St Paul’s Cathedral, London 1968

This authentic 1960s colour photograph captures a dramatic transitional period along the North Bank of the River Thames in London in 1968. The iconic dome of St Paul’s Cathedral, partially clad in scaffolding, towers over a skyline of industrial decay and active redevelopment. In the foreground, several Victorian-era brick wharves and warehouses are shown in various stages of demolition, with rubble piles and exposed internal walls visible along the riverfront. To the left, a large warehouse still displays its original signage for “Varnishes” and “Oils,” while a crowded pleasure boat filled with sightseers passes by on the grey water. This cleared site remained vacant for over a decade before the City of London School was constructed on the location in the mid-1980s. This high-resolution scan documents the disappearance of London’s traditional working riverfront to make way for the modern educational and commercial district. 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.