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 [...]

Lincoln’s Inn Fields – training ground for the English Civil War

Lincoln’s Inn Fields – training ground for the English Civil War

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 [...]

Exhibition Road

Exhibition Road

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 [...]

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 [...]

Holland Park

Holland Park

Holland Park in west London is the former estate of Holland House, home to Henry Fox Lord Holland and his family from the late 1700s. Henry’s son, Charles James Fox, was a prominent Whig politician. A leading libertarian and lifelong thorn in the side to George III, he was Britain’s first foreign secretary. Today, the [...]

The Big City at Guildhall Art Gallery

The Big City at Guildhall Art Gallery

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 [...]

St. Katharine Docks

St. Katharine Docks

St Katharine Docks were opened in 1828 to provide capacity for Britain’s largest import (and second largest export after wool); tea. Arriving in tea chests from China and India it was a roaring trade, accounting for around 400,000 tea chests per year. For 140 years, these docks were central to satiating the appetite for the [...]

Conflict in Europe – new gallery at the National Army Museum

Conflict in Europe – new gallery at the National Army Museum

The National Army Museum has recently completed a curatorial overhaul of its European collection of artefacts charting ‘Conflict in Europe’ from the 1700s to the present day. Covering territorial and balance of power disputes in continental Europe, the gallery explains the Army's role in helping maintain Britain's influence in European affairs. Waterloo artefacts - including [...]

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, [...]