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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...
London On The Ground
Jun 29, 20241 min read
Walking in Geoffrey Fletcher's London: Islington and the City
See some of the London that the artist and writer feared was disappearing in the 1960s and 1970s. Welsh Dairy, Carter Lane by Geoffrey...
London On The Ground
Jun 3, 20244 min read
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.
London On The Ground
May 27, 20243 min read
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...
London On The Ground
May 12, 20244 min read
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...
London On The Ground
Apr 29, 20243 min read
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...
London On The Ground
Apr 20, 20248 min read
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...
London On The Ground
Mar 25, 20242 min read
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...
London On The Ground
Mar 16, 20245 min read
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...
London On The Ground
Mar 4, 20245 min read
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,...
London On The Ground
Feb 24, 20246 min read
Ward Lock's City of London 1929
A 95 year old illustrated guide book shows many recognisable views. Ward, Lock & Co began publishing a series of illustrated guide books...
London On The Ground
Feb 17, 20243 min read
Temple Bar Memorial: Victorian delights you may not have noticed
The fearsome dragon is impressive, but the plinth contains hidden treasures. Temple Bar Memorial, where The Strand becomes Fleet Street,...
London On The Ground
Feb 2, 20246 min read
Would Elizabeth I recognise Clerkenwell today?
A drawing of Clerkenwell in 1560, two years into the reign of Elizabeth I, shows some features still visible today, sort of. Published in...
London On The Ground
Jan 19, 20248 min read
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...
London On The Ground
Oct 27, 20234 min read
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...
London On The Ground
Oct 14, 20233 min read
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...
London On The Ground
Sep 24, 20233 min read
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...
London On The Ground
Sep 8, 20232 min read
The Almeida, Islington's world renowned local theatre, has a colourful history
Once a Victorian self-education institute, Salvation Army barracks and a novelties store, it's now one of London's best loved theatres....
London On The Ground
Sep 1, 20234 min read
Caledonian Park Clock Tower: one of London's best viewing points
Tours of the little known Islington clock tower offer fabulous views. It may not be one of London's better known attractions, but it is...
London On The Ground
Jun 23, 20234 min read
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...
London On The Ground
May 21, 20235 min read
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