High Above London

by Jason Hawkes (Photographer), Barbara Roveda

A look from above reveals the true nature of London – it is a collection of villages. Each of these ‘villages’ has its own history and character – all captured by the magnificent photographs of Jason Hawkes and Nathan McConnel. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

Europe’s largest metropolis, both in population and size, is cut in two by the River Thames and interspersed with many parks, and at its heart are the great palaces of the City of Westminster and the skyscrapers of the City of London (known as the City). There are also the superb Georgian terraces in the West End and the modern architecture on the South Bank and further east in Canary Wharf. Then there is the East End, which was the traditional working-class residential and industrial area, but where today artists mix with immigrants and young professionals.

 

Other contrasting aspects of London include the impeccable elegance of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the extensive suburbs that seem like separate country towns, as though the rest of the city was miles away.

 

The sky offers a perfect vantage point to view this vast city, where seven million people, comprising 30 ethnic groups and speaking 300 languages, share its 66 square miles of parks and gardens, 17,000 historic buildings, 200 museums and more than 100 theaters. Undoubtedly one of the world’smost exciting cities.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Jason Hawkes specialises in aerial photography from helicopters. He is based just outside London in the UK, and works worldwide.