The Special Relationship: London and the United States are so deeply bonded. The world’s most powerful country can trace its origins to London’s streets, and ever since its foundation has impacted London perhaps more than any other place. Evidence of this is built into its very fabric; the buildings and streets which define the capital are a wash with interesting tales, some of which I will bore you with now! If you are visiting from the States, the first thing to know is tha

The most popular buildings in Britain remain our stately homes. Something about the heady mixture of grand stately facades, impressive gardens, and immense estates creates a sense of awe. The feeling is not an accident; indeed, many of these grand edifices are a kind of stage set designed to impress and to actually create power, because that’s what architecture is at heart— an expression of power. So pop on some AC/DC on your AirPods and read on because this story has a happy

You may be asking what are Livery companies and why am I interested? Well you should be interested as its all very old, gives us a peek into our medieval history when men wore tights. In a nutshell the livery companies of the City of London are ancient guilds and fraternities that have governed the City’s trade, commerce, and craft standards for over 700 years. Not all are ancient some are really modern with a total of 111 but perhaps the most important are the big 12. When I

All based on Christian Coop's complete watercolour survey of the Oxford and Cambridge colleges and halls in the Oxbridge Gallery. The architect in me loves buildings for their architecture, the artist side of me for the stories and secret history, but we all have an inner geek, and that’s where oddities come in. To celebrate completing my watercolour survey of every college and hall of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge (yes, all of them — I did mention I was a geek), I

Londoner's have always had exotic tastes in food from pickled Eels to whatever the next food fad will be. Ever changing and ever creative menus, architecture needs to keep up. Unsurprinsgly its left a legacy of hidden food history, literally under our feet and all around us. Here are 11 questions, do you know the answers? 1. Where can you find the world’s first " tea shop," operating since 1706? Answer: Twinings’ at 216 Strand. This tiny emporium, squeezed between larger buil

London is really a series of villages which have merged over the years. Enter the great estates, the great custodians of Central London. Each uniquely curates their places with an eye on legacy rather than just profit; places thrive. I find Marylebone uniquely satisfying because it was shaped by the great Portman and Howard de Walden Estates, creating a grid of elegant streets that feels like an intimate village despite being bordered by the rush of Oxford Street. This blog e

Unfortunately buildings are perhaps more famous for what happens in them than their architecture, which can be annoying for an architect! Some building even become synonymous with events think Watergate scandal, however there are more than a few scandals on these streets. This walk moves through the elegant residences of Marylebone and Mayfair into the electric, gritty heart of Soho, tracing the footsteps of the artists who defined global music and a building which actually d

Being an architect, I think that every building tells a story. These stories make a city, and inhabit the buildings as we do. However, in Mayfair, a residential area of London, they are not always easy to spot. This quick walking tour will take you through beautiful garden squares and mysterious mews (and an adequate number of pubs), to uncover the "hidden histories" behind my latest architectural watercolours. 1. The Nameless Terror of 50 Berkeley Square Starting our tour at

The highest ground is now in sight as we clamber towards Holly Walk. Perhaps the most Instagrammable area of the most Instagrammable place. Older winding lanes characterize this area with a mixture of detached homes, each dealing with the steep topography in their own way. The gaps between these buildings are the real draw here. Each gap provides unforgettable views over London and moments of refreshing breeze after a long climb. Exploring Heath Street Heath Street is a steep

As we make a left turn, we begin to climb upwards towards salvation, passing excess and criminality along the way. The Logs: A True Architectural Oddity The Logs is the first peculiarity along the route. It is a remarkable crash of architecture and sculpture. Often described as the "chocolate Gateau" of housing, it has everything and then a bit more! Architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner referred to The Logs as a "formidable atrocity." This eccentric Gothic pile certainly

Two connected streets each with their own character. also part of one of London's most famous walks all starting and ending at the Flask pub. The “Flask to Flask” walk is a scenic 2.6-mile route connecting two historic pubs named “The Flask” in Hampstead and Highgate, passing through Hampstead Heath. Starting at The Flask in Hampstead, the walk traverses wooded paths, ponds, and landmarks like Kenwood House and Parliament Hill, with fantastic panoramic views of London. But be

The finest Georgian street in London with a hint of Disney magic. It's the final resting place of the boy who never grew up, read on! A beautiful ornate Victorian Gas Light marks the beginning of Church Row. Walk from the High Street down Perrin's Court and you will see the old Victorian gas light. The light marks the entrance to Church Row one of the most picturesque and historically significant streets in this charming and affluent area of North London. Pevsner Architectura

Well not quite. Hampstead does have a fair few boutiquey shops but always feels Villagey in a 'I'm just browsing' kind of way. Hampstead High Street Hampstead High Street is the main thoroughfare through Hampstead, historically known as Kingswell Street due to the numerous local wells. In the 17th century, it was renamed Hampstead Street as development expanded, and today it is at the heart of the village. A notable landmark along the street is the Old Hampstead Fire Station,

Devonshire Hill marks the southern edge of the village. The two main principal roads into Hampstead—Heath Street and Hampstead High Street—travel northward from this area. Here are a few gems you may find along the way. 4. St. John Downshire Hill St John's Downshire Hill Completed in 1823, the chapel held its first service on October 26 of that year. The first minister was William Harness, a lifelong friend of Lord Byron. Notably, John Keats attended the church, as he lived n

2. Willow Road 2 Willow Road Designed, built, and lived in by the architect Erno Goldfinger, this is a speculative development of three houses completed in 1939. It replaced a collection of small cottages which once sat on the site. The removal of the homes was bitterly fought by the author Ian Fleming, who lived nearby. Goldfinger was known to be a rather ardent modernist, arrogant and dismissive of others who disagreed with him. It is rumoured that Fleming named his villain

1. Keat's Home and Museum Once Keats's home 10 Keats Grove, it is now a museum dedicated to his life. Keats was one of the country’s greatest romantic poets, living here between 1818 and 1820—two years that were perhaps the most intense of his life. He wrote many of his poems during this period and also engaged the daughter of a neighbour, Fanny Brawne. Unfortunately, he fell ill with tuberculosis and left for Rome to recuperate with the intention of marrying Fanny upon his r

My first series of blogs will take a look around London's favourite 'Hampstead".Walk with me around some of the amazing buildings which make this unique part of the city, the map below will act as our guide. To most Londoners, Hampstead needs little introduction. Hampstead Heath is a popular destination for those seeking green spaces and wild swimming all year round. Hampstead itself has a village-like atmosphere which has long captivated the hearts of artists, writers, and i