G is for… Galleries
London has a world-class art scene, from the ancient to the modern, punk to kitsch, history paintings to immersive artworks, and everything in between.
As well as the pieces themselves, the galleries in which they are shown are some of the most beautiful in the world, and in this edition of my A to Z of London, we are exploring the letter G, for Galleries.
F is for… Fire
London is many things: ancient, modern, beautiful, bustling, cultured, fascinating… and flammable. The nation’s capital city has suffered many fires since its founding by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago, and in this part of my A to Z of London, we are going to take a look at some of the most famous and disastrous.
E is for… Executions
One of the parts of our history that I get asked about most often is also one of the darkest: the many executions that have taken place in London through the centuries. Until 1998, the United Kingdom had the death penalty (although the last state execution actually happened in August 1964); this means that, over the years, many hundreds if not thousands of people lost their lives in Britain to the hangman’s noose, the headsman’s axe, or, occasionally, more brutal methods such as being burned or boiled alive.
D is for… Drink
For good or ill, we Brits have an international reputation for liking a drink or two, particularly in that quintessentially British institution, the pub. For this edition of the blog, I’m going to take a look at some of the drinks that we love, and some of the best places in London to sample them.
C is for… Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the wonders of London: its history stretches back to the 7th century, and it houses beautiful treasures and famous tombs.
Built at the turn of the 1700s, it was the tallest building in London right up until 1963
B is for… Bridges
If I asked you to name London’s most famous bridge, what would you say? And what does it look like? Most people will say “London Bridge”, but describe Tower Bridge – so read on to find out which is which, along with some stories about the dozens of other bridges over the River Thames.
A is for… Animals
There is a long history of animals forming part of the fabric of London society: from lions at the Tower of London, to penguins inspiring architecture at London Zoo; from friendly gorillas to Roman rabbits – animals have always lived alongside London’s human inhabitants, and many of them have made a permanent mark on this great city.
Shakespeare in London
William Shakespeare made his name as a playwright, author, and actor in London. His 38 plays and over 150 poems cover many aspects of life and the human condition, including love stories, tragedies, historical epics, and tales of triumph, disaster, betrayal, and delight.
Literary Bloomsbury
Many famous and fascinating people have also called Bloomsbury home; for many of us, the first thing that springs to mind when the name Bloomsbury is mentioned, is the eponymous Bloomsbury Group, a group of writers, artists, and intellectuals centred around Virginia and Leonard Woolf.
Remember, remember…
“Remember, remember, the fifth of November - gunpowder, treason, and plot”
What is the origin of this schoolyard rhyme, and the spectacular fireworks displays every November?