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.
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;
Some unusual-looking benches on Burney Street in Greenwich lead to the history of an interesting charity......
Come with me on a special private tour behind the Glass at the Cabinet War Rooms to visit a time capsule from the Second World War......
This charming Spitalfields warehouse has a fascinating history, here's the story of Tenter Ground from industrial site to gallery......
There's a new tour you can take in Greenwich! Here's what it's like to climb the dome at the Old Royal Naval College....
In Devonshire Square, a fairly uninspiring square by Liverpool Street Station, you can uncover some remarkable layers of London history - stretching right back to the 16th century!...
If you’ve walked along the Strand recently, there’s been a wonderful improvement. The surrounding area of St Mary Le Strand has been pedestrianised and this 300 year-old church can be fully appreciated. I was recently invited to have a look inside (and go behind-the-scenes!) of......
Search by theme by clicking on a category below to explore our history blog posts.
Some unusual-looking benches on Burney Street in Greenwich lead to the history of an interesting charity...
Come with me on a special private tour behind the Glass at the Cabinet War Rooms to visit a time capsule from the Second World War...
This charming Spitalfields warehouse has a fascinating history, here's the story of Tenter Ground from industrial site to gallery...
There's a new tour you can take in Greenwich! Here's what it's like to climb the dome at the Old Royal Naval College....
In Devonshire Square, a fairly uninspiring square by Liverpool Street Station, you can uncover some remarkable layers of London history - stretching right back to the 16th century!...
If you’ve walked along the Strand recently, there’s been a wonderful improvement. The surrounding area of St Mary Le Strand has been pedestrianised and this 300 year-old church can be fully appreciated. I was recently invited to have a look inside (and go behind-the-scenes!) of this...
It’s one of the most captivating (and photographed) facades in Spitalfields, but what lies behind 4 Princelet Street? I got a chance to look inside this 18th century terraced house thanks to a free exhibition of Christo’s ‘Early Works’, hosted by the Gagosian Gallery. (It’s open until...
On the River Thames in Richmond sits an absolute jewel of an historic home, Ham House. I recently managed to visit (having had it on my very long to-do list for a while!) so here is the history and my personal highlights… History of Ham House Ham House...
The ink was barely dry on my blog post about 8 Bishopsgate when another free City of London viewing platform opened literally next door! Horizon 22 can boast the highest free view over London so what can you see? I've put together a little guide -...
Chelsea sometimes gets described as a 'village' and if you know where to look you can certainly find some nice historic reminders. If you look up along the King's Road in Chelsea you can spot some cows heads staring back at you. So what's the history? Wright's...
If you were planning to appreciate some beautiful stained glass in London, Bank Underground Station probably wouldn’t be top of the list. So imagine my surprise when travelling through the (relatively) new Walbrook exit of Bank in finding a series of stained glass from John Hutton. The...
If you’ve used Waterloo Station, you might’ve admired this lonely house. Number 5 is the sole survivor of Whichcote Street, once a bustling terrace that was demolished in 1950. History of Whichcote Street In the early 19th century three streets of stock brick, terraced houses were laid out...