Old London by the Sea

Earlier this month I returned to the seaside town of Swanage, Dorset for the first time since a family holiday in the seventies. I have limited memories of the Swanage from my childhood but do remember the name Mowlem which is the name commemorated on various...

Epping Forest and a Tale of Two Houses

Having spent Open House Saturday leading two ninety minute walks around Secret Victoria I decided to concentrate my Open House visits locally today. I visited two very different sites but each with something in common – their former grounds are now part of...

3 Hidden(ish) cafes near Oxford Street

You might think that there would be nothing hidden from view in the vicinity of Oxford Street being one of London’s busiest thoroughfares. Suprisingly there is. Each of these 3 great cafes is just off Oxford Street – the furthest being probably 2...

Do you know where these are?

London is surprisingly full of hidden artwork sometimes so tucked away that I do wonder if the only people to actually notice it are those on my walks. Although my walk tomorrow evening is entitled Gingerbread and Tea a food & drink themed walk around Mayfair I...

Can you help on 26th April?

When I ticked the box to be an “occasional volunteer” for the RNLI I hadn’t anticipated ending up with a role that involves finding and coordinating collectors in the City of London for their collecting day in April now known as Mayday. I realised my...

Why I’m supporting the London taxi trade

There is a misconception amongst many people I know that black taxis are expensive.  However if you compare their service to other trades when you want quality then you get what you pay for. People seem happy to pay a premium rate for a particular make of phone,...