British Electricity Authority, which also had responsibility for electricity generation, a role that would later become the Central Electricity Generating Board.</p> <p>The building my father worked in during the late 1940s and early 1950s was at the junction of Pratt Street and Royal College Street, and is still there today:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-12.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-12.jpg" alt="Pratt Street, Camden" class="wp-image-17295"/></a></figure> <p>In 1951 he took some photos from the roof of the building. I have emailed the present owner of the building a couple of times over the last few years (one of the privatised electricity utilities), to see if they would give me access to the roof, but have not received a reply – probably one of those weird requests that is easier to ignore.</p> <p>So I cannot do “now and then” photos for this week’s post, however the following photos give an idea of what the north west London skyline looked like in 1951, the local street corner, and those who worked in the office.</p> <p>The first photo is looking west:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-2-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1626" height="2560" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-2-scaled.jpg" alt="Pratt Street, Camden" class="wp-image-17285" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-2-scaled.jpg 1626w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-2-190x300.jpg 190w" sizes="(max-width: 1626px) 100vw, 1626px" /></a></figure> <p>The tower is that of the Greek Orthodox Church of All Saints. I suspect my father took this photo in portrait format to include the aircraft trails in the sky. These were reminiscent of the type of circling, multiple trails that he recorded seeing in the sky as a child during the war.</p> <p>The Greek Orthodox Church of All Saints is on the junction of Pratt Street and Camden Street and the tower looks the same today:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-8.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-8.jpg" alt="Pratt Street, Camden" class="wp-image-17291"/></a></figure> <p>The church is Grade I listed, and opened as a Greek Orthodox Church in 1948 to serve the large Greek Cypriot community then based around Camden. It had originally opened as the Camden Chapel in 1824 as part of the Camden family’s development of the area. It would later become dedicated to St. Stephen, then becoming All Saints, a dedication which the Greek community preserved when taking over the church.</p> <p>The next view is looking roughly to the south:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-3-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1664" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-3-scaled.jpg" alt="Pratt Street, Camden" class="wp-image-17286" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-3-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-3-300x195.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>And a second photo taken a little further to the east:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-4-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1647" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-4-scaled.jpg" alt="Pratt Street, Camden" class="wp-image-17287" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-4-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-4-300x193.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>I have marked up some of the key feature seen in the above view, in the following photo:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-24.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="659" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-24-1024x659.jpg" alt="Pratt Street, Camden" class="wp-image-17307" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-24-1024x659.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-24-300x193.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-24-768x494.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-24-624x401.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-24.jpg 1256w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>St Paul’s Cathedral can be seen in the distance. To the right is the curved outline of the end of the roof of the St Pancras Station train shed (is that the correct term?), with to the right St Pancras Station (click on the photos to bring up larger views). </p> <p>In the foreground of the photo, Royal College Street is on the left and the back yards of the houses between Royal College Street and College Place (off the photo to the right) run between the terrace houses that line these streets.</p> <p>A close up look to show these yards and occupants must have been taking advantage of some good weather as a number have their washing out:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-25.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="614" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-25-1024x614.jpg" alt="Pratt Street, Camden" class="wp-image-17309" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-25-1024x614.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-25-300x180.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-25-768x460.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-25-1536x921.jpg 1536w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-25-624x374.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-25.jpg 1615w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>In the following map, the building in Pratt Street is at top left, marked by the red dot. The long red arrow points to St Paul’s Cathedral, showing that it just grazes the edge of St Pancras Station (green arrow), to confirm that the train shed is that of St Pancras.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-23.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="630" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-23-1024x630.jpg" alt="Pratt Street, Camden" class="wp-image-17306" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-23-1024x630.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-23-300x184.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-23-768x472.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-23-624x384.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-23.jpg 1249w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>To the left of the photo, I have marked a number of Gas Holders. </p> <p>Between the tracks leading into St Pancras and Kings Cross Stations there was, at the time of the photo, a London, Midland and Scottish Railway Coal Depot, and also a large gas works. The location of the gas holders of the gas works are shown in the following extract from the 1940 edition of the Bartholomew Atlas of Greater London:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-22.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-22-1024x1024.jpg" alt="St Pancras gas holders" class="wp-image-17305" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-22-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-22-300x300.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-22-150x150.jpg 150w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-22-768x768.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-22-624x624.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-22.jpg 1328w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>These gas holders featured on some other photos taken by my father.  These are some of the earliest photos and the negatives are not in the best condition and were probably from the winter of 1946/47. I wrote a post about them back in 2016 titled <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/london-churches/st-pancras-old-church/">“St. Pancras Old Church, Purchese Street, Gas And Coal Works”, and the post can be found here</a>.</p> <p>The following photo is from the 2016 post and shows the gas holders across a rather bleak, bomb damaged view:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-21-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="659" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-21-1024x659.jpg" alt="St Pancras gas holders" class="wp-image-17304" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-21-1024x659.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-21-300x193.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-21-768x494.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>Back to Pratt Street, and this is the view looking north towards the hills of Hampstead and Highgate:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-1-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1615" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-1-scaled.jpg" alt="Pratt Street, Camden" class="wp-image-17284" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-1-300x189.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>Behind the building in which my father worked was a yard used for storage of electrical cables:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-5-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1644" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-5-scaled.jpg" alt="Pratt Street, Camden" class="wp-image-17288" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-5-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-5-300x193.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>The houses on the right in the above photo appear to have suffered wartime bomb damage, and a quick check with the London County Council bomb damage maps show that these buildings were indeed damaged during the war.</p> <p>The bomb damage map also shows there was a terrace of bomb damaged houses on the site of the building my father worked in, so this confirms the building still there today in Pratt Street was built in the late 1940s, or 1950.</p> <p>There is still a yard behind the building, although there appears to have been considerable additional building on the site, as it continues to be part of London’s electrical distribution network.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-10.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-10.jpg" alt="Pratt Street, Camden" class="wp-image-17293"/></a></figure> <p>As well as the view across the city, my father took a couple of photos looking down at the junction of Pratt Street and Royal College Street. The first shows a horse and cart turning into Pratt Street (the white lines are damage to the original negative):</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-6-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1656" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-6-scaled.jpg" alt="Pratt Street, Camden" class="wp-image-17289"/></a></figure> <p>The second shows a traffic collision where the driver of a trader’s vehicle had obviously turned out of Pratt Street without seeing the car that was already travelling along Royal College Street:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-7-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1735" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-7-scaled.jpg" alt="Pratt Street, Camden" class="wp-image-17290" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-7-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-7-300x203.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>At the top of both photos, Pratt Street continues onward after crossing Royal College Street, and on the corner is a pub. To the right of the pub is open space, and the London Bomb Damage Maps confirm that the houses on the site, next to the pub, had been damaged beyond repair.</p> <p>The pub is still on the corner, and is still called the Golden Lion, a name it has retained since opening around 1850:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-11.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-11.jpg" alt="Golden Lion, Camden" class="wp-image-17294"/></a></figure> <p>Strangely, the location of the pub looks similar in 2022 as it did in 1951, as in 1951 there was a bomb site to the right, and in 2022 the space is again empty as the ATS tyres, brakes and batteries garage that was on the site has been demolished.</p> <p><a href="https://www.goldenlioncamden.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Take a look at the home page of the pub for an indication of what the energy crisis is doing to their business.</a></p> <p>Another look at the building in Pratt Street:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-27.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-27.jpg" alt="Pratt Street, Camden" class="wp-image-17311"/></a></figure> <p>The building has large glass windows, and there was a reason for this. My father worked as a draughtsman in the drawing office. His role was to create the plans and drawings for the electrical infrastructure that supplied power across the City. </p> <p>This included cable runs along the streets, electrical substations etc. He was one of a number of people with the same role. This was long before drawings and plans could be created and edited on a computer. In 1951, they were all drawn by hand.</p> <p>He also took some photos of his colleagues at work in the office on Pratt Street. These were part of an earlier post in 2014 on a march by the  <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/london-characters/an-aesd-march-and-a-st-pancras-draughtsman/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Association of Engineering and Shipbuilding Draughtsman – the Trade Union that represented these workers</a>.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-19-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="662" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-19-1024x662.jpg" alt="Draughtsman" class="wp-image-17302" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-19-1024x662.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-19-300x194.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-19-768x497.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>The photos show the benefit of the large, almost south facing windows. They let in a large amount of natural light, which was needed for the level of detail that was being created in the drawings.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-18-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="662" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-18-1024x662.jpg" alt="Draughtsman" class="wp-image-17301" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-18-1024x662.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-18-300x194.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-18-768x497.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>Today, the windows all have blinds drawn, so if the same type of work is being carried out, those responsible will be sitting in front of large computer screens with no need for natural light.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-17-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="657" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-17-1024x657.jpg" alt="Draughtsman" class="wp-image-17300" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-17-1024x657.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-17-300x192.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-17-768x493.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>Before the availability of electronic calculators, the slide rule was used for calculations:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-16-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1668" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-16-scaled.jpg" alt="Draughtsman" class="wp-image-17299" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-16-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-16-300x195.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure> <p>Either resting eyes after a period of intense concentration, or after a lunchtime visit to the Golden Lion:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-15-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="661" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-15-1024x661.jpg" alt="Draughtsman" class="wp-image-17298" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-15-1024x661.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-15-300x194.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-15-768x496.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>Tea break:</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-14-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="659" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-14-1024x659.jpg" alt="Draughtsman" class="wp-image-17297" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-14-1024x659.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-14-300x193.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-14-768x494.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>Where today, those who need to map the streets are probably carrying around an iPad or similar device, back in the early 1950s it was a pen, pencil and notebook, and I have a couple of my father’s old notebooks which he used out on the streets before transferring to drawings when back in the office.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-20.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="826" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-20-1024x826.jpg" alt="electrical norebook" class="wp-image-17303" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-20-1024x826.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-20-300x242.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-20-768x619.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-20-1536x1238.jpg 1536w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-20-2048x1651.jpg 2048w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/View-from-Pratt-Street-20-624x503.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>He covered much of London, and in the above example, the left page covers Belgrave Square whilst the right shows the area around Grosvenor Gardens with Victoria Street, Buckingham Palace (B.P.) Road and Ebury Street. The markings are for the position of electric street lamps. The red line across the plan indicates that the transfer to a working plan had been completed.</p> <p>It would have been good to have taken photos from the roof of the building in Pratt Street. I am sure that the view is rather different now, and on the off chance that someone reads this who works for the company now occupying the building – my email is always open for an opportunity to visit.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alondoninheritance.com</a></p> <div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-official sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/the-view-from-pratt-street-camden/" data-text="The View from Pratt Street, Camden" data-via="VanishedLondon" >Tweet</a></li><li class="share-facebook"><div class="fb-share-button" data-href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/the-view-from-pratt-street-camden/" data-layout="button_count"></div></li><li><a href="#" class="sharing-anchor sd-button share-more"><span>More</span></a></li><li class="share-end"></li></ul><div class="sharing-hidden"><div class="inner" style="display: none;width:150px;"><ul style="background-image:none;"><li class="share-bluesky"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="sharing-bluesky-17282" class="share-bluesky sd-button" href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/the-view-from-pratt-street-camden/?share=bluesky" target="_blank" title="Click to share on Bluesky" ><span>Bluesky</span></a></li><li class="share-end"></li></ul></div></div></div></div></div> </div> <footer class="entry-meta"> This entry was posted in <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/category/londonvistas/" rel="category tag">London Vistas</a> and tagged <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/tag/camden/" rel="tag">Camden</a> on <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/the-view-from-pratt-street-camden/" title="6:30 am" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2022-10-02T06:30:00+00:00">October 2, 2022</time></a><span class="by-author"> by <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://alondoninheritance.com/author/admin/" title="View all posts by admin" rel="author">admin</a></span></span>. </footer> </article> <article id="post-13514" class="post-13514 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-londonvistas tag-city-of-london"> <header class="entry-header"> <h1 class="entry-title"> <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/city-of-london-october-2020/" rel="bookmark">City of London – October 2020</a> </h1> <div class="comments-link"> <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/city-of-london-october-2020/#comments">45 Replies</a> </div> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <p>Back in July, I wrote three posts about a walk through the <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonpubs/pubs-city-london-july-2020-part-1/">City of London to photograph the pubs</a>. The majority were closed, and being a weekend, the City was quiet. A couple of Monday’s ago I had to be in Clerkenwell, so as usual, I took the opportunity for a walk, this time through the City.