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Tower Subway - Northern Entrance - Look Up London

Tower Subway | History of this Odd Brick Structure by the Tower of London

Posted on November 17, 2020
in architecture, Hidden Gems, London, London Underground
7 Comments

Right next to the Tower of London you can find an odd, round, brick structure. It's the Tower Subway and has quite an interesting history...

London Underground Animals

London Underground Safari | Spotted These Animals on the Tube?!

Posted on August 10, 2020
in etymology, London, London Underground
3 Comments

We're going on safari! (On the underground...

Bethnal Green Tube Disaster Memorial

The Bethnal Green Tube Disaster Memorial

Posted on August 4, 2019
in East London, London, London Underground, Look Up London
8 Comments

The Bethnal Green Tube Disaster was the UK's single largest loss of civilian life during WWII, yet the memorial was only finished in 2017....

History Under Liverpool Street

The Secret History Under Liverpool Street Station

Posted on June 18, 2019
in London, London Underground, Look Up London, Spitalfields
10 Comments

Walking through the modern station today, it's hard to believe the history hiding underneath Liverpool Street. That is until you know where to look...

Temple Tube Station

The Geeky Hidden Gem at Temple Tube Station

Posted on May 14, 2019
in City of London, London, London Underground
16 Comments

Before you enter Temple Tube Station, pause a second to appreciate this heritage tube map. Times certainly have changed...

Behind the Scenes at Charing Cross Station

Posted on April 29, 2019
in London, London Underground, Things to do in London
2 Comments

In 1999 a section of Charing Cross Station closed to the public, but there's still a way to get behind the scenes and explore the disused tunnels...

St Pancras International

Secrets of St Pancras International

Posted on March 28, 2019
in architecture, London, London Underground, North London
0 Comments

Jaw-dropping views, inspiring charcters and unusual sculptures. It's worth visiting even if you're not catching a train!...

Aldwych Ghost Station

Aldwych Ghost Station

Posted on November 13, 2018
in London, London Underground, Look Up London, Things to do in London
3 Comments

Ever noticed the flash of oxblood tiles along the Strand? What's hiding there is Aldwych Ghost Station, join me to have a look inside!...

Clapham South Station

Tour of Clapham South Station: The Hidden Shelter For 10,000 Londoners

Posted on June 19, 2018
in Churches and Graveyards, London, London Underground, Look Up London, Things to do in London
2 Comments

There's more to Clapham South Station than meets the eye and I joined a Hidden London tour to uncover its fascinating secret history...

Tracey Emin

Tracey Emin at St Pancras International

Posted on April 11, 2018
in installations, London, London Underground, Look Up London, North London
0 Comments

"I Want My Time With You" by Tracey Emin now graces the Terrace Wires at St Pancras International. Using her trademarks neon handwriting, what's the story behind it?...

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London’s mews offer endless delights and this on London’s mews offer endless delights and this one in Bloomsbury doesn’t disappoint. This is Doughty Mews, just off Doughty Street which is probably most famous as the home of Charles Dickens - his only surviving London residence - which is now a museum. In the 19th Century these were cramped, crowded homes for the servants of nearby larger houses, often with stables for horses on the ground floor. Today they’re desirable boutique homes and office space. At no.6 is @ashsakulaarchitects and I like the idea there’s still design and craft going on here 100+ years on. They’ve also worked on some of the renovated properties in the mews. So, given the choice, what would you prefer? Cosy mews or lavish townhouse?! 🤔 #lookuplondon #londonwalks #londonguide #bloomsbury #hiddenlondon #londonoffthebeatentrack #visitlondon #explorelondon #londonmews #mewshouse #doughtymews
London’s street names never fail to amaze me… London’s street names never fail to amaze me… Throughout the 19th century, London’s population boomed. There was huge demand for housing and in the 1890s Mysore Road was one of many streets of terraced houses laid out for the middle-classes. The homes were designed by Alfred Coomber, including this fanciful corner house with the turret, built c.1896. But back to the street name…

