My London Blog!
Welcome!
This is the place for the fun stuff – a commentary on what I love about my city. The aim is to inform and entertain! I hope to submit at least one post a week.
My wish is to keep it light-hearted and quirky!
What you can look forward to...
London always has a story to tell and I want some of those tales to be told here. Let the following headings be a guide for what you will find here:
- Fun Facts
- Photos & Videos
- Quirky Stories
- Personal Memories
- Theatre and Restaurant Reviews
- Myths and Legends
- Quirky London history.
24th November 2021
Autumn in manchester Square, London.
Welcome to one of the less visited of London’s Squares. About 10 minutes from Bond Street Station, you will find yourself in elegant Manchester Square, an C18th garden square. The perimeter is composed of Georgian houses, many containing blue plaques to the great and the good.
On the north side of the square is Hertford House which contains the magnificent Wallace Collection.
Notable residents included: Admiral Sir Thomas Foley; Julius Benedict, the German-born composer; John Hughlings Jackson, the English neurologist; Alfred Lord Milner, statesman.
The cover photo for The Beatles album, Please, Please Me, was taken at the EMI offices on the square, where you can see the band looking down a stairwell. That building unfortunately is no longer here.
However, I was here for afternoon tea in the courtyard of Hertford House after a brief look at the wonderful Wallace Collection, which is free to visit and features fine and decorative arts from the C15th – C19th within 25 galleries. Highlights include 8 paintings by Canaletto, 5 by Rembrandt and The Laughing Cavalier by Frans Hals.
Another of London’s hidden treasures!!
15th November 2021
A little too early for me but Fortnum and Mason in Piccadilly are well and truly ready for Christmas!!
Always so festive and eager to take a peek inside once December is upon us!!
8th October 2021
Welcome to Smithfield – London’s Bloodiest Square!
Subscribe to @garyonlondon on YouTube for the full tour of this historical and fascinating district of the City of London + future tours and highlights of LIVE TikTok Tours @garyonlondon
30th August 2021
The van gogh alive experience
This week, I visited the Van Gogh ALIVE immersive experience in Hyde Park. I was particularly excited as I had seen this wonder in Rome a few years ago and had never forgotten it!
Unfortunately it didn’t live up to that memory in Italy. Perhaps that is because I HAD seen so it didn’t have the surprise impact but in truth the layout in London didn’t compare. In Rome, you wandered from room to room experience the magic of van Gogh’s paintings through every era, accompanied by beautiful music. It truly was a memorable experience.
However, if you have never seen it before, I would still advise you to see it but know that the entire experience takes place in one room and most people have to sit on a hard floor for the duration.
12th august 2021
Crossing the Thames at richmond
When I was walking along the Thames at Richmond and Twickenham this week, I arrived at Ham House, ready to cross the Thames via the foot ferry when I came across this!
The tide was high (cue Blondie song) and due to the heavy rainfall London has experienced in recent days, the jetty was surrounded by the Thames and passengers had to wade through the water in order to arrive on dry land!
30th july 2021
From the Romans to The Shard
I walked along the South Bank after a tour with my students from Kensington Academy of English this week and just loved this contrast, especially against the clear blue sky!
In the foreground we have what is supposed to be a Roman soldier, I presume, indicating that it was the Romans who first colonised the area, naming it… Londinium.
To the right of the soldier, we have the magnificent historic Southwark Cathedral where Shakespeare worshipped and John Harvard was baptised.
To the left, we have the C21st building , The Shard which is the tallest building in western Europe, contains 11,000 windows and a viewing platform, as well as the beautiful Shangri-La Hotel – why not go there for a cocktail one evening and watch the sunset over London?
23rd july 2021
Hampstead pergola
Today, I decided to go to work on my Hampstead LIVE tour on TikTok (@garyonlondon) which will take place on Saturday 31st July at 2pm (weather dependent) and at regular intervals afterwards.
I am so excited about this guided walk and to show everybody this charming and fascinating village in Greater London with:
- cobbled streets and alleys
- Greater London’s oldest surviving church yard, containing graves of the rich and famous
- Two beautiful churches
- Hampstead Pergola (pictured here)
- and much, much, more…
It was a scorching hot day (29C) and I thought the pergola would be packed but thankfully, apart from the usual couples taking formal photos and videos, it was quiet so I was able to take some wonderful photos which I’ve featured here on the Blog today.
