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Charles Barry in Islington
The Parliament architect honed his Gothic Revival design skills on four Islington churches. Architect Sir Charles Barry (1795-1860) is...
London On The Ground
Dec 14, 20246 min read
173 views
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King’s College London’s Maughan Library reveals its secrets
The site’s 800 year history includes housing Jews converted to Christianity, and legal and national records. During London Open House...
London On The Ground
Nov 16, 20244 min read
123 views
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Albert Memorial: a rare look at the undercroft
Simple brick arches support one of Victorian London's most elaborate monuments. I recently joined the first ever public tour of the...
London On The Ground
Sep 29, 20246 min read
213 views
2 comments


The Islington pub with a carved fireplace more than 400 years old
The Old Queen's Head, Victorian on the outside and Tudor inside. The popular North London watering hole on Essex Road appears to be like...
London On The Ground
Sep 23, 20244 min read
128 views
2 comments


Then and now: John Thomas Smith's London
Ancient London buildings depicted in the 18th century and today. In June, I posted some of John Thomas Smith's engravings of London,...
London On The Ground
Sep 6, 20241 min read
73 views
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Eltham Palace: Medieval meets Art Deco
From ruined royal residence to magnificent modern mansion. A 15th century gothic great hall, a stunning 20th century Art Deco...
London On The Ground
Aug 26, 20247 min read
111 views
2 comments


How the 'Cheesegrater' got its wedge shape
The City of London office block, Richard Rogers and Sir Christopher Wren. Officially 122 Leadenhall Street, or the Leadenhall Building,...
London On The Ground
Aug 18, 20245 min read
167 views
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St Bartholomew's Hospital: see conservators at work in the 18th century North Wing
See paintings by William Hogarth and climb the scaffolding to admire the Great Hall's stucco ceiling. The 18th century North Wing of St...
London On The Ground
Aug 10, 20246 min read
270 views
3 comments


Ancient buildings of John Thomas Smith's London
Late 18th century engravings of London buildings that were already old then (spot the few that remain today!). John Thomas Smith captured...
London On The Ground
Jun 29, 20241 min read
112 views
0 comments


Fire, Air, Water and Earth: stone relief for Lloyd's
Fire, Air, Water and Earth: stone relief for Lloyd's. The carving, in a hidden City of London alleyway, represents the Four Elements.
London On The Ground
May 27, 20243 min read
180 views
1 comment


Art on a plate: Temple Bar's hidden treasures
Unique, architect-designed plates recognise support for the Architects Benevolent Society. City of London livery companies are known for...
London On The Ground
May 12, 20244 min read
134 views
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The Brunswick Centre, a pioneer in 20th century architecture
The Bloomsbury structure has proved highly influential, but is it modernism, brutalism or something else? The Brunswick Centre is a...
London On The Ground
Apr 29, 20243 min read
1,545 views
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Arsenal's Art Deco Highbury, Herbert Chapman and me
The North London stadium was unique in football architecture, motivated by an innovative manager and inspiring generations of Arsenal...
London On The Ground
Apr 20, 20248 min read
270 views
1 comment


Old houses of John Thomas Smith's London
Engravings of London of more than 200 years ago. John Thomas Smith was an artist, engraver and writer who captured London in the late...
London On The Ground
Mar 25, 20242 min read
251 views
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Senate House: Stalinist or Art Deco?
The University of London's 1937 landmark by Charles Holden: views differ. Senate House in Bloomsbury is the administrative centre of the...
London On The Ground
Mar 16, 20245 min read
216 views
3 comments


St Olaf House: an Art Deco classic at Hay's Wharf
Striking 1930s entrance hall and staircase, sculpted river front panels and other fine architectural details. I recently took some...
London On The Ground
Mar 4, 20245 min read
356 views
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The Royal Exchange frieze: a freeze frame of history
Sculptures on the Victorian building tell of the City of London's past It is easy to miss the sculpted details on the the Royal Exchange,...
London On The Ground
Feb 24, 20246 min read
147 views
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Wigmore Hall: acoustic and visual delights - and a repeating history
Intimate early 20th century music venue boasts a striking 'Soul of Music' mural by Gerald Moira. Wigmore Hall opened in 1901, at 36...
London On The Ground
Oct 27, 20234 min read
228 views
1 comment


Holy Trinity, a Priory in an office block
A medieval stone arch in a modern building in the City of London. The combination encapsulates much about the history of the City, now...
London On The Ground
Oct 14, 20233 min read
105 views
0 comments


The Victorian Splendour of the Hop Exchange in Southwark
The Victorian building is a striking link to Southwark's brewing and trading past. Built in 1867 to the design of architect RH Moore was...
London On The Ground
Sep 24, 20233 min read
1,153 views
1 comment
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