</p> <p>In decades of walking London, I have never seen the City of London as it is today. Offices empty, shops closed, the streets deserted.</p> <p>The pandemic will pass, but it will be interesting to see whether the City of London will return to a pre-COVID city, or perhaps changes in working patterns will result in a different city.</p> <p>Last August, I downloaded data from the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/transport-use-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic">Department for Transport which shows the impact on transport systems</a>. I have downloaded the latest data which runs from the 1st March to the 26th October 2020. The data provides usage as percentages of an equivalent day or week.</p> <p>The following graph shows usage on the London Underground.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-36.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13516 size-full" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-36.jpg" alt="City of London" width="762" height="500" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-36.jpg 762w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-36-300x197.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-36-624x409.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) 100vw, 762px" /></a></p> <p>The graph shows that after the initial lock down, there was a gradual increase in use, however the graph is now on a downward trend as a second wave arrives.</p> <p>Interesting that the peaks are the weekends, so as a percentage of the equivalent week, the reduction is not as bad as weekdays, however they are still very low, with the weekend of the 24th and 25th October coming in at 37% and 41% for the two days.</p> <p>The Monday I was walking through the City, underground usage was 32% of the equivalent day pre-COVID.</p> <p>London bus travel has returned to a slightly higher level, but is still averaging 56% of pre-COVID usage, and the initial growth in use has stalled and possibly reducing as shown in the following graph:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-37.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13517 size-full" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-37.jpg" alt="City of London" width="764" height="441" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-37.jpg 764w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-37-300x173.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-37-624x360.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 764px) 100vw, 764px" /></a></p> <p>The drop to zero is the period when Transport for London introduced the middle-door only boarding policy, with no requirement to touch in, so obviously lost any meaningful passenger number data.</p> <p>I started on the south bank of the river as I had been looking at alleys in Bankside and at 10:20 on a Monday morning, walked across a very quiet Millennium Bridge:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13479 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-1-1024x769.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-1-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-1-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-1-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>10:45 – standing on the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral, looking down Ludgate Hill:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13480 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-2-1024x769.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-2-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-2-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-2-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>St Paul’s Cathedral has reopened to visitors and a security tent has been erected on the steps:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-3.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13481 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-3-1024x769.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-3-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-3-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-3-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-3-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Waiting for the visitors:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-4.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13482 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-4-1024x769.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-4-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-4-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-4-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-4-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>If you want to avoid crowds, now is probably a good time to visit the cathedral, although the Whispering Gallery and the Golden Gallery at the very top are currently closed.</p> <p>10:50 on a Monday morning and Paternoster Square:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-5.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13483 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-5-1024x769.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-5-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-5-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-5-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-5-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>10:57, and looking down Cheapside from the junction with New Change:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-6.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13484 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-6-1024x769.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-6-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-6-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-6-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-6-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Many of the City’s streets have been closed to traffic, made into one-way streets, and have additional pedestrian and cycle spaces. Cheapside is now closed as a through road with the exception of cycles.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-7.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13485 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-7-1024x769.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-7-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-7-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-7-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-7-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>11:18, the Bank junction:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-8.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13486 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-8-1024x769.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-8-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-8-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-8-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-8-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The view looking down Old Broad Street, now a single lane street for one way traffic, with the other lane now allocated for cycle lanes.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-9.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13487 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-9-1024x769.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-9-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-9-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-9-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-9-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>I am unsure of the changes being made to the City’s roads. Cycling is far better than traffic, there is no doubt about that, however ever since I started working in London in 1979, the city has been busy and noisy. Busy pavements and busy roads with red busses, black cabs and general traffic, and it is that which makes a city live. Without people, without busy roads, the city feels very hollowed out.</p> <p>There is a wealth of data made available online by various Government departments and the Mayor of London. I have shown some of the Department for Transport statistics earlier in the post, and the <a href="https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/number-bicycle-hires">Mayor of London makes data available on the utilisation of the Santander Cycle Hire Scheme</a>. This covers the whole of the scheme rather than just the City.</p> <p>I downloaded the spreadsheet and created the following graphs.</p> <p>The first graph shows the number of bicycle hires each month from the start of 2019 till the end of September 2020.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-38.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13522 size-full" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-38.jpg" alt="City of London" width="770" height="513" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-38.jpg 770w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-38-300x200.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-38-768x512.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-38-624x416.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px" /></a></p> <p>Whilst in the summer of 2019, bicycle hires peaked once at just under 1.2 million a month, in 2020, they have been running just under the same number for about 4 months which shows a sustained increase in cycling, rather than just a single peak.</p> <p>The data also includes the average hire time, and throughout the whole of 2019 and early 2020 this averaged just under 20 minutes, since April of this year average hire times increased significantly, although they now appear to be falling back.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-39.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13523 size-full" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-39.jpg" alt="City of London" width="848" height="571" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-39.jpg 848w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-39-300x202.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-39-768x517.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-39-624x420.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 848px) 100vw, 848px" /></a></p> <p>I could not find any 2020 data on taxi usage in London, but this must also be a trade that is suffering significantly.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/taxi-and-private-hire-vehicle-statistics-england-2019">Department for Transport does publish data showing the number of licensed taxis</a> (Black Cabs) and Private Hire Vehicles (Uber etc.) going back to 1965 which makes an interesting study in how this form of transport has changed over the years.</p> <p>The following graph shows the number of licensed taxis in London from 1965 to the end of 2019 (in thousands):</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-40.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13525 size-full" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-40.jpg" alt="City of London" width="707" height="511" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-40.jpg 707w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-40-300x217.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-40-624x451.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 707px) 100vw, 707px" /></a></p> <p>The DfT spreadsheet is missing data for some years between 2020 and 2019, but the trend is clear.</p> <p>There was a continuous rise in the number of licensed taxis from 1965, which flattened off from 2010 and now appears to be decreasing possibly due to the rise of private hire vehicles using apps such as Uber. Plotting the number of private hire vehicles in London on the same graph as licensed taxis shows the impact that this new form of transport must be having (left hand column in thousands):</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-41.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13526 size-full" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-41.jpg" alt="City of London" width="708" height="489" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-41.jpg 708w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-41-300x207.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-41-624x431.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 708px) 100vw, 708px" /></a></p> <p>Private hire vehicles are the orange dots, and the DfT spreadsheet only has data on these from 2005, but the rapid rise in numbers in the last few years is clear, and there is now over a 4 to 1 ratio of private hire vehicles to licensed taxis.</p> <p>It will be interesting in the years ahead to watch how road usage in the city changes.</p> <p>Back to walking the City of London.</p> <p>Many of the take away food shops were closed. Those that were open were frequently empty:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-10.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13488 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-10-1024x769.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-10-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-10-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-10-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-10-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>11:45 Gresham Street:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-11.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13489 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-11-1024x769.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-11-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-11-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-11-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-11-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Photography helps to record change, and I have been photographing the closed shops in the City to return to later and see how many have reopened. It is also important to remember that behind each closed shop, there are multiple jobs and lives that are suffering financial impact.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-12.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13490 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-12-1024x769.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-12-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-12-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-12-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-12-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>12:15 An empty Pret:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-13.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13491 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-13-1024x769.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-13-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-13-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-13-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-13-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The main visible sign of work in the City of London seems to be road works, clsoing roads, diversions and making space for cycle lanes and pavement widening.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-14.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13492 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-14-1024x769.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-14-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-14-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-14-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-14-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>12:30 The North Wing entrance to the City of London Corporation offices:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-15.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13493 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-15-1024x769.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-15-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-15-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-15-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-15-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>12:42 Empty space between the office blocks</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-16.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13494 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-16-1024x769.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-16-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-16-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-16-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-16-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Looking east along London Wall.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-17.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13495 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-17-1024x769.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-17-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-17-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-17-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-17-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Looking west along London Wall:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-18.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13496 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-18-1024x769.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-18-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-18-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-18-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-18-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The majority of the city office blocks were open, but there appeared to be very few people working in them. Most entrance foyers just had reception and security staff pacing up and down, waiting for the visitors that will not be arriving.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-19.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13497 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-19-1024x769.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-19-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-19-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-19-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-19-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>At the start of Aldersgate Street:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-20.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13498 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-20-1024x755.