Paul’s Wharf, River Thames, London 1968

This authentic 1960s colour photograph captures a bright, clear view of the River Thames northern embankment in London in 1968. The right side of the frame features the imposing brick warehouses of Paul’s Wharf, which was previously owned by Alex Cowan & Sons. The iconic dome of St Paul’s Cathedral towers over the industrial riverfront, flanked by its western towers and the dark, weathered facades of neighbouring wharves. The shoreline in the foreground shows the exposed mud of the Thames at low tide, littered with the rubble of ongoing post-war clearances. This specific site underwent a total transformation in the following decades, as the old wharves were eventually demolished to make way for the modern City of London School, which opened there in the late 1980s. This high-resolution scan provides a vibrant record of the City of London’s maritime commercial history before its transition into a financial and educational hub. 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.