History

Faithful friends remembered

Tucked away in a corner of Hyde Park is a patch of green scattered with tiny headstones, a place where well-to-do Victorians commemorated joyful times in the park with their beloved pets Cherry, Spot and dear old Topsy

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The church and hospital of Savoy, London: view from Southwark
History

The Strand: the route from trade to power

Long gone are the grand houses that once lined this thoroughfare linking London’s centres of government and commerce, but traces of their past grandeur can still be found, as Felicity Wenzel explains

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Westminster Cathedral, Ambroseden Avenue
History

Westminster’s Byzantine marvel

Built on the site of what has at various times been a plague burial ground, pleasure garden and house of correction, stands a magnificent, yet unfinished, cathedral

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Charles Dickens in his study at Gad's Hill
History

Dickens: his final chapter

Poets’ Corner would seem to the perfect place for the renowned author’s last resting place, but Dickens himself had requested an ‘unostentatious’ and ‘private’ funeral. So why were his wishes disregarded?

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Frank Pick Memorial description of concept (section)
History

Beauty, utility and wisdom

London transport’s first chief executive may have died more than 75 years ago, but Frank Pick’s philosophy on form and function is very much in evidence both below and above ground all around the capital

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Portrait of Chopin and house in St James's Place with blue plaque
History

Chopin’s London triumphs

On November 16 1848, Chopin ‘played like an angel’ at Guildhall, yet this performance was to be the composer’s final public appearance Chopin was feeling

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History

Sam Pepys’ brilliant career

Renowned for his diary chronicling life in the City of London in the latter part of the 17th century, Samuel Pepys is less well known for his significant roles at the seat of government, in the City of Westminster

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