In the very 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 relatively compact - [...]
Tag: Religious buildings
Political landmarks in Westminster
The Parliament of the United Kingdom is renowned world-wide as being the 'mother of all parliaments' This post is a self-guided walk through the heart of political Westminster. The walk starts in Smith Square, Westminster, home to party HQ's, lobbyists and political associations and ends in Trafalgar Square. It will take you around three hours, [...]
Normandy’s D-Day beaches, Bayeux and Caen
In this 75th anniversary year of D-Day my brother and I made a short trip to Normandy to visit the D-Day landing beaches, museums and memorials. We also visited the Bayeux Tapestry (depicting the Norman invasion of England in 1066) and the burial tomb of King William I in Caen. It was a faced-paced visit [...]
Birthplace of the world’s most famous writer – Stratford-upon-Avon
The centre of Stratford-upon-Avon is packed with Elizabethan and Jacobean architecture and history that recall the life of the world's most famous writer, William Shakespeare. This article shows you how to spend one day in Stratford-upon-Avon, exploring the town and its connections to the bard. We start the walk in Henley Street near the [...]
Historic Kennington pub walk
The district of Kennington is south of the River Thames in the borough of Lambeth. It is Historic Kennington owing to its royal connections reaching back to Saxon and medieval times (its name means the 'Kings Town’). Kennington was the location of the palace of the Black Prince, eldest son of King Edward [...]
The home of the Bishops of London – Fulham Palace
Tucked away in south west London is the home of the Bishops of London since 704 AD. Set in magnificent grounds close to the River Thames it is a secluded environment that manages to combine places for children to explore, historical interest and a great cafe - all in a country-side setting! Fulham Palace remained the [...]
Hampton Court Palace – home of England’s most famous king
Hampton Court Palace was the home of England's most famous king from 1529 until his death in 1547. With sixty acres of gardens and 750 acres of parkland, it was King Henry VIII's weekend and summer retreat from London. Successive monarchs also saw the appeal and the palace was occupied by monarch's of the Stuart [...]
Christmas services at Westminster Abbey
If you’re in London during December you might want to participate in one of the Christmas services taking place in Westminster Abbey. Dates have recently been announced. Services, which are free and require no booking, commence on 2nd December, then the 16th and throughout the Christmas period. This is a unique experience [...]
A weekend in medieval Girona
Girona is an historic city in Catalonia in north eastern Spain, close to the Costa Brava and Barcelona. It has a warm climate, a fascinating history and fine restaurants. And the city is served by an international airport with frequent, quick and inexpensive flights from London. All these factors make it ideal for a short break! [...]
A self-guided walk in Spitalfields, London
Spitalfields is in the east end of London and very close to the City of London (financial district). Its been the traditional first stop in Britain for immigrants, going back to the 1600’s and has had its share of poverty and destitution. However, today the area is a melting pot of the creative industries, street [...]