Architecture

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London On The Ground

Dec 146 min read

Charles Barry in Islington

The Parliament architect honed his Gothic Revival design skills on four Islington churches. Architect Sir Charles Barry (1795-1860) is...

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King’s College London’s Maughan Library reveals its secrets

London On The Ground

Nov 164 min read

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...

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Albert Memorial: a rare look at the undercroft

London On The Ground

Sep 296 min read

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...

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The Islington pub with a carved fireplace more than 400 years old

London On The Ground

Sep 234 min read

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...

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Then and now: John Thomas Smith's London

London On The Ground

Sep 61 min read

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,...

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London On The Ground

Aug 267 min read

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...

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How the 'Cheesegrater' got its wedge shape

London On The Ground

Aug 185 min read

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,...

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St Bartholomew's Hospital: see conservators at work in the 18th century North Wing

London On The Ground

Aug 106 min read

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...

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Ancient buildings of John Thomas Smith's London

London On The Ground

Jun 291 min read

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...

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Fire, Air, Water and Earth: stone relief for Lloyd's

London On The Ground

May 273 min read

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.

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Art on a plate: Temple Bar's hidden treasures

London On The Ground

May 124 min read

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...

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The Brunswick Centre, a pioneer in 20th century architecture

London On The Ground

Apr 293 min read

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...

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Arsenal's Art Deco Highbury, Herbert Chapman and me

London On The Ground

Apr 208 min read

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...

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Old houses of John Thomas Smith's London

London On The Ground

Mar 252 min read

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...

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London On The Ground

Mar 165 min read

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...

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St Olaf House: an Art Deco classic at Hay's Wharf

London On The Ground

Mar 45 min read

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...

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The Royal Exchange frieze: a freeze frame of history

London On The Ground

Feb 246 min read

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,...

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Wigmore Hall: acoustic and visual delights - and a repeating history

London On The Ground

Oct 27, 20234 min read

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...

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Holy Trinity, a Priory in an office block

London On The Ground

Oct 14, 20233 min read

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...

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The Victorian Splendour of the Hop Exchange in Southwark

London On The Ground

Sep 24, 20233 min read

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...

975 views0 comments

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wandering London's wonders

Subscribe Form To receive details of walks that are available for booking and new posts from the London blog

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To receive details of walks that are available for booking and new posts from the London blog