Come share in London’s history…
Old King Lud
Back in London’s mythological times, this was a very important guy. He’s the King who reputedly gave his name to the city – Lud’s Town – which over the years evolved into the word London. He was, for all intents and purposes, the first Ludoner! Now if you’re thinking...
The Grace of Wapping
Got a weak stomach? So many stories from London’s past are definitely not for the squeamish. Torture, beheadings and worse - there didn’t seem to be any length they wouldn’t go to inflict pain and suffering on victims. But there was one execution site in London that...
Vincent Street fireplace
When we do tours for visitors, especially from the USA, we’re often asked if there are any remains of German bombing from the Blitz, when London was subjected to nightly bombing during WW2. It’s one of those terrible events that London will forever be known....
King Canute holds back the waves – not!
Most British schoolchildren (certainly of my generation) remember the story of silly old King Canute who sat on the beach and tried to hold back the waves to show how all-powerful he was. Well it turns out, we’ve got this totally wrong. King Cnut (note the now correct...
The great beer flood
On the face of it, sounds like the sort of event you might like to be involved in. Unlimited floods of beer cascading down. But alas no. The incident that took place at the Horse Shoe Brewery in 1814 on Tottenham Court Road (where the Dominion Theatre now stands)...
Lord North Street – an atmospheric hidden away street
Lord North Street is one of my favourite London streets. It’s hidden away near the Houses of Parliament and over the years, several of Britain’s country MP’s have made their London homes here. (Hope they’ve remembered to declare them.) Why do I love it so? Well, it’s...
The secret healing garden.
Everyone loves a secret garden. Theres something of ‘Alice through the Looking Glass’ about it. But it can’t be any old secret garden. There’s got to be something special about it. Well London has got exactly that. Drive down Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea and you’ll...
A South London incident that led to war
A pretty bold statement that. But like all ‘what if’ historical events you’ve got to use the facts and add a large dose of imagination. Take you back to 1850 and here on Park Street stood the Anchor Brewery, the largest brewery in Europe. It belonged to Barclay...
No 10 Downing Street, and it’s less than dependable developer
Downing Street is home to No 10, one of the most instantly recognisable and famous doors in the world. The official residence of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdon. Though only a few of the houses are occupied, Downing Street is often used as a metonym to...