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Racing at Ascot, Berkshire
The famous racecourse at Ascot is pictured here in the late 19th century. To the left of the picture is a camera on a tripod; taking pictures of the race goers has always been as much a part of Ascot as the race itself. In the background the pavilion is packed with people hoping to get lucky on the horses. A picture of the racecourse today may well show nearly as many top hats as seen here.
Photograph taken 1870-1900 © Reproduced by permission of Historic England Archive ref: cc97/00828
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, Greater London
Sharks and rays on display in the fish section in the Piscatorial Court. The collection was originally displayed in the British Museum.
Photograph taken 1880 - 1900 © Reproduced by permission of Historic England Archive ref: CC97/01190
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, Brompton, Greater London
A perspective view of the Natural History Museum from the road with horse-drawn vehicles. The building was designed by Alfred Waterhouse and built in 1881.
Photograph taken 1881 - 1900 © Reproduced by permission of Historic England Archive ref: CC97/01692
The Green, Witney, Oxfordshire
People milling around at the Feast Fair held in early September, with merry-go-rounds and stalls beyond. The tall narrow board in the foreground is the back of a hammer-hitting challenge, with a marker that ascends toward a bell.
Photograph taken 1900 © Reproduced by permission of Historic England Archive ref: CC54/00422
Regatta, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
The Grand Challenge Cup race, on the River Thames during the regatta, watched by spectators on the bank and on boats.
Photograph taken 1860 - 1922 © Reproduced by permission of Historic England Archive ref: CC73/00224
Skating near Oxford, Oxfordshire
People skating and playing ice hockey on the River Cherwell during one of the coldest winters on record. During February of this year most of the rivers around Oxford were blocked by ice flows.
Photograph taken 1895 © Reproduced by permission of Historic England Archive ref: CC73/00470
The Chequers, Headington, Oxford, Oxfordshire
The Headington Quarry Morris Men outside the Chequers pub with a fiddle player at the centre.
Photograph taken 1899 © Reproduced by permission of Historic England Archive ref: cc73/00610
Pleasure boat at Nuneham Park, Nuneham Courtenay, Oxfordshire
A large pleasure boat moored at the banks of the river Thames at Nuneham Courtney, the seat of Lord Harcourt. The area was a favourite place for picnics and river jaunts, and parties were allowed to land on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the season.
Photograph taken 1899 © Reproduced by permission of Oxfordshire County Council(opens in a new window) ref: HT13451
Market Square, Bampton, Oxfordshire
The local hunt mustering hounds outside the Talbot Hotel in the village. A crowd of villagers have gathered to watch them set off.
Photograph taken 1900 © Reproduced by permission of Oxfordshire County Council(opens in a new window) ref: HT13679
Cyclists in Hyde Park, Westminster, London
A view of male and female cyclists in Hyde Park with spectators lining the route.
Photograph taken 1870 - 1900 © Reproduced by permission of Historic England Archive ref: CC97/01240
Rotten Row, Hyde Park, Westminster, London
Riding in Rotten Row, Hyde Park, is still a popular recreation today. Here, other people have taken to walking and carriage rides for amusement. The fashions are those of circa 1900.
Photograph taken 1900 © Reproduced by permission of Historic England Archive ref: DD87/00040
Crystal Palace, Sydenham, Greater London
A view of the Palace from the south-east with the gardens in the foreground. Designed for the Great Exhibition of 1851 and moved to Sydenham in 1854, the building was made from 4,000 tons of iron and 400 tons of glass. It burnt down in 1936.
Photograph taken 1870 - 1900 © Reproduced by permission of Historic England Archive ref: CC97/01550
Zoological Gardens, Regents Park, Westminster, London
This stereo view of the Zoological Gardens in Regents Park shows members of the public mounting an elephant for a ride.
Photograph taken 1870 - 1889 © Reproduced by permission of Historic England Archive ref: CC97/00710
The Oxford Music Hall, Oxford Street, Westminster, London
The Oxford Music Hall on the north side of Oxford Street between A. E. Mills (the Hatter) and Goldstein's Chemical Diamonds was demolished in 1926. It was opened in 1861 by Charles Morton and converted into a theatre in 1917.
Photograph taken 1893 © Reproduced by permission of Historic England Archive ref: BL 12092
Maiden Castle Iron Age Hillfort, near Dorchester, Dorset
This reconstruction drawing shows what the inside of a roundhouse at Maiden Castle Hillfort might have looked like.
Photograph taken 1987 © Paul Birkbeck. Source Historic England Archive Photo Library ref: J870478
Maiden Castle Iron Age Hillfort, near Dorchester, Dorset
This reconstruction drawing shows what the Iron Age roundhouses within the hillfort might have looked like.
Photograph taken 1987 © Paul Birkbeck. Source Historic England Archive Photo Library ref: J870381