20th century London (1900 – 1999)
Explore objects, stories and blogs shining a light on London during 100 years of enormous and rapid change.
Blogs-And-Stories
Photographing London at rush hour, 1978
Barry Lewis captured the crowds commuting in the capital
Sunil Gupta’s photo-collages protested Section 28
This 1988 series challenged homophobic government legislation through photography and poetry
Guinness’ iconic early adverts were born in London
These quirky 1930s posters, with slogans like ‘Guinness is Good for You’, have stood the test of time
A Bengali Muslim wedding in London, 1992
Memories of a special day – the food, family and ceremony
Peek inside the prestigious Sotheby’s auction house
Henry Grant photographed fine art and fancy jewellery going under the hammer
Anti-nuclear protests in dangerous times
Huge crowds gathered in London from the 1950s onwards to call for a ban on nuclear weapons
What was the Winter of Discontent, 1978–1979?
A widespread strike movement during one of the coldest winters of the century
An Irish Traveller community in 1980s Bermondsey
These photos put the focus on a group often left out of London’s story
The Marchioness Disaster
On a summer night in 1989, a riverboat birthday party ended in tragedy, leaving 51 people dead
The Sidney Street siege: An East End shootout
A tale of revolutionaries, murder and Winston Churchill
London’s iconic red telephone boxes
On our streets since the 1920s, these charming structures have become a symbol of Britain
Portobello Market: London’s largest antiques market
London’s famous street market for antiques, fashion, food and quirky finds
