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BLAST FROM THE PAST

Fascinating black and white photos reveal a vibrant pre-Blitz London in the 1930s

The nostalgic collection shows the timeless appeal of the capital

THE DAZZLING delights of London have long attracted people from all over the world.

Fascinating images from the 1930s show the ever-evolving city going through a period of exciting change and new beginnings.

Emergency buses leaving Victoria station, London, following an underground train crash on the District Line in May 1938
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Emergency buses leaving Victoria station, London, following an underground train crash on the District Line in May 1938Credit: Getty Images
Three women pictured going for a swim in the Serpentine, Hyde Park, London, complete with their gas masks.
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Three women pictured going for a swim in the Serpentine, Hyde Park, London, complete with their gas masks.Credit: Getty Images
Tuberculosis patients from St. Thomas' Hospital rest in their beds in the open air by the River Thames, opposite the Houses of Parliament in May 1936
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Tuberculosis patients from St. Thomas' Hospital rest in their beds in the open air by the River Thames, opposite the Houses of Parliament in May 1936Credit: Getty Images
Children pour out of their School in Drew Street, Silvertown, in the east end of London, with the liner ,Rajputana in the background on January 15, 1932
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Children pour out of their School in Drew Street, Silvertown, in the east end of London, with the liner ,Rajputana in the background on January 15, 1932Credit: Getty Images

The incredible black and white collection shows London pre-Blitz, with horse and carts being replaced with shiny new motor vehicles.

The thriving metropolis is a hub of culture and life, with kids playing cricket in a street in Millwall, east London and bathers in swimming suits heading to Hyde Park for a dip with gas masks over their shoulders.

The famous Piccadilly Circus can be seen illuminating the skyline with billboards in 1935, with popular Soho attracting visitors not for the nightclubs, but for its many milk bars.

American silent film actress Phyllis Gordon window-shopping in Earls Court, London with her four-year-old cheetah who was flown to Britain from Kenya
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American silent film actress Phyllis Gordon window-shopping in Earls Court, London with her four-year-old cheetah who was flown to Britain from KenyaCredit: Getty Images
Two divers jumping off the Embankment into the River Thames in London, near Westminster Bridge
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Two divers jumping off the Embankment into the River Thames in London, near Westminster BridgeCredit: Getty Images
Children playing cricket in a street in Millwall, east London on August 15, 1938, with a large liner in the background
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Children playing cricket in a street in Millwall, east London on August 15, 1938, with a large liner in the backgroundCredit: Getty Images
A Black & White milk bar on the corner of Whitefriars Street and Fleet Street in 1935
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A Black & White milk bar on the corner of Whitefriars Street and Fleet Street in 1935Credit: Getty Images

And in another incredible shot, film actress Phyllis Gordon window-shops in Earls Court, London with her four-year-old cheetah who was flown to Britain.

Tuberculosis patients from St. Thomas' Hospital can be seen resting in their beds in the open air by the River Thames, opposite the Houses of Parliament.

Meanwhile nannies push old-fashioned prams in Hyde Park in the sun.

The nostalgic set, all in black and white, celebrates the lively excitement of the capital in this fascinating decade of history.

If you enjoyed these, check out these fascinating black and white photos showing life for British kids in the 1950s… from preparing for teen dances to playing conkers in the street.

And this week we shared

Nannies push prams in Hyde Park, London alongside Rotten Row in 1936
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Nannies push prams in Hyde Park, London alongside Rotten Row in 1936Credit: Getty Images
A young exhibitor arrives with her kitten on a lead at the National Cat Club show at Crystal Palace in 1931
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A young exhibitor arrives with her kitten on a lead at the National Cat Club show at Crystal Palace in 1931Credit: Getty Images
A crowd of people wearing swimwear bathing in the Serpentine during the high temperatures in London's Hyde Park in August 1930
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A crowd of people wearing swimwear bathing in the Serpentine during the high temperatures in London's Hyde Park in August 1930Credit: Getty Images
Four swimmers enjoy an ice-cream at the water's edge in Roehampton swimming pool in 1936
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Four swimmers enjoy an ice-cream at the water's edge in Roehampton swimming pool in 1936Credit: Getty Images
Swimming pool on the roof of Piccadilly London hotel in August 1932
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Swimming pool on the roof of Piccadilly London hotel in August 1932Credit: Getty Images
Two holidaymakers amuse themselves with a porter's trolley whilst waiting for their train at Euston Station in 1939
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Two holidaymakers amuse themselves with a porter's trolley whilst waiting for their train at Euston Station in 1939Credit: Getty Images
Early morning rush hour traffic crossing London Bridge in 1933
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Early morning rush hour traffic crossing London Bridge in 1933Credit: Getty Images
A water cart man turns the water main on a group of boys to help them cool off in a street in Westminster during a heatwave in August 1930
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A water cart man turns the water main on a group of boys to help them cool off in a street in Westminster during a heatwave in August 1930Credit: Getty Images
A cleaner dusts a cast of a dinosaur skeleton at the Natural History Museum in London, 12th November 1936, which was presented to the museum in 1905 from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh
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A cleaner dusts a cast of a dinosaur skeleton at the Natural History Museum in London, 12th November 1936, which was presented to the museum in 1905 from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, PittsburghCredit: Getty Images
Londoners in bathing suits taking advantage of a heat wave at Hyde Park lido in 1933
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Londoners in bathing suits taking advantage of a heat wave at Hyde Park lido in 1933Credit: Getty Images
The Queen Victoria Jubilee Clock being removed for traffic improvement in London on August 1938
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The Queen Victoria Jubilee Clock being removed for traffic improvement in London on August 1938Credit: Getty Images
Finchfs wine bar in Oxford Street, London, next to John Lewis & Co. in 1936
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Finchfs wine bar in Oxford Street, London, next to John Lewis & Co. in 1936Credit: Getty Images
Victor Berlemont, a French publican working in an establishment of London's Soho in 1939
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Victor Berlemont, a French publican working in an establishment of London's Soho in 1939Credit: Getty Images
A photograph of a little girl drinking from a fountain with a lion's head at Finchley Swimming Pool, London in 1937
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A photograph of a little girl drinking from a fountain with a lion's head at Finchley Swimming Pool, London in 1937Credit: Getty Images
School children play in Hyde Park in 1935
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School children play in Hyde Park in 1935Credit: Getty Images
Two young men out for a walk wearing shorts because of a heatwave in 1932
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Two young men out for a walk wearing shorts because of a heatwave in 1932Credit: Getty Images
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