Living London History

Gunnersbury Museum: A Mansion, An Unusual Princess And Local Curiosities

chesherj — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 09:28:40 +0000

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. […]

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London’s Mysterious Underground Street: The Story of Lower Robert Street

chesherj — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 22:13:38 +0000

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 […]

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A Hidden eye-Opening Museum Near Charing Cross

chesherj — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 15:15:22 +0000

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, […]

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Why Is There A Bell From East London In Manhattan’s Oldest Church?

chesherj — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 14:33:45 +0000

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 […]

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Pulling back The Curtain On The Extraordinary Story Of The Lyceum Theatre

chesherj — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 08:51:21 +0000

The Lyceum Theatre on Wellington Street is well known today as having been home to Disney’s The Lion King musical since 1999. It does, however, have a history that stretches back much further. It is a tale that involves waxworks, a ‘stupendous ostrich’ , a Victorian star of the stage and a world famous author. […]

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