Incredible photos show what the UK looked like exactly 100 years ago

Century-old photos of the UK

One hundred years ago, the UK was a very different place. The nation was still grappling with the aftermath of World War I while also experiencing significant advancements in technology, leisure activities and culture. While some struggled financially after the war and the Spanish flu pandemic (1918-20), for others there was a renewed sense of optimism as the Roaring Twenties kicked in.

Read on to see what the UK looked like in 1925, as we reveal how some of the year’s key events impacted its towns and cities...

Rugby match at Twickenham, London

In December 1905, England played New Zealand in the first-ever rugby test match between the two nations. The All Blacks, known as the ‘Originals’, defeated the hosts 15-0 at Crystal Palace.

It would be another 19 years before the teams met again, when on 3 January 1925, the All Blacks’ ‘Invincibles’ beat the Red Roses 17-11 at Twickenham. The match, watched by a record crowd of 60,000 people, saw All Black second row forward Cyril Brownlie become the first player to ever be sent off in a rugby international involving a member country of the International Rugby Board. 

British Empire Exhibition, London

The British Empire Exhibition was held at Wembley Stadium in London and ran for two six-month seasons in 1924 and 1925. It was a celebration of the empire aimed at fostering trade and political ties between Britain and its territories, at a time when anti-colonial sentiment was growing. The exhibition featured pavilions from across the colonies and dominions, as well as displays of engineering, design and cultural achievements. 

Here we see Elizabeth, then Duchess of York (later the Queen Mother) with her mother, The Countess of Strathmore and George, Duke of York arriving at the second season opening by King George V.

Britannia in dry dock, Plymouth

King George V's racing yacht, Britannia, is seen here in dry dock at Devonport Royal Dockyard for maintenance and refitting. Originally built on the Clyde for Queen Victoria's son Albert Edward, then Prince of Wales, the black-hulled cutter was launched in 1893 before going on to become one of the most successful racing yachts of all time.

The vessel would cover over one million nautical miles and visit more than 600 ports in 135 countries. She is now a popular tourist attraction in Leith, Scotland.

Ideal Home Exhibition, London

Held at Olympia in West Kensington in London, the exhibition, also known as the Daily Mail Ideal Home Exhibition, showcased the latest innovations and designs for modern homes. It featured displays of new household technology and appliances like potato mashers, as well as building and garden designs, with the aim of inspiring visitors with ideas for their own homes.

This image shows workers assembling Queen Mary’s dolls’ house, a detailed 1:12 model of an Edwardian residence, for the upcoming show.

London Bridge, London

In 1925, London Bridge was a bustling thoroughfare, while the area around it, including London Bridge Wharf and Adelaide House office block (completed that year), was a hub of activity.

However, this version of the bridge was slowly sinking and it was eventually sold to American entrepreneur Robert P McCulloch in 1968, with each granite block marked for reassembly at Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where it became a tourist attraction. Its replacement, the current London Bridge, was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 16 March 1973.

Thomas Hardy at Max Gate, Dorset

Here we see author Thomas Hardy (centre) sitting in the drawing room of his home, Max Gate, near Dorchester in Dorset. He is surrounded by the entire cast from the stage version of Tess of the d'Urbervilles, which was playing at the Garrick Theatre in London. The cast put on a special evening performance in costume for the writer at his home.

Hardy passed away in 1928, but his house was bequeathed to the National Trust by his sister in 1940 and it remains open to the public.

The 250,000th Model T Ford, Manchester

From 1913 to 1923, the Model T Ford was Britain's best-selling car, and in April 1925, the 250,000th vehicle left the final assembly line at Ford Trafford Park in Manchester. Here, we see management and workers posing with a car to commemorate the milestone.

The factory had begun assembling cars from imported parts in 1911, but by 1924, the vehicles were being constructed from 94% British parts. In 1931, Ford switched its manufacturing activities to its massive new plant in Dagenham, Essex.

The Hoppings Festival, Newcastle upon Tyne

These days, the Hoppings is one of Europe's largest travelling funfairs and hosts over 300 of the country's biggest and brightest attractions, from traditional favourites to the latest jaw-dropping thrill rides. The Newcastle institution attracts more than half a million visitors a year. It's thought that its name comes from the hopping, or dancing, that would often take place during the event. 

