City of London

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The first ice skating report: London 850 years ago

London On The Ground

5 days ago5 min read

The first ice skating report: London 850 years ago

William FitzStephen wrote the world’s earliest description of ice skating in around 1174. Londoners and visitors enjoying outdoor ice...

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Smithfield Market to turn lights out on a millennium of history

London On The Ground

Dec 25 min read

Smithfield Market to turn lights out on a millennium of history

An 850 year old document describes a livestock market for swine, cows, oxen and woolly flocks at Smithfield. Smithfield meat market, the...

109 views0 comments

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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City of London Street names: a dozen of the best

London On The Ground

Nov 104 min read

City of London Street names: a dozen of the best

The Square Mile has a wealth of unusual, colourful and deceptive street names. Many of London's most curious and unlikely street names...

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The Monument, the relief and its meaning

London On The Ground

Oct 207 min read

The Monument, the relief and its meaning

The sculpture on the Monument to the Great Fire of London is rich with symbolism . It illustrates the catastrophe that destroyed...

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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...

262 views3 comments

Queenhithe: one of London's oldest landmarks

London On The Ground

Aug 54 min read

Queenhithe: one of London's oldest landmarks

A mosaic at the ancient harbour illustrates London's history since Roman times. Queenhithe is the only remaining inlet of the Thames in...

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Serenity in the City: Karin Jonzen's sculptures

London On The Ground

Jul 285 min read

Serenity in the City: Karin Jonzen's sculptures

Four works by the 20th century sculptor in the City of London. One of the pleasures of walking around the Square Mile is the wide variety...

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Walking in Geoffrey Fletcher's London: Islington and the City

London On The Ground

Jun 33 min read

Walking in Geoffrey Fletcher's London: Islington and the City

See some of the London that the artist and writer feared was disappearing in the 1960s and 1970s. Best known for his 1962 book The London...

111 views0 comments

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.

146 views1 comment

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,...

120 views0 comments

London On The Ground

Feb 173 min read

Ward Lock's City of London 1929

A 95 year old illustrated guide book shows many recognisable views. Ward, Lock & Co began publishing a series of illustrated guide books...

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Temple Bar Memorial: Victorian delights you may not have noticed

London On The Ground

Feb 26 min read

Temple Bar Memorial: Victorian delights you may not have noticed

The fearsome dragon is impressive, but the plinth contains hidden treasures. Temple Bar Memorial, where The Strand becomes Fleet Street,...

111 views0 comments

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...

104 views0 comments

The Cornhill Pump, The Royal Exchange, Fire and Insurance

London On The Ground

Jul 3, 20234 min read

The Cornhill Pump, The Royal Exchange, Fire and Insurance

The 224 year old pump links the City of London, fire, insurance and the Royal Exchange. The water pump on Cornhill features helpful signs...

158 views0 comments

Caledonian Park Clock Tower: one of London's best viewing points

London On The Ground

Jun 23, 20234 min read

Caledonian Park Clock Tower: one of London's best viewing points

Tours of the little known Islington clock tower offer fabulous views. It may not be one of London's better known attractions, but it is...

739 views0 comments

Sanctuary, Naomi Blake's sculpture for victims of oppression

London On The Ground

Jun 10, 20234 min read

Sanctuary, Naomi Blake's sculpture for victims of oppression

A moving sculpted art work sits alone outside St Botolph Aldgate in the City of London. Walks and tours available for booking The London...

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City of London Police Boxes: Which is Your Favourite?

London On The Ground

May 21, 20235 min read

City of London Police Boxes: Which is Your Favourite?

The City Police call posts: history, pictures and my personal ranking. Eight cast-iron 20th century police boxes occupy prime historic...

2,063 views2 comments

Shakespeare, the First Folio and the City of London

London On The Ground

Apr 14, 20236 min read

Shakespeare, the First Folio and the City of London

The first ever collection of William Shakespeare's plays was published 400 years ago this year. Known as the First Folio, it was...

152 views0 comments

LONDON on the Ground

wandering London's wonders

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wandering London's wonders since 2021

LONDON on the Ground

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