For the rest of the Hampstead tour:
- check out my TikTok page @garyonlondon
- book a tour with me
- subscribe to my You Tube channel (@garyonlondon) to view highlights of the live tour.
To visit Hampstead Pergola, take the underground to Hampstead Underground Station (northern line) and walk uphill to Jack Straw’s Castle, and it’s a few minutes walk from there…and well worth it!
Have a great weekend!!
17th July 2021
What a contrast!
I am a big fan of architecture and love the contrast between the Middle Ages and the Modern!
You will find no better example of this than in the St Mary Axe area (closest stations are Monument or Liverpool Street).
In the foreground of the picture on your left, you will see the medieval church of St Andrew Undershaft, recorded as being built in 1147, and a rare site in the city, as it survived not only the Great Fire of London in 1666, and The Blitz in World War II.
Behind, towering above this gem, we have the iconic Gherkin which was opened in 2004.
Such a contrast, and one that I enjoy although I know that there are others who would disagree with me and would prefer not to see this.
9th july 2021
A great sporting weekend
Wembley
Wimbledon
30th June 2021
The Hahn/cock (The blue chicken)
The 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square has offered the viewer a variety of artworks over the years, but one of the most popular (and bizarre) was the Blue Chicken (or the Hahn/Cock to give it the official title), unveiled in 2013. It left the square in 2015. It now resides in the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.
So what did it mean? The artist, Katharina Fritsch, has said that it has a number of interpretations and it is something male (a cockerel) that has been created by a woman in a public square full of male dominated art: from the equestrian statue of King George IV to Horatio Nelson, at the top of his famous column.
The vibrant blue contrasts sharply with the predominant grey of the rest of the square.
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson noted that it was ironic that this symbol of France stands in the square named after the French defeat at the hands of Lord Nelson.
23rd JUne 2021
Statue of Sir John Betjeman
Inside the magnificent St Pancras Station, stands a statue of Sir John Betjeman, the Poet Laureate from 1972 until his death in 1984. He was also a founding member of the Victorian Society and a passionate defender of the architecture of that period.
After the Doric Euston Arch was demolished in 1961, he realised that without checks, their perennial opponent, British Railways, had to be challenged. This, Betjeman did with vigour, as he discovered plans to demolish St Pancras Station, the adjoining Midland Hotel, and King’s Cross Station. He was instrumental in his campaign and eventually saw this grand Victorian gem receive Grade 1 listed status which meant that it would remain intact.
The bronze statue by sculptor, Martin Jennings was unveiled in 2007 by the poet’s daughter, and the Poet Laureate at the time, Andrew Motion. It marked the opening of the Eurostar Terminal.
This tireless campaigner saved a number of other Victorian architectural jewels, including The Blackfriar pub, opposite Blackfriars Station.
For a further details, why not visit the Online Tours page and purchase my City of London Pub Tour.
17th june 2021
Battersea Power Station
The iconic Grade II listed Battersea Power Station is one of the world’s largest brick buildings, was built in the 1930s and decommissioned in 1975.
Since then, a number of proposals have been put forward for it’s future from theme park to a new Chelsea stadium and eco-dome. Finally a proposal was accepted in 2012 for a complete redevelopment and regeneration of the area. Apple will create office space for 1400 employees and 4000 new homes will be created in due course.
Battersea Power Station has been used as a location in many films including Hitchcock’s 1936 classic, Sabotage; The Beatles’ second film, Help; and The Battle of Britain in which it was subject to a daylight attack. In real life it was used as a navigational landmark for Luftwaffe attacks.
It has also appeared in The Meaning of Life; Children of Men; Ian McKellen’s, Richard III; and The Dark Knight
It’s probably most famous for appearing on the front cover of the Pink Floyd album, Animals with an inflatable flying pig hovering above it.
9th June 2021
The Bridge of Aspiration
Above Floral Street, next to Covent Garden, you will find a rather beautiful bridge, known as The Bridge of Aspiration which opened in 2003.
It links The Royal Opera House to The Royal Ballet School, and always reminds me of the twisted spine of a dancer in motion.
One day I’ll cross it!
For more on this unique bridge, subscribe to my YouTube channel – garyonlondon, and view the ‘NOT The Covent Garden Tour’
9th June 2021
Advertising
As you walk around London you can find many old murals and paintings advertising products and services which are now long gone.
For example, the beautiful mural on your left, advertises something called “Cictor’ (?)
