Dr Matthew Green is your guide to six periods in London’s history. Turn the pages and explore the sights, sounds and smells of London through the ages. Circle the walls of medieval London as the city lies barricaded under curfew in 1390. In 1603 visit a savage bull and bear baiting arena on the Bankside at the time of… More A Travel Guide Through Time
Happy Father’s Day
The history of Piccadilly The urban development of the area dates back to the 15th century. Giving most of his land to the King for a Royal Park, Anthony Cotton retained a parcel of land to bequeath to his heirs. In 1618-19 John Cotton sold it to John Golightly, who later sold it to the tailor Robert Baker. The… More An Afternoon Adventure in Piccadilly
Plays were performed in the courtyards of inns, college halls, inns and private houses until 1576. Then the actor-manager James Burbage built the Theatre in Shoreditch with his brother-in-law John Brayne. This was the first purpose-built playhouse in London. William Shakespeare joined the resident troupe at the Theatre in the 1580s. Elizabethan theatres could attract up to 3000 people and were used… More Elizabethan Theatre in Southwark
An afternoon of exploration and discovery Come on an adventure around Trafalgar Square followed by dinner at The National Gallery. You will need a smartphone to complete the photo challenges and comfy footwear. Photo of Scavenger hunt at Trafalgar square by Juliamaud Artists and Artisans Treasure Hunt. Many famous people lived and worked near Trafalgar Square. With this… More Trafalgar Square Experience
The double album TOMMY was released in the UK on May 23, 1969. It catapulted British band The Who into rock legends and popularised the notion of ‘rock opera’. Chas Early notes that it was Classically-trained Who manager Kit Lambert and the rest of the band who encouraged songwriter Pete Townshend to work on the idea of… More The Who – Pinball Wizard
I was recently given the opportunity to join the East London Humanists for guided tour of 19 Princelet Street. This building is Europe’s first Museum and Exploration of Immigration and Diversity. The elegant Georgian house was built in 1719 and became the home of a Huguenot family, who had escaped from persecution in France. It was sub-divided into lodgings and workshops… More Museum and Exploration of Immigration and Diversity.
Today is the Queen’s 90th birthday Today the Queen becomes the first British monarch to reach 90 and become a nonagenarian. There are a number of official events starting in May to mark The Queen’s 90th birthday. Thursday 12 – Sunday 15 May: The Queen and Members of the Royal Family will attend a pageant… More Happy 90th Birthday
The Queen celebrates two birthdays Each year the Queen celebrates her actual birthday (21 April) and her official birthday (a Saturday in June). Why two dates? When the monarch’s actual birthday is not in the summer, an official date is selected to mark the Sovereigns’ birthday. For example although King Edward VII was born on 9 November, his official… More Queen’s 90th birthday
Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a celebration held on 17 March, the traditional date of his death in 461 AD. St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, as you would expect, but is also… More The Feast of Saint Patrick – 17th March