Category Archives: history

Posts predominantly history related.

Finding an old WW2 pillbox on the Thames

Posted on June 30, 2022 by Stephen Liddell

A few weeks ago I was out in East London towards the Thames Estuary doing some research for my book when I realised I was going to be close on an old WW2 bunker that I had been wanting to … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life, London | Tagged WW2, Video, Photography, River Thames, Pillbox, Thamesmead | Leave a comment

On the hunt for Black Marys Hole

Posted on June 23, 2022 by Stephen Liddell

Not every expedition I make, finds what I’m looking for. Sometimes it is all but impossible because for intents and purposes, what I’m looking for no longer exists on the surface. Unlike my last post on Clerkenwell, I knew I … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life, London | Tagged Black Marys Hole, Clerkenwell, Holy Well, River Fleet | 2 Comments

A look inside an Anchorite Squint

Posted on June 20, 2022 by Stephen Liddell

Whilst I was poking around a church recently I came across one of these (see photo below). It is an Anchorite Squint. Pious and and Holy people from faiths around the world have long sought solitude to get closer to … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life, Religion and Faith | Tagged Anchoress, Anchorite, Anchorite Squint, Christian, church, St Julian of Norwich | 6 Comments

Thomas Becket Play and Pageant 2022

Posted on June 13, 2022 by Stephen Liddell

Whilst I was giving a Roman Tour on Saturday, my guests and I happened across a mini rehearsal fora special event coming up later this week in the Guildhall Yard. Two very large figures were inthe process of being taken … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Heritage, history, Life, London, News | Tagged Archbishop of Canterbury, City of London, Guildhall, Medieval, Theatre, Thomas Becket | Leave a comment

Putting the well into Clerkenwell

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Stephen Liddell

I always like finding what’s beneath the surface in London, whether it is getting locked in with Roman ruins, snooping around for an ancient friary Finding the ruins of Whitefriars beneath the streets of London, getting up close and personal with … Continue reading →

Posted in history, London, Religion and Faith, Travel, Ye Olde England Tours | Tagged Clerkenwell, Farringdon, Holy Well, Pub Tours, River Fleet, walking tours | Leave a comment

A bit of historic detective work on a young Victorian hero – Solomon Galaman

Posted on May 30, 2022 by Stephen Liddell

The book I have been working on recently is one of those labours of love that I sometimes do if only for myself that quite often seem to catch the imagination of others. Researching places relating to the heroes of … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life, London, writing, Ye Olde England Tours | Tagged Angels of Postmans Park, Death, Farringdon, Postman's Park, Secret Gardens, Solomon Galaman, Walking Tour | Leave a comment

Nicholas Breakspear – the only English Pope

Posted on May 19, 2022 by Stephen Liddell

Not far from where I used to live until recently, in the small Hertfordshire village of Abbots Langley stands St Lawrence Church. The small church is located just off the high street and like many small parish churches is rich … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged Bedmond, English Pope, hertfordshire, Nicholas Breakspear, Pope Adrian IV | Leave a comment

Bumping into John Keats at St. Guy’s Hospital

Posted on May 11, 2022 by Stephen Liddell

Sometimes when I am out and about in London I find that for a few days or even weeks my paths cross with that of a famous or historical figure on numerous and sometimes unexpected occasions and recently I have … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life, London, Travel, Ye Olde England Tours | Tagged Guy's Hospital, John Keats, Keats, Medicine, Poetry, Statue | 2 Comments

Getting Snug With Box Beds

Posted on May 5, 2022 by Stephen Liddell

If you’ve ever browsed properties for sale in expensive and over-crowded cities such as London, Tokyo or New York you may have seen some creative descriptions from estate agents that are only surpassed by the ingenious if often very unsatisfactory … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Heritage, history | Tagged beds, Box Beds, Capsule bed, history, Home, Life, Sleep | 2 Comments

Going to my first Opera at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Posted on April 26, 2022 by Stephen Liddell

Last Saturday I managed to bag a small ambition that I had wanted to do for decades, experience a real life opera and I managed to do so in one of the very finest venues in the world, the Royal … Continue reading →