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="461" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-20-1024x755.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-20-300x221.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-20-768x566.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-20-624x460.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The Old Red Cow – Long Lane. The interior of the pub is a small space and a sign on the window states that the Old Red Cow is now closed <em>“until normality ensues once again”</em>.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-21.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13499 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-21-850x1024.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="753" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-21-850x1024.jpg 850w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-21-249x300.jpg 249w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-21-768x926.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-21-624x752.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Costa – Long Lane. I suspect that the hi-vis workers from the nearby Crossrail works are helping to keep this coffee shop open.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-22.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13500 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-22-1024x745.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="455" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-22-1024x745.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-22-300x218.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-22-768x559.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-22-624x454.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Ask for Janice bar and resturant – Long Lane. Closed until <em>“this is all over”</em>.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-23.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13501 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-23-1024x769.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-23-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-23-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-23-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-23-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>15:15 Old Bailey</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-24.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13502 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-24-1024x768.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-24-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-24-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-24-768x576.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-24-624x468.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Closed shops in Old Bailey. Two of the hardest hit industries – travel and hospitality:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-25.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13503 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-25-1024x751.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="458" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-25-1024x751.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-25-300x220.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-25-768x563.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-25-624x458.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>15:28 City Thameslink Station</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-26.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13504 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-26-1024x768.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-26-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-26-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-26-768x576.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-26-624x468.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>WH Smith store temporarily closed in the station entrance:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-27.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13505 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-27-1024x768.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-27-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-27-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-27-768x576.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-27-624x468.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Fleet Street – old Vodafone shop up for sale.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-28.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13506 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-28-768x1024.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="833" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-28-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-28-225x300.jpg 225w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-28-624x832.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Fleet Street has many closed take away food shops. Itsu:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-29.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13507 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-29-1024x768.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-29-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-29-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-29-768x576.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-29-624x468.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Sainsbury’s Local – Fleet Street, temporarily closed</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-30.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13508 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-30-1024x755.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="461" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-30-1024x755.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-30-300x221.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-30-768x567.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-30-624x460.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>A hopefully temporary halt to fresh Mexican food:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-31.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13509 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-31-768x1024.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="833" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-31-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-31-225x300.jpg 225w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-31-624x832.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Along with Thai food:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-32.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13510 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-32-1024x768.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-32-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-32-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-32-768x576.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-32-624x468.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>A number of shops and takeaways have been boarded up, adding to the impression of a City and business model in trouble.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-33.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13511 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-33-1024x768.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-33-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-33-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-33-768x576.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-33-624x468.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Photographing the signs that will one day be a distant memory:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-34.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13512 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-34-768x1024.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="833" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-34-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-34-225x300.jpg 225w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-34-624x832.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Just outside the border of the City of London, Simmons Bar closed and boarded.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-35.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13513 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-35-1024x768.jpg" alt="City of London" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-35-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-35-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-35-768x576.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/City-of-London-October-2020-35-624x468.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The City without people is really a collection of buildings without purpose, and this is probably the City of London until next Spring. It will be fascinating to watch how the City develops next.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/">alondoninheritance.com</a></p> <div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-official sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/city-of-london-october-2020/" data-text="City of London - October 2020" >Tweet</a></li><li class="share-facebook"><div class="fb-share-button" data-href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/city-of-london-october-2020/" data-layout="button_count"></div></li><li><a href="#" class="sharing-anchor sd-button share-more"><span>More</span></a></li><li class="share-end"></li></ul><div class="sharing-hidden"><div class="inner" style="display: none;width:150px;"><ul style="background-image:none;"><li class="share-bluesky"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="sharing-bluesky-13514" class="share-bluesky sd-button" href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/city-of-london-october-2020/?share=bluesky" target="_blank" title="Click to share on Bluesky" ><span>Bluesky</span></a></li><li class="share-end"></li></ul></div></div></div></div></div> </div> <footer class="entry-meta"> This entry was posted in <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/category/londonvistas/" rel="category tag">London Vistas</a> and tagged <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/tag/city-of-london/" rel="tag">City of London</a> on <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/city-of-london-october-2020/" title="7:30 am" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2020-11-01T07:30:53+00:00">November 1, 2020</time></a><span class="by-author"> by <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://alondoninheritance.com/author/admin/" title="View all posts by admin" rel="author">admin</a></span></span>. </footer> </article> <article id="post-13133" class="post-13133 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-londonvistas tag-greenwich-peninsula tag-the-o2"> <header class="entry-header"> <h1 class="entry-title"> <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/the-view-from-the-o2/" rel="bookmark">The View from the O2</a> </h1> <div class="comments-link"> <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/the-view-from-the-o2/#comments">20 Replies</a> </div> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <p>A few weeks ago at the start of August, I walked up to the top of the O2 / Millennium Dome. It was my second walk to the top, the first visit had been brought for me as a present a couple of years ago, and this second visit was to take my 12 year old granddaughter as it was something she has wanted to do for some time, and with the reopening of the site, it seemed the ideal time to visit.</p> <p>I will also take any opportunity to walk up to a high point, as these provide the perfect location to get a different perspective of London, which is sometimes difficult from street level.</p> <p>This is not a blog that focuses on commercial / tourist experiences, so I will not be covering these aspects, just what can be seen from the top, and what it tells us about the way the city is changing. There is significant change to be seen as the Greenwich Peninsula is in the process of having almost all of its industrial history demolished.</p> <p>The O2 Dome photographed from the river a couple of years ago. The walkway to the top can be seen, suspended above the material of the roof of the dome.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-20.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13134 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-20-1024x680.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-20-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-20-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-20-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-20-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The weather on our visit was really good. Perhaps a bit too warm for such a climb, but the views from the top were worth the effort. The following photo is looking roughly north east, across the River Thames. An area of water can be seen. This was the Royal Victoria Docks.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13114 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-1-1024x769.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-1-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-1-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-1-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>On the far right of the photo can just be seen the old Millennium Mills building. The building with what appears to be white scaffolding along the roof line is the Excel exhibition centre, the location of the London Nightingale Hospital.</p> <p>Two of the towers carrying the cable car across the river can be seen, and to the left of the water of the Royal Victoria Docks is a low, angular building with glass sides. This is the Crystal, a building which may play an important part in the future life of the city.</p> <p>The Crystal was built in 2012 by the German engineering company Siemens. It was intended to be a location for some of the company’s staff, as well as being an exhibition centre and demonstration capability on the technology that would drive future cities.</p> <p>The Crystal was designed and constructed to show how future buildings could be environmentally friendly and sustainable, and use recycled rain water to drinking water, used heat pumps to draw heat from the environment to heat the building in winter and cool the building in summer. Building management technologies, and sensor systems to adjust the building’s environment to the number of visitors.</p> <p>Unfortunately, the building did not attract the number of visitors expected, so the original exhibitions closed, and the building is now owned by the Great London Authority and used as an events and exhibition space.</p> <p>City Hall on the south bank of the Thames, just to the west of Tower bridge is the current base of the Mayor of London, and the “head office” of the Greater London Authority (GLA). The building is leased and currently costs the GLA £11.1 million a year in rental costs. The GLA can exit the lease in 2021, and the Mayor has proposed a move to the Crystal building as this is already owned by the GLA and will make substantial savings of rental costs.</p> <p>Whilst I can understand the reasons, and the financial benefits make absolute sense, it does seem a shame that the symbolic location of the GLA will relocate from a prime position in central London, to a location that will only really be seen by those working at the GLA, or visiting exhibitions at the Excel.</p> <p>Turning a bit further round to the north, and we can see the entrance to Bow Creek.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13115 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-2-1024x769.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-2-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-2-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-2-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Bow Creek is where the River Lea runs into the River Thames. The Lea is a significant river and runs through Bedfordshire and Hertfordshore before reaching greater London, through numerous twists and turns, diversions and reservoirs. Water from the River Lea was taken to feed into the <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/rivers-and-streams/new-river-head-londons-water-industry/">New River</a> when additional capacity was needed over and above that available from the original springs.</p> <p>To the left of the point where the Lea meets the Thames is a small brick building, with a rather unusual structure on the end. This is London’s only Lighthouse.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-19.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13132 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-19-1024x562.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="343" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-19-1024x562.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-19-300x165.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-19-768x422.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-19-624x343.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-19.jpg 1464w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Built between 1864 and 1866, it was not that sailors on the river needed a visible navigation sign to find the entrance to the Lea in thick river fog, it was built as a place to test out lighting systems and measure their effectiveness and efficiency, so that the best systems could be installed in the lighthouses around the coast of the country.</p> <p>The lighthouse is at Trinity Buoy Wharf. Now used for weddings, office space and a rather nice cafe after a long walk. The site was owned by Trinity House and as well as testing equipment at the lighthouse, the area was used for the storage and maintenance of buoys and navigation markers that were used in the waters under the responsibility of Trinity House.</p> <p>It would have been fascinating to see a light from the lighthouse sweeping the dark, misty waters of the Thames when tests were underway.</p> <p>Now looking to the north and we can see a cluster of different coloured towers.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-3.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13116 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-3-1024x769.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-3-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-3-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-3-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-3-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>These apartment towers form City Island, a recent development that sits on the small peninsula of land in one of the meanders of the Bow Creek. The following map extract shows the area where the apartment blocks have been built, with the River Lea / Bow Creek passing on three sides (Map <a href="https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright">© OpenStreetMap contributors)</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-17.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13130 size-full" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-17.jpg" alt="O2" width="860" height="638" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-17.jpg 860w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-17-300x223.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-17-768x570.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-17-624x463.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /></a></p> <p>A location map at the entrance to City Island shows how the buildings have been packed into this small area of land. Note the thick red line at the top of the map.