Covent Garden, London

Taken in c.1900, this photograph shows workers at the Covent Garden fruit and vegetable market in London.
Image: F J Mortimer / Getty Images
The market moved out a long time ago and the area is now one of London’s major tourist attractions. I took this photograph in September 2020 during the Coronavirus pandemic, which has severely affected visitor numbers.
Image: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)


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Trafalgar Square, London

n this photograph from the 1960s, Trafalgar Square was a sea of pigeons. There was also a stall where tourists could buy feed for them (as long as you returned the tin!). In the centre of the photograph (the northwest corner of the Square) is the ‘fourth plinth’. Originally intended to support an equestrian statue of King William IV, the funds for the statue ran out and the plints remained empty for over 150 years. Towards the end of the 20th century, it was decided that the plinth would hold a rolling series of temporary (and contemporary) art installations, rather than having a permanent representation of one figure or idea.
Credit: Photographer unknown
Since July 2020, a work by Heather Phillipson is on the fourth plinth. It depicts a large portion of whipped cream with toppings including a cherry, a fly, and a drone. The drone films passers-by and displays them on a screen. Also, no more pigeons!
Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

Trafalgar Square, London

A photograph I took on New Year’s Day in 1990. At that time, traffic was allowed in front of the National Gallery – as indeed were horses! The bus stop sign can also be seen.
Credit: © Steven Miell
The ‘pedestrianised’ view at the same spot in October 2020. There were very few people in the Square due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

Cockspur Street, London

This photograph – taken by David Rostance in 1975 looks east from Cockspur Street. Unveiled in 1836, an equestrian statue of King George III stands at this junction, in the small area of open space where Cockspur Street meets Pall Mall. The King is depicted riding his favourite horse – Adonis – which is shown as having great spirit. However, the King’s pigtail was the subject of much ridicule at the time. The statue was not intended to be situated here and was meant to be in Waterloo Place – further to the west. But, a statue of the Duke of York (King George III’s son) stands there on a tall column. As that statue faces away from Waterloo Place, it was thought improper that the father’s statue should have the son’s back turned to him.
Also, the statue was intended to have the king seated in a triumphal carriage, drawn by four horses. However, the cost was deemed to be excessive.
Image: David Rostance

The trees – seen as newly planted in the 1975 photograph – have now flourished (October 2020).
Image: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)
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Old Compton Street, London

Old Compton Street in London’s Soho. This photograph was taken in 1951 and shows Parmigiani Figlio Ltd – an Italian Provision store – located in the heart of London’s Little Italy.
Credit: Photographer unknown
The same view in September 2020.
Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)
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Cambridge Circus, London

‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ opened at the Palace Theatre in London’s Cambridge Circus in 1972. This photograph must have been taken in the early 1970s.
Credit: Photographer unknown
Despite the Coronavirus pandemic, ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ is still in residence at the Palace Theatre. By October 2020, it is not known when the actors will return.
Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)
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Greek Street, London

A photograph (taken in 1932) showing Greek Street in Soho. At the end of this street, one can see the trees in Soho Square. Beyond the Square is Oxford Street. The building to the right of the photograph is the St. James’s and Soho Working Men’s Club.
Credit: PA Images 
Only the frontage of the Club remains in this photograph from September 2020. The building behind the facade is being redeveloped.
Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

High Street, Newnham, Gloucestershire

A photograph taken in 1900 shows Newnham’s High Street and the Britannia Inn – one of six public houses in this village prior to the Second World War.
Credit: Forest Prints (Ian Thomas)
The same buildings in August 2017. The Britannia has gone and is now a private residence.
Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)
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