Coronavirus: The lockdown in Historic England pictures

2 June 2020

Rory Milner decided to merge the need for an overdue haircut and the want for a fun family activity in his picture in Chatham, Kent

Rory Milner Man cuts his own hair in mirror as garden as other man mows the lawn — Rory Milner decided to merge the need for an overdue haircut and the want for a fun family activity in his picture in Chatham, Kent

Empty streets, home-made haircuts and a giant NHS thank you cut into a field.

These are among the 200 images that best reflect the nation's lockdown, according to Historic England.

More than 3,000 pictures were submitted by the public during a week-long appeal, with the final selection being added to the Historic England archive.

Ten contemporary artists have also entered pictures into the archive as well as choosing favourites from the public submissions.

Historic England said the call-out was the first time the public had been asked to capture photographs for the archive since World War Two.

"The fascinating response to our Picturing Lockdown call-out sheds light on our collective and individual experiences of lockdown and provide a snapshot into this unusual time that will be accessible for future generations to see and learn from," Claudia Kenyatta, director of regions, said.

The Joe Wicks exercise videos have been watched by millions during the lockdown including this pair from Beckenham in London

Francesca Brecciaroli Boys do Joe Wicks video — The Joe Wicks exercise videos have been watched by millions during the lockdown including this pair from Beckenham in London

With gyms closed, these three men had to innovate in this garden in Yorkshire

Coralie Datta Men use gym equipment in a garden — With gyms closed, these three men had to innovate in this garden in Yorkshire

Ann Bull and her Historic England photographer husband Alun have been keeping occupied at their home in Fulwood, Sheffield

Alun Bull Man cycles on bike inside while wife does chores — Ann Bull and her Historic England photographer husband Alun have been keeping occupied at their home in Fulwood, Sheffield

Keen climber Jody Cliffe has been "climbing the walls" at his home in Sheffield as he is unable to get out to the Peak District

Jody Cliffe Man climbs in stairwell — Keen climber Jody Cliffe has been "climbing the walls" at his home in Sheffield as he is unable to get out to the Peak District

Antonia Hinds said her family have been getting "increasingly inventive" in using the garden of their home in Dulwich, south London

Antonia Hinds Woman reads paper in garden as two children play around her — Antonia Hinds said her family have been getting "increasingly inventive" in using the garden of their home in Dulwich, south London

This picture by Emma Dullroy was submitted by Angela Anderson as it shows people gathering in the street in Sunderland to show their respect for her sister Fiona Anderson, a nurse who died from Covid-19

Emma Dullroy People stand apart in street to clap for nurse — This picture by Emma Dullroy was submitted by Angela Anderson as it shows people gathering in the street in Sunderland to show their respect for her sister Fiona Anderson, a nurse who died from Covid-19

Artist Bella Milroy, who took this picture of a neighbour's funeral procession in Chesterfield, said society has had to reinvent rituals during the lockdown

Bella Milroy Hearse carries coffin as people watch — Artist Bella Milroy, who took this picture of a neighbour's funeral procession in Chesterfield, said society has had to reinvent rituals during the lockdown

Bill Ward's picture of an empty playground in Bristol was hailed by artist Malaika Kegode as a "striking image"

Bill Ward Empty playground in Bristol — Bill Ward's picture of an empty playground in Bristol was hailed by artist Malaika Kegode as a "striking image"

Donna Duke-Llande was due to get married in Crete but instead had to spend what would have been her wedding day at home in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

Donna Duke-Llande Couple in wedding outfits and children in back garden — Donna Duke-Llande was due to get married in Crete but instead had to spend what would have been her wedding day at home in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

These friends found a way to drink champagne together in Bath

Jamie Bellinger Women sit apart from each other drinking champagne in street — These friends found a way to drink champagne together in Bath

This was Laura Dally's first meeting with her first grandchild in Liverpool, with the excited new grandmother saying: "I can only imagine what she feels or smells like"

Laura Dally Woman looks overjoyed as she takes picture of baby through a window — This was Laura Dally's first meeting with her first grandchild in Liverpool, with the excited new grandmother saying: "I can only imagine what she feels or smells like"

Steven Murray's picture of his fresh oranges being washed in Chesterfield "had a really powerful visual domestic presence of lockdown" and "will be a powerful and important addition to the archive" according to artist Bella Milroy

Steven Murray Oranges in washing up bowl — Steven Murray's picture of his fresh oranges being washed in Chesterfield "had a really powerful visual domestic presence of lockdown" and "will be a powerful and important addition to the archive" according to artist Bella Milroy

Mya Scott's self-portrait of her "gentle and thoughtful" solitude in Southwark resonated with artist Polly Braden

Mya Scott Mya looks sadly at outside world through window — Mya Scott's self-portrait of her "gentle and thoughtful" solitude in Southwark resonated with artist Polly Braden

Workers at the Vauxhall plant in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, were pictured observing social distancing during their break by Colin McPherson

Colin McPherson Aerial view of workers taking break on separate tables — Workers at the Vauxhall plant in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, were pictured observing social distancing during their break by Colin McPherson

Homemade haircuts were a common find across the country including in Fulwood in Sheffield

Alun Bull Two people cut hair in neighbouring gardens — Homemade haircuts were a common find across the country including in Fulwood in Sheffield

Wolverhampton-based artist Anand Chhabra had to become an amateur barber for his teenage children

Anand Chhabra Back of boy's head after haircut — Wolverhampton-based artist Anand Chhabra had to become an amateur barber for his teenage children

Samantha Toolsie was taken with the "meticulous pride" a cleaner at Leeds railway station was showing in her work, adding that normally the cleaner would be "overseen or barely noticeable" during the normal morning rush hour

Samantha Toolsie Woman cleans hand rail in station ticket office — Samantha Toolsie was taken with the "meticulous pride" a cleaner at Leeds railway station was showing in her work, adding that normally the cleaner would be "overseen or barely noticeable" during the normal morning rush hour

Whitby in Yorkshire and Threadneedle Street in London are normally busy with people but not when Colin Waller and Polly Braden visited each respectively

Colin Waller/Polly Braden Boy alone on Whitby Street and empty London street — Whitby in Yorkshire and Threadneedle Street in London are normally busy with people but not when Colin Waller and Polly Braden visited each respectively

Artist Roy Mehta said Shuvaseesh Das' picture of people clapping for the NHS in the London suburbs was a "powerful image"

Shuvaseesh Das People clap on balcony — Artist Roy Mehta said Shuvaseesh Das' picture of people clapping for the NHS in the London suburbs was a "powerful image"

Danny Burrows took this picture of people applauding the NHS one Thursday night in Deal, Kent

Danny Burrows Girl bangs pot lid with spoon in street — Danny Burrows took this picture of people applauding the NHS one Thursday night in Deal, Kent

The nation has been keen to show its support to the NHS while staying home to ease the health service's burden as shown here in a near-empty Piccadilly Circus

Alla Bogdanovic Cyclist in empty Piccadilly Circus with large NHS billboard — The nation has been keen to show its support to the NHS while staying home to ease the health service's burden as shown here in a near-empty Piccadilly Circus

A farmer showed their support for the NHS by carving this message into fields close to the Hampshire village of East Meon

Shoppers waiting to enter a supermarket in Wallington in London captured the eye of Michaela Strivens

Michaela Strivens People queue outside supermarket — Shoppers waiting to enter a supermarket in Wallington in London captured the eye of Michaela Strivens