This remarkable genuine colour photograph from the 1950s captures the extraordinary Waterloo Air Terminal on London’s South Bank, a short-lived aviation facility created from one of the surviving buildings of the 1951 Festival of Britain. The striking modern structure, with its sweeping curved roof supported by enormous timber arches, stands beside Waterloo railway station, while a collection of classic British motor cars and a coach occupy the surrounding forecourt. The photograph preserves a fascinating example of post-war architecture and an unusual chapter in London’s aviation history.
The Waterloo Air Terminal was operated principally by British European Airways (BEA), which provided passenger services to destinations throughout Britain and Europe. Although situated in the centre of London rather than at an airport, the terminal enabled travellers to check in for their flights, obtain boarding cards and deposit their luggage before continuing to London Airport, now known as Heathrow, or Northolt Airport. Specially operated coaches carried passengers and their baggage to the airports, providing a convenient connection between central London and the rapidly expanding world of commercial aviation.
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the building was its connection with the Festival of Britain. The distinctive structure had originally been erected as the Station Gate entrance to the South Bank Exhibition in 1951, providing visitors with access from nearby Waterloo station. Its spectacular roof consisted of a series of laminated timber arches supporting a lightweight aluminium covering, creating an unusually dramatic architectural feature. The building was designed by the architectural practice Sir John Burnet, Tait and Partners, who were subsequently responsible for adapting it for aviation use.
Following the closure of the Festival of Britain in September 1951, most of the temporary exhibition buildings were dismantled. However, the former Station Gate survived and was converted into the new Waterloo Air Terminal. The conversion included passenger reception areas, booking and enquiry counters, luggage-handling facilities and a coach departure area. The former Festival restaurant known as the Rocket was also adapted for use as a public buffet, allowing passengers and other visitors to obtain refreshments while waiting for their transport.
The Waterloo Air Terminal officially opened on 21 May 1953, although passenger operations had begun two days earlier. In addition to BEA, several other European airlines used the facility, including Aer Lingus, Air France, Sabena, Scandinavian Airlines System and Swissair. During its first year, approximately 900,000 passengers passed through the terminal, demonstrating the enormous growth in air travel during the early post-war period. The facility was designed to handle substantial numbers of passengers and provided one of London’s earliest examples of a purpose-organised city-centre airline check-in service.
An unusual feature of the terminal’s history was its connection with experimental helicopter transport. British European Airways investigated the possibility of providing a direct helicopter service between central London and Heathrow, avoiding the increasingly congested roads. A limited passenger helicopter service operated between the South Bank and London Airport during 1955 and 1956, using helicopters equipped for operation over water. Although the service demonstrated the potential of urban helicopter connections, it proved short-lived and did not develop into the regular long-term operation originally envisaged.
This photograph provides a wonderful view of the terminal’s distinctive architecture. The enormous curved roof dominates the scene, rising above the comparatively modest single-storey luggage-handling building in the foreground. Beyond the terminal, the familiar railway buildings of Waterloo station are visible, together with a church spire and the surrounding city skyline. The forecourt contains a collection of classic British cars, while a large coach on the right provides a reminder of the important road connections that formed part of the terminal’s operation.
Despite its impressive appearance and popularity, the Waterloo Air Terminal had an extremely short existence. Plans for the permanent redevelopment of the South Bank meant that the temporary aviation facility would eventually have to make way for new office buildings. On 6 October 1957, BEA transferred its central London operations to the new West London Air Terminal in Cromwell Road, Kensington. The former Festival building was subsequently demolished, clearing the site for the Shell Centre development, which was completed during the early 1960s.
The disappearance of the Waterloo Air Terminal removed one of the few substantial buildings from the Festival of Britain that had survived the original clearance of the South Bank Exhibition. Although the Royal Festival Hall remained as a permanent cultural landmark, the remarkable timber-roofed terminal vanished after little more than six years of existence in its two successive roles. This genuine colour photograph therefore provides an especially valuable record of an unusual London building that combined Festival architecture with the optimism and excitement of early commercial air travel.
More than simply a fascinating historical photograph, this distinctive image makes an unusual and attractive piece of wall art for the home, office, study or workplace. Its remarkable architectural design, classic 1950s vehicles and connection with the Festival of Britain 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 aviation history, British European Airways, mid-century architecture, London’s lost buildings or nostalgic photographs 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 example of Festival of Britain architecture given an unexpected second life as a bustling international air terminal.
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.
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