pictures Archives - Randomly London

39 Pictures Showing How London Constantly Keeps Changing

Earlier this month I became the first person to walk the entire new (2015) tube map, in support of Bowel Cancer UK.

During 39 walks between August 2012 and August 2015, I took thousands of photos and noticed that I tended to focus on things that had changed, were likely to change or oddly have not yet changed.

This could include anything from buildings under construction to abandoned (ghost) stations to anachronisms to important international events. London is a unique place where you can to see change unfold right before your eyes.

Below I’ve featured 39 photos, one photo from each walk, that mostly look at some aspect of change in London that I observed during the past 3 years.

These are not necessarily my best photos or even good photos, but each of them tells a small London story that I find interesting. I hope you do too.

Date Taken: August 19, 2012
Walk 1: Waterloo & City line, Waterloo to Bank

About the photo: Blackfriars Station. This photo of was taken between the end of the 2012 Summer Olympics (25 July to 12 August 2012) and the start of the 2012 Summer Paralympics (29 August to 9 September 2012). Just a small reminder of how of London was blanketed with signs for London 2012 just a few years ago.

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A Frosty Primrose Hill Sunrise In Pictures

These photos were take on December 30th, 2014 by my very talented wife. London always looks great in the morning.

Primrosehill-sunrise-1

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Tube/Overground: Walking The Former East London Line In Pictures

This post is part of my continuing series of walking the Overground & DLR now that I’ve successfully walked the entire Tube network. The walks are in continued support of Bowel Cancer UK.

Former Shoreditch station was the end of the original East London Line

While I’ve only just announced my intention to walk the Overground & the DLR, I walked the former East London Line with Pete Stean from the Londoneer and Mandy Southgate from Emm in London last February as part of my original Tube challenge. They both wrote great summaries of the walk, which you can read by clicking the links above.

Continue reading Tube/Overground: Walking The Former East London Line In Pictures

All Souls Church, Langham Place

All Souls Church, Langham Place is one of London’s more iconic churches. Completed in December 1823 and designed by John Nash, it’s rather unique design did not meet with universal approval when it opened. The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction said it was “… one of the most miserable structures in the metropolis…”

However, it would be difficult to imagine this part of London without it today. It can be found just in front of BBC Broadcasting House.

To learn more about the church visit their website.

This photo was taken during my Victoria Line Walk, in support of Bowel Cancer UK to see more photos from the walk you can visit my Flickr page.

The Many of Faces Of BBC Broadcasting House

Current modern entrance to BBC Broadcasting House

Broadcasting House is the BBC’s headquarters. The original building opened in 1934 designed by George Val Myer in collaboration with M T Tudsbery. Designed in impressive Art Deco style the original front of the building is still visible see below:

Original Art Deco Front

However, the original building was not up to the task of providing space for the world’s largest broadcaster in the 21st century. Thus, added to the old building are the Egton Wing (or John Peel Wing) and the glass entrance seen at the top of this post. However, not all views of the building are quite so impressive.

Modern Side (Egton Wing) of BBC Broadcasting House

The modern Egton Wing/Peel Wing from Langham Street, not quite so impressive.

You can find Broadcasting House by going north along Regent’s Street from Oxford Circus. Don’t worry the area around it is usually much quieter than the area just a few blocks south.

This photo was taken during my Victoria Line Walk, in support of Bowel Cancer UK to see more photos from the walk you can visit my Flickr page.

Beautiful Former Victorian Public Toilet In Fitzrovia

Scattered across London are former public toilets that are no longer accessible. Some have been repurposed into anything from bars to homes. Others have tried to map the remaining ones open for the public to use.

However, the vast majority these old Victoria era toilets have been closed, too expensive to operate and maintain. Too bad when you consider how intricate the ironwork is. A really shame that more of these are not put to better use. This one can be found on Foley Street, outside The Crown And Sceptre Pub in Fitzrovia.

Edit: Seems this former loo has been turned into The Attendant, a so-called lavatory cafe.

Tower Tavern Sign

Unsurprisingly, the Tower Tavern is located right next to the BT Tower. However, I think it’s a very bizarre name for a pub. Pub names in the UK can be based on a variety of things such as animals, heraldry, colours, transport, historic events, etc. Location is also commonly used for naming pubs, but usually not something so recent.

Still at the end of the day, probably not worth thinking (or writing) too much about. Besides, the pedant in me would point out that the image of the BT Tower on the sign is how it used to look (with satellite dishes), so in a sense it’s at least using historic imagery.

This photo was taken during my Victoria Line Walk, in support of Bowel Cancer UK to see more photos from the walk you can visit my Flickr page.

St. Pancras Station Sign – Tourist Photo Op

Sign for St. Pancras International Rail Station. It is also a popular photo op for tourists (and it would seem people walking the tube).

This photo was taken during my Victoria Line Walk, in support of Bowel Cancer UK to see more photos from the walk you can visit my Flickr page.

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The Various Faces Of The King’s Cross Canopy Before Demolition

With word that the 1970’s era “temporary” canopy at King’s Cross is slated for demolition and removal over the next year, I thought I might take a quick look at some of the photos I’ve taken of it over the past few months.

One interesting fact I learned about the canopy while researching this post, is the fact that since it is considered a temporary structure, Camden council have had to renew planning approval for it each year.

The canopy with the St. Pancras Clock Tower in the background and the concourse underneath on show.

Close-up of the canopy and sign with an ever present CCTV camera on show

The canopy with the King’s Cross Clock Tower in the background.

One of four photos taken the weekend before demolition began, the edge of the concourse on a rainy day.

The canopy as seen through the sign for St. Pancras Station. The two rail stations share the same underground one.

The view down Euston Road, with the canopy to the left.

View of the Grade I listed façade of King’s Cross Station, with the roof of the canopy below.

Overall, I think the station will look far nicer with the removal of the canopy. Objectively, it is a rather ugly structure and blocks the much more beautiful façade of King’s Cross Station itself. However, I do feel a slight attachment to the canopy all the same. The last time I visited London before moving here (July 2005), I stayed at a hostel near King’s Cross and it’s been one of the few constants in the area over the years.

Still I very much look forward to how the new “public” square that will replace the canopy will look. If it looks anything like the one behind the station, it will be an improvement. Yet, concerns still remain that it the “public” square will be controlled by a private security firm like the area behind the station. Fine if you’re just walking through, but it does raise many questions about public spaces in London.

Colour Centre Beside Church

I’m not sure why I find the idea of paint and decorating centre in and old church slightly intriguing, but I do. This is located on Offord Road, just behind Caledonian Road & Barnsbury Overground station.

This photo was taken during my Victoria Line Walk, in support of Bowel Cancer UK to see more photos from the walk you can visit my Flickr page.