Philip Davies, an architectural historian, spent 7 years collecting and selecting the 1,500 best photos taken between 1870 and 1930 to print in a 558-page photo book called Lost England.

Compared to more than 100 years ago, some of the buildings are now gone or have been rebuilt more spaciously. The Guardian has published 15 photos in this book, introducing them to readers.

water image more than 100 years ago

Bigg Market in Newcastle in 1920. In the centre is the Town Hall, which was demolished in 1973.
water image more than 100 years ago

Sunderland Town Hall in 1891, which was demolished in 1971.
water image more than 100 years ago

A hospital in Leeds in District 6 in 1895.
water image more than 100 years ago

Lake Road flooded in New Hinksey, Oxfordshire in 1890.
water image more than 100 years ago

A picture of the “mechanisation” of farming in Hellidon, Northamptonshire in 1902.
water image more than 100 years ago

Southport Opera House c1900. This building was destroyed by fire in 1921.
image of water more than 100 years ago

J Plater’s Cart, Van & Carriage Works in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire in 1903. The company employed children as young as 12 as apprentices.
100 years ago

A junction between Steep Street and Trenchard Street in Bristol, 1866.
100 years ago

Children in Dinton, Buckinghamshire, 1904.
100 years ago

Workers building the Manchester Railway in 1889.
100 years ago

Mechanics in Maidenhead, Berkshire, 1900.
100 years ago

A small munitions factory in Birmingham, 1917.
100 years ago
Women working at the Cellular textile factory in Swindon, Wiltshire, 1902.
100 years ago
Two street musicians with a monkey in Taplow, Buckinghamshire, 1885.
a picture of England more than 100 years ago
The Picture House in Liverpool, 1912.
a picture of England more than 100 years ago
The cover of Philip Davies’s book Lost England (1870 -1930).