Any ideas? I’m stumped!
3rd June 2021
Highlights of my recent LIve Tiktok tour after 7pm tonight
Follow me on TikTok for more LIVE tours and Fun Facts on London!
garyonlondon
Highlights include:
- Film Locations
- Historic Pubs
- Alleys & Cobbled Streets
- The Royal Opera House
- Hidden Courtyards
- Street Art
- Diagon Alley!?
LIVE on TikTok: Sunday 30th May: 1pm - UK time
NOT The Covent Garden online Tour
A LIVE walking tour around the cobbled streets and alleyways of Covent Garden on a warm Spring day! NOT the piazza but the surrounding streets!
This tour will take you through the history of this vibrant district with many fascinating stories and fun facts about Covent Garden!
- Street Art
- Vintage Shops
- The Royal Opera House
- Film Locations
- Historic Pubs
- Hidden Courtyards
- Theatres
- …Diagon Alley!
So join me on this interactive online tour of one of London’s lesser know areas!
26th May 2021
Abbey Road Recording Studios
A five minute walk from St John’s Wood Underground Station, we find the world famous recording studios, Abbey Road, synonymous with The Beatles, of course. The house was originally built in 1829 and was composed of 9 rooms.
About
The Gramophone Company bought the building in 1928 and created the first purpose-built recording studio in the world. The opening ceremony took place on the 12th November 1931, and Sir Edward Elgar conducted a performance of Land of Hope and Glory.
Indeed it was originally a venue for classical music, then jazz and big bands before popular music took over and Cliff Richard recorded his debut single here, Move It.
However it is The Beatles that put the studio on the map. With the collaboration of George Martin, who incidentally went to the same school as yours truly, they recorded 190 of the 210 songs here.
Pink Floyd wildly experimented with music here, while Shirley Bassey and Aretha Franklin also recorded here.
Since those famous days, other artists have made Abbey Road Studios their recording home. These include: Adele, Amy Winehouse, Ed Sheeran, Oasis, Lady Gaga and Radiohead.
Many soundtracks to award winning films have also been recorded here: The Lord of the Rings, Skyfall and the Harry Potter series. Glenn Miller’s last recording before his death was made here.
Follow on TikTok: garyonlondon
Fans have left their mark on the place too…literally! The wall outside the front of the studios are always adorned with messages from Beatles fans,
Many of them also recreate the iconic front cover of the Abbey Road Album by standing on the zebra crossing, as The Beatles did in 1969 irritating frustrated drivers!
20th may 2021
The Albert Bridge
The Albert Bridge is one of London’s lesser known bridges but arguably one of the most beautiful, especially at night. It connects the Chelsea district of north London with the Battersea area in South London, and was built in 1873 by Roland Mason Ordish but was strengthened and modified in the 1880s and 1970s.
It was built as a toll bridge by Geoffrey Marks but was unsuccessful and taken into private ownership after 6 years. The toll booth is still there and the only one of its kind on a London bridge.
It has been nicknamed, “The Trembling Lady” because of vibrations when large numbers of people walk over it, and there is a sign instructing troops to break step as they march over the bridge, in other words, not to march in a uniform manner.
It has been used as a backdrop for a number of films including; Sliding Doors, A Clockwork Orange and Absolute Beginners; and is at the centre of “Misty Morning, Albert Bridge” by The Pogues.
After some work, it was reopened in 2011, and two dogs named Prince and Albert from Battersea Dogs Home, reopened the bridge by being the first to walk over it.
At night, the bridge is lit by 4000 LED.
14th May 2021
One Canada Square
In the heart of Canary Wharf, stands the skyscraper, One Canada Square, the third tallest building in the UK (although this is always changing!)
It was designed by Cesar Pelli and is 235 metres high…that’s 50 storeys..and was opened by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 1991.
The light beacon at the top of the pyramid makes planes using the nearby City Airport, aware of its mighty presence. The building contains 3960 windows…that’s a lot of cleaning!
One Canada Square has featured in several feature films, including: The World is Not Enough; Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; Johnny English, and The Bourne Supremacy; as well as being the location of The Torchwood Institute in Dr Who!
6th May 2021
The Emirates stadium
It is just a coincidence that I am highlighting the Emirates Stadium today when Arsenal are playing their most importatn game of the season tonight in the 2nd leg of the semi-final of the Europa Cup against Villa Real and the return of the former manager, Unai Emery. As it stands the half time score is 1-2 so we must win tonight!!
