The Crystal Palace was “the most remarkable work of its kind the world has ever witnessed, appealing to appreciation of the wonderful with a force unknown in this country, and unrivalled in any other,” noted Bradshaw’s guide to London. Officially opened by Queen Victoria in Penge Park, next […]
Islington on Arsenal match days becomes a chaotic place. Tube stations are closed, or at the very least passengers are shepherded by police out through specific exits. Supporters spill out of pubs onto the pavements and traditional cafés roll-out record numbers of full English breakfasts. Sadly, as recent […]
Approaching Convoys Wharf is like nearing many other sites prime for development along the Thames. Looking through the tall gates, there doesn’t appear to be very much on this brownfield land bar remnants of a few tatty industrial sheds in the distance. By the entrance, a security guard […]
The stage was set, a swing band was playing and bar staff were ready to serve drinks. And with the much-predicted rain holding off, the setting by the wild reeds of the River Lea couldn’t be better. But one thing missing from the By the River festival this […]
On first impressions Stamford Hill seems like any other suburb of north London, with a busy high street offering the usual mix of grocery stores, coffee shops, dry cleaners, taxi offices and the like. But behind the scenes, battle lines are being drawn between two groups of residents […]
Take a look any map of medieval London and you can’t miss the 30 or so religious complexes dotted around the City and suburbs, housing the likes of monasteries, schools and hospitals. Surrounded by stone walls with secure entrances through gate houses, these private precincts grew into thriving […]
When the late Queen Mother undertook tours of the suburbs she often dropped in on the residents of prefabs, claiming the developments resembled holiday camps. Walking around the Excalibur estate in Catford, south London, this afternoon I could see exactly where she was coming from – proud people […]
With all the hype these days about apartment sales on the banks of the Thames, you could be forgiven for thinking that the river is lined with luxury homes along its entire length. While residential property dominates in waterfront areas closest to central London, take a short DLR […]
William Hogarth’s infamous depiction of Gin Lane has for a long time fascinated me. Issued in 1751, the print portrays the supposed evils of consuming the addictive spirit. In a busy scene, Hogarth has captured, the poverty and despair of a community dependent on gin. In the foreground […]
After a short break, Pastinthepresent.net returns. In my last post I was in Israel so, now back in London, it’s appropriate that I kick things off again today by tracing Jewish heritage across the capital. I’ve had a fascinating day visiting the oldest surviving synagogue in Europe, exploring […]
Past In The Present 