The city has changed beyond all recognition': Derelict London in pictures | Cities
Publish date: 2024-07-28
‘The city has changed beyond all recognition': Derelict London – in pictures
Paul Talling photographs the land of long-forgotten tube stations, burnt-out mansions and gently decaying factories
Main image: A. Cooke’s Pie and Mash in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, closed in 2015Wed 17 Jul 2019 11.00 BST Last modified on Wed 23 Sep 2020 15.26 BST
Millennium Mills, Royal Docks E16
Built in the 1930s, the Millennium Mills was once among the largest flour mill complexes in London. Since its closure in 1992, it has made frequent appearances in films looking for a backdrop of urban dereliction – recent examples include Paddington 2 and The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Share on Facebook Share on TwitterSegas House, Croydon CR0
Built in 1939–41 as the Croydon Gas Company’s headquarters, in 1949 Segas House became the offices of the South Eastern Gas Board. Despite having been vacant for many years, this Grade II-listed building is in sound condition Share on Facebook Share on TwitterVIP Garage, Limehouse E14
This workshop was built in 1869 as a sail-maker’s and ship-chandler’s warehouse. The building is the only original ship’s store surviving in Tower Hamlets Share on Facebook Share on TwitterThe Bishops Avenue, Hampstead N2
This grand London street was sold to private developers in the early 20th century. Most of its properties are now owned by overseas business magnates and royalty, earning the street the nickname Billionaires’ Row. Pictured here is The Georgians, one of 10 houses in the street once owned by the Saudi royal family Share on Facebook Share on TwitterA. Cooke’s Pie and Mash, Shepherd’s Bush W12
Established in 1899, this family-owned pie shop traded from its Goldhawk Road site between 1934 and 2015. Its closure caused a local outcry: it was subject to a compulsory purchase order due to the redevelopment of the area. The Cooke family now offers an online frozen delivery service Share on Facebook Share on TwitterThe Golden Mile (Pyrene Building), Brentford TW8
Some of Britain’s finest examples of art deco architecture can be found on the Mile. The Grade II-listed Pyrene Building was built in 1928 for a firm that manufactured fire extinguishers. The office has been empty for a number of years and its condition is slowly declining. Historic England has added it to its at-risk register. Share on Facebook Share on TwitterWilson & Kyle, Brentford TW8
Wilson & Kyle moved to these buildings on Brentford High Street in the 1950s. The company made prototype tank parts and anti-aircraft gun equipment. It closed in 1998, and the factory has remained derelict ever since. The site is one of a number of abandoned buildings in Brentford Share on Facebook Share on TwitterWhitechapel Bell Foundry, E1
Established in 1570, the foundry cast some of the most famous bells in the world, including Pennsylvania’s Liberty Bell and Big Ben at the Palace of Westminster. The Hughes family, who owned it from 1904, recently sold the premises, citing economic pressures and the poor condition of the building. A conservation group is attempting to have it listed to prevent it being redeveloped Share on Facebook Share on TwitterThe Spotted Dog, Forest Gate E7
This building was once a hunting lodge used by King Henry VIII. In the early 19th century it was converted into a pub. The pub closed in the early 2000s. It remains derelict, despite campaigners’ efforts to have it reopened Share on Facebook Share on TwitterThe Black Cap, Camden NW1
There has been an inn on this site since 1751. It was originally called the Mother Black Cap. Between the 1960s and its surprise closure in 2015, the Black Cap was one of London’s best-loved gay bars. Protesters occasionally gather to campaign against plans to convert it into housing Share on Facebook Share on TwitterThe Cinematograph Theatre, Shepherd’s Bush W12
The cinema first opened in 1910. It stopped showing films in 1981. After standing empty for several years, it was converted into a live music venue, the Bottom Line, and later as an Australasian-themed bar called Walkabout, which closed down in 2013. The council has refused permission to demolish and replace it with a 16-storey block Share on Facebook Share on TwitterChariots Roman Spa, Shoreditch EC2
When it opened in 1997, Chariots was Britain’s biggest gay sauna complex. It made headlines in 1998 when Justin Fashanu, Britain’s first openly gay professional footballer, spent an evening there hours before he died. Chariots closed in 2016. Developers plan to demolish it and build a luxury hotel on the site Share on Facebook Share on TwitterStanwell Place, TW19
Built in the 17th century, Stanwell Place played a crucial role in the allies’ strategy during the second world war. Sir John Watson Gibson, who lived in the house, helped design the portable Mulberry harbours that were used to drop cargo in France after the D-day landings. The house was latterly owned by King Faisal II of Iraq; it was demolished after his assassination in 1958 Share on Facebook Share on TwitterLambeth Waterworks, Surbiton KT6
The waterworks building is capable of storing 1,500 tonnes of coal. It has tunnels running under the main road to a crane, once used to lift coal from barges on the river. These tunnels are now home to several species of bat. Today, much of the site is a hall of residence for Kingston University, but no use has been found for the coal store Share on Facebook Share on TwitterYork Road station, Barnsbury N1
This Underground station, a short distance from King’s Cross, opened on what is now the Piccadilly line in 1906. Awkwardly situated in a run-down industrial area, the station never received many visitors. From 1909 some trains didn’t stop at the station during the week, and by 1918 there was no Sunday service. It closed completely in 1932 Share on Facebook Share on TwitterPitfield Street, Hoxton N1
Paul Talling writes in the introduction to the new edition of Derelict London: ‘London has changed beyond all recognition. Formerly run-down areas have reached the height of cool, whereas once-proud buildings have fallen victim to the wrecking ball. It is time for a book that brings the tale of derelict London up to date.’ Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
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