Virginia – the ‘Old Dominion’

Virginia – the ‘Old Dominion’

This is a portrait of the 'Chief of Men', Oliver Cromwell, by Robert Walker.  It is an oil on canvas and was painted in 1649 – the year King Charles I was tried and executed.  Cromwell was a country gentleman who took up arms against King Charles I in order to protect the rights of [...]

Queen of America

Queen of America

Here is a glittering portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn - that you can see at the National Portrait Gallery. Elizabeth I lived from 1533-1603 and reigned from 1558-1603.  This portrait was by an unknown English artist in c.1600 and is known as 'The Coronation portrait' - because [...]

Where 007 was created

Where 007 was created

This is one of a collection of buildings in Whitehall that was the centre of British naval power from the mid-1700's to the 1960's.   It is officially called the Admiralty Extension, and is on Horse Guards.  Completed in 1904, it was the workplace of Ian Flemming; creator of James Bond (and Chitty Chitty Bang [...]

How to visit Buckingham Palace all year round

How to visit Buckingham Palace all year round

Think you can only visit the interior of Buckingham Palace during the summer months?   In fact you can visit The Queen's Gallery all year round.  It may not have the magnificence of the State Rooms, but it's actually inside the Palace and shows artworks from the Queen's vast 'Royal Collection'.  It's a privately owned collection; [...]

Top 5 restaurants in London

Top 5 restaurants in London

Here is a selection of 5 restaurants, from the hundreds in London - representing our most memorable meals of the past year. George and Vulture – for the heritage It’s original, very English, impossible to find and you can sit where Charles Dickens dined. It appears that not much has changed here since the 1860’s. [...]