Lost London

El_Greco · February 16th, 2007, 04:01 AM

Some old pictures of London I found on the internet.

St Bartholomew's The Great and Cloth Fair.Smithfield.1880

Drury Lane.Covent Garden.1880
View in Drury Lane looking south and showing the St Mary le Strand steeple.A 134 foot tall Maypole was erected on the site of the church in 1661 which Alfred Marks describes in 'Photographs of Old London'.He also notes the gabled house in this view was formerly the "Cock and Magpie" tavern "a place of entertainment in the reign of Henry VII."

Wych Street.Covent Garden(?).1880
"These are very good specimens of the overhanging houses of the beginning of the seventeenth century.It is only to be regretted that the extreme narrowness of the street made it impossible to give the full effect of this picturesque group" writes Alfred Marks.He goes on to inform us that Dr.Johnson worshipped at St.Clement Danes Church which can be seen behind the old houses.

Bishopsgate.City.1880

Gray's Inn Lane.Holborn.1880

Temple Bar.City.1880
"The photograph shows the west side of Temple Bar as it was a short time before its demolition shored up with timber to counteract the effects of the excavations for the New Law Courts...The Bar as we saw it till it was replaced by the 'Memorial' and its famous 'Griffin' was built from Wren's designs in 1670...The statues on the west side shown in our photograph were of Charles I and Charles II in Roman habits."

Barnard's Inn Hall.Holborn.1880
"The Hall is said to have been built not later than 1450 but as we now see it it has of course undergone much alteration.It is remarkable as having preserved its louvre of lead of the time of Henry VIII in its original condition.This is one of the few still remaining.Even after halls were furnished with fireplaces in the side walls the practice was continued of kindling a fire on a hearth of tile or brick in the centre of the room letting the smoke escape by a hole in the roof over which was an erection to keep out the rain with open sides - the louvre."

Inner Courtyard Barnard's Inn.

Barnard's Inn The Fetter Lane Front.

Bermondsey Street.Bermondsey.1880
"One cannot help speculating as to the origin of this singular group of houses with their eight gables.Mr.Rendle who was good enough to take pains - unfortunately fruitless - to glean something for me about the history of these houses tells me that in the early part of this century houses of this type were exceedingly common in the main thoroughfares and bye places of Southwark.They are good specimens of the houses of the time of Elizabeth and somewhat later;the frame of massive timber, else mere shells of lath and plaster;but though often out of shape and leaning in all directions wonderfully durable."

White Hart Inn Yard.Borough.1880
"The introduction of the railways has greatly changed the character of these old inns.The 'George' alone seems now to do any considerable business in the 'receipt of travellers';in other cases the business of a tavern has superseded that of an inn and the great courtyards are either being gradually encroached on by warehouses or have been taken up by railway companies as receiving offices."

Queen's Head Inn Yard.Borough.1880

St Mary Overy's Dock.Southwark.1880
"'The Dock'says Mr.Rendle (p. 203),'exists in the very earliest maps.... It was generally neglected and a nuisance and must have been very much larger than we have known it to be.'None of the houses shown in the photograph are of any great age but altogether this is a quaint and intersting nook of old London.The flat-headed doorway to the spectator's left adjoining one with a round head is little as it looks like it a busy thoroughfare for pedestrians unless a low swing-door is to be understood as reserving private rights.The passage turning to the left through the houses leads to Clink Street."

No 73 Cheapside.City.1880

College Street.City.1880

The Oxford Arms Inn Warwick Lane.City.1875

Saracens Head Yard.Aldgate.1880

Jack Rabbit Slim · February 16th, 2007, 04:26 AM

Fantastic photos, and yet, in a way, I wish you hadn't posted them! Everytime I see Ye Olde pictures of London my heart weeps at what has been lost because of the goddam fucking second world war and crappy town planners. I would give up 10 years of my life to be able to spend one day in pre-war London, just strolling about the streets. I mean, just think of how great London is today, and then add on everything that was lost....wow. And it's not even the grande, rich buildings that I miss, it's also the narrow alleys with jumbled assortments of old, rundown buildings on either side that add such great character.

