London Blog

revealing the secrets hidden above your eyeline...

Welcome to the blog all about London and its amazing – often hidden – history. Look Up London is about spotting little details above your eye line then using them to unravel the secret history of your location. I also write about the quirkier museums and historic things to do across the city.

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I’m gradually adding all and blogs and instagram posts onto this map to make it easier to find hidden history in the area you’re curious about! See the progress below;

Latest London History Blog Posts

  • Christchurch Gardens, Victoria | Look Up London

    History of Christchurch Gardens, Victoria

    Sat alongside the busy Victoria Street, Christchurch Gardens doesn’t seem that historic at first glance. However, scratch the surface and there’s plenty of stories connected to this little green space. In September 2020 the gardens reopened after an extensive 3-year refurbishment by ReardonSmith. Regrettably a......

  • Hunterian Museum, London | Look Up London

    Visit The Hunterian Museum

    The Hunterian Museum, one of London’s best niche museums, reopened last week. Sat within the Royal College of Surgeons on Lincoln’s Inn Fields, it charts the development of surgery and pursuit of medical knowledge through the centuries. If that sounds a bit dry, think again.......

  • Beeston's Almhouses, Peckham | Look Up London

    History of Beeston’s Almshouses, Peckham

    Along Consort Road in Peckham you can admire the quaint-looking Beeston’s almshouses. As well as their charming appearance and characteristic almshouse layout, the aspect that really piqued my interest was the shield of the Girdlers’ Company. You can spot more of these in Farringdon (featured......

  • Visit the Roman Wall under Vine Street | Look Up London

    Visit the Roman Wall under Vine Street

    In early May 2023 a new basement on the eastern edge of the City opened to the public. Having previously written about the developments, I was keen to visit the Vine Street Roman Wall for a closer look. The free museum is inside Emperor House......

  • Frame Food | The Art Nouveau Factory in Southfields | Look Up London

    The Art Nouveau Factory in Southfields

    In Southfields, SW18, you can find a surprising and visually striking building. Today it’s private flats but it used to be a factory. The surprising thing is that it looks nothing like a stereotypical factory. It was built in 1903-4 for Frame Food, a baby......

  • Hospital Chapel, St John and St Elizabeth, St John's Wood

    The Stunning Chapel Hidden in a London Hospital

    St John and St Elizabeth Hospital in St John’s Wood might seem just like any other private hospital. However, open one door along a corridor and you’re in for a treat. You appear to have stepped into Rome! The chapel was built between 1862-3 and......

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Hunterian Museum, London | Look Up London

Visit The Hunterian Museum

The Hunterian Museum, one of London’s best niche museums, reopened last week. Sat within the Royal College of Surgeons on Lincoln’s Inn Fields, it charts the development of surgery and pursuit of medical knowledge through the centuries. Tables prepared with blood vessels and nerves, made c.1640s these...

Brabant Court | Look Up London

History of Brabant Court

If you’ve ever visited the Sky Garden, you probably queued alongside Philpot Lane. Just off this street is a tempting little dead end called Brabant Court and if you walk through you’ll find a surprising 18th Century building! History of Brabant Court Brabant Court can be seen...

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