London On The Ground
Albert Memorial: a rare look at the undercroft
Simple brick arches support one of Victorian London's most elaborate monuments. I recently joined the first ever public tour of the...
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London On The Ground
- Sep 23
- 4 min
The Islington pub with a carved fireplace more than 400 years old
The Old Queen's Head, Victorian on the outside and Tudor inside. The popular North London watering hole on Essex Road appears to be like...
93 views2 comments
London On The Ground
- Sep 6
- 1 min
Then and now: John Thomas Smith's London
Ancient London buildings depicted in the 18th century and today. In June, I posted some of John Thomas Smith's engravings of London,...
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London On The Ground
- Aug 26
- 7 min
Eltham Palace: Medieval meets Art Deco
From ruined royal residence to magnificent modern mansion. A 15th century gothic great hall, a stunning 20th century Art Deco...
78 views2 comments
London On The Ground
- Aug 18
- 5 min
How the 'Cheesegrater' got its wedge shape
The City of London office block, Richard Rogers and Sir Christopher Wren. Officially 122 Leadenhall Street, or the Leadenhall Building,...
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London On The Ground
- Aug 10
- 6 min
St Bartholomew's Hospital: see conservators at work in the 18th century North Wing
See paintings by William Hogarth and climb the scaffolding to admire the Great Hall's stucco ceiling. The 18th century North Wing of St...
233 views3 comments
London On The Ground
- Jun 29
- 1 min
Ancient buildings of John Thomas Smith's London
Late 18th century engravings of London buildings that were already old then (spot the few that remain today!). John Thomas Smith captured...
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London On The Ground
- May 27
- 3 min
Fire, Air, Water and Earth: stone relief for Lloyd's
Fire, Air, Water and Earth: stone relief for Lloyd's. The carving, in a hidden City of London alleyway, represents the Four Elements.
118 views1 comment
London On The Ground
- May 12
- 4 min
Art on a plate: Temple Bar's hidden treasures
Unique, architect-designed plates recognise support for the Architects Benevolent Society. City of London livery companies are known for...
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London On The Ground
- Apr 29
- 3 min
The Brunswick Centre, a pioneer in 20th century architecture
The Bloomsbury structure has proved highly influential, but is it modernism, brutalism or something else? The Brunswick Centre is a...
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London On The Ground
- Apr 20
- 8 min
Arsenal's Art Deco Highbury, Herbert Chapman and me
The North London stadium was unique in football architecture, motivated by an innovative manager and inspiring generations of Arsenal...
259 views1 comment
London On The Ground
- Mar 25
- 2 min
Old houses of John Thomas Smith's London
Engravings of London of more than 200 years ago. John Thomas Smith was an artist, engraver and writer who captured London in the late...
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London On The Ground
- Mar 16
- 5 min
Senate House: Stalinist or Art Deco?
The University of London's 1937 landmark by Charles Holden: views differ. Senate House in Bloomsbury is the administrative centre of the...
205 views3 comments
London On The Ground
- Mar 4
- 5 min
St Olaf House: an Art Deco classic at Hay's Wharf
Striking 1930s entrance hall and staircase, sculpted river front panels and other fine architectural details. I recently took some...
299 views0 comments
London On The Ground
- Feb 24
- 6 min
The Royal Exchange frieze: a freeze frame of history
Sculptures on the Victorian building tell of the City of London's past It is easy to miss the sculpted details on the the Royal Exchange,...
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London On The Ground
- Oct 27, 2023
- 4 min
Wigmore Hall: acoustic and visual delights - and a repeating history
Intimate early 20th century music venue boasts a striking 'Soul of Music' mural by Gerald Moira. Wigmore Hall opened in 1901, at 36...
186 views1 comment
London On The Ground
- Oct 14, 2023
- 3 min
Holy Trinity, a Priory in an office block
A medieval stone arch in a modern building in the City of London. The combination encapsulates much about the history of the City, now...
104 views0 comments
London On The Ground
- Sep 24, 2023
- 3 min
The Victorian Splendour of the Hop Exchange in Southwark
The Victorian building is a striking link to Southwark's brewing and trading past. Built in 1867 to the design of architect RH Moore was...
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London On The Ground
- Sep 8, 2023
- 2 min
All Saints Margaret Street, a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture
One of Britain's best examples of Victorian Gothic, the church is a rich celebration of colours and geometric shapes. For a full schedule...
262 views2 comments
London On The Ground
- May 21, 2023
- 5 min
City of London Police Boxes: Which is Your Favourite?
The City Police call posts: history, pictures and my personal ranking. Eight cast-iron 20th century police boxes occupy prime historic...
1,916 views2 comments
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