Mysore was a Kingdom in south-west India, today part of Karnataka. Throughout the late 18th century the British East India Company fought a series of wars to attempt to take control of the Kingdom and they finally succeeded in 1799 with the Siege of Srirangapatna. There’s a sketch by Turner in the Tate Britain which commemorates this victory and the death of the ruler; Tipu Sultan, whose nickname was the ‘Tiger of Mysore’. Quite why this street in Clapham has this name remains a mystery to me but just shows what a rabbit hole of history London’s street names can lead to! #lookuplondon #londonhistory #clapham #battersea #mysore #colonialhistory #londonguide #londonstreetnames #claphamhistory #southwestlondon #victorian #londonhomes #londonstreets #londoncorners #londonwalks
Can you spot the blue shield on the gate? My favo Can you spot the blue shield on the gate? My favourite thing about guiding is the opportunity to look a little closer and uncover the tiny historic details. This blue shield is a symbol of the Drapers Company, one of the City’s many trade guilds formed in Medieval times and still going strong today. Standing in Austin Friars, a street in EC2, you can see their symbol on the gate, buildings and even lampposts! The Drapers dealt in cloth and wool and when the trade boomed in the 15th century they were one of the wealthiest of all the City’s Companies. Still today they own property in the City and beyond, including their fabulous hall which is open from time to time for events. These gates actually back onto their garden, behind their hall on Throgmorton Avenue and their shield is part of their ‘blazon’ or coat of arms which shows three fluffy clouds with sun beams bursting through - a reference to the Virgin Mary under whose protection the first community of Drapers was established in the 14th century. 
#lookuplondon #CityofLondon #CitySymbols #Londonsymbols #redphonebox #londonicons #LondonGuide #LondonDetails #LondonTourGuide #LondonWalks #Explorelondon #LondonHistory #CityofLondonHistory
The Tate Winter Commission has yet again surprised The Tate Winter Commission has yet again surprised and delighted Londoners - who remembers the amazing slugs from 2018?! Designed by Chila Kumari Singh Burman (@chilaburman), the work was unveiled to celebrate Diwali - the Festival of Lights - and will be here to admire until 31 January 2021 “Remembering a Brave New World” is packed with symbols of Hindu mythology but also personal memories, like the family ice-cream truck.🍦Born in Liverpool, the neon lights are also a reference to Chila’s childhood visits to Blackpool illuminations. Diwali is a celebration of new beginnings and so I’d challenge anyone to not feel uplifted and hopeful after soaking up this wonderful installation. Have you seen it yet? What did you think? #lookuplondon #tatebritain #wintercommission #londonchristmaslights #tatewintercomission #london #artinlondon #visitlondon #londonreflections @tate
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’ve wr I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’ve written a book! 🥳 Swipe 👉🏼 to see! If you love discovering the stories behind London’s unusual and overlooked buildings then I think you’ll love this! Last year I was approached by @amberbooksltd to provide the accompanying text to hundreds of beautiful images of abandoned London spots. They’ve even included a few of my photos which I’m thrilled about (like this one inside Millennium Mills!) It features images of disused factories and tube stations, derelict pubs, shops and sports arenas from across Greater London and I’ve shared their surprising and interesting back stories! I was hoping it would be available for Christmas, but - alas! - Covid of course caused delays, however it should be available in Spring. 📍Sign up to be the first to hear about it in my bio link! @look_uplondon 👈🏼 #AbandonedLondon #LookUpLondon #LondonBooks #LondonHistory #londonphotography #ExploreLondon #LondonGuide #HistoricLondon
Have you heard of Minnie Lansbury? This clock alon Have you heard of Minnie Lansbury? This clock along Bow Road celebrates an extraordinary woman. Born 1889, Minnie was a teacher, campaigner and an Alderman, serving on Poplar Council from 1919. She was part of the East London Federation of Suffragettes, fighting for votes for women, but was also chairman of the War Pension Committee which helped widows, orphans and wounded veterans from WWI. In 1921 she was one of 30 local councillors sent to prison for refusing to raise the rates - passing on arbitrary higher taxes to their poor, local constituents. After spending six weeks in prison, she contracted pneumonia and died in 1922, only 32 years old. This clock was first erected in the 1930s but restored by Heritage of London Trust in 2008. #lookuplondon #EastLondonHistory #LondonClocks #minnielansbury #historicwomen #herstory #minnielansbury #Suffragettes #BowRoadHistory @holtoflondon
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