Victoria Embankment, London

On the Embankment on the north side of the Thames (on either side of Cleopatra’s Needle) are two Victorian replicas of sphinxes. They are in a crouching position and made of bronze. Each of them has some hieroglyphic inscriptions. Designed by George Vulliamy, the sphinxes were installed at the same time as the obelisk itself – in 1878.
The actress Sophia Loren is pictured here in 1957 – presumably to publicise a film.
Credit: Terry Fincher
From the same position in May 2020.
Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

Whitehall, London

A photograph taken in Whitehall in the 1900s – looking north towards Trafalgar Square. Nelson’s Column and the facade of the National Gallery are clearly visible.
Credit: Photographer unknown
In ‘Coronavirus’ London in May 2020, Whitehall is virtually empty. A tree obscures the view of Trafalgar Square.
Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

Trafalgar Square, London

The Byrds – Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman, Mike Clarke, Gene Clark, and David Crosby – in Trafalgar Square in 1965. This trip to London inspired the Byrds song ‘Eight Miles High’. The song opens with – ‘Eight miles high and when you touch down, you’ll find that it’s stranger than known.’ Although planes usually fly at an altitude of 6 or 7 miles, the band believed that ‘Eight Miles High’ sounded better.
Other lines from the song include –
– ‘Nowhere is there warmth to be found / Among those afraid of losing their ground’
– “Round the squares, huddled in storms / Some laughing, some just shapeless forms’ (fans outside hotels)
– ‘Sidewalk scenes and black limousines (excited crowds around their cars)
The lyrics were written in November 1965 and the song was released in 1966.
Credit: Victor Blackman / Getty Images
From approximately the same spot in May 2020. No Byrds (or birds) to be seen.
Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

Stephansplatz, Vienna

1960s Vienna – a tourist poses for a photograph in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in central Vienna. Stephansplatz is named after the cathedral – one of the tallest churches in the world. Until the start of the 20th century, there was a row of houses situated approximately where this man is standing. When Vienna’s underground railway was being developed in the early 1970s, an ancient underground chapel was discovered – 12 metres below ground level. . Built in around 1250, by the 14th century it had become a crypt for a prominent Viennese family.
Credit: Photographer unknown
The same view in December 2018.
Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

Station Road, Chingford, London

In the 1910s, this building was occupied by a general tobacconist and provisions shop in Station Road, Chingford. In 1933, the shop was taken over by Charles Chasney – and later by his son. As a restaurant and shop, the business thrived for many years and closed in 1999.
Credit: Photographer unknown
In its current incarnation, the building is now occupied by a Thai restaurant.
Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

Station Road, Chingford, London

This was Station Road in Chingford in 1913. The London and Provincial Bank occupied a dominant position in this busy road. The London and Provincial was originally known as the ‘Provincial Banking Corporation’ and was founded in 1864. It became the London and Provincial in 1870 and most of their branches were in London’s suburbs. Five years after this photograph was taken, the London and Provincial (following a merger with another bank) was acquired by Barclays Bank.
Credit: Photographer unknown
In May 2020, there is some development taking place next door to the bank building.
Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

Rangers Road, Chingford, London

Henry VIII was responsible for commissioning this building situated on Rangers Road in Chingford. It was completed in 1543 and was then known as ‘Great Standing’. Its original purpose was to observe deer chases in Chingford. Some 50 years later (in 1589), the building was renovated for use by Queen Elizabeth I. This photograph was taken in the 1920s.
Credit: Photographer unknown
The Queen Elizabeth hunting lodge has been extensively restored over the years. It is now a three-storey building which houses a museum, and has been managed by the City of London Corporation since 1960.
Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

Fleet Street, London

Fleet Street in the 1890s – a photograph dominated by the church of St. Dunstan-in-the-West. The original church was on the exact site as today’s and was built around 1000 AD. The church escaped destruction (albeit narrowly) during London’s Great Fire (1666). However, wear and tear over the years took its toll and St. Dunstan’s was rebuilt in 1831. During World War II, the church’s tower was damaged by German bombing and was rebuilt in 1950.
On the left-hand side of the photograph, you can see the building which houses the Royal Courts of Justice in Strand.  
Credit: London Metropolitan Archive
In November 2019, there are virtually no newspapers left in Fleet Street, bit it remains a busy thoroughfare.
Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)