Before the railways, canals brought a transport revolution to Britain in the 18th century. In 1793-4 alone, some 30 new canal projects were started and some towns – particularly in the Midlands close to coal supplies – were criss-crossed by were a number of competing companies. Built by […]
Walking across the wilds of Wimbledon Common, four white sails at the top of a wooden tower and red brick building glimmer in the afternoon sun. Even though Wimbledon Windmill ceased to function long ago, the distinctive structure –which is now a museum dedicated to windmills – remains […]
Standing on the upper lawned terrace of The Rookery and looking to the ornamental gardens below, you have the feeling of being in the grounds of a great English country house. Wide steps lead down to a series of themed areas, with secluded spots where you can read […]
Taking in Boots, Waterstones, John Lewis and Next, I’m on a tour of Exeter’s well known chain stores. But rather than looking at the latest product ranges on offer, my visit is taking me below these high street shops and I’m merely being told about their locations by […]
Anyone who is enthused by heritage is unlikely to get that excited by a city centre shopping complex. Exeter, however, has a claim to fame in modern history in that it boasts the country’s first pedestrianised shopping precinct. The current Princesshay development only dates back to 2007, but […]
Barbican is like Marmite – you either love the area on the fringes of the City of London or you hate it. There is no middle ground. For some, it is one big brutal concrete monstrosity that is a blot on the landscape and should never have been […]
Waterloo seems a fairly unremarkable town, with an array of cafes and upmarket stores on the bustling main street. Lying ten miles south of Brussels, it is a place where the wealthy working in the Belgian capital and some tourists hang out. But it’s the battlefield – three […]
Eltham Palace in 1828 was in sorry state. “This stately hall is now used as barn, and the men thresh the corn where, in ancient days, Edward III held a Parliament, and gave a sumptuous entertainment to the captive King John of France,” reported the Sussex Advertiser. And […]
There can’t be many theatres in the world where you need to get down on your hands and knees so you can crawl into the auditorium. But then again, plays aren’t typically performed in railway shafts with London Overground trains whizzing beneath your feet, causing the floor to […]
The entrance to Woolwich foot tunnel on the south bank of the Thames is not the most pleasant of places to start a Bank Holiday walk. While Waterfront Leisure Centre – the first landmark I spotted bar some public toilets – may be a fun place for children […]
Past In The Present 