This wonderful genuine colour photograph from 1957 captures the historic Tiger Tavern at Tower Hill in London, one of the capital’s long-established public houses, photographed just a few years before its demolition. The handsome brick building displays prominent Charrington’s advertising, traditional pub signage and the name of the Tiger Tavern above its entrance. A pale green vintage motor car stands beside the pub, while the distinctive circular entrance building of the Tower Subway appears in the foreground on the right. The photograph preserves a fascinating view of a vanished London landmark and a neighbourhood that has since been almost completely transformed.
The Tiger Tavern occupied a site at the southern end of Tower Hill, near Lower Thames Street and the Tower of London. Its history is traditionally traced back to around 1500, with records establishing a long succession of public houses bearing the Tiger name at this location. During earlier centuries, the surrounding streets formed a busy commercial district closely connected with London’s river trade, attracting merchants, dock workers, travellers and local residents. The tavern would have witnessed enormous changes to the neighbourhood as the City developed from a crowded riverside trading centre into a modern business district.
Although a tavern had occupied this historic Tower Hill site since around 1500, the building visible in the photograph was considerably more recent. Historical records indicate that the premises were rebuilt in 1893, while the prominent date of 1913 displayed on the frontage suggests that further alterations were subsequently undertaken by Charrington’s brewery.
The photograph also provides a wonderful record of traditional London pub architecture. The multi-storey brick frontage features neatly arranged windows, decorative chimney stacks, flower boxes and a prominent hanging sign displaying a golden tiger. The dark timber frontage bears the name Tiger Tavern in elaborate lettering, while the surrounding cobbled roadway and parked vintage motor car add considerably to the nostalgic atmosphere. Such traditional public houses were once familiar throughout the City, although many disappeared as central London underwent extensive redevelopment during the twentieth century.
One especially interesting feature is the circular brick structure visible on the right. This is the surviving northern entrance building of the Tower Subway, a remarkable Victorian engineering project constructed beneath the River Thames in 1869–70. Designed to provide a crossing between Tower Hill and the south bank of the river, the tunnel initially carried passengers in a small cable-hauled railway carriage before being converted into a pedestrian subway. Following the opening of Tower Bridge in 1894, the pedestrian crossing became uneconomic and was eventually closed. The tunnel was subsequently used to carry utility services beneath the river.
The circular entrance building visible in this photograph belongs to a later phase of the subway’s history and still survives today. Its continued existence is particularly remarkable because virtually the entire surrounding streetscape has been transformed. It provides an important fixed reference point for identifying the former location of the Tiger Tavern, which stood immediately opposite. Although easily mistaken for an Underground ventilation shaft, the structure is actually associated with a much earlier and entirely separate tunnel beneath the Thames.
Despite the devastating bombing of the Tower Hill district during the Second World War, the Tiger Tavern survived largely intact, while numerous neighbouring buildings were destroyed. By the late 1950s, the pub stood close to extensive cleared bomb sites, many of which had remained undeveloped for more than a decade. The surviving tavern therefore provided an important link with the older riverside neighbourhood, even as plans were being developed for the comprehensive reconstruction of the area.
In 1960, proposals were announced for a major redevelopment of the Tower Hill district, including the removal of surviving older buildings and the construction of modern office accommodation. The Tiger Tavern closed in January 1963, with Reginald Bath having served as landlord during its final five years. The historic building was subsequently demolished, bringing to an end this particular incarnation of one of London’s oldest established public houses. Ironically, the tavern had survived the wartime destruction that devastated its neighbours, only to disappear during the subsequent programme of redevelopment.
The Tiger name did not disappear immediately. In 1965, a new Tiger Tavern opened within the modern office development constructed on the original site, continuing the tradition for several more decades. However, this replacement pub also eventually closed, and the building was demolished in 2002 as part of another major redevelopment. A further office complex now occupies the site, without a replacement Tiger Tavern. After almost five centuries of association with Tower Hill, the historic pub name finally disappeared from the neighbourhood.
The Tiger Tavern also accumulated some fascinating local legends. According to traditional accounts, a secret underground passage once connected the pub with the Tower of London, supposedly providing a route used by the young Princess Elizabeth during her imprisonment in the Tower. Another story concerned a mummified cat displayed at the tavern, which was said to have been stroked by the future Elizabeth I. Although these tales belong to London’s folklore rather than established historical fact, they illustrate the extraordinary stories associated with the ancient drinking house.
More than simply a fascinating historical photograph, this beautifully detailed image makes a distinctive piece of wall art for the home, office, study or workplace. Its handsome brick architecture, traditional Charrington’s signage, vintage motor car and unusual Tower Subway entrance are almost guaranteed to spark conversation and encourage visitors to take a closer look. It would also make a thoughtful and unique gift for that hard-to-buy-for friend or relative, particularly anyone interested in London’s lost pubs, British brewing history, the Tower of London, vintage architecture or the changing streets of the capital.
Reproduced from a genuine vintage colour photograph in the Places Remembered archive — not artificially coloured or AI-generated — this historic London wall art preserves a remarkable view of the original Tiger Tavern in 1957. An evocative reminder of a vanished public house and a fascinating chapter in the history of old Tower Hill.
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.