Rochdale appears at first glance like many other former mill towns in the north west of England. Rows of terraced houses greet drivers as they leave the open plains of the Lancashire countryside and enter the suburbs. Then there’s the ring roads which get clogged up in rush […]
Like others in the 19th century, Thomas Barnardo planned to train as a doctor and use his new skills to help the poor on the other side of the world. As a medical missionary, he set his sights on ministering to the needy in China. The fact that […]
Hidden away at the foot of the splendid Avon Gorge in Bristol, there are a few streets of houses that thousands wiz past everyday on their journey into the city. Most probably don’t stop to blink at the heritage they are missing. With little more than pubs, average […]
26 Chittys Lane looks like many other houses built on British council estates to provide “homes for heroes” following the First World War. But the presence of a Blue Plaque on the front of this Becontree property suggests there is a specific story to tell. It wasn’t however […]
Shoreditch must be one of the trendiest places in London right now. While shiny new sky scrapers and modern shopping malls are springing up in other parts of the capital, this district just a short hop from the City is growing organically. Shoreditch cafes arguably serve up the […]
London was once surrounded by the vast palaces and estates of senior clergymen from across Britain. On land now lying in Zone Two and built up with homes, shops and offices, bishops could until enjoy all the pleasures of being in the countryside whilst having an important base […]
The pubs on the stretch of the Thames from the Tower of London to Canary Wharf are pleasant places to enjoy a night out with friends. Many of these north bank drinking establishments go back hundreds of years and walking into them today you can really feel the […]
Just to the west of Vauxhall station, Nine Elms is one giant building site right now. Roads are closed off to all but construction traffic and giant cranes fill the skyline. Countless workers are helping build some flagship new developments for the capital, including a new US embassy […]
Until 1750 the only crossing point in England’s capital over the Thames was London Bridge, a factor vastly limiting development on the south side of the river. But in that year, after much wrangling, Westminster Bridge finally opened, followed by Blackfriars Bridge in 1769. The significance of these […]
Shad Thames is today one of the trendiest parts of London. It’s a glitzy stretch on the south bank of the river Thames with smart restaurants, fashionable boutiques and expensive apartments in converted Victorian warehouses. While the development has been popular for some time now, the opening of […]
Past In The Present 