Oh West London, traditionally the fancy part of town with beautiful houses and the Royal connections, is there lots more to discover? Yes you can bet there is!

West London

  • Wright's Dairy, Chelsea | Look Up London

    History of Wright’s Dairy, Chelsea

    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......

  • Hidden History of Golden Square | Look Up London

    Hidden History of Golden Square 

    It might not have the immediate charm of Soho Square, but Golden Square has a fascinating history (and a good reason for its messy hodge-podge of architectural styles and ages). While walking through on a sunny afternoon I was struck by how many little details......

  • Queen Anne's Alcove, Kensington Gardens | Look Up London

    The Surprising History of Queen Anne’s Alcove

    Within Kensington Garden’s Italian Gardens you can find the monumental Queen Anne’s Alcove. Not only was it designed by Christopher Wren but it has a surprising history! The Italian Gardens were laid out around 1860, spearheaded by Prince Albert. They followed a similar plan for......

  • Art Deco Details of Palladium House | Look Up London

    Palladium House | The Art Deco Beauty Opposite Liberty’s

    It’s no surprise that people fail to appreciate Palladium House. Standing opposite the glorious facade of Liberty’s, the majority of people take photos of that wonderful black and white entrance. Now, this isn’t to say that Liberty doesn’t have its own historic credentials (you can......

  • 23-24 Leinster Gardens, London’s Fake Houses

    In the streets close to Bayswater tube station you can admire row upon row of Victorian, stucco terraces. But 23 & 24 Leinster Gardens hold a sneaky surprise. They are London’s fake houses! History of Leinster Gardens Leinster Gardens was laid out around 1855 and......

  • The FANY Memorial on St Paul's, Knightsbridge

    The FANY Memorial on St Paul’s, Knightsbridge

    On the wall of St Paul’s Knightsbridge, there’s a surprising war memorial where all the names are women. It remembers the members of the Women’s Transport Service (later known as FANY). History of FANY The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry was founded back in 1907. It......

  • Oriental Club Staircase | Look Up London

    Inside Stratford House

    Set back from busy Oxford Street is Stratford Place and at the very end you can find Stratford House, the beautiful building that’s now home to the Oriental Club. The club has only been here since 1962 but the history of the building (and the......

  • Wandsworth Quaker Meeting House

    London’s Oldest Quaker Meeting House

    Along the busy Wandsworth High Street it’s easy to miss this small brick building. Even if you do take a moment to appreciate the ‘Society of Friends’ sign, you might not realise quite how historic a building it is. Built in 1778, this is the......

  • Lots Road Power Station | Look Up London

    Lots Road Power Station

    Just under two miles away from Battersea Power Station is Lots Road Power Station. Not quite as famous perhaps, but this fascinating place is currently undergoing its own major renovation. Derelict since 2002, It’s being transformed into Powerhouse, a luxury residential address complete with riverside......

  • Endell Street Military Hospital | The WWI Hospital Run by Women

    Along Endell Street, just north of Covent Garden, it’s easy to miss this fairly simple plaque that celebrates the former Endell Street Military Hospital. It commemorates an inspiring story of courage, defiance and dogged determination. The two heroines are Louisa Garrett Anderson and Flora Murray. ......

  • Josiah Wedgewood Soho Plaque, Greek Street | Look Up London

    The Wedgwood Soho Workshop

    For such a tiny area of London, Soho has helped fuel well over its quota of the nation’s creative talent. Look up along its network of streets and blue plaques abound with nods to musicians, artists and scientists. So next time you’re walking along Greek......

  • St Clement Watch House | History on Strand Lane

    St Clements Watch House | History on Strand Lane

    For the everyday passerby, there’s not much reason to venture into Strand Lane. It’s not a convenient cut through to the Strand however it has two quite amazing bits of history to discover! I’ve previously covered one of them on the blog, the history of......

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