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

The origins of tipping – Paying a TIP at Twinings Tea

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 famous old road that links the City of London to the City of Westminster. Twinings… Continue reading The origins of tipping – Paying a TIP at Twinings Tea

York Watergate – The ceremonial gateway to the River Thames, out of sight of water.

Following on from Mondays post on the Lions of the River Thames, not to far away is one of the last remnants of an era of grandeur on the Thames that has largely been swept away.  The York Water Gate. However, if you walk along the River Thames you won’t ever find it.  That’s because… Continue reading York Watergate – The ceremonial gateway to the River Thames, out of sight of water.