Monthly Archives: May 2018

The largest glasshouse in the world re-opens at Kew

Posted on May 31, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

Founded in 1840, The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew is one of the most extensive and important botanical gardens in the world, housing the “largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections” around the globe. It’s quite frankly one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, News | Tagged Encephalartos woodii, Kew, Kew Gardens, London, Temperate House, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Travel | 2 Comments

My ride in the last ever petrol London Black Taxi

Posted on May 28, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

In my role as a tour guide, I get to explore every hidden corner of London, though after nearly 5 years I sometimes feel like I am still just learning the ropes. Every day, every neaighbourhood reveals new secrets, new … Continue reading →

Posted in Cool Britannia, Heritage, Life, London, Travel, Ye Olde England Tours | Tagged Black Taxi, Hackney Carriage, London, London Taxi, London Transport, Tours, Travel, Ye Olde England Tours | 2 Comments

2,000 years on Bath Abbey is set to use the famous hot water that the Romans did!

Posted on May 24, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

Long before the Romans, it was the ancient Celts who lived across the British Isles who first noticed the hot waters spewing forth from deep beneath the the surface of the Earth, In fact, they used to pray there. When … Continue reading →

Posted in geography, history, Science and Engineering, Travel, Ye Olde England Tours | Tagged Bath, Bath Abbey, Bath and Stonehenge, Energy, Green Issues, Renewable Energy, Roman Baths | 1 Comment

Egypt and the building of a new Capital City

Posted on May 21, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

Though Egyptians have lived in and around the Cairo area since time began, the modern city itself is ually traced to the year 968 AD and the newly arrived Fatimid dynasty. For centuries the city prospered and grew to become … Continue reading →

Posted in geography, Life, News | Tagged Cairo, Capital City, Desert, Egypt, Entrada, Fatimids, Water | 2 Comments

Harry, Meghan and the £32 million wedding!

Posted on May 17, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

Today’s couples spend an average of £17,913 on their big day, with the average wedding size being 78 guests for the ceremony and 83 guests for the evening. However, Harry and Meghan aren’t like today’s average couples. They’re having everything from bespoke silver … Continue reading →

Posted in Cool Britannia, Heritage, Life, News, Ye Olde England Tours | Tagged #RoyalWedding, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Royal Family, Royal Wedding, Windsor, Windsor Castle | 10 Comments

The Royal Wedding – Harry and Meghan by the numbers

Posted on May 14, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

A few days ago, the Queen signed the Instrument of Consent which gave official approval for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, you can see her signature at the top right of the document. So I thought I … Continue reading →

Posted in Cool Britannia, Heritage, Life, London, News | Tagged #RoyalWedding, London, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Royal Wedding, Windsor, Windsor Castle | 7 Comments

Is the Queen descended from the Prophet Muhammad?

Posted on May 10, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

It is said that most of us have hundreds or thousands of living relations, if only we knew who they were. On one line of my family tree I have found to be descended from such people such as the … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life, Religion and Faith | Tagged family tree, Genealogy, Islam, Prophet Muhammad, Royal Family, royalty, SOAS, The Queen | 6 Comments

London VE Day Photos from 8th May 1945

Posted on May 8, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

Today is VE Day and I wasn’t going to post anything in particular but a quick search came across countless incredible photos and so I thought, why not! VE Day is a public holiday in several European countries such as … Continue reading →

Posted in history, London, WW2 | Tagged 8th May 1945, Churchill, East End, Peace, photos, Picadilly, VE Day, Victory In Europe Day, war, WW2 | 4 Comments

The lonely Isle of Islay and the doomed American soldiers who died there in 1918 in 2 naval disasters.

Posted on May 7, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

The Scottish Isle of of Islay is best known these days for its world famous peaty single malt whisky but a century ago, this normally tranquil place which sits on the western coast of the U.K and facing the fierce … Continue reading →

Posted in Heritage, history, WW1 | Tagged First World War, HMS Mounsey, Islay, Malcom MacNeill, Otranto, Royal Navy, SS Tuscania, WW1 | 1 Comment

Ye Olde England Tours is Hiring!

Posted on May 5, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

Most of you will know that I run a small tours company based in London. We do a large number of walking tours in London itself along with plenty of day trip car based tours to places of interest such … Continue reading →