Essential History | The people, places and events that have shaped our history and culture
The people, places and events that have shaped our history and culture
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
In the heart of the City of London (the historic ‘square mile’) is a labyrinth of hidden alleyways connecting coffee houses, wine lodges, restaurants and churches. If you’re visiting London, it’s a must-see. This short guide will direct you through the area. You might lose your bearings, but it’s compact and completely safe. [...]
The former London home of Sir Thomas More, stands on Chelsea Embankment adjacent to Chelsea Old Church (More’s home is the central grey stone building in the featured picture). Originally situated in Bishopsgate it was moved here in 1910 since Chelsea was the location of More’s Beaufort House and estate (only recalled now by local [...]