High Road, Leyton, London

A view of Lea Bridge Road from Leyton High Road in London’s east end from the 1900s. The Bakers Arms pub is on the left.
Image: Photographer unknown
In November 2020, there were very few people around (due to COVID-19). The Bakers Arms pub has added a level, and is now a bookmakers.
Image: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)
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Blackhorse Lane, London

The Royal Standard Public House was first mentioned in the census of 1861. The pub was situated at the crossroads of the London to Woodford, and the Stratford to Waltham Abbey routes. At the time, the ‘victualler’ (Charles Dabbs) employed an ostler which implies that stables were maintained here to ensure that travellers could have their horses catered for.
By the time that this photograph was taken (1910) the pub was doing well with quite a few staff who lived on the premises. In the second half of the 20th century, the Royal Standard became a music venue.
Image: Footsteps
The Royal Standard finally closed in 2011 and now finds itself in the middle of huge regeneration in the Blackhorse Road/Lane area.
Image: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)
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Tooley Street, London

A photograph of Tooley Street in 1900 – with London Bridge station on the right-hand side. The station was originally called Tooley Street and it opened in 1836. The station has recently been the subject of a massive redevelopment which was completed in 2018.
Image: Photographer unknown
The same view in February 2020. I took my chance and stood in the middle of the road! At that time, the walkway was under threat of demolition, as its use had diminished following the station’s upgrade.
Image: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)
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Aldford Street, London

Looking east down Aldford Street in Mayfair, this photograph was taken by Charles Butterfield in 1949. Park Lane is behind the photographer.
Image: Photo by Charles Butterfield
There has been little change in the intervening 71 years (this photograph – September 2020) with the exception of the entrance to an underpass to allow safe crossing of Park Lane.
Image: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)
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Cheapside, London

At one time, Cheapside was a main produce market in London – ‘cheap’ meant ‘market’ in Medieval English. Some of the neighbouring streets have related names – Bread Street, Honey Lane, Poultry, and Milk Street. During the 14th century, tournaments were help on the adjacent fields – during the reign of Edward III. In January 1559, Queen Elizabeth I passed through Cheapside on the way to her coronation. She was entertained by a pageant. It is the site of Bow Bells, at the church of St. Mary-le-Bow (see the1909 photograph above). Traditionally, you are a Cockney if you are born within the sound of its bells.
Image: Photographer unknown Wikimedia Commons
By the time this photograph was taken (January 2020), Cheapside is home to offices and retail outlets. It is now one of a few routes which connects the East End with the City of London, and on to the West End. Cheapside was badly damaged during the Blitz in 1940 and much regeneration has occurred since then.
Image: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)
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St. Paul’s Church, Covent Garden, London

St. Paul’s church in Covent Garden was designed by Inigo Jones and completed in 1633. Because of its association with the theatre community, it became known as ‘the actors’ church, and was the first new church to be built in London since the Reformation. In 1789, the church was badly damaged by fire and reconstructed by 1798.
J.M.W. Turner was baptised here and many actors are commemorated at the church – either by having their names on benches outside, or with plaques and tablets inside the church. Memorials to Stanley Holloway, Charles Chaplin, Boris Karloff, Noel Coward Vivien Leigh, Richard Beckinsale, and Gracie Fields can be seen. The graveyard (behind the church closed for burials in 1852 but can still be visited.
Image: Photographer unknown
St. Paul’s Church in December 2021. The area around Covent Garden is now a major London tourist attraction.
Image: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)
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Trafalgar Square, London

In May 1927, traffic was able to drive past the front of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. The number 29 bus is headed towards Palmers Green and the bus in front’s destination is Waltham Cross. The Waltham Cross bus is advertising a P. G. Wodehouse play called ‘Good Morning Bill’, which was on at the Duke of York’s Theatre. This area was pedestrianised many years later.
Image: Photographer unknown
I took this photograph of a deserted Trafalgar Square in late May 2020, during the Coronavirus pandemic. The pedestrianised area in front of the National Gallery looks calm with no street performers and tourists.
Image: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)
A merged version of the two images. Use the slider in the centre.