Cool Britannia – Stephen Liddell

My new Get Carter inspired Newcastle-Gateshead Pub Tour

One of the things people most associate with Newcastle after its engineering and sometimes chilly climate is its pubs and nightlife. When I created my first pub tour here, as with London, it became obvious there were just too many interesting old pubs to fit into one tour. In the U.K. Newcastle is often depicted… Continue reading My new Get Carter inspired Newcastle-Gateshead Pub Tour

DAVID BOWIE – A LONDON DAY – At the Fitrzrovia Chapel

I read about this exhibition a few months ago, primarily as I was trying to find any excuse to visit the Fitzrovia Chapel. Having previously tried to visit earlier in the week, I managed to find time on Sunday after multiple drenchings on a walking tour and various other ordeals that one only seems to… Continue reading DAVID BOWIE – A LONDON DAY – At the Fitrzrovia Chapel

The Fitzrovia Chapel

The Middlesex Hospital started life in the 1740’s and set up base in two terraced houses that were leased from the local landowner, Mr Goodge who is now remembered forever by the nearby tube station Goodge Street. The houses were soon later converted to accommodate 15 beds. The Middlesex was founded as a charity for… Continue reading The Fitzrovia Chapel

The Red Carpet Premiere of the new Netflix series, The Gentlemen

One of my favourite films of the last few years is The Gentlemen. I watched it several times during Covid in an empty cinema and when I could, I went out to visit one or two of the locations I wasn’t familiar with. It’s a hilarious, stylish and sometimes very violent London gangster film by… Continue reading The Red Carpet Premiere of the new Netflix series, The Gentlemen

The Newcastle – Gateshead High Level Bridge

There are so many good bridges in Newcastle, it’s almost a city defined by its bridges and certainly its most famous one is a symbol of the city. I wrote last year on another pioneering bridge across the Tyne in the link below but my favourite bridge here is actually the one I;m writing about… Continue reading The Newcastle – Gateshead High Level Bridge

William Campbell – The Heaviest Man In The World

I have spent the last few days creating a few new tours in Newcastle, two of which are historic pub themed tours. Whilst deciding upon which pubs to visit I was reminded of a fascinating if I think tragic story behind the landlord of the Duke of Wellington Pub in High Bridge. William Campbell was… Continue reading William Campbell – The Heaviest Man In The World

The strange story of the first Elephant in England

It’s long been the habit for monarchs around the world to receive some of the most incredible gifts. You only have to go to Windsor Castle to see some of the things our Royal Family have received over the centuries and apparently there are entire stores of more humdrum or precious objects. But what to get… Continue reading The strange story of the first Elephant in England

New London Overground names revealed

Most people are familiar with the London Underground map. It’s one of the most used, recognised and perhaps even loved designs ever used in travel. That famous old map doesn’t really tell the whole story though. Aside from the countless commuter lines and intercity lines which most foreign visitors would never use and so are… Continue reading New London Overground names revealed

The betrayal that ended the old British kingdom of Rheged

One of the eras of history I most enjoy is that bit of British history after the Romans and before the arrival of those pesky Normans. When the land was split between numerous kingdoms who battled for control and eventual a land of many kingdoms became one of few. It seems at least some of these… Continue reading The betrayal that ended the old British kingdom of Rheged