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-22.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13136 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-22-768x1024.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="833" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-22-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-22-225x300.jpg 225w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-22-624x832.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The shape of the peninsula and the lack of access apart from the roads to the south meant that those living at City Island had very limited public transport options, so a foot bridge was constructed at the northern end of the peninsula (the thick red line) to connect City Island to Canning Town Station.</p> <p>The view from the northern end of the footbridge looking into City Island.<a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-23.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13137 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-23-768x1024.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="833" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-23-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-23-225x300.jpg 225w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-23-624x832.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Slightly to the west of City Island, there is an old locked entrance to the river with a small patch of water behind.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-16.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13129 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-16-1024x769.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-16-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-16-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-16-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-16-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>This is all that remains of the East India Dock complex. The section that remains is the basin between the river and main docks, which are now filled in and built over.</p> <p>I find it interesting that the buildings that now occupy the old East India Docks are today some of the largest Data Centres, supporting major Internet hubs. From places that once moved physical goods, the same space is now being used for one of the 21st century’s most important commodities – data.</p> <p>Just to the west there are two buildings with solid lines down their facade, and to their left another building with a broken line running down the balconies, all giving the impression of a vertical line facing Greenwich.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-14.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13127 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-14-1024x769.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-14-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-14-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-14-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-14-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>These three towers form the Elektron Buildings. The individual names of the towers from left to right are the Elektron Tower, Neutron Tower and the Photon Tower. The towers were built on the southern part of the old Brunswick Wharf Generating Station, and the names of the towers are meant to reflect this electrical history.</p> <p>The broken brown line running up the balconies of the tower on the left is meant to show the route of the Greenwich Meridian, however the tower is offset a couple of metres to the west, so the prime meridian defined by Sir George Airy in 1851 passes just to the east of the block. This is probably fortunate (or possibly planned) for the tenants as when the meridian laser shines from Greenwich to mark the route of the meridian, it passes just to the east of the tower. If the tower has not been in its current position, it would have blocked the laser.</p> <p>Just to the right of the right tower of the three, the ArcelorMittal Orbit at Stratford can be seen , along with (to the right), the towers that are springing up around Stratford.</p> <p>Moving further to the west and there is a building in the centre of the following view with satellite dishes on the roof.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-4.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13117 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-4-1024x769.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-4-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-4-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-4-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-4-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>I had a meeting in this building in the early 1990s. It was almost the only building here, and was surrounded by an expanse of derelict buildings, and spaces in the process of being cleared.</p> <p>But again, there are reminders of the old industries that once lined the river here. In the following extract from the above photo, look to the right of the photo and there is an entrance from the river with Blackwall Yard written on the river facing side.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-5.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13118 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-5-1024x678.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="414" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-5-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-5-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-5-768x508.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-5-624x413.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-5.jpg 1372w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>This was part of the Graving Dock on the right of the cluster of docks and launching sites in the centre of the following extract from the 1893 Ordnance Survey map (<a href="https://maps.nls.uk/index.html">‘Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland’</a>).</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-18.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13131 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-18-1024x584.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="356" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-18-1024x584.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-18-300x171.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-18-768x438.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-18-624x356.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-18.jpg 1386w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Surprising that this small part of what was once a complex web of docks, railways and warehouses survives.</p> <p>Continuing towards the west, and the tower blocks that form the Canary Wharf complex come into view, however tower block development along the edge of the Greenwich Peninsula is starting to block the view across the river.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-6.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13119 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-6-1024x769.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-6-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-6-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-6-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-6-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Slightly further to the west and we can see the entrance to what was the South Dock on the Isle of Dogs.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-13.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13126 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-13-1024x769.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-13-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-13-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-13-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-13-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>An enlargement from the above photo showing the dock entrance. The first white building to the right of the entrance is the Gun pub.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-26.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13143 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-26-1024x556.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="339" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-26-1024x556.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-26-300x163.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-26-768x417.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-26-624x339.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-26.jpg 1894w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The view is now turning to the south west, and on the western edge of the Greenwich Peninsula is one of those strange oddities that were built here when I suspect someone was trying to find how to make money out of all the empty space. The green space is the Greenwich Peninsula Golf Range.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-7.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13120 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-7-1024x769.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-7-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-7-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-7-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-7-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>In the lower right hand corner, the upturned electricity pylon created by Alex Chinneck as an artwork for the 2015 London Design Festival, can be seen.</p> <p>In the far distance, the TV and Radio mast at Crystal Palace can just be seen. Getting up this high also shows why the mast was placed at Crystal Palace. As well as being a site with the space for a mast, it is already a high point overlooking much of the lower land of greater London.</p> <p>Looking further south, and we can see where the river turns to pass the southern tip of the Isle of Dogs.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-8.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13121 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-8-1024x769.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-8-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-8-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-8-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-8-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>To the left of the golf driving range is yet another large building site with the next part of the peninsula’s transformation about to be constructed.</p> <p>Although there are already many new tower blocks here, the Greenwich Peninsula is only at the start of a transformation which will significantly change the above view, and indeed nearly all the views from the O2.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.greenwichpeninsula.co.uk/whats-on/the-peninsulist/the-masterplan/">Greenwich Peninsula Masterplan</a> shows the developments planned for the area, with a dense cluster of towers transforming the area beyond all recognition.</p> <p>The view below is looking to the south. Much of the area closest to the dome is covered with car parking space, used for the big events at the dome, however compare with the Greenwich Peninsula Masterplan and this view will look very different.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-9.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13122 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-9-1024x769.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-9-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-9-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-9-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-9-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The above view also shows how the industrial history of the Greenwich Peninsula is continuing to be demolished. The photo below is an extract of the above photo and shows nothing remarkable.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-25.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13139 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-25-1024x598.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="365" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-25-1024x598.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-25-300x175.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-25-768x449.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-25-624x365.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>My first climb up the dome was a few years ago (family present) and in the following photo showing roughly the same view is the outer framework of large gasholder.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-24.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13138 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-24-1024x671.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="410" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-24-1024x671.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-24-300x197.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-24-768x503.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-24-624x409.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-24.jpg 1660w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The gas holder was demolished earlier this year and was originally one of a pair dating from the late 1880s / early 1890s. The gas holder in the above photo is number 1. The larger number 2 gas holder was demolished in 1985 and will be the site for the Silvertown Tunnel workings and entrance, with construction expected to start this year with completion around 2025.</p> <p>The Silvertown Tunnel is another of the construction projects that will be transforming the Greenwich Peninsula. The tunnel is being financed through a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) model. When open, a toll will be charged for using either the Blackwall or the Silvertown Tunnels which will be used to pay the PFI charges. The tunnel developers take the risk with construction costs, however Transport for London take the risk with usage and whether this will be sufficient to cover the PFI costs.</p> <p>in 2015 I photographed the gas holder from the river. In the foreground were dry docks for the Thames tourist boats. These will also, or perhaps already have gone.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-21.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13135 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-21-1024x680.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-21-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-21-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-21-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-21-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Still looking to the south, and there are several features in the following photo:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-10.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13123 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-10-1024x769.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-10-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-10-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-10-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-10-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>In the middle of the photo is the entrance arch to the Blackwall Tunnel. This can be seen in the following extract from the above photo:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-11.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13124 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-11-1024x494.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="302" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-11-1024x494.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-11-300x145.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-11-768x371.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-11-624x301.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-11.jpg 1484w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>And in the distance (see photo below) we can see Greenwich Power Station, used by TfL to provide backup power to the Underground network. On the hill behind the power station, the Royal Observatory can just be seen, and on the right of the photo, the towers of the old Royal Naval College.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-12.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13125 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-12-1024x439.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="268" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-12-1024x439.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-12-300x129.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-12-768x330.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-12-624x268.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-12.jpg 1976w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>These sights will be disappearing from the top of the O2 Dome as the towers planned for the western edge of the peninsula are built.</p> <p>The eastern edge of the peninsula perhaps provides some indication of what the western edge will look like in the years to come. Development along the eastern edge has already progressed and now consists of multiple apartment towers of differing designs.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-15.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-13128 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-15-1024x769.jpg" alt="O2" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-15-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-15-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-15-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/View-from-the-O2-15-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The Greenwich Peninsula is a great place to watch the eastwards march of development along the Thames.</p> <p>The peninsula will soon be a completely different place if all the proposed towers and associated buildings are built. There will be very little evidence of the peninsula’s industrial past, and what remains, such as the <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonpubs/pilot-ceylon-place-greenwich/">Pilot pub</a>, will be very out of place.</p> <p>My granddaughter really enjoyed the climb of the O2 Dome, and the views of London from the top. Hopefully she will be back at some point in the future to compare the view then, with her photos taken in August 2020.</p> <p>For further information on the Greenwich Peninsula I can recommend the <a href="http://greenwichindustrialhistory.blogspot.com/">Greenwich Industrial History Society</a>, and any of the books and articles by Mary Mills. “Greenwich Marsh – The 300 years before the Dome” provides a fascinating account of the history of the place.