I especially like the photo of 'Temple Bar.City.1880', very...London!

And as for this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by El_Greco

The Oxford Arms Inn Warwick Lane.City.1875

Fuck me with a chainsaw then wipe me dry!!

Snowy · February 17th, 2007, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Rabbit Slim

Fantastic photos, and yet, in a way, I wish you hadn't posted them! Everytime I see Ye Olde pictures of London my heart weeps at what has been lost because of the goddam fucking second world war and crappy town planners.

It wasn't WW2 and the 60s town planners who were to blame for the loss of these buildings, it was the Victorians! To be fair to them, many of the medievel areas were slums and they saw the demolition of these buildings as a way of regenerating these areas, so you can see why they did it.

I am sad to see these pictures, some of these medieval buildings had a lot of character, but in some ways I'm glad that they were demolished (gasp, shock, horror!) Why? Because they were generally replaced with beautiful, ornate Victorian buildings and I have always thought of London as being primarily a Victorian city. We may have lost some great medievel buildings, but we've gained much grander Victorian buildings in their place, buildings that somehow feel more 'London' than the medievel buildings did. Having said that, it would have been nice if a few medievel areas had remained to remind us of our past.

El_Greco · February 17th, 2007, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnowyBoy1

IBecause they were generally replaced with beautiful, ornate Victorian buildings and I have always thought of London as being primarily a Victorian city. We may have lost some great medievel buildings, but we've gained much grander Victorian buildings in their place, buildings that somehow feel more 'London' than the medievel buildings did. Having said that, it would have been nice if a few medievel areas had remained to remind us of our past.

...and Victorian buildings were replaced with ugly concrete boxes...

Its time to start knocing down these fucking concrete boxes and reconstruct lost buildings.Many european countries are doing this why cant we?

Snowy · February 17th, 2007, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El_Greco

...and Victorian buildings were replaced with ugly concrete boxes...

Its time to start knocing down these fucking concrete boxes and reconstruct lost buildings.Many european countries are doing this why cant we?

I agree with you, but personally I would want to see our grand Victorian buildings rebuilt, rather than the timber-framed buildings shown here. They look great but in my opinion the Victorian buildings which replaced them are / were grander and have more of a London feel about them.

One area where I would love the old buildings to be rebuilt is the area surrounding St Pauls. The hotchpotch that currently surrounds isn't good enough for such a grand cathedral. If they could get the area looking like it did pre World-War 2, then I would be a happy man!

Snowy · February 17th, 2007, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El_Greco

...and Victorian buildings were replaced with ugly concrete boxes...

Its time to start knocing down these fucking concrete boxes and reconstruct lost buildings.Many european countries are doing this why cant we?

By the way, I thought that you were a fan of 60s tower blocks! They're the focal points for many of your pictures...........and I know that you've got a soft-spot for Guys!

El_Greco · February 17th, 2007, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnowyBoy1

By the way, I thought that you were a fan of 60s tower blocks! They're the focal points for many of your pictures...........and I know that you've got a soft-spot for Guys!

I am.

Tower blocks are quite impressive.Thats why I like them.
As for Guys...well Guys is Guys gotta love it...its so bad its good

-
Wren's Plan for Rebuilding the City after the Great Fire :

Mr Bricks · February 16th, 2007, 05:19 PM

Wow!! Amazing! Are there any medieval buildings left in London?

El_Greco · February 16th, 2007, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuomiPoika

Are there any medieval buildings left in London?

Lambeth Palace.1485
St James's Palace.1530
Guildhall.1411
Old Curiosity Shop.1567
Staple Inn.1586
Gray's Inn.1569
Temple Church.1185
Middle Temple Hall.1574
Lincoln's Inn.Late-15th Century

Mr Bricks · February 16th, 2007, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El_Greco

Lambeth Palace.1485
St James's Palace.1530
Guildhall.1411
Old Curiosity Shop.1567
Staple Inn.1586
Gray's Inn.1569
Temple Church.1185
Middle Temple Hall.1574
Lincoln's Inn.Late-15th Century

Thankyou

Snowy · February 17th, 2007, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El_Greco

Lambeth Palace.1485
St James's Palace.1530
Guildhall.1411
Old Curiosity Shop.1567
Staple Inn.1586
Gray's Inn.1569
Temple Church.1185
Middle Temple Hall.1574
Lincoln's Inn.Late-15th Century

Aren't Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London technically medievel too?

