LONDON on the Ground

The church escaped the Great Fire of London, but has been badly damaged in three other fires. Today the medieval survivor contrasts sharply with the concrete of the surrounding Barbican Estate. St Giles Cripplegate is a great example of post war regeneration in the City of London. Its fabric, monuments, objects and windows reflect the long history and heritage of the City from Roman times to the 21st century. And it’s not as isolated from its surroundings as it looks. Walks

A post-war church with 17th century origins has a remarkable set of 20th century secular stained glass windows. The current church, the third on the site, is a 1950s brick-clad building of modest (although not unimaginative) external appearance. However, the church’s most engaging feature is inside, where its exceptional windows celebrate the history of the church and the surrounding area, particularly in the second half of the 20th century. They depict both ordinary lives a

Built in 1907 as a Christian Science Church, the Byzantine Revival hall is now one of London’s foremost music venues. The 950 seat concert hall is home to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and offers a programme that also includes other top orchestras and choirs in addition to rock, pop, jazz, folk, musical theatre and other events. After visiting this unusual and interesting building recently for the first time (for a concert by the English Chamber Orchestra), I decided to

A 17th century City of London Livery Hall for a 600 year old company around the corner from St Paul’s Cathedral. Tucked away in a small courtyard off Ave Maria Lane near St Paul’s Cathedral, Stationers' Hall has stood on the same site since 1606. It is one of those locations, where time appears to stand still, that are hidden away across the City of London. The Stationers are among the 39 City of London Livery Companies that have their own Livery Hall, used for dinners, rec

A range of non-religious stained glass windows telling London stories. Very often associated with saints and scenes from the Bible, stained glass is an art form that also portrays secular history. My eclectic selection illustrates aviation, pioneering women, printing, the law, civic governance, actors, artists and writers. It is only a fraction of the wonderful secular stained glass in - and about - London. Walks available for booking For a schedule of forthcoming London On T

Greater London recently reinstated its 60 year old coat of arms, while the City of London’s arms have evolved over eight centuries. St Paul, Thomas Becket, the cross of St George, lions, dragons, the Thames and the spires, towers and walls of the City have all featured in more than 800 years of designs representing London. Greater London's coat of arms The Greater London Authority (GLA) assumed the historic coat of arms of its predecessor, the Greater London Council (GLC), in

Its 900 years feature Henry V, Dickens, Livery Companies - and what a ceiling! The foundation stone of today's church of St George the...