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/">alondoninheritance.com</a></p> <div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-official sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/the-view-from-the-o2/" data-text="The View from the O2" >Tweet</a></li><li class="share-facebook"><div class="fb-share-button" data-href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/the-view-from-the-o2/" data-layout="button_count"></div></li><li><a href="#" class="sharing-anchor sd-button share-more"><span>More</span></a></li><li class="share-end"></li></ul><div class="sharing-hidden"><div class="inner" style="display: none;width:150px;"><ul style="background-image:none;"><li class="share-bluesky"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="sharing-bluesky-13133" class="share-bluesky sd-button" href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/the-view-from-the-o2/?share=bluesky" target="_blank" title="Click to share on Bluesky" ><span>Bluesky</span></a></li><li class="share-end"></li></ul></div></div></div></div></div> </div> <footer class="entry-meta"> This entry was posted in <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/category/londonvistas/" rel="category tag">London Vistas</a> and tagged <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/tag/greenwich-peninsula/" rel="tag">Greenwich Peninsula</a>, <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/tag/the-o2/" rel="tag">The O2</a> on <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/the-view-from-the-o2/" title="6:15 am" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2020-08-30T06:15:31+00:00">August 30, 2020</time></a><span class="by-author"> by <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://alondoninheritance.com/author/admin/" title="View all posts by admin" rel="author">admin</a></span></span>. </footer> </article> <article id="post-11322" class="post-11322 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-londonvistas tag-greenwich-park"> <header class="entry-header"> <h1 class="entry-title"> <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/view-from-greenwich-park-city-evolve/" rel="bookmark">The View from Greenwich Park – Watching the City Evolve</a> </h1> <div class="comments-link"> <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/view-from-greenwich-park-city-evolve/#comments">18 Replies</a> </div> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <p>Last Sunday was one of those lovely autumn days when it was sunny, clear blue sky, and views were clear, with a lack of haze. To take advantage of the weather, I headed to see the view from Greenwich Park, one of my favourite locations to watch how London has been evolving over time.</p> <p>My first visits to Greenwich Park were in the 1970s when our parents would take us for walks across the park and down to the river. The park has been a destination for repeat visits every few years since, with the high point adjacent to the Royal Observatory providing a location to view the changes across the Isle of Dogs and the City.</p> <p>I wrote about the view from Greenwich Park in one of my first posts in 2014, and it is dramatic how the view has changed in just the five years since.</p> <p>I am also slowly working through scanning of my own photos, and recently found a few more photos of the view from Greenwich Park, so for this week’s post, I thought I would explore how the view has changed over the centuries, and the rapid developments of the last few years.</p> <p>The view from Greenwich Park has always attracted artists. the proximity of the Royal Observatory, Queen’s House, Royal Naval College and Hospital added interest to the view over the River Thames, and west towards the City of London.</p> <p>I will start with the seventeenth century, and a view from:</p> <h1>1676</h1> <p>This print from 1676 shows the Observatory looking to the north, with the Queen’s House and the City of London in the distance. I am not sure if it is geographically accurate, but the river is on the left of the print with the City in the distance.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-5.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11313 size-full" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-5.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="805" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-5.jpg 805w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-5-300x175.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-5-768x447.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-5-624x364.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 805px) 100vw, 805px" /></a></p> <p>The print was made 10 years after the Great Fire, and before the completion of St Paul’s Cathedral, so this future landmark in the City is not yet shown in views from the park, but this would change in the 18th century:</p> <h1>1750</h1> <p>The following print is dated between 1740 and 1760, and provides a more accurate representation of the view from Greenwich Park.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-4.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11312 size-full" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-4.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="804" height="559" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-4.jpg 804w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-4-300x209.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-4-768x534.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-4-624x434.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 804px) 100vw, 804px" /></a></p> <p>The Royal Observatory is on the left, the Queen’s House to the right, and the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral with the spires of the City churches very visible in the distance. This would be the view of the City for much of the following two hundred years.</p> <p>On the right, the river curves around the southern edge of the Isle of Dogs, still very rural with the 19th century industrialisation, docks and housing yet to appear.</p> <h1>1811</h1> <p>This print by J.M.W. Turner from 1811 shows the buildings of the Royal Naval College and Hospital. which have been constructed between the Queen’s House and the river.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-3.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11311 size-full" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-3.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="814" height="593" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-3.jpg 814w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-3-300x219.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-3-768x559.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-3-624x455.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 814px) 100vw, 814px" /></a></p> <p>In the distance we can still see St Paul’s Cathedral and the spires of the City churches. There is more shipping in the river and the print gives the impression of a more industrial environment along the river’s edge.</p> <p>(The above three prints are © The Trustees of the British Museum)</p> <h1>1926</h1> <p>In 1926, the book Wonderful London included a photo of the Queen’s House and the Royal Naval College.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-25.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11337 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-25-1024x692.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="625" height="422" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-25-1024x692.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-25-300x203.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-25-768x519.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-25-624x422.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The photo looks across to the Isle of Dogs rather than the City, but the low rise nature of the buildings across the river are hidden in the haze and photo / print quality from the 1920s.</p> <h1>1953</h1> <p>In 1953, my father photographed the view from Greenwich Park, looking across to the Isle of Dogs.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-11.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11319 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-11-1024x658.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="625" height="402" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-11-1024x658.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-11-300x193.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-11-768x493.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-11-624x401.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The view across the river is still of low rise construction. The cranes lining the docks, the occasional chimney, and some large warehouses and grain stores.</p> <p>I only wish my father had taken a photo of the view across to the City, but like the majority of photos taken from the high point adjacent to the Royal Observatory, it is the view across the park to the Queen’s House and Royal Naval College that provide the historic / scenic interest.</p> <p>Working on this blog, and looking at the historical record in photos, what interests me is how photos record how the city changes, so I take photos of even the most mundane scene as you never know what the same view will be like in years to come.</p> <p>I now come to the first of my photos:</p> <h1>1980</h1> <p>I took the following photo many years before I had seen or scanned my father’s photos, but it is remarkable how similar it is to the above photo, even the trees on the right look as if they have hardly grown in the 27 years between the two.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11309 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-1-1024x666.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="625" height="406" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-1-1024x666.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-1-300x195.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-1-768x499.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-1-624x406.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The view across to the Isle of Dogs is much the same, however there are now a number of tower blocks of flats starting to appear across east London.</p> <p>The Cutty Sark, which arrived in Greenwich in 1954 is just visible on the left of the photo.</p> <p>When I started taking photos of the view from Greenwich Park, I did photograph the view across to the City, not with any intention of seeing how the view would change, but I remember taking this photo because the first large office tower built in the City was now visible from Greenwich Park.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11310 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-2-1024x657.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="625" height="401" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-2-1024x657.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-2-300x192.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-2-768x492.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-2-624x400.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The NatWest Tower (now Tower 42) had just been completed when I took the above photo and the tower can seen in the centre of the photo – an indicator of the changes to come.</p> <h1>1986</h1> <p>In 1986 I was back in Greenwich. I have not yet found the negative with the view from the top of the park, but I did find this view from one of the paths leading down from the viewpoint by the Royal Observatory towards the river.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-7.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11315 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-7-1024x688.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="625" height="420" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-7-1024x688.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-7-300x202.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-7-768x516.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-7-624x419.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Again, the view across to the Isle of Dogs has very little in the background.</p> <p>I also took the following photo during the same year looking across to the City.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-6.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11314 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-6-1024x673.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="625" height="411" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-6-1024x673.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-6-300x197.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-6-768x505.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-6-624x410.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The NatWest Tower is visible in the City. The chimney towards the left of the photo is at Deptford Power Station.</p> <p>Both the above photos were taken during visits at the weekend, on lovely sunny days. They highlight how visitor numbers have changed over the last couple of decades, as in the 1980s, even on a sunny day, the park was not that busy.</p> <h1>1989</h1> <p>Three years later and we can see 1 Canada Square, the focus of the Canary Wharf development starting to be built.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-26.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-13819" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-26-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="625" height="417" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-26-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-26-300x200.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-26-768x513.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-26-624x416.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The quality of my 1989 photos is not good. I have tried several processing options, but I cannot get the colour balance right.</p> <p>in the distance there are cranes and a mass of steel frame where 1 Canada Square (the tallest building in the Canary Wharf development) has started construction, along with a number of other buildings of the development. The first indications of the considerable changes to the view from Greenwich that will take place over the coming years.</p> <p>Looking to the west and the view is much the same, with the original NatWest Tower being the stand out feature of the City of London.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-27.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-13820" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-27-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="625" height="417" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-27-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-27-300x200.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-27-768x513.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-27-624x416.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Looking to the east, with the four chimneys of the power station, and the gas holder on the Greenwich Peninsula.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-28.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-13821" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-28-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="625" height="417" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-28-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-28-300x200.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-28-768x513.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-28-624x416.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>I have not yet found any negatives with photos from the 1990s, so lets jump to the year 2007 and some dramatic changes have started.</p> <h1>2007</h1> <p>In 2007, the office towers clustered around Canary Wharf present a dramatic change in the view from Greenwich Park</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-16.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11325 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-16-1024x769.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-16-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-16-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-16-768x577.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-16-624x469.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>And looking towards the City of London, and whilst the NatWest Tower is still prominent, it has now been joined by the Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe), completed in 2003.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-8.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11316 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-8-1024x682.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="625" height="416" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-8-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-8-300x200.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-8-624x416.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>St Paul’s Cathedral stands out to the left of centre.</p> <p>I had started playing with stitching photos together to make panoramas when I took these photos and the following is made from a number of photos from the Royal Observatory on the left across to the Millennium Dome on the right (click on the photo to enlarge).</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-14.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11323 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-14-1024x342.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="625" height="209" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-14-1024x342.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-14-300x100.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-14-768x257.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-14-624x208.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>My next visit was in:</p> <h1>2010</h1> <p>And the view across to the Isle of Dogs is much the same as it was in 2007:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-10.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11318 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-10-1024x768.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-10-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-10-300x225.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-10-768x576.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-10-624x468.jpg 624w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-10.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Four years later I was back again:</p> <h1>2014</h1> <p>I took the following photo for one of my first blog posts, in April 2014 when I first wrote about the <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/the-view-from-greenwich-park-and-the-isle-of-dogs/">view from Greewich Park</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-12.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11320 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-12-1024x584.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="625" height="356" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-12-1024x584.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-12-300x171.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-12-768x438.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-12-624x356.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The view across to the Isle of Dogs is much the same as in 2007, but the view of the City has changed.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-13.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11321 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-13-1024x680.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-13-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-13-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-13-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-13-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The NatWest Tower is still visible, with the Cheesegrater (the Leadenhall Building), completed in 2013 to the left of the NatWest Tower. The just completed Walkie Taking building (20 Fenchurch Street) is to the centre left, with the Heron Tower (completed in 2011) on the right.</p> <p>Now jump 5 years later to:</p> <h1>2019</h1> <p>This was the view last Sunday from Greenwich Park across to the Isle of Dogs.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-18.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11328 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-18-1024x680.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-18-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-18-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-18-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-18-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>One Canada Square, the tower block with the pyramidal top, is almost lost among a jumble of different towers, which now consists of not just office blocks, but residential towers.