Come share in London’s history…
The In & Out
London loves a nickname. Especially one that becomes the common usage. Take the 'In & Out’ for instance. More accurately it should be known as The Naval and Military Club, a private members' club located in St James's Square. Not nearly as fun. Founded by six...
A pretty London garden square
Most people when visiting London will take in the big London parks like Hyde Park, Green Park and St James’s Park. But one of the nicest features of the city of Westminster are it’s tucked away garden squares. Some are private and for residents only while larger ones...
A most brilliant woman lived here
Another beautiful building with a famous past resident. In the days when virtually all scientists and mathematicians were men, Augusta Ada King, full title Countess of Lovelace (also known as Ada Lovelace) was something of a rarity. The only legitimate child of the...
London’s forgotten library
Everyone loves an old library and tucked away modestly in the corner of St James’s Square is a building that must surely qualify as a hidden gem. It’s the London Library and was founded on the initiative of Thomas Carlyle in 1841, who was dissatisfied with some of the...
Where D Day was planned
Okay, I grant you, this isn’t the original building, but the building that stood on the spot in St James's Square during the Second World War (called Norfolk House) was where General Dwight David Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied forces, planned Operation...
A lady that knows her own mind
Love blue plaques on London buildings. Especially those that give a real sense of the period of history they belong to, as well as the person they portray. Take this one at 79 Pall Mall for instance. Belongs to Nell Gwynn, the most famous of all King Charles II...
Backs of buildings can be a treat!
Occasionally, backs of important buildings can be unexpectedly more attractive than the front. Take Christie’s the famous Auction House in St James for instance. Christie’s was founded in 1766 by Scottish auctioneer James Christie and he must have really known what he...
A triumphant journey ended here
Seems hard to believe in this age of instant communication, but in the days before social media, telephones & even telegrams, getting news of major historical events was down to a trusted courier. Take the news of the victory at the Batlle of Waterloo for...
St James’s Church – truly a hidden gem
London’s not short of beautiful churches each with its own story to tell and its own secrets to share. But St James's in Piccadilly could really say it qualifies as a ‘hidden gem’, partly because it’s virtually hidden from view by the church’s lovely garden and the...