This remarkable genuine colour photograph from 1968 captures the extraordinary transformation of a densely populated neighbourhood in South London during the creation of Burgess Park. The scene shows a once-busy residential street surrounded by demolished buildings, piles of rubble and the exposed interiors of former terraced houses. A solitary pedestrian walks along the road past a parked motor car, while the surviving buildings stand amid an extensive landscape of destruction and clearance. The photograph provides a fascinating record of one of London’s most ambitious post-war urban redevelopment projects.
Unlike most of London’s historic parks, Burgess Park was not created from an existing country estate or large area of open land. Instead, it was formed by progressively demolishing an extensive network of streets, houses, factories, warehouses and other buildings across North Camberwell and Walworth. The idea originated in the ambitious post-war reconstruction plans developed by Sir Patrick Abercrombie during the 1940s, which proposed transforming a substantial area of densely built-up South London into a new public park. The scheme was intended to provide much-needed recreational space and a green environment for communities that had previously lived among crowded residential streets and industrial premises.
The area had suffered considerable damage during the Second World War, but the creation of Burgess Park involved far more than simply clearing wartime bomb sites. Large numbers of surviving properties were also acquired and demolished as part of the wider programme of slum clearance and redevelopment. Over several decades, hundreds of buildings disappeared and approximately thirty streets were removed or absorbed into the new park. The process dramatically altered the historic street pattern of this part of South London, erasing neighbourhoods that had developed during the nineteenth century.
This photograph captures the clearance programme during the late 1960s, when substantial areas had already been demolished but the new landscape had not yet been fully established. The exposed walls of the surviving buildings reveal traces of rooms, fireplaces and former adjoining properties, while heaps of bricks and timber lie scattered across the cleared sites. The long brick terrace in the centre of the photograph stands isolated from much of its former surroundings, providing a striking reminder of the residential community that once occupied the area. Although the scene resembles the aftermath of wartime bombing, much of the destruction visible here resulted from planned demolition undertaken more than twenty years after the war had ended.
Another important element in the creation of Burgess Park was the disappearance of the Grand Surrey Canal, which had previously served factories, warehouses and wharves throughout the district. As London’s traditional industries declined and commercial traffic moved away from the canal, the waterway fell into disuse. It was eventually filled in during the early 1970s, allowing its former route to be incorporated into the developing park. By 1965, the emerging green spaces were collectively known as North Camberwell Open Space, before the area was officially named Burgess Park in 1973 in honour of Jessie Burgess, a prominent local councillor and Camberwell’s first woman mayor.
The creation of Burgess Park was a remarkable undertaking, but it also represented a profound change for the communities affected. Although some of the demolished houses were overcrowded or in poor condition, other properties remained serviceable, and the gradual clearance of established streets meant the disappearance of familiar homes, businesses and neighbourhood landmarks. The photograph records this transitional period with unusual clarity, showing the dramatic contrast between the old urban landscape and the open recreational space that would eventually replace it.
Today, Burgess Park is one of South London’s largest public parks, extending across approximately 56 hectares between Camberwell, Walworth and Peckham. Its lakes, sports facilities, landscaped grounds and mature trees bear little resemblance to the densely built-up neighbourhoods that previously occupied the site. Although the project began in the post-war years, the acquisition and clearance of properties continued for decades, with the park’s principal boundaries not completed until the 1990s. This rare photograph preserves a powerful reminder of the extraordinary transformation required to create the modern park.
Reproduced from a genuine vintage colour photograph in the Places Remembered archive, this historic London wall art offers a fascinating record of Southwark during the 1960s. Ideal for anyone interested in Burgess Park, Camberwell, Walworth, London’s lost streets, slum clearance, post-war redevelopment or British urban history, this distinctive photograph captures a vanished neighbourhood during one of the capital’s most ambitious programmes of urban change.
Genuine Vintage Colour Photography, Carefully Restored
Every Places Remembered print begins with a genuine vintage colour slide or negative from our private photographic archive. These are real photographs of real places, captured decades ago on colour film. We do not artificially colourise black-and-white photographs. The colours were present in the original images, rather than invented afterwards.
To bring these historic photographs back to life, we use modern digital restoration techniques, including AI-assisted enhancement, to improve sharpness, colour, brightness and clarity, and reduce dust, scratches and other age-related imperfections.
Our aim is restoration, not reinvention. We do not deliberately add or remove people, buildings, vehicles or other features, or dramatically alter scenes simply to make them more appealing. We may brighten a dull sky, enhance faded colours or improve clarity, but we strive to preserve the original photograph's historical character rather than create an idealised version of the past. AI-assisted enhancement can occasionally affect small details, even when that is not intended.
History is important to us. We're not trying to change it, but to preserve it through careful restoration. Our prints reproduce genuine historical colour photographs, not AI-generated recreations.
Whether you choose a photographic poster, a ready-to-hang canvas or a wood-framed print, the same authentic vintage photograph is at the heart of every option.
Three Ways to Enjoy Your Favourite Photograph
Our vintage photographs are available in three different print formats, allowing you to choose the presentation, finish and price that best suits your home.
Premium Matte Photographic Posters
Our photographic posters offer an affordable way to enjoy genuine vintage photography without compromising on print quality. Each photograph is reproduced on premium heavyweight 200 gsm (80 lb) white matte paper, giving it a substantial, high-quality feel.