</p> <p>Note how the four blocks of flats on the left, which were first seen in my 1980 photos when they stood out as some of the tallest buildings in the view, have now been dwarfed by their new neighbours.</p> <p>The view across to the City has changed.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-21.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11331 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-21-1024x680.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-21-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-21-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-21-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-21-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The Shard is now visible on the left, and the office blocks in the City have grown.</p> <p>The view of St Paul’s Cathedral is still unobstructed:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-19.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11329 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-19-1024x662.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="625" height="404" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-19-1024x662.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-19-300x194.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-19-768x496.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-19-624x403.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The recent completion of 22 Bishopsgate, the large block to the left of the Gherkin, almost completely hides the NatWest Tower, with the edge of the building just peeping out at the side of its much taller neighbour.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-20.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11330 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-20-1024x661.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="625" height="403" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-20-1024x661.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-20-300x194.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-20-768x496.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-20-624x403.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>There is another viewpoint just to the west of the Royal Observatory. It is a good place to look at the view without the crowds that now cluster around the statue of General Wolfe, just outside the Royal Observatory, and from this viewpoint there is a better view of the cluster of towers across in the Isle of Dogs.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-23.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11333 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-23-1024x669.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="625" height="408" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-23-1024x669.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-23-300x196.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-23-768x501.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-23-624x407.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>It is remarkable how rapid the development has been. Comparing with my 2014 photos show the degree of construction in just the last 5 years.</p> <p>A 2019 panorama:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-15.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11324 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-15-1024x537.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="625" height="328" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-15-1024x537.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-15-300x157.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-15-768x402.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-15-624x327.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The view from Greenwich Park must be one of the most photographed views in London. The area outside the Royal Observatory, in front of the statue of General Wolfe is frequently crowded with people taking photos or just looking across to the towers of glass and steel that now dominate the view.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-22.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-11332 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-22-1024x680.jpg" alt="View from Greenwich Park" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-22-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-22-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-22-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Autumn-in-Greenwich-22-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>If I manage to keep up the blog for another 5 years, I will have to return to Greenwich and see how the view has changed and how many more towers have grown across London, and hopefully by then I can also fill in some of the missing years when I find and scan the negatives.</p> <p>The Greenwich Peninsula is fast developing, and the Peninsula, Isle of Dogs and the City will be three large clusters of towers that dominate the future view from Greenwich Park.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/">alondoninheritance.com</a></p> <div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-official sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/view-from-greenwich-park-city-evolve/" data-text="The View from Greenwich Park - Watching the City Evolve" >Tweet</a></li><li class="share-facebook"><div class="fb-share-button" data-href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/view-from-greenwich-park-city-evolve/" data-layout="button_count"></div></li><li><a href="#" class="sharing-anchor sd-button share-more"><span>More</span></a></li><li class="share-end"></li></ul><div class="sharing-hidden"><div class="inner" style="display: none;width:150px;"><ul style="background-image:none;"><li class="share-bluesky"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="sharing-bluesky-11322" class="share-bluesky sd-button" href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/view-from-greenwich-park-city-evolve/?share=bluesky" target="_blank" title="Click to share on Bluesky" ><span>Bluesky</span></a></li><li class="share-end"></li></ul></div></div></div></div></div> </div> <footer class="entry-meta"> This entry was posted in <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/category/londonvistas/" rel="category tag">London Vistas</a> and tagged <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/tag/greenwich-park/" rel="tag">Greenwich Park</a> on <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/view-from-greenwich-park-city-evolve/" title="7:27 am" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2019-11-03T07:27:43+00:00">November 3, 2019</time></a><span class="by-author"> by <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://alondoninheritance.com/author/admin/" title="View all posts by admin" rel="author">admin</a></span></span>. </footer> </article> <article id="post-10309" class="post-10309 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-londonvistas tag-city-of-london"> <header class="entry-header"> <h1 class="entry-title"> <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/a-walk-in-the-city-in-1980-and-2019/" rel="bookmark">A Walk in the City in 1980 and 2019</a> </h1> <div class="comments-link"> <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/a-walk-in-the-city-in-1980-and-2019/#comments">14 Replies</a> </div> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <p>Last Sunday I was walking along the South Bank in 1980, for today’s post, I have crossed over the river for a walk in the City with a few of my photos, also from 1980.</p> <p>I am starting on Lower Thames Street, opposite the old Billingsgate Market. This is the view looking up the street St. Mary at Hill.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-5.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10293 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-5-703x1024.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="910" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-5-703x1024.jpg 703w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-5-206x300.jpg 206w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-5-768x1119.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-5-624x909.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>This is the same view 39 years later in 2019:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-12.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10300 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-12-680x1024.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="941" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-12-680x1024.jpg 680w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-12-199x300.jpg 199w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-12-768x1156.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-12-624x940.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The street is named after the church on the street, however it is not the church which can be seen in the distance – that is the church of St. Margaret Pattens which is across East Cheap which runs along the top of St. Mary at Hill.</p> <p>The church after which the street is named is where the ornate clock overhangs the street. Although the street is named after the church, the tower and main entrance to St. Mary at Hill are on Lovat Lane. I visit the church <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/london-churches/st-mary-at-hill-and-lovat-lane/">in this post</a>.</p> <p>In 1980, the area around the street of St. Mary at Hill was still dominated by the Billingsgate fish market, which would not move from Lower Thames Street until 1982. The street still had some open spaces which had not yet been redeveloped following wartime damage, however the financial industry was expanding into the area as show by the relatively new TSB building on the right in the 1982 photo.</p> <p>If you look at the 1980 photo above, a short distance along St. Mary at Hill on the left, by the trailer, half on the street, there is a shop with a plaque above the shop front.</p> <p>In 1980 I photographed the plaque:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-4.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10292 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-4-1024x662.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="404" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-4-1024x662.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-4-300x194.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-4-768x497.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-4-624x404.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>In 2019, the plaque is on the same building, but has been relocated from above the first, to above the second floor window.</p> <p>The ground floor is no longer a shop.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-15.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10303 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-15-676x1024.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="947" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-15-676x1024.jpg 676w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-15-198x300.jpg 198w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-15-768x1163.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-15-624x945.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The plaque reads:</p> <p><em>“This Hall was built Anno Domini MDCCLXXXVI The Right Honourable Thomas Sainsbury, Lord Mayor, Alderman of this Ward and Governor of the Fellowship. John Kittermaster, Deputy. William Banister, Upper Ruler.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-11.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10299 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-11-1024x678.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="414" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-11-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-11-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-11-768x508.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-11-624x413.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The building is part of Watermen’s Hall – the City hall of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames.</p> <p>The main hall building is immediately to the left. The ground floor with the old shop was redeveloped as part of the hall complex in 1983.</p> <p>The Worshipful Company of Watermen and Lightermen has its origins in an Act dating from 1555 when a form of licensing was introduced for watermen on the river between Gravesend and Windsor. The aim of licensing was to ensure a standard rate of fares for customers of watermen, rather than the free for all and often extortionate fares that had been charged.</p> <p>Eight Watermen were appointed each year by the Mayor, and they had the responsibility to ensure the rules of the act were being carried out.</p> <p>Lightermen were included with the watermen by an Act of Parliament in 1700, and in 1827 the company was incorporated as the Master, Wardens and Commonality of the Watermen and Lightermen.</p> <p>The scope of the Company’s authority was reduced in 1859 when the western limit was moved from Windsor to Teddington (the tidal limit of the Thames), and in 1908 the licensing powers of the Company were transferred to the Port of London Authority.</p> <p>The Company did not have Masters until 1827, prior to 1827 the company was administered by Governor, Deputy and Rulers – hence the titles used on the plaque.</p> <p>The Armorial Bearings of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen on a rather lovely door knocker on the door of the building that in 1980 was occupied by the shop.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-16.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10304 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-16-680x1024.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="941" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-16-680x1024.jpg 680w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-16-199x300.jpg 199w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-16-768x1156.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-16-624x940.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The main Hall dates from around 1780 (the plaque dates the building of the hall to 1786), and is the only original Georgian Hall in the City of London.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-13.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10301 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-13-672x1024.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="952" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-13-672x1024.jpg 672w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-13-197x300.jpg 197w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-13-768x1170.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-13-624x951.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Armorial Bearings on the front of the Hall:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-14.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10302 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-14-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-14-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-14-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-14-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-14-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Across Lower Thames Street and St. Mary at Hill is Billingsgate Market:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-17.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10305 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-17-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-17-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-17-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-17-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-17-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>This was still a working market in 1980 when I took these photos. I have more photos on another film which I have not scanned yet, but on this film I photographed some of the barrows by the side of the market.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-6.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10294 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-6-1024x668.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="408" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-6-1024x668.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-6-300x196.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-6-768x501.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-6-624x407.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>And the space to the right of Billingsgate Market which was used by vehicles carrying goods to and from the market. Unlike earlier years, Lower Thames Street was a major east – west route across the City so could not be blocked by market vehicles. The space provided a good view across the river – the tower of Southwark Cathedral can be seen on the right.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-7.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10295 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-7-1024x716.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="437" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-7-1024x716.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-7-300x210.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-7-768x537.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-7-624x436.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>This is roughly the same view today as the above photo. The space has been occupied for many years by office blocks.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-18.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10306 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-18-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-18-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-18-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-18-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-18-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>I want to include my next 1980 photo in a time sequence of photos showing the area outside Billingsgate Market, looking along Lower Thames Street and up Monument Street towards the monument to the Great Fire of London.</p> <p>The first is from the book Wonderful London:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-22.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10315 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-22-1024x687.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="419" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-22-1024x687.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-22-300x201.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-22-768x515.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-22-624x418.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The second is my father’s photo taken in 1949 (the majority of the buildings are the same as in the Wonderful London photo):</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-21.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10314 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-21-1024x681.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="416" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-21.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-21-300x200.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-21-768x511.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-21-624x415.