Category Archives: Cool Britannia

Posts predominantly related to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Daniel Lambert – The heaviest man of the 18th Century

Posted on September 14, 2020 by Stephen Liddell

Daniel Lambert 1770 – 1809 was a gaol keeper (jail) and animal breeder from Leicester, England, famous for his unusually large size. After serving four years as an apprentice at an engraving and die casting works in Birmingham, he returned … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life, London | Tagged Daniel Lambert, Fattest Man in Britain, Heaviest Man, Leicester | Leave a comment

My new book is out – Secret Gardens of the City of London

Posted on September 2, 2020 by Stephen Liddell

After a year of solid work my new book has just been released in Paperback, Kindle Apple iBook formats. So what’s it all about? Secret Gardens of the City of London is based on my unique, popular and generally … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life, London, Travel, writing, Ye Olde England Tours | Tagged books, church, City of London, Gardens, Nonfiction, Secret Gardens of the City of London, writing | 14 Comments

Coronavirus Diary 66 – I have an actual tour today!

Posted on September 1, 2020 by Stephen Liddell

Today is a very special day, I have my first proper tour since February albeit it at 50% off and possibly the only one of this year. Two people from the Lake District are staying in London for a few … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, London, Travel, Ye Olde England Tours | Tagged Coronavirus Diary, Guided Tours, Jack The Ripper, Social Distancing, walking tours, Ye Olde England Tours | 2 Comments

The origins of tipping – Paying a TIP at Twinings Tea

Posted on August 26, 2020 by Stephen Liddell

Whilst I was out and about in London last week, an area I wanted to visited was closed off so I ended up on a mini-diversion and went past the famous Twinings Tea Shop at #216 on The Strand, the … Continue reading →

Posted in history, London | Tagged London, Tea, The Strand, Tip, Tipping, Twinings | Leave a comment

The famous London Underground Rush Hour Like Never Before – A Deserted Westminster

Posted on August 25, 2020 by Stephen Liddell

On thursday last week I had reason to go into London as I was practicing one of the new tours I have been working on. For the first time since I moved house in January, I got the tube direct … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, London, Travel | Tagged Commuting, Coronavirus, London, London Underground, Social Distancing, Westminster | Leave a comment

The origins of Stonehenge are further revealed.

Posted on August 17, 2020 by Stephen Liddell

Stonehenge actually contains two different kinds of stones, erected thousands of years apart. The sarsens are the larger silica stones in Stonehenge’s outer ring and center, each about 13 feet high and seven feet wide. There are 52 on the site … Continue reading →

Posted in Cool Britannia, Heritage, history, News, Ye Olde England Tours | Tagged Archeology, Avebury, Neolithic, Stonecircle, Stonehenge, West Kennet, Wiltshire | 8 Comments

The new fourth plinth artwork at Trafalgar Square

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Stephen Liddell

Readers with a long memory might remember a post I wrote in 2018 The Trafalgar Square Fourth Plinth about a rather interesting temporary art installation what is said to be the most viewed public art annually in the world. Sadly the old … Continue reading →

Posted in Cool Britannia, Life, London, News, Opinion | Tagged Art, Fourth Plinth, London, Modern Art, Sculpture, Trafalgar Square | 7 Comments

It’s got my name on it!

Posted on July 31, 2020 by Stephen Liddell

When I was out and about on Monday this week I made a little diversion as I noticed on the map the night before there was a street near to where I would be going that possibly has the best … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, London, Uncategorized | Tagged Camden, Liddell Place, London, West Hampstead | 2 Comments

The (Deserted) Mews of Mayfair

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Stephen Liddell

One of the things I like about London are what are known as Mews. In the 18th and 19th centuries London housing for wealthy people generally consisted of streets of large terraced houses with stables at the back, which opened … Continue reading →

Posted in Heritage, history, Life, London, Photography, Travel, Ye Olde England Tours | Tagged Coronavirus, Mayfair, Mews, Mews of Mayfair, Secret London | Leave a comment

Coronavirus Diary 61 – When Social Distancing takes the Pee!

Posted on July 28, 2020 by Stephen Liddell

When I was scouting out the new tour Mayfair and Belgravia Walking Tour last week, I visited the The Grenadier Pubwhich I wrote about yesterday, I found something in the toilets which was very much a sign of the times. Of course … Continue reading →