El_Greco · February 17th, 2007, 09:15 PM

...

Zim Flyer · February 16th, 2007, 07:25 PM

Excellent thread El Greco.

This is my own contribution:

This is Broad Street Station in 1898:

Phobos · February 17th, 2007, 01:34 AM

Precious pictures!
The medieval buildings of London gave the city a special atmosphere.It reminds me of Chester!

steppenwolf · February 17th, 2007, 01:47 AM

Brilliant find El Greco! Thanks!

Zenith · February 17th, 2007, 02:20 AM

You're all on my blacklist for encouraging my depression through pictures...

ROYAL BLUE · February 17th, 2007, 06:48 AM

Fantastic pictures!

Some do show that it was a grim place to live if you were poor (As most people were in 1880)

Looks like the set from OLIVER! (60's musical).

Blindfold · February 17th, 2007, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROYAL BLUE

Looks like the set from OLIVER! (60's musical).

Took the words out of my mouth.

El_Greco you are da man yet again! My flabber has never been so gasted!

Joe 2007 · March 26th, 2007, 12:12 AM

[/QUOTE] Looks like the set from OLIVER! (60's musical).[/QUOTE]

Exactly!!! They were genuine London, and now they are gone. I'd much rather live in buildings that have old charm and character than the fucking barbican or other modern shit buildings anyday!

Snowy · March 26th, 2007, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe 2007

Looks like the set from OLIVER! (60's musical).[/QUOTE]

Exactly!!! They were genuine London, and now they are gone. I'd much rather live in buildings that have old charm and character than the fucking barbican or other modern shit buildings anyday![/QUOTE]

I like them too, but the Victorians saw them as ramshackle old slums and you can sort of see why, however quaint and cute they look to us. We probably got a row of beautiful Victorian terraces in their place, so maybe it isn't all bad.

Oh, and I like the Barbican! It is brutal, but it has presence and I reckon that 20 years from now, people will consider it to be one of the defining pieces of architecture from the modernist / brutalist movement. I used to hate it too, but have grown to love it over the years, as I did with Trellick Tower.