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>My photo from 1980:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10289 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-1-1024x670.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="409" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-1-1024x670.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-1-300x196.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-1-768x503.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-1-624x408.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>And my latest photo from April 2019:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-8.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10296 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-8-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-8-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-8-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-8-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-8-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>This is an area that has changed significantly, both in the trades and business that occupy the area as well as the architecture that also has to change to accommodate the business of this part of the City.</p> <p>In my father’s 1949 photo there is a rather ornate entrance on the right of the photo. This was the Coal Exchange and is shown in more detail in my post on <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/the-thames/lower-thames-street-and-the-view-to-the-tower-of-london/">Lower Thames Street and the view to the Tower of London</a>.</p> <p>To get to my next location, I walked west along Lower Thames Street and continued along the street as it changes name to Upper Thames Street.</p> <p>It was across Upper Thames Street, from Broken Wharf, that in 1980 I photographed the solitary tower of St Margaret Somerset.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-3.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10291 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-3-661x1024.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="968" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-3-661x1024.jpg 661w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-3-194x300.jpg 194w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-3-768x1190.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-3-624x967.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The same view today:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-10.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10298 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-10-779x1024.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="822" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-10-779x1024.jpg 779w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-10-228x300.jpg 228w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-10-768x1009.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-10-624x820.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>On first view, it may be thought that the tower of the church remains as the rest of the church was bombed in the last war, however St. Mary Somerset was the victim of population changes in the 19th century when the church was included in an 1860 Act of Parliament that allowed the demolition of a number of City churches.</p> <p>The 19th century architect Ewan Christian campaigned for the tower to be preserved, so the tower is the only survivor of Wren’s post Great Fire of London rebuild of the church.</p> <p>A church has long been on the site. In the 1917 publication London Churches Before The Great Fire, Wilberforce Jenkins describes the church:</p> <p><em>“The Church of St. Mary Somerset, or Summers Hythe, was near Broken Wharf, on the north side of Thames Street. William Swansey is mentioned as rector in 1335, but the church must have been much older than the fourteenth century. In a deed of the twelfth century mention is made of a certain Ernald the priest of S. Mary Sumerset. </em></p> <p><em>The church was burnt down in the Fire and rebuilt, the parish of St. Mary Mounthaunt being annexed. Nothing remains of the rebuilt church except the tower. A small piece of the churchyard may be seen fenced in.</em>”</p> <p>In 1980 my photo shows a clear view of the tower from across Upper Thames Street however today, as part of the later 1980s building over Upper Thames Street, the view is now significantly obscured by building that covers over Upper Thames Street.</p> <p>It is at this point that Upper Thames Street passes through a concrete box structure around which new buildings have been constructed. The street emerges by Puddle Dock.</p> <p>Part of the small piece of churchyard mentioned in the 1917 book may still be seen today to the right of the tower.</p> <p>A better view of the tower of St. Mary Somerset, and where Upper Thames Street disappears into a tunnel.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-23.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10319 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-23-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-23-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-23-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-23-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-23-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>To get to my next location, I walked up to Queen Victoria Street, to where Peter’s Hill crosses the street. This was my 1980 view up to St. Paul’s Cathedral:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10290 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-2-666x1024.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="961" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-2-666x1024.jpg 666w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-2-195x300.jpg 195w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-2-768x1180.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-2-624x959.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The same view today (although by mistake I took the photo in landscape rather than portrait to mirror my 1980 photo).</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-9.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10297 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-9-1024x673.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="411" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-9-1024x673.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-9-300x197.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-9-768x505.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-9-624x410.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Originally, in 1980, there was a set of steps leading up from Queen Victoria Street, then a reasonably flat stretch of pathway up to St. Paul’s Churchyard. The height different between St. Paul’s and Queen Victoria Street has now been smoothed with a gradual slope and smaller steps.</p> <p>To prove that the photos were taken from roughly the same position, the building on the left is the College of Arms. Although in my 2019 photo this is mainly covered in sheeting, the single storey bay extension can be seen in both photos (although somewhat in the shade in my 2019 photos).</p> <p>The buildings on the right have all changed since 1980, and unlike 1980, the walk heads onward across Queen Victoria Street to the Millennium Bridge and is a very busy tourist route. The main attraction seems to be the bridge’s appearance in one of the Harry Potter films judging by the couple of guided groups I walked past.</p> <p>I also covered this area in my post on <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonpubs/horn-tavern-sermon-lane-knightrider-court/">The Horn Tavern, Sermon Lane And Knightrider Court</a>.</p> <p>The City of London is ever changing, and it is almost to the point where you need to walk every few weeks to capture every change.</p> <p>One change that has been underway for a while and has revealed, if only for a short time, a church that was once boxed in on all sides, is at the construction site for the Bank Underground Station improvements. The church is St. Mary Abchurch, enjoying its time in the sunlight, before disappearing again in a few years when construction on the station has completed and new buildings occupy the site.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-20.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10308 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-20-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-20-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-20-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-20-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-20-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The City always looks fantastic in the sunshine. Deep contrasts of bright light and the dark shadows of the buildings often make photography difficult, however where it works, many buildings look stunning.</p> <p>This is the wonderful 30 Cannon Street, a brilliant example of 1970s architecture.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-19.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10307 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-19-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walk in the City" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-19-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-19-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-19-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/City-Walk-1980-and-2019-19-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The building was constructed between 1974 and 1977 and designed by the architectural practice of Whinney, Son & Austen Hall. Originally built for the French bank Crédit Lyonnais, and was the first building of this type to be clad in double-skinned panels of glass-fibre reinforced cement which helped with the unique exterior design.</p> <p>30 Cannon Street is Grade II listed, so hopefully is unlikely to be replaced by one of the glass and steel towers that are coming to dominate the City.</p> <p>As with my South Bank walk, a series of random photos of London, but that is what I enjoy, walking the city and taking photos to tell the story of the city’s evolution.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/">alondoninheritance.com</a></p> <div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-official sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/a-walk-in-the-city-in-1980-and-2019/" data-text="A Walk in the City in 1980 and 2019" >Tweet</a></li><li class="share-facebook"><div class="fb-share-button" data-href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/a-walk-in-the-city-in-1980-and-2019/" data-layout="button_count"></div></li><li><a href="#" class="sharing-anchor sd-button share-more"><span>More</span></a></li><li class="share-end"></li></ul><div class="sharing-hidden"><div class="inner" style="display: none;width:150px;"><ul style="background-image:none;"><li class="share-bluesky"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="sharing-bluesky-10309" class="share-bluesky sd-button" href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/a-walk-in-the-city-in-1980-and-2019/?share=bluesky" target="_blank" title="Click to share on Bluesky" ><span>Bluesky</span></a></li><li class="share-end"></li></ul></div></div></div></div></div> </div> <footer class="entry-meta"> This entry was posted in <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/category/londonvistas/" rel="category tag">London Vistas</a> and tagged <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/tag/city-of-london/" rel="tag">City of London</a> on <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/a-walk-in-the-city-in-1980-and-2019/" title="6:35 am" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2019-05-05T06:35:46+00:00">May 5, 2019</time></a><span class="by-author"> by <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://alondoninheritance.com/author/admin/" title="View all posts by admin" rel="author">admin</a></span></span>. </footer> </article> <article id="post-10243" class="post-10243 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-londonvistas tag-river-thames tag-royal-festival-hall tag-south-bank"> <header class="entry-header"> <h1 class="entry-title"> <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/walking-the-south-bank-in-1980-and-2019/" rel="bookmark">Walking the South Bank in 1980 and 2019</a> </h1> <div class="comments-link"> <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/walking-the-south-bank-in-1980-and-2019/#comments">16 Replies</a> </div> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <p>In the summer of 1980, I went for a walk along the South Bank, taking a few photos of the area, and of the extension of the embankment and walkway onward from Waterloo Bridge.</p> <p>Last Saturday, the weather was perfect and the light ideal for photography. The sun was out and unusually, there was no haze in the sky, so 39 years later I took another walk along the South Bank to photograph the same scenes and consider the changes.</p> <p>I walked down from Westminster Bridge, straight into the crowds in front of County Hall and through the queues waiting for a ride on the London Eye.</p> <p>In 1980, this was the view along the South Bank, in front of Jubilee Gardens and looking towards Hungerford Bridge.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10219 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-2-1024x669.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="408" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-2-1024x669.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-2-300x196.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-2-768x502.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-2-624x408.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The same scene today (I should have been slightly further along, but the space was occupied by a street entertainer and large crowd).</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-12.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10229 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-12-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-12-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-12-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-12-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-12-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The South Bank today is an extremely busy part of London. The wonderful weather and long Easter weekend added to the crowds, but walk along here nearly any weekend and there are crowds of people walking along the southern bank of the river.</p> <p>In 2017, the Southbank Centre (the Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall) was the UK’s seventh most visited attraction with a total of 3.2 million visitors. By 2018, the London Eye had rotated 70 million visitors over the previous 18 years.</p> <p>It was very different in 1980, as whilst a popular place to walk. County Hall was still the GLC seat of government, not the hotel and site of tourist attractions it is today. The river walk ended at the National Theatre and the London Eye was still many years in the future.</p> <p>The stretch of the embankment between Westminster Bridge and Waterloo Bridge was part of the development work for the 1951 Festival of Britain which occupied much of this space.</p> <p>The South Bank does provide some superb views across the rivers, many of these views must have been photographed millions of times by the stream of visitors.</p> <p>In 1980 I took this photograph of the view across the river to the Palace of Westminster.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-3.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10220 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-3-1024x669.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="408" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-3-1024x669.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-3-300x196.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-3-768x502.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-3-624x408.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The London Eye and the river pier have changed both the views and the numbers of visitors to the South Bank. The same view in 2019.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-13.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10230 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-13-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-13-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-13-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-13-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-13-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Looking towards Hungerford Railway Bridge in 1980:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-4.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10221 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-4-1024x670.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="409" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-4-1024x670.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-4-300x196.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-4-768x503.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-4-624x408.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>In 1980 there was a single, narrow walkway running along the eastern side of the bridge so not visible in the above photo. In 2002, the Golden Jubilee foot bridges were opened, one on either side of the bridge, and their concrete piers and white supports have changed the view of the bridge as shown in the 2019 photo below.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-14.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10231 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-14-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-14-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-14-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-14-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-14-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The other significant change between the above two photos is the building above Charing Cross Station. The station is on the left side of the above two photos, and in the first photo the original station buildings can be seen at the end of the bridge, whilst in 2019, the office blocks that were built above the entrance to the station obscure the view of the station buildings.</p> <p>The South Bank is a magnet for street entertainers. As well as the usual floating Yoda’s, a wide variety of street entertainers attract large crowds, and frustratingly the space below was where I wanted to take the first comparison photo.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-19.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10236 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-19-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-19-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-19-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-19-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-19-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Passing underneath Hungerford Railway Bridge, we find the Royal Festival Hall. Built for the Festival of Britain, and the only permanent structure left over from the festival on the South Bank. It is still a magnificent building, however the immediate surroundings of the building have changed significantly.</p> <p>In the photo below, I was standing at the end of the footbridge, looking along the front of the Royal Festival Hall and the space between building and river.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-5.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10222 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-5-1024x665.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="406" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-5-1024x665.