London’s historical hidden gems
Around the back of Westminster Abbey, away from the hustle and bustle of Parliament Square, you will find a medieval survivor: the Jewel Tower. The Jewel Tower is a stubborn remnant of the old Palace of Westminster, when it was still the primary royal residence. I pass by it on my Westminster’s Backstreets: Saints and Scoundrels […]
A Visit To The Jewel Tower: A Medieval Relic Read More »
Hyde Park hides a secret. Out of sight and, not ordinarily open to the public, is a cemetery. The headstones however are tiny and you will see names such as ‘Darling Fluff’, ‘Jack the Dandy’, ‘Chim-Chim’ and ‘Bijou’. This is not ordinary cemetery, it is a pet cemetery. I was shown this fascinating and rather
Hyde Park’s Hidden Victorian Pet Cemetery Read More »
London’s streets are awash with fascinating street furniture, hiding in plain sight, you just need to know where to look. I have, for example, written about the Piccadilly Porter’s Rest before in a previous post. I also talk about all sorts of quirky street furniture in my new book! Another easy-to-miss detail is the Duke
Where To Find The Duke of Wellington’s Mounting Block Read More »
Wandering around the quiet back-lanes of Hampstead is an activity I can highly recommend. You never known what you might stumble across. Away from the busy Hampstead High Street, on Cannon Lane, you will find not one but two brilliant urban oddities. The Hampstead Parish Lock-Up Firstly, built into a brick wall you will find
The History Of Hampstead’s Old Parish Lock-Up Read More »
On Paternoster Square by St Paul’s Cathedral you will find an ornate stone gateway. It is called Temple Bar and is, in fact, the only surviving gateway into the City of London. It has not, however, always sat serenely next to St Paul’s and has a rather gory element to its past. Temple Bar The
The Tumultuous and Gruesome History Of The Temple Bar Gate Read More »