Essential History | The top sights in London, Madrid and beyond
The best cultural and historical sights in London, Madrid and beyond.
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 [...]
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 [...]
Lincoln’s Inn Fields is named after the former recreation ground for lawyers learning and practising their profession at the adjacent Lincoln’s Inn - one of London's four Inns of Court still operating today. Originally, two separate fields, it was home to public executions before becoming a training ground for parliamentarian troops during the English Civil [...]
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). [...]
The Great Exhibition opened on 1 May 1851. A giant display of crafts and wares from around the world, it was also a major promotion of Britain and its empire. The Whig government funded the venture, realising it could be self-financing by charging an entrance fee of one shilling – something that around six million [...]
Now that the great April deluge has ceased in London, it’s time to venture out for a few pics - this time taken on my iPhone with Snapseed. In the West End:
Running until 30 July, ‘The Big City’ is a special exhibition exploring three themes of life in the City through large artworks. Grand Occasions portrays the City’s celebrations, Colossal Landscapes exhibits super-wide views of the City and Larger than Life focuses on everyday scenes of London. The exhibition celebrates the artists, past and present, who [...]
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, [...]
New exhibition at the V&A. An interesting presentation of political, technological and social drivers and exhibits that have shaped the relatively new nation of South Korea. Particularly fascinating to see how technology and entertainment have driven the country from obscurity to international recognition. Running until 25 June 2023. Each side encouraging defectors from the south [...]
Every shop on the main thoroughfare of Hatton Garden is involved in the jewellery business. That’s around 200 outlets selling gold, silver and diamond adornments. Private security guards linger on street corners, awake to the threat of heists or hold-ups. But passing among them are couples who come here to shop, liking the choice and [...]