Archives on Show: The Greater London Council

Join us to explore the history of the Greater London Council, the local government body that managed Greater London between 1965 and 1986.

Our Archives on Show events are a chance for us to show you the wide range of material we hold at The London Archives. Whether you are new to archives and curious to see what we hold, or you are an experienced researcher that wants to learn more, these relaxed events offer a chance for you to see a selection of original materials on a changing monthly theme.

2026 marks 40 years since the abolition of the Greater London Council. Designed as a body to replace the London County Council, it had the challenging task of representing a larger area and a bigger population than its predecessor. It had to deal with a series of challenges around housing and infrastructure at a time when the post-war consensus was starting to crumble and its end came after a series of rancorous disputes with central government.

In this self-guided session, visitors can explore a selection of the Council’s records, including material relating to some of the Council’s major projects, such as the Ringway motorway box scheme, the building of Thamesmead, the Thames Barrier, the Year of Anti-Racism, the Fares Fair policy and the work of the Arts and Recreation department.

We’ll also look at material relating to the campaign against the abolition of the Council.