1924 Gallery

Midland Oak, Leamington Spa, February 1924

A GWR Publicity image of the Midland Oak at Leamington Spa in Warwickshire in February 1924. The oak tree reputedly marked the centre of England but died in the 1960s. An acorn from the old tree was saved and a new tree was grown and then planted at the same location in 1988. A plaque now marks the spot

© STEAM Museum of the GWR

St Keyne's Well, near Looe, Cornwall, March 1924

A GWR publicity image of St Keyne's Well, near the coastal town of Looe in Cornwall. This photograph was taken in March 1924 some 12 years before the lane where the holy well is sited was widened leading to the well being rebuilt.
The well was first constructed circa 16th century and is tied to the legend of St Keyne; a princess who is said to have bathed in the waters of the spring. To this day recently married couples race each other to be the first to drink from the well; as Robert Southey's poem states "If the husband of this gifted well Should drink before his wife A happy man henceforth is he For he shall be master for life"

© STEAM Museum of the GWR

Phoenix Tower, Chester, Cheshire, 1924

A GWR Publicity view of Phoenix Tower along the Chester City Wall, Cheshire in 1924. The tower is also known as King Charles Tower due to a story that says that in 1645 at the Siege of Chester the king watched the defeat of his Royalist soldiers from the site. The connection to the Civil War made it a popular destination for tourists

© STEAM Museum of the GWR