Bull Wharf, River Thames 1977

This authentic 1970s colour photograph captures the gritty, industrial facade of Bull Wharf on the north bank of the River Thames in London in 1977. The massive Victorian warehouse features dark, soot-stained brickwork and several original external wall-mounted cranes used for unloading cargo from river barges. The building appears in a state of neglect, with many broken window panes reflecting the decline of the traditional London Docklands during this era. In the foreground, the pebble-strewn riverbed is exposed at low tide, where two figures can be seen walking near the timber-reinforced embankment. Unlike many of its neighbors, Bull Wharf was demolished in the 1980s and replaced by modern office and residential developments as part of the massive Queenhithe area regeneration. This high-resolution scan provides a stark historical record of the City of London’s functional maritime architecture before its late-20th-century transformation. All our images are available as royalty-free instant downloads for use in books, media, and creative projects – or make your own prints for home, work, or as a truly unique gift.