Essential History | The top sights in London, Madrid and beyond
The best cultural and historical sights in London, Madrid and beyond.
During the fifteenth century, London’s merchants and elites supported the Yorkists in the infamous Wars of the Roses. So, in 1485, it was somewhat ‘cap in hand’ they greeted the victor of the Battle of Bosworth Field, the Lancastrian Henry Tudor - soon to become King Henry VII. Henry settled in Greenwich and embellished an [...]
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 [...]
Regent’s Canal was London’s main thoroughfare for heavy freight from the 1820’s – used by horse-drawn barges taking goods from sea-faring vessels on the River Thames into mainland England. The canal stretches 13.5 km from Little Venice in the west of London to Limehouse Basin in the east, today’s Docklands. The canal drops around 30 [...]
Brick Lane, in London's East End, is an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, market stalls and street art installations. Here are a few shots taken in late 2021. (Nearest tube station: Aldgate East).
Here is a pub-walk through one of London's most historical and well-heeled residential areas. Mayfair, named after its raucous annual fair, was purpose-built during the mid to late-1700's. Many wealthy residents moved here from Soho - where they had lived after the devastating Great Fire of London of 1666. Sir Richard Grosvenor engaged Thomas Barlow [...]
Spitalfields is an historic area to the east of the City of London. Since the 1660's, it has been the traditional first stop for immigrants arriving in London - and has suffered its share of poverty and destitution. Today, however, the area is a melting pot of the creative industries, street art and bohemian residents. [...]
Borough Market is one of London’s oldest markets, first mentioned in 1276. This is owing to its position on the south side of London Bridge - the only bridge across the river until 1750, when Westminster Bridge opened. Borough Market served travellers arriving or departing London from places to the south east of London, in [...]
Discover the site of London's Roman Forum - and the secrets of the Victorian Leadenhall Market today. Designed and created by Sir Horace Jones in 1881, Leadenhall Market is one of the three markets he built for the City of London. It was built on the site of the Roman Basilica and Forum (some ruins [...]