A London street transformed to look like WW2 in The Blitz

A few weeks ago I was giving a Churchill Walking Tour to a family of 8 in London. It was a cold wintery Sunday morning and the streets were largely quiet until towards the end of the tour we came across a filming unit down a side-street near Parliament. There were a few doorways surrounded… Continue reading A London street transformed to look like WW2 in The Blitz

My New Book: Angels of Postman’s Park

For the last two years or more I have been working on my new book which I’m very happy to have released on the 28th March as my little tribe to my wonderful mother who died 10 years ago on that date. Sat almost in the shadow of St Pauls Cathedral, Postman’s Park is a… Continue reading My New Book: Angels of Postman’s Park

10 years ago today, my Mam died

It’s hard to believe that 10 years ago today, my mother died. Unexpectedly after having several bouts of cancer over the years but seemingly on the mend after a very recent operation. March is just a completely dead month to me. Her birthday on the 14th is quickly followed by Mothers Day and then a… Continue reading 10 years ago today, my Mam died

The Lamassu or Shedu of Khorsabad

Do you have a favourite ancient civilisation? Probably you’ve never really thought about it. There are so many to choose from though the mainstream media seem to obsess over the Ancient Egyptians and Ancient Greeks and of course those pesky Romans get everywhere. There are so many more major civilisations to learn about and they… Continue reading The Lamassu or Shedu of Khorsabad

St Mary le Strand – The finest 18th century church in London

St Mary le Strand is a justly celebrated architectural gem and a widely recognised landmark building. It has a grand and dignified worship space which makes it a sanctuary and place of peace in the heart of the district.  After the Great Fire and the subsequent rebuilding of St Paul’s Cathedral, the City Commissioners proposed a… Continue reading St Mary le Strand – The finest 18th century church in London

A new look for Aldwych

On Saturday whilst giving a James Bond Walking Tour, I had a brief opportunity to see the changes at Aldwych in Central London. Aldwych has always been funny kind of place. Neither here nor there really. A gateway to Covent Garden, except it’s not. Roads leading down to the river, Fleet Street and the City… Continue reading A new look for Aldwych

Have you ever thought about changing your name?

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away I wrote a post entitled What’s in a name? The name’s Liddell, Stephen Liddell. It’s hard to believe that’s over a decade ago! One thing that perhaps isn’t clear is that my name isn’t Stephen. Actually Stephen is my middle name but my first name is… Continue reading Have you ever thought about changing your name?

A valentine to St Paul’s Cathedral

I love St Pauls Cathedral. I remember when the first Covid lockdown ended and having no-one else, went to hug one of the great columns on the front of the building in gratitude for making it through the pandemic to that stage. Like Big Ben and various other church bells, St Pauls seems to be… Continue reading A valentine to St Paul’s Cathedral

The Death of Nelson – A painting in the Royal Gallery, Houses of Parliament

Following my post on tuesday about the painting depicting the two allied commanders meeting after the Battle of Waterloo, I decided I may as well post on the painting that sits directly opposite it in the Royal Gallery, Houses of Parliament. It shows the Battle of Trafalgar and the dying Admiral Nelson on the deck of HMS Victory,… Continue reading The Death of Nelson – A painting in the Royal Gallery, Houses of Parliament

THE MEETING OF WELLINGTON AND BLÜCHER AFTER THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO

There is so much to see when I go into Parliament and whilst naturally what takes the breath of many away are the grand historical chambers of the House of Lords and the House of Commons or perhaps some of the royal areas where kings and queens visit; what I always enjoy is detail of… Continue reading THE MEETING OF WELLINGTON AND BLÜCHER AFTER THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO