The Thames Estuary – Thorpe Bay To Southchurch and Prittlewell
Not many have heard of Prittlewell. Unless one is a Southend United fan (the grounds are in Prittlewell), or if one lived in the medieval priory here when it owned […]
The Green Chain Walk – Mottingham to Eltham via a Palace
The first royal born at Eltham Palace in 1316 is John of Eltham, the second son of Edward II and Queen Isabella. From then, and until the Tudor Henry VII, […]
The Thames Estuary – Leigh On Sea and Hadleigh Castle
When word arrives that Princess Beatrice and Ralph de Binley are in the village of [1] Leigh waiting to sail to France, the guards at [2] Hadleigh Castle are summoned. […]
The Thames Estuary – Shoeburyness to Thorpe Bay
I’m on the aptly named coast to coast train service, heading east out of London in the direction of France. Within an hour, the train runs out of land. It […]
Belgravia – Cubitt’s Squares
From a dangerous swamp in the Middle Ages, #Belgravia gets handed over to the #Grosvenors as part of a marriage dowry. Part Two wanders amongst the grand white stuccos and the story of #ThomasCubitt and his wonderful #Belgravia #squares.
Winchester – Bishops In A City of Flowers
The bishops of medieval Winchester are influential, powerful and rich. They own stretches of land from Somerset to London, including around 60 manors. To put it into perspective, the medieval […]
Belgravia – A Dangerous Swamp
It’s the Middle Ages. The Westbourne flows by [1] Sloane Square. Blandell Bridge is nothing more than a plank across the river. Around are wide, open fields. It’s pleasant enough […]
Winchester – The Capital City Of Wessex
[1] Winchester is such a historical city, that I can’t visit it without mentioning the Gauls, the Romans and the Anglo Saxons. They are the building blocks of this city. […]
A Crescent Shaped Stroll Around Aldwych
For a short crescent, it’s jam packed with stories. King Alfred the Great once walked amongst his people here. A church at one end of Aldwych dedicates itself to the […]
Cliveden – Bluebells and Astors
When his father dies in 1890, William Waldorf Astor becomes the richest man in America. His father’s passing also kicks off a family feud as to who should be the […]