London’s historical hidden gems
Gunnersbury Park is a beautiful spot for a wander and a much-loved green space for locals. Less well explored, however, is the grand house at its heart, which is home to a fascinating museum. Its history involves an unconventional princess, one of the wealthiest families in the world and some intriguing stories along the way.
Gunnersbury Museum: A Mansion, An Unusual Princess And Local Curiosities Read More »
Just off the Strand and missed by most is one of London’s most unusual streets: Lower Robert Street. Off York Buildings is a dark, vaulted passage. Head down here and you find a sloping, winding street. It then takes a sharp turn to the right, passing a large underground garage and a series of storage
London’s Mysterious Underground Street: The Story of Lower Robert Street Read More »
Seconds from Charing Cross Station is a brilliant historical surprise: a small museum, hidden mostly below ground: the oldest museum in the world dedicated to all things optometry including spectacles, lenses, eye tests and more. Unbeknownst to almost everyone bustling in and out of the train station, a stone’s throw away is an extraordinary collection,
A Hidden eye-Opening Museum Near Charing Cross Read More »
Towards the bottom of Broadway in Manhattan, not far from Wall Street, you will find St Paul’s Chapel, the oldest surviving church building in Manhattan. Duck inside and you will discover a rare little corner of calm amongst the frenetic energy of New York City. St Paul’s has a fascinating history, its story inextricably entwined
Why Is There A Bell From East London In Manhattan’s Oldest Church? Read More »
West Norwood Cemetery is one of the famous ‘Magnificent Seven’ cemeteries in London. Others I have written about previously include Highgate, here and Abney Park here. They are all fascinating, sombre, atmospheric places to wander around, bursting with stories but also spaces of peace, solitude and nature. West Norwood is the resting place for a
From Doulton To Mrs Beeton: Exploring The Amazing West Norwood Cemetery Read More »