London’s historical hidden gems
The South bank of the river in London is very popular for a weekend wander and for obvious reasons: the Globe, Tate Modern and Borough Market to name but a few sights. I would however also recommend the less well-trodden North bank between Tower Bridge and Blackfriars. It is usually a bit quieter and also […]
Queenhithe: An Anglo-Saxon Dock And A Wonderful Mosaic Read More »
I recently went on a preview Behind the Scenes tour of Tower Bridge. This included going across the famous glass walkways at the top but also down into the cavernous bascule chamber below the South tower. A Quick History Of The Bridge In the 1800s, the population of London skyrocketed from roughly 1 million in
A Look Inside The Bascule Chamber Of Tower Bridge Read More »
I was delighted to recently be invited to have a look around Goldsmiths’ Hall. Located at the junction of Gresham Street and Foster Lane, just North of St Paul’s Cathedral, it is one of the most opulent buildings in London. It is the headquarters of the Goldsmiths Company, one of the 111 livery companies in
A Look Inside The Magnificent Goldsmiths’ Hall Read More »
Every year in September the Open House festival takes place across London. Run by the architecture charity, Open City, many of the city’s buildings open their doors for free. This year I was able to visit Chartered Accountants’ Hall near Moorgate, a wonderfully exuberant late-Victorian neo-Baroque building, not ordinarily open to the public. Described by
Chartered Accountants’ Hall: An Architectural Gem In The City Read More »
By the Royal Exchange, you will find a fantastic historical leftover: an old water pump. It is very easy to miss but it has some great details on it that give insights into its history and the City more generally. A Recent Refurbishment Before I get into the history I wanted to show you what
The Cornhill Pump: An Unusual Survivor In The City Read More »