Old Images of Barnes, London

Glimpse history through old images of Barnes, which became a Borough of London in 1932.

Old Pictures of Barnes

Engravings from the eighteenth and nineteenth century show how much the area was transformed over little more than a century. Windmills, fields and orchards gave way to industrial progress and the railway.

Old picture of the South View of Barnes England Published 1750 — Old picture of the South View of Barnes England, published in 1750. Thanks to the Topographical Collection of George III – British Library/Flikr

Old picture of the West View of Barnes Church, published in 1750. Thanks to the Topographical Collection of George III – British Library/Flikr

Old picture of Barnes Railway Bridge England 1886 — Old picture of Barnes Railway Bridge, England. Image from “The Thames from its Source to the Sea … Illustrated with … engravings … and … etchings, etc” (published in 1886) – British Library/Flikr

Old Photos of Barnes

By the beginning of the twentieth century, the area was populated with residential streets and smart stores. But the village feel was still evident.

Old photo postcard of Church Road Barnes England 1914 — Old photo postcard of Church Road, Barnes, sent in 1914. Thanks to Mark Crombie/Flikr

Old photo postcard of the pond at Barnes London England — Old photo postcard of the pond at Barnes, London. Thanks to Mark Crombie/Flikr

Barnes Becomes a Borough (1932)

In 1932, Lord Ashcombe, the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, handed over His Majesty’s Charter of Incorporation to the Lord Mayor, marking the creation of Barnes, London’s latest borough.

It all took place with great fanfare and a procession of horse drawn floats, watched by great crowds of local people.

Despite it being filmed in 1932, the sound is very clear, so you can hear what Lord Ashcombe says to the Lord Mayor, the Mayor’s reply, and the music played by the marching band.

Barnes … London’s Latest Borough (1932) – British Pathé on YouTube

Retiring Milkman (1988)

In 21st January 1988, Alan Smith enjoyed a trip on Corcorde, which had been kindly given to him by friends and customers as he retired from his work as a milkman delivering milk to people’s doorsteps.