The Cecil & Savoy Hotels :

Towering above the Victoria Embankment Gardens sits the imposing Cecil Hotel. The Royal Air Force occupied this building as their first headquarters from 1918 to 1919 before being demolished in the 1930's. Shell Mex House now occupies this site.

Alongside to the right is the still extant Savoy Hotel.

Victoria Embankment Gardens :

Sitting in the sun in Victoria Embankment Gardens, top and bowler hatted gentlemen take time out to enjoy the tranquility the garden affords within the bustling metropolis.

At left rear can be seen the bronze statue of the Scottish Poet Robert Burns by the sculpter Sir John Steell RSA. Sir John is also responsible for a number of similar copies of this statue, one being sited in the Octagon here in Dunedin on the other side of the world.

The London and Guilds of London Institute :

Opened 1884 and designed by Alfred Waterhouse (better known as Architect of the Natural History Museum), the London and Guilds of London Institute (later called the Central Technical College) is seen here on Exhibition Road, South Kensington. The buildings have been demolished although the distinctive clock tower remains at the Imperial College campus on the same site.

Royal School of Art Needlework :

Two women standing outside the entrance to the "Royal School of Art Needlework" just along the road from the London and Guilds Institute. Their premises (mostly hidden behind the trees) had formed part of the Belgian and Australian annexes of the 1871–74 International Exhibitions. The Prince of Wales laid the foundation stone for new premises in 1899.

Scotland Yard :

The distinctive "New Scotland Yard" Police building by the Victoria Embankment in Westminster, which was occupied from 1890 to 1967. New Scotland Yard then moved to further "new" premises with the original buildings now being known as the Norman Shaw Buildings. Since 1979 this Grade One listed building has been used as Parliamentary Offices.

Trafalgar Square :

The famous fountain in Trafalgar Square dating from 1845. Immediately behind the fountain is St Martin in the Fields Church with Morley's Hotel at right and the National Gallery at left.

Trafalgar Square :

A close-up of a man and two chidren taking an interest in the Trafalgar Square fountain.

Until replacement in the late 1930's the fountain had been fed by a steam engine located behind the National Gallery and drawing water from an underground artesian well.

Passing Buckingham Palace :

A passer by, perhaps a Grandmother with her grandson, perhaps a Governess with her charge, appears to be pointing out the Queen's Residence to her young companion.

Ankle length dresses, fanciful hats, and umbrellas to shade oneself from the sun were obviously 'de riguer'.

Charing Cross Hotel :

A close up of the frontage of Charing Cross Hotel. Although the attractive wrought iron conservatory over the entrance portico and the original frontage itself survives, the top two floors with the mansard roof have been considerably rebuilt in a plain neo-Georgian style with the chimneys removed. This was most likely due to the extensive bomb damage the hotel suffered during World War Two.

Beaconsfield Statue, Parliament Square :

The statue to Benjamin Disraeli, First Earl of Beaconsfield, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdon from 1874 to 1880.

His statue has since been moved to one side of the Square and re-aligned to face Parliament buildings but sadly without the decorative wrought iron fence which may well have succumbed to the war effort.

Hansom Cab at Holborn Circus :

A horse drawn hansom cab, no 13657, passing Holborn Circus. While the passengers were to a large extent protected from the elements, the driver sat atop the rear in a commanding vantage point but exposed to all weathers.

Sandwich Board Man, Piccadilly :

While a horse drawn hanson cab and Hackney carriage ply their trade along Piccadilly, a walking 'sandwich board man' advertises what appears to be a publication. Shoppers were well provided with awnings over the pavement.