Political landmarks in Westminster

Political landmarks in Westminster

The Parliament of the United Kingdom is renowned as the 'mother of all parliaments'  This post is a self-guided walk through the heart of political Westminster, taking in Parliament and associated sights. The walk starts in Smith Square, Westminster, home to party HQ's, lobbyists and political associations and ends in Trafalgar Square.  It will take [...]

The Lambeth Workhouse that was home to Charlie Chaplin

The Lambeth Workhouse that was home to Charlie Chaplin

In 1896, Charlie Chaplin, his mother and brother presented themselves at the door of the Lambeth Workhouse in south London.   Charlie’s father had left them and with no secure earnings and they were destitute.   Making matters worse Charlie’s mother, Hannah, also suffered from mental problems.  Over the next few years the family passed in, and [...]

Hatfield House and the Old Palace

Hatfield House and the Old Palace

The history of Hatfield House starts in 1485, when the Bishop of Ely (Cambridgeshire) constructed Hatfield Palace, today known as the Old Palace. At the Dissolution of the Monasteries (1536-41), Hatfield Palace was acquired by King Henry VIII, passed down in sequence to his children; Edward, Mary and Elisabeth and then inherited by King James [...]

Somerset House – London Design Biennale 2023

Somerset House – London Design Biennale 2023

Somerset House has an illustrious past. The site was once the home of Lord Protector Somerset then Tudor and Stuart queens of the realm before becoming the first home of the Royal Academy (1771-1836), the Royal Society (1780-1857), a London headquarters of the Royal Navy - and then a government tax and records office (1789-1985). [...]

Victoria Embankment Gardens

Victoria Embankment Gardens

In July 1870, Joseph Bazalgette’s Victoria Embankment was opened by the Prince of Wales. Reclaiming 37 acres of the Thames river and foreshore it provided space for new underground railways and a sewer system (also designed by Bazalgette). At ground level, landscaped gardens and statues of leading figures were laid out for the enjoyment and [...]

Charles Dickens’ London home and museum

Charles Dickens’ London home and museum

Note: Book ahead, walk ups will be accommodated subject to availability. At the age of 25, Charles Dickens rented (as was normal practice of the day) a large home in Doughty Street, London.  He did this, just as his writing career, under the pseudonym of ‘Boz’, was taking off.  Dickens lived here with his wife, [...]

Sights around Covent Garden

Sights around Covent Garden

Covent Garden is home to the world-renowned Royal Opera House, the Royal Ballet and the London Transport museum – as well as some of the best shopping, food & drink and street entertainment in London. This post is about the foundation of Covent Garden. Covent Garden was originally a medieval orchard and garden, belonging to [...]

Drury Lane and the Theatre Royal

Drury Lane and the Theatre Royal

Renowned for being the home of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane has a colourful past stretching back to the fourteenth century. Named after Sir Thomas Drury, who built a house here during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, it peaked as a select and fashionable neighbourhood in C16-17. However, one hundred years later, it had [...]

London’s finest watergate

London’s finest watergate

York Watergate bears evidence to the estate of York House, the London residence of the Bishop of York that stretched 400 metres from the river front north to Strand. In 1870 Sir Joseph Bazalgette’s Victoria embankment reclaimed around 100 metres of land along a two-mile stretch of the Thames, leaving the watergate marooned in what [...]

London’s 5 most historic five-star hotels

London’s 5 most historic five-star hotels

Here are London’s 5 most historic five-star hotels, in date-of-opening order. If your budget doesn’t stretch to an overnight stay, settle for a coffee in the public lounge! London’s first hotel built in 1837 with numerous historical associations - not least being the location for the first successful telephone call in London by Alexander Graham [...]