Anyway onto the stadium, which was opened in 2006 and seats just over 60,000 fans. Even though the previous stadium, Highbury, was much loved, it was felt that in order to grow, the club needed a new purpose built ground for the 21st century so a search for new land, close the Highbury, was made. There was talk of Wembley or an area of King’s Cross but eventually the site of Ashburton Grove was chosen…a stones throw from the historic original stadium which pleased most supporters.
Dennis Bergkamp’s testimonial game was the first match to be played in the new stadium (I was there!); managers and players have come and gone. Trophies won but not the Premier League trophy since we left Highbury which has now been converted into an apartment complex…see the video below.
Now there is a rumour that we have never won the Premier League since we have been at The Emirates Stadium because of a curse!!! It has been suggested that one of the builders was a Spurs fan (Arsenal’s mortal enemies) and he buried a Spurs shirt deep under the centre circle ans this is why the Premier League hasn’t been won since the move. Although Spurs haven’t won the Premier League since 1961 so what’s their excuse?
COYG!!!
The Emirates Stadium has also hosted a number of concerts and I was very lucky to have been at two of them: Coldplay and Bruce Springsteen!
Bruce Springsteen
Coldplay
30th April 2021
The Anchor tavern
Standing in the shadow of the 21st century Shard, on the South Bank of the Thames in London, we find The Anchor Tavern. It has a fascinating history and is one of the river’s great drinking establishments.
Did Shakespeare drink here? Most probably, although the current pub was built in 1614, the previous tavern would have welcomed the city’s actors and writers so perhaps Shakespeare, Johnson and Fletcher exchanged ideas here over a few beers.
This is also where the great diarist, Samuel Pepys, buried his cheese for safekeeping under The Anchor. This sounds a little eccentric, doesn’t it? However, you have to realise that cheese was an expensive commodity in 1666.
It is also believed that press gangs worked here in the 18th century, capturing drunken young men, by any means necessary, to work on the King’s ships. If you took “the king’s shilling” you were obliged to toil onboard the royal fleet. At times, it is said the gangs would drop a shilling into a glass of beer, and as the young man, unaware of such deviousness, finished his beer and fished out the shilling, he was promptly told that in accepting this, he had “taken the king’s shilling therefore belonged to the navy. Others were clubbed and dragged to the ships.
On a happier and more modern note, the final scene of the first Mission Impossible film was shot outside The Anchor Tavern with Tom Cruise and Ving Rhames enjoying a beer after their heroics.
You can find The Anchor Tavern on the South Bank of the Thames at 34 Park Street, London, SE1 9EF, Why not enjoy a drink on the terrace and watch the sunset over the Thames.
23rd April 2021
The Albert Memorial
In my opinion The Albert Memorial is one of the most spectacular monuments known to man. Whenever I am strolling in Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens, I always make a point of sitting for a few minutes to admire this colossal tribute to love and loss.
When Queen Victoria lost her husband Prince Albert in 1861, she must have been devastated. She was devoted to him. We’ve all seen the film and TV shows which portray the Queen as devastated after his death.
She commissioned this beautiful memorial and Giles Gilbert Scott’s design was chosen. It was opened by Queen Victoria in July 1872 and the guilt bronze seated figure of the Prince Consort was added in 1875. This was covered in gold leaf during its restoration. Many other Albert memorials were erected in other cities…it started a trend.
It stands opposite the Royal Albert Hall, one of the projects raised with the money from The Great Exhibition of 1851, Albert’s great legacy! Behind this magnificent concert hall is “Albertopolis” which is an area full of museums, galleries and educational institutes, built using the the proceeds from 1851.
Kensington Gardens is the perfect site for the Albert Memorial, as it brings back memories of the Great Exhibition, situated just stone’s throw from the monument. I would highly recommend that you visit the site when you are in central London, maybe take a picnic, sit back and admire this huge achievement
23rd April 2021
Happy St George’s Day!
Happy Birthday Shakespeare!
14th April 2021 (2 days earlier this week!)
The Brompton oratory
Are we in neo-classical Rome?It looks like it, doesn’t it?In fact, today I am taking you to Knightsbridge, in order to show you this gem of a church.
The London Oratory is incorrectly known as the “Brompton Oratory” but its official title is The Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It was built between 1880 – 1884 and is the second largest Roman Catholic church in London. In fact its aisle is even wider than St Paul’s Cathedral.