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-5-300x195.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-5-768x499.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-5-624x405.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>This is the same view today (I could not get to the exact same viewpoint as the original walkway has been demolished).</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-15.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10232 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-15-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-15-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-15-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-15-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-15-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The grass slope running from the river walkway down to the lower level of the hall has been replaced by steps and restaurants now run along almost the entire length.</p> <p>I have written about this area a number of times as my father photographed the site of the Royal Festival Hall and the streets between the river and Waterloo Station just before they were demolished to build the Festival of Britain.</p> <p>The following photo is one of my father’s, taken from a building at the end of Hungerford Bridge, looking south towards Waterloo Station.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-27.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10247 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-27-1024x682.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="416" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-27-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-27-300x200.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-27-768x512.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-27-624x416.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>In 1980 I took the following photo of the same view:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-6.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10223 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-6-1024x665.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="406" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-6-1024x665.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-6-300x195.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-6-768x499.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-6-624x405.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>In 2019, the same scene is shown in the photo below (I could not get to the same position as for the 1980 photo otherwise I would have been standing in among the restaurant tables with a very limited view).</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-16.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10233 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-16-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-16-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-16-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-16-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-16-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The three photos above symbolise what I really enjoy about this project. My father started photographing London in the late 1940s. I started in the 1970s and it is fascinating to continually watch and photograph the city as it evolves.</p> <p>The view looking from the eastern end of the Royal Festival Hall.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-20.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10237 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-20-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-20-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-20-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-20-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-20-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>As part of the Festival of Britain, a pier was built to allow visitors to arrive and depart by river. An updated version of the Festival Pier is still in operation.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-21.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10238 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-21-1024x672.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="410" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-21-1024x672.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-21-300x197.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-21-768x504.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-21-624x410.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The view from Waterloo Bridge in 1980, looking towards the City.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-7.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10224 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-7-1024x672.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="410" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-7-1024x672.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-7-300x197.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-7-768x504.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-7-624x410.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>In 1980, the South Bank river walkway ended by the National Theatre. After the Festival of Britain there were plans to develop the area to the east of the Royal Festival Hall as a cultural centre.</p> <p>The London County Council developed a master plan for the site in 1953, and it was this plan that gave the name South Bank. The plan identified a programme of development for the following 25 years and this resulted in the National Film Theatre (1956-8), Queen Elizabeth Hall complex (1963-8) and the National Theatre (1976).</p> <p>The South Bank further east from the National Theatre would be commercial, but the long term plan was for a single embankment walkway stretching from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge. This would be developed over the following decades, and in 1980, the first stretch extending eastwards from the National Theatre was being built.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-10.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10227 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-10-1024x669.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="408" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-10-1024x669.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-10-300x196.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-10-768x502.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-10-624x408.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The same view in 2019.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-18.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10235 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-18-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-18-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-18-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-18-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-18-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>A better view of the works in 1980 is shown in the photo below. The National Theatre is on the right. The building under construction to the left of the National Theatre was being built as offices for IBM.</p> <p>The National Theatre and IBM buildings have a similar style and they were both the work of the architect Denys Lasdun.</p> <p>The London Weekend Television building is the tower block closest, whilst the tower furthest from the camera was Kings Reach Tower, occupied by the IPC publishing company.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-9.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-10226 size-large aligncenter" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-9-1024x670.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="409" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-9-1024x670.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-9-300x196.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-9-768x503.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-9-624x408.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>In the above photo, the extension of the embankment and walkway can be seen as the very clean white stone, compared to the original embankment to the right.</p> <p>The same view today is shown in the photo below. The stone of the embankment extension has now been weathered and blends in with the original. Kings Reach Tower has been vacated by IPC and has been converted to apartments, with several floors added to the top of the original tower.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-17.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10234 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-17-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-17-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-17-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-17-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-17-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The 1980 view across the river from Waterloo Bridge to the City. The three towers of the Barbican are on the left and the relatively new Nat West Tower stands tall in the centre of the City.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-8.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10225 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-8-1024x672.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="410" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-8-1024x672.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-8-300x197.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-8-768x504.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-8-624x410.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The same view in 2019. the Barbican towers can still be seen, however the original Nat West Tower has now been dwarfed and almost concealed by the many new tower blocks that have been, and continue to be built.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-26.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10244 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-26-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-26-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-26-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-26-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-26-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The walk along the South Bank from Waterloo Bridge to Blackfriars Bridge, whilst not as busy as the length between Westminster and Waterloo Bridges, is still busy with walkers. On a warm and sunny spring day, food traders were being kept busy.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-23.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10240 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-23-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-23-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-23-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-23-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-23-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Although there is always an option to get away from the crowds at low tide.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-22.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10239 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-22-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-22-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-22-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-22-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-22-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Sand sculpture on the Thames foreshore.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-24.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10241 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-24-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-24-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-24-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-24-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-24-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Getting closer to Blackfriars Bridge, and the latest construction that will subtly change the river can be seen. This is one of the construction sites for the Thames Tideway super sewer, and when finished, will be the site for an embankment extension into the river, covering the access shaft.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-25.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10242 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-25-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-25-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-25-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-25-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-25-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>Reaching Blackfriars Bridge, I walked a short distance along the eastern side of the bridge, to take a photo from the same position as I took the following photo in 1980.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10218 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-1-1024x664.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="405" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-1-1024x664.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-1-300x195.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-1-768x498.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-1-624x405.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>This short space of land is between the road bridge, and to the left the rail bridge, that carried the rail tracks over the river to Blackfriars Station. In 1980, this space was still many years from being part of the walkway along the southern bank of the river.</p> <p>One of the original pier’s from the railway bridge can be seen on the left. On the right are steps which provided direct access to the foreshore.</p> <p>The 2019 photo of the same scene is shown in the photo below.</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-11.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-10228 size-large" src="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-11-1024x680.jpg" alt="Walking the South Bank" width="625" height="415" srcset="https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-11-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-11-300x199.jpg 300w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-11-768x510.jpg 768w, https://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Southbank-Walk-1980-and-2019-11-624x414.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p> <p>The steps that once led directly down to the river have now been blocked off. The walkway along the river now runs underneath the scaffolding, as this part of the walkway seems to be a continuous construction site.</p> <p>The large building behind the railway viaduct, covered in sheeting can just about be seen in the 1980 photo. This was built as a cheque clearing facility for Lloyds Bank and also operated as a Data Centre for the bank. In the last few years it was used by IBM, but is now being demolished to make way for a number of office and apartment towers.</p> <p>Despite the crowds, I really enjoy a walk along the South Bank and London always looks at its best when the sun is shining and the sky is clear. There is something about walking alongside the river and watching the changing relationship between the city and the river.</p> <p>The South Bank continues to evolve. New apartment towers are rising adjacent to the Shell Centre office block. The Lloyds building next to Blackfriars Bridge will be replaced by more tower blocks and there have been plans for more towers adjacent to the old London Weekend Television tower block.</p> <p>It will be interesting to see what the area looks like in another 39 years – although I very much doubt it will be me taking the photos.</p> <p>Some other posts as I have written about the area:</p> <p><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/london-buildings/building-the-royal-festival-hall/">Building the Royal Festival Hal</a>l</p> <p class="entry-title"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/eventsandceremonies/festival_of_britain_downstream_circuit/">A Walk Round The Festival Of Britain – The Downstream Circuit</a></p> <p class="entry-title"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/eventsandceremonies/walk-round-festival-britain-upstream-circuit/">A Walk Round The Festival Of Britain – The Upstream Circuit</a></p> <p class="entry-title"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/london-history/a-brief-history-of-the-south-bank/">A Brief History Of The South Bank</a></p> <p class="entry-title"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/london-streets/lost-streets-on-the-southbank/">Tenison Street and Howley Terrace – Lost Streets On The Southbank</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/">alondoninheritance.com</a></p> <div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-official sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/walking-the-south-bank-in-1980-and-2019/" data-text="Walking the South Bank in 1980 and 2019" >Tweet</a></li><li class="share-facebook"><div class="fb-share-button" data-href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/walking-the-south-bank-in-1980-and-2019/" data-layout="button_count"></div></li><li><a href="#" class="sharing-anchor sd-button share-more"><span>More</span></a></li><li class="share-end"></li></ul><div class="sharing-hidden"><div class="inner" style="display: none;width:150px;"><ul style="background-image:none;"><li class="share-bluesky"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="sharing-bluesky-10243" class="share-bluesky sd-button" href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/walking-the-south-bank-in-1980-and-2019/?share=bluesky" target="_blank" title="Click to share on Bluesky" ><span>Bluesky</span></a></li><li class="share-end"></li></ul></div></div></div></div></div> </div> <footer class="entry-meta"> This entry was posted in <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/category/londonvistas/" rel="category tag">London Vistas</a> and tagged <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/tag/river-thames/" rel="tag">River Thames</a>, <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/tag/royal-festival-hall/" rel="tag">Royal Festival Hall</a>, <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/tag/south-bank/" rel="tag">South Bank</a> on <a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/londonvistas/walking-the-south-bank-in-1980-and-2019/" title="6:39 am" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2019-04-28T06:39:30+00:00">April 28, 2019</time></a><span class="by-author"> by <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://alondoninheritance.com/author/admin/" title="View all posts by admin" rel="author">admin</a></span></span>. </footer> </article> <nav id="nav-below" class="navigation" role="navigation"> <h3 class="assistive-text">Post navigation</h3> <div class="nav-previous"><a href="https://alondoninheritance.com/category/londonvistas/page/2/" ><span class="meta-nav">←</span> Older posts</a></div> <div class="nav-next"></div> </nav> </div> </section> <div id="secondary" class="widget-area" role="complementary"> <aside id="blog_subscription-2" class="widget widget_blog_subscription jetpack_subscription_widget"><h3 class="widget-title">Subscribe to Blog via Email</h3> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-subscriptions__container"> <form action="#" method="post" accept-charset="utf-8" id="subscribe-blog-blog_subscription-2" data-blog="64512453" data-post_access_level="everybody" > <div id="subscribe-text"><p>Join me as I explore London past and present over the coming months. 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