Regent Street, London 1968

This authentic 1960s colour photograph captures the elegant curve of the Quadrant on Regent Street in 1968, looking south-east towards the neon-lit hub of Piccadilly Circus. On the left, the grand facade of the Cafe Royal is visible, with its distinctive stone arches and balconies. In the distance, the famous advertising hoardings of Piccadilly Circus are on display, featuring prominent signs for “Max Factor,” “Daily Express,” and “Gordon’s Gin.” The road is busy with period vehicles, including a blue saloon car in the immediate foreground, followed by several dark-coloured cars and a classic black Austin taxi. Pedestrians can be seen gathered under the archway of Air Street on the left, while others walk along the wide pavements past storefronts like “Swan & Edgar” on the right. The clear blue sky and afternoon light emphasize the monumental scale of the Nash-designed architecture. This digital download is a marvellous historical record of London’s retail heart, perfect to print for yourself as a piece of vintage urban wall art.