LONDON on the Ground

A notorious 18th century London ghost attracted crowds, the press, debates on religion and morals - and an inquiry led by Samuel Johnson. The spirit, thought to be Fanny Lynes, late wife of William Kent, made scratching and knocking noises around the bed of a sleeping young girl. In séances ‘Scratching Fanny’ accused William of poisoning her. Walks available for booking For a schedule of forthcoming London On The Ground guided walks and tours, please click here. THE MAIN CHAR

The world’s largest illustration museum is housed in historic 18th/19th century waterworks near Sadler’s Wells Theatre. I recently visited the new Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, which officially opened on 5 June 2026. The largest dedicated space for illustration in the world and the UK’s only charity for illustration, it is located in the historic New River Company’s former waterworks in Clerkenwell. Walks available for booking For a schedule of forthcoming London On

The 17th century writer, poet, philosopher, scientist and playwright questioned the role of women and divided opinion. Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle (1623-1673), was a prolific writer of non-fiction and fiction, essays, poems and plays. Her aim was uniqueness in dress, thoughts and behaviour. Unusually for a woman at the time, her works were published, and under her own name. She designed her own clothes, was open about seeking fame and was quite a celebrity in Lon

Her legacy in Islington, the City of London and Hertfordshire has lasted more than four centuries and includes one of the country’s...