Back in 1925, it was part of a temperance festival, with various social figures visiting the funfair attractions. This photograph shows the Sheriff of Newcastle and his wife on a ride. 

Asturias is launched, Belfast

The world’s most powerful motor liner at the time, the Asturias launched from Belfast's yard on 7 July 1925. The ship had a long and varied career, serving as a passenger liner, and during the Second World War as an armed merchant cruiser, before being crippled by a torpedo in 1943.

She was out of action until 1948 when she returned to civilian service, mainly transporting British people to Australia. Before the ship was scrapped in 1957, her port side was used to film scenes for the movie A Night to Remember.

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BBC’s new station, Daventry

Radio was still new enough to be a source of wonder in 1925. The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) made the idea of a nationwide service a reality when it opened its first high-power, long-wave transmitting station on Borough Hill near Daventry, Northamptonshire, on 27 July.

This station, known as 5XX, was the most powerful transmitter in the world at the time and enabled the BBC to broadcast a national radio programme reaching 94% of the UK population. 

Liver Buildings, Liverpool

The Royal Liver Building, located at the Pier Head in Liverpool, was completed in 1911 as the headquarters for the Royal Liver Friendly Society. Seen here 14 years later, it is one of the city’s Three Graces, along with the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building.

Legend has it that if the building’s two fabled Liver Birds, said to watch over the city and the sea, were to fly away, the city would cease to exist.

Glasgow students protest, Glasgow

The (Lord) Rector of the University of Glasgow is one of the most senior posts within the institution and a new incumbent is elected every three years by students.

In 1925, the elections caused quite a stir, with students rushing the university doors, hurling rotten eggs, old tomatoes and flour at the voters and the candidates. Austen Chamberlain, the older half-brother of future UK Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, was eventually elected lord rector, defeating author GL Chesterton and economist Sidney Webb.

Cowdray Hall and War Memorial, Aberdeen

Aberdeen's magnificent Cowdray Hall, War Memorial and Art Gallery was opened by King George V and Queen Mary on 25 September 1925. The hall commemorates the residents of the city killed or missing in the World Wars and other conflicts.

The rugged lion sculpture reclining on a plinth outside the hall was designed by William Macmillan, with the work carried out using silver-grey granite from Kemnay.

Piccadilly Circus, London

By 1925, Piccadilly Circus had long been a bustling street frequented by everyone from the general public to royalty. However, the place was very different to the tourist hotspot we know today.

Among the buildings featured in this image showing traffic at the intersection is the former County Fire Office at 50 Regent Street. It was rebuilt the previous year in 1924 and includes a statue of Britannia looking rather stern.

Eros statue in Embankment Gardens, London

While it's most famously known for its location in the heart of Piccadilly Circus, the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, aka the Eros winged statue, has been temporarily relocated for various reasons, including during wartime and to make way for construction work. 

In 1925, the ‘God of Selfless Love’ was moved to Embankment Gardens – it’s seen here in its new position – before returning to Piccadilly six years later, but in a slightly different location to the east of the circus.

John Logie Baird’s demonstration, London

In 1925, John Logie Baird, seen here in a public demonstration of his apparatus, achieved a significant breakthrough in TV technology. In his laboratory on 2 October, the Scottish inventor, electrical engineer and innovator successfully transmitted the first recognisable television picture with a greyscale image, featuring a ventriloquist's dummy named Stooky Bill. 

He went on to invent the first publicly demonstrated colour television system, and the Baird Television Development Company achieved the first transatlantic television transmission in 1928.

The Eigiau Dam Disaster, Dolgarrog

On 2 November 1925, following two weeks of heavy rain, the small north Wales village of Dolgarrog was devastated after two dams burst, sending a torrent of water and boulders crashing down towards the buildings and residents below.

The flood killed 10 adults and six children in the Conwy Valley community and this image shows a scene of desolation two days later. As a result of this and other tragedies, the 1930 Reservoirs Act was enacted to improve design, construction and inspection of reservoir dams.

The signing the Locarno Treaty, London

The Pact of Locarno, named after the small city in southern Switzerland, was a series of agreements whereby Germany, France, Belgium, Great Britain and Italy mutually guaranteed peace in western Europe.

This image shows statesmen from the countries officially signing the Treaty in the Grand Assembly Room at the Foreign Office in London on 1 December 1925. It has been said that although it finally ended World War I, it marked the prelude to World War II.

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