London’s streets- the history of them and the stories behind their names
Spitalfields, I think, is one of London’s best areas for an aimless wander. It is steeped in history, each building stuffed with, often, centuries worth of stories. I spot new details on the facades of the old 18th century townhouses every time I walk the atmospheric backstreets: door knockers, drain pipes, doorcases. A recent open […]
Hidden Oases: A Sneak Peek At Five Spitalfields Gardens Read More »
Skimming over the East End of London on Google maps (or your maps provider of choice), you will notice the generally pretty jumbled, but organic, street pattern. Winding roads, little lanes, diagonals and dog-legs. This is an area that has been developed piecemeal over the centuries, with no overarching organisation. That is until you come
Visiting The Site Of One Of Victorian London’s Worst Slums Read More »
Just behind Cheapside, one of London’s most historic streets, is a tiny little, overlooked pocket park. As is often the case with the City, even the smallest plots of ground have many stories to tell. It was once the site of a medieval church called St Peter, Westcheap and today contains a famous tree. Cheapside
St Peter Westcheap: A Tiny Pocket Park And A Famous Tree Read More »
Down Ely Place in Holborn, tucked between a terrace of Georgian townhouses, you will find one of London’s great medieval treasures: St Etheldreda’s. You can see its location here: It is often said to be London’s oldest Catholic church. As is often the case, it depends on how you define ‘oldest’. A more accurate description
St Etheldreda’s, Holborn: London’s Oldest Catholic Church Read More »
The tight grid and tangle of streets in Spitalfields are some of the best preserved and atmospheric in the city. The area has an extraordinary amount of surviving eighteenth century architecture; townhouses built largely for the Huguenot silk-weavers who moved to London to after fleeing religious persecution in France. I was lucky enough recently to
Through The Keyhole: A Look Inside 13 Princelet Street Read More »