After converting to Catholicism in 1845, John Henry Newman, bought St Phillip’s Oratory from Rome to London. Their original premises in The Strand were described as a whisky shop, a gin store and a dance hall before a house and a church were built on the present site.
The Italianate Baroque architecture is a deliberate reference to Rome.
The Oratory is free to visit. The nearest underground station is South Kensington (Piccadilly and District/Circle Lines).
It’s basically next door to the Victoria & Albert Museum!
12th April 2021
Pubs reopen outdoors
Today pubs is England were allowed to open, as lockdown restrictions were eased. Hairdressers, gyms, zoos, theme parks and retail shops also opened their doors to an eager public.
I decided to walk to the historic town on Waltham Abbey in Essex and have my first pint in a beautiful Grade II listed pub, The Welsh Harp just behind the abbey itself.
I ordered a pint of Bulmers cider, a dish of whitebait and buffalo wings then sat in the Spring sunshine, feeling totally relaxed and optimistic!
Follow me on Instagram/TikTok @garyonlondon, for one minute videos about unusual London history and fun facts. I will be posting more videos on the Waltham Cross & Waltham Abbey areas in the coming weeks but if you are want to know more about this fascinating area, check out my full length tour in the Online Tours section.
9th April 2021
The Agatha Christie Memorial
The Agatha Christie Memorial is located at the intersection of Cranboun Street and Great Newport Street close to Leicester Square underground station and in the heart of London’s theatre district.
Agatha Christie has the world’s longest running play, The Mousetrap, which is due to reopen on 17th May 2021 when lockdown restrictions ease. It opened in London in 1952 so has now been playing here for 69 years. Agatha Christie was the first female playwright to have three plays running simultaneously in the West End and fully deserves this accolade.
The sculptor is Ben Twistor-Davies and the memorial, features a book at its centre. It is made of bronze. It was unveiled in 2012 to mark the 60th anniversary of The Mousetrap. The titles of some of her most popular books appear on the sculpture, in English and other languages. Her novels have sold over 2 billion copies!
7th April 2021
Pubs reopen (Outdoors)...coming soon
Yes, in 5 days time, on Monday 12th April 2021, UK pubs will reopen!
Outdoors only! Let’s hope the weather stays fine!!
2nd April 2021
Horse Guard's Parade
On Tuesday this week, we had a glorious sunny day in London! It was so unexpected but so welcome. A perfect day to film the new introduction to my website, a great suggestion from Terence Teevan. Take a look on the Homepage.
We certainly don’t have many days like this in March so I made the most of it and travelled across London, making the most of this Spring weather! The temperature reached 24 degrees celsius.
Unfortunately it won’t last and on Easter Monday, we may get snow!
Oh…the English weather!
26th March 2021
the natural history museum
In my opinion, this is one of the most stunning buildings in the world – The Natural History Museum. When I first came here as a child, I was blown away by its sheer size and beauty; this was before I went inside to view the wonders of the collection.
This menagerie of terracotta designs is simply a ‘cathedral to nature!’ It was the architect, Alfred Waterhouse, who we can thank for this magnificent structure which is a combination of gothic revival, Romanesque and inspired by the natural world. He believed that terracotta would fare well in the Victorian grime and pollution.
The Museum opened in 1881 and has been evolving ever since and it’s free! It is also part of Albertopolis. This title was given to this area because it contained buildings constructed from the proceeds raised by The Great Exhibition of 1851 which was the brainchild of Queen Victoria’s consort, Prince Albert.
You may wonder why this post doesn’t include any information on the exhibits inside? Well I’m going to save that treasure for another post but will say this – if you are coming to London be sure to visit this magnificent pageant of nature.
19th March 2021
Royal Boroughs
There are a few London boroughs, for example, Kensington & Chelsea, and Greenwich, which are known as Royal Boroughs, but what does that term mean?
It is, in effect, similar to a person being awarded an honour but far more exclusive. Sometimes a borough will petition for this status, while others have the title conferred on them because of links with royalty, as in the case of the borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Kensington received its royal title after a wish left in the will of Queen Victoria who was born in Kensington Palace.
There is often some rivalry between neighbouring boroughs, for example, Westminster which is a city and doesn’t have royal status, despite being home to Buckingham Palace!
So next time you are in London, take a look at some of the road signs which indicate if you are standing in a Royal Borough, or not!