February 16th, 2007, 04:01 AM	#1
El_Greco Holier Than Thou Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London Posts: 13,520	Lost London Some old pictures of London I found on the internet. St Bartholomew's The Great and Cloth Fair.Smithfield.1880 Drury Lane.Covent Garden.1880 View in Drury Lane looking south and showing the St Mary le Strand steeple.A 134 foot tall Maypole was erected on the site of the church in 1661 which Alfred Marks describes in 'Photographs of Old London'.He also notes the gabled house in this view was formerly the "Cock and Magpie" tavern "a place of entertainment in the reign of Henry VII." Wych Street.Covent Garden(?).1880 "These are very good specimens of the overhanging houses of the beginning of the seventeenth century.It is only to be regretted that the extreme narrowness of the street made it impossible to give the full effect of this picturesque group" writes Alfred Marks.He goes on to inform us that Dr.Johnson worshipped at St.Clement Danes Church which can be seen behind the old houses. Bishopsgate.City.1880 Gray's Inn Lane.Holborn.1880 Temple Bar.City.1880 "The photograph shows the west side of Temple Bar as it was a short time before its demolition shored up with timber to counteract the effects of the excavations for the New Law Courts...The Bar as we saw it till it was replaced by the 'Memorial' and its famous 'Griffin' was built from Wren's designs in 1670...The statues on the west side shown in our photograph were of Charles I and Charles II in Roman habits." Barnard's Inn Hall.Holborn.1880 "The Hall is said to have been built not later than 1450 but as we now see it it has of course undergone much alteration.It is remarkable as having preserved its louvre of lead of the time of Henry VIII in its original condition.This is one of the few still remaining.Even after halls were furnished with fireplaces in the side walls the practice was continued of kindling a fire on a hearth of tile or brick in the centre of the room letting the smoke escape by a hole in the roof over which was an erection to keep out the rain with open sides - the louvre." Inner Courtyard Barnard's Inn. Barnard's Inn The Fetter Lane Front. Bermondsey Street.Bermondsey.1880 "One cannot help speculating as to the origin of this singular group of houses with their eight gables.Mr.Rendle who was good enough to take pains - unfortunately fruitless - to glean something for me about the history of these houses tells me that in the early part of this century houses of this type were exceedingly common in the main thoroughfares and bye places of Southwark.They are good specimens of the houses of the time of Elizabeth and somewhat later;the frame of massive timber, else mere shells of lath and plaster;but though often out of shape and leaning in all directions wonderfully durable." White Hart Inn Yard.Borough.1880 "The introduction of the railways has greatly changed the character of these old inns.The 'George' alone seems now to do any considerable business in the 'receipt of travellers';in other cases the business of a tavern has superseded that of an inn and the great courtyards are either being gradually encroached on by warehouses or have been taken up by railway companies as receiving offices." Queen's Head Inn Yard.Borough.1880 St Mary Overy's Dock.Southwark.1880 "'The Dock'says Mr.Rendle (p. 203),'exists in the very earliest maps.... It was generally neglected and a nuisance and must have been very much larger than we have known it to be.'None of the houses shown in the photograph are of any great age but altogether this is a quaint and intersting nook of old London.The flat-headed doorway to the spectator's left adjoining one with a round head is little as it looks like it a busy thoroughfare for pedestrians unless a low swing-door is to be understood as reserving private rights.The passage turning to the left through the houses leads to Clink Street." No 73 Cheapside.City.1880 College Street.City.1880 The Oxford Arms Inn Warwick Lane.City.1875 Saracens Head Yard.Aldgate.1880 __________________ (\___/) ( ='.'= ) (")__(")

February 16th, 2007, 05:19 PM	#8
Mr Bricks Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Helsinki Posts: 3,937	Wow!! Amazing! Are there any medieval buildings left in London? __________________ My flickr photostream http://flickr.com/photos/64133871@N00/

February 17th, 2007, 09:15 PM	#12
El_Greco Holier Than Thou Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London Posts: 13,520	... __________________ (\___/) ( ='.'= ) (")__(")

February 16th, 2007, 07:25 PM	#13
Zim Flyer Rock Lord Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Stoke/Blackpool Posts: 12,271	Excellent thread El Greco. This is my own contribution: This is Broad Street Station in 1898: __________________ For all the latest construction projects in Blackpool, we have all the news on the Blackpool forum: http://liveinblackpool.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=7

February 17th, 2007, 01:34 AM	#14
Phobos Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Porto,Portugal-EU(currently living in Brazil) Posts: 8,811	Precious pictures! The medieval buildings of London gave the city a special atmosphere.It reminds me of Chester! __________________ ████ ████ Europe:many countries,only one nation. http://europa.eu/

February 17th, 2007, 01:47 AM	#15
steppenwolf Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: London Posts: 544	Brilliant find El Greco! Thanks!

February 17th, 2007, 02:20 AM	#16
Zenith Confused Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Plymouth Posts: 4,976	You're all on my blacklist for encouraging my depression through pictures... __________________ Zenith could turn me gay. You could put that in your signature, 'cept the bastids won't let us do that anymore..

February 17th, 2007, 06:48 AM	#17
ROYAL BLUE More Bounce To The Ounce Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Birmingham Posts: 2,438	Fantastic pictures! Some do show that it was a grim place to live if you were poor (As most people were in 1880) Looks like the set from OLIVER! (60's musical).

March 26th, 2007, 12:12 AM	#19
Joe 2007 Joe_1978 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 524	[/QUOTE] Looks like the set from OLIVER! (60's musical).[/QUOTE] Exactly!!! They were genuine London, and now they are gone. I'd much rather live in buildings that have old charm and character than the fucking barbican or other modern shit buildings anyday!

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