10 years ago – who would have imagined that London would look like this? London has become a wonderful place to look at new, exciting architecture. There is a great sense of dynamism and of a race to have the tallest, most inspiring and luxurious buildings. The way of living is also changing rapidly; in […]

The famous C18th architect Robert Adam was asked to glorify an early C17th country house off Hampstead Heath. The result is an elegant, neo-classical villa with all the attributes of “grand living” in the C18th. It is filled with outstanding pictures by famous artists such as Rembrandt and Vermeer and top class furniture, some formerly […]

We start by visiting the neoclassical buildings of Gothenburg born, 18C architect Sir William Chambers’ and then see the new Miles Stairs by architect Eva Jiricna (designed V&A’s Jewellery Gallery). We end in the Courtauld Gallery, the original site of the Royal Academy and the first Summer Exhibition. The gallery has a superb paintings collection, including famous works such as Manet’s Bar at Folies Bergère (see photo). This is an opportunity to see […]

After the Great Fire of London in 1666, the authorities turned to Sir Christopher Wren to build a new cathedral. His building became a landmark on the London skyline, and a symbol of British life. Now filled with stunning mosaics and monuments, it has hosted many important ceremonial events, including the wedding of Prince Charles […]

The house is a treasure trove filled with history related to the Duke of Wellington, and surprisingly even has pieces of Sèvres porcelain from Napoleon’s divorce gift to Joséphine!
 Wellington was not only a military hero, he was also a bit of a ‘Ladies’ man’ and we will learn more about that. The collection also includes the centre piece of […]

An architectural walk in the new exciting area emerging around Vauxhall and Nine Elms, just opposite Westminster and Chelsea. We will see Damian Hirst’s luxurious Newport Street Gallery, Terry Farrell’s MI6 building often featured in James Bond films, the new £1 billion American embassy and the iconic Battersea Power Station. It is definitely becoming a “happening place” including […]

The Kings Cross area seems to really have come alive. From having been a seedy ‘no-go’ part of London it  is now an interesting mix of restored Victorian Gasholders and modern buildings, many with big roof gardens. The Coal Drops Yard was designed by Thomas Heatherwick and consists of two converted 19C coal warehouses that […]