Category: Uncategorized

Kingsway, London

Taken in 1950, this photograph of the W H Smith branch at 11 Kingsway shows that there was a commercial Lending Library on the floor above the store. This used to be a fairly common sight with Boots the Chemist also offering a similar service. Credit: Photographer unknown.

A branch of Costa Coffee in September 2020, the ‘WHS’ symbols can still be seen to the left and right of the nine windows. Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

Bush House, Aldwych, London

Bush House is situated in Aldwych at the southern end of Kingsway in London. It’s a Grade ll listed building constructed between 1925 and 1935. It was envisaged as a trade centre by an American industrialist – Irving Bush.
Bush House was the HQ of BBC World Service from 1941 until the BBC’s lease expired in 2015. It is now used by King’s College London as part of their ‘Strand’ Campus.
The building’s opening ceremony was on July 4th 1925. The two statues (seen in both photographs were unveiled at the same time and represent Anglo-American friendship. The building bears the inscription “To the friendship of English speaking peoples”.
During the latter stages of WW2, Bush House suffered some external damage from a V1 flying bomb.
I would estimate that this photograph of Bush House was taken in the late 1960s or early 1970s. Credit: Photographer unknown
If you ignore the temporary roadworks in the foreground, the view of Bush House in September 2020 looks much greener and cleaner. Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

Winchester Road, Highams Park, London

Early in the 20th century, Winchester Road was a tree-lined road with around 40 new houses on both sides and the train line from Liverpool Street to Chingford running to the left of this photograph (taken in 1925). The primary employer in the area was British Xylonite – around 500 yards along Winchester Road. A small corrugated iron chapel was built in 1903 and was replaced a year later by the present structure (on the left). It is now known as the Winchester Road United Methodist Church. Credit: History-In-Pictures

From the same position in March 2020. Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

Hale End Road, Highams Park, London

Probably taken in the 1910s, this view looking along Hale End Road shows the Royal Oak public house on the right-hand side. In the distance (past the five cyclists) is the Highams Park railway station which opened in 1873. Until 1894, the station was called Hale End. Credit: Photographer unknown
A much busier scene in March 2020. The Royal Oak is still there but the development in the previous 100 years is apparent. Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

Fenchurch Street Station, London

Taken at some time in the 1960s, this photograph of Fenchurch Street Station shows the frontage in Fenchurch Place. The station opened in 1841, and was rebuilt in 1854. That rebuild incorporated a 32 x 91 metres vaulted roof. In the 1870s, the flat awning over the station’s entrance was replaced with the current zig-zag canopy. It is one of the smallest rail terminals in London, but is one of the busiest. Credit: Photographer unknown
The frontage remains the same in August 2020, but the encroachment of taller ‘City’ buildings in the background is apparent. Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)


St. Paul’s Churchyard, London

A photograph taken in 1941 showing the damage inflicted on buildings near to St. Paul’s Cathedral by German bombing. The catastrophic damage left the Cathedral relatively unscathed.
Image: Getty Images
A completely different look in August 2020. The ruined buildings have been replaced by trees.
Image: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)
A merged version of the two images. Use the slider in the centre.

Cheapside, London

A view from Cheapside towards St. Paul’s Cathedral in 1912. I assume that the buildings were largely destroyed in WW2. Although the view has changed dramatically in the last 100 years, I took my cue from the cross on top of the cathedral. With regard to the building on the left, Blickensderfer was an American company which manufactured typewriters. This was two years before the start of WW1 when business became difficult for companies with German sounding names. Credit: London Metropolitan Archive
From approximately the same position in August 2020. Trees have replaced 6-10 Cheapside. Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)