The Street Life of London in 1971 Through These Fascinating Vintage Photos

Throughout the 70s, the seeming stolidity of London concealed a myriad of radical trends, often deeply opposing, as Britain’s finances spiraled downwards. Independent record labels presaged Margaret Thatcher’s radical economic policies, whereas punk spread frenzied mania with protomillennial fervor. London became a truly global metropolis for the first time after the collapse of the British Empire. During this time, it was primarily populated by immigrants and marginalized groups. A musical svengali from Australia, Mike Chapman, arrived for the weekend, and an ex-pat from South Africa, Mickie Most, returned for another visit. From the Sex Pistols, Johnny Rotten came from an Irish family who lived in London during his childhood. The Provisional IRA repeatedly attacked London during ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland from the early 1970s until the mid-1990s.

Below are some fascinating from Mats Örn vintage photos that show the street life of London in 1971.

#1 Leaving Gothenburg for London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#2 Aboard “MS Saga”, looking for England, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#3 MS Saga”, on the North Sea, soon in Tilbury, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#4 Tilbury, River Thames, England, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#5 Second floor on a London Bus, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#6 The Mall, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#7 Waiting for changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#8 Streets of London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#9 Policemen patroling outside Buckingham Palace, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#10 Westminster Abbey, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#11 Big Ben, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#12 Big Ben and Houses of Parliament, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#13 Newspaper stand, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#14 Streets of London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#15 Streets of London, Fleet Street, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#16 Streets of London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#17 St. Paul´s Cathedral, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#18 Whitehall, Streets of London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#19 Whitehall, Streets of London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#20 Houses of Parliament, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#21 10 Downing Street, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#22 Piccadilly Circus, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#23 Streets of London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#24 Streets of London, Newman Street, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#25 Finance District, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#26 Fleet Street, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#27 The Monument, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#28 The Tower, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#29 The Tower Bridge, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#30 The River Thames, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#31 Streets of London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#32 2001, Poland Street, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#33 Bristol 411 in London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#34 Streets of London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#35 London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#36 London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#37 Portobello Road, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#38 Portobello Road, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#39 Portobello Road, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#40 Portobello Road, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#41 London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#42 The River Thames, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#43 Big Ben, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#44 1939 MG TB at the Serpentine in Hyde Park, London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#45 Reliant Scimitar GTE in London, February 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#46 Piccadilly Circus, 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#47 London, 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#48 London, 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#49 London, 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#50 London, 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#51 London, 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#52 London, 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#53 London, 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#54 London, 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#55 London, 1971

0 Points

Upvote Downvote