The smooth, uncoated paper has a luxuriously soft finish and a non-reflective surface, helping to reproduce the rich colors and fine details of the original photograph without distracting reflections. At approximately 0.26 mm thick, it is considerably more substantial than ordinary lightweight poster paper.
Posters are supplied unframed and are sent rolled in a tube, making them an excellent choice if you already own a suitable frame or prefer to select your own framing style. They are also ideal for gifts, gallery walls and collections of several photographs.
Printed on FSC-certified or equivalent sustainably sourced paper.
Premium Ready-to-Hang Canvas Prints
Our premium canvas prints offer a more traditional wall-art presentation, with a subtly textured surface that adds depth and character to each vintage photograph. Printed on a durable 300–350 gsm cotton-polyester blend canvas, they reproduce the rich colors and fine details of the original image while providing the distinctive look and feel of canvas artwork.
The canvas has a beautiful matte, low-reflection finish that looks attractive under a wide range of lighting conditions. Unlike traditional framed prints, there is no glass or plexiglass covering the image, so you can enjoy the photograph without distracting reflections from windows or overhead lighting.
Each print is carefully stretched over a slim 2 cm (approximately 3/4-inch) wooden frame, made using responsibly sourced FSC-certified wood. The slim profile creates a clean, understated appearance that suits both traditional and contemporary interiors.
The photograph is softly mirrored around the edges, allowing the image to continue naturally around the sides without cropping important details from the front. Each canvas also includes a fitted sawtooth hanging bracket, so it can be displayed straight from the box.
Premium Wood-Framed Photographic Prints
For a beautifully finished presentation, our framed photographic prints combine premium heavyweight matte paper with a durable genuine pine wood frame. Each photograph is protected behind shatterproof plexiglass, helping to guard against dust and accidental damage while keeping the image clearly visible.
The photograph is printed on heavyweight 200 gsm (80 lb) white matte paper with a smooth, luxurious, non-reflective surface. The paper measures approximately 0.22 mm thick and reproduces the colors and fine details of the original vintage photograph beautifully.
The wooden frame has a slim, elegant profile, measuring approximately 20–25 mm deep and 10–14 mm wide. It complements the photograph without overpowering it, making these framed prints suitable for a wide range of interiors.
Choose from Black, White or Natural Wood frame finishes to suit your decor. Every framed print includes a hanging kit and arrives ready to display, making it a convenient choice for homes, offices, gifts and hospitality interiors.
The heavyweight paper is made using FSC-certified materials or equivalent. The protective plexiglass may produce some reflections depending on the lighting conditions in your room.
Which Print Format Is Right for You?
All three options reproduce the same genuine vintage photograph, but each offers a different look and presentation.
| Feature | Poster | Canvas | Framed Print |
|---|---|---|---|
| Print Material | Premium matte paper | Textured cotton-polyester canvas | Premium matte paper |
| Material Weight | 200 gsm | 300–350 gsm | 200 gsm |
| Finish | Smooth matte | Textured matte | Smooth matte |
| Presentation | Unframed | Stretched over wood | Solid pine frame |
| Protective Glazing | None | None | Shatterproof plexiglass |
| Ready to Hang | No | Yes | Yes |
| Frame Colours | Not applicable | Not applicable | Black, White, Natural Wood |
Posters are ideal if you want an affordable photographic print or prefer your own framing. Canvas prints offer a textured, low-reflection appearance without glass. Framed prints provide an elegant, ready-to-hang presentation with protective plexiglass.
From Our Original Photographic Archive
Every print is reproduced from a genuine vintage colour photograph in our own private archive. We own the original slides or negatives and the rights to the images, making these photographs exclusive to Places Remembered.
Wherever possible, our photographs are scanned directly from the original film, then carefully restored with digital tools, including AI-assisted enhancement. The original scenes were photographed in colour; they are not modern illustrations, artificially colourised black-and-white photographs or AI-generated recreations.
These are genuine moments from the past, carefully preserved and reproduced for today's walls.
Choose the Perfect Size
Whether you are decorating a smaller room or creating a striking feature wall, all three print formats are available in three sizes.
12×18" 30×45 cm
A versatile choice for bedrooms, kitchens, home offices, smaller walls and thoughtful gifts.
16×24" 40×60 cm
Ideal for creating a focal point in living rooms, bedrooms, offices and gallery walls.
24×36" 60×90 cm
Perfect above sofas, fireplaces and beds, or anywhere you want a historic photograph to become a conversation piece.
All sizes are approximate. The dimensions refer to the printed artwork. The overall external dimensions of framed prints will be slightly larger due to the frame.
Bulk Discount Available
Buying several prints for your home, workplace, vacation rental or hospitality interior? Purchase five or more prints and receive 15% off your order.
Our vintage photographic prints are also well suited to gift shops, cafés, hotels, restaurants, galleries and businesses looking for distinctive historic wall art.
Made to Order with Free Shipping
Every photographic poster, canvas and framed print is produced individually to order. This avoids unnecessary stock and ensures that each print is made specifically for you.
We offer free shipping to the USA and UK. Please allow approximately 7–14 days for production and delivery, although times may vary depending on the destination and print format.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.