When Whitehall Palace burnt down, St James’s Palace became more important for the royal family and the glamorous court. During the reign of the fun-loving Charles II many exclusive shops were established. Some shops in St James’s Street, such as Berry Bros. & Rudd, wine merchants and vintners to the King, and Lock & Co, […]

It’s fascinating how the colour red is so important in many cultures. In Japan the wonderful, deep red comes from the petals of the safflower. That red signals youth, affluence (expensive to extract), allure and passion but also transient love (fades with time). A red kimono was popular among young brides considered sexy. The Ottomans […]

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 […]

This is a walk in the area called Bankside. Here we will see interesting new architecture such as Tate Modern’s Switch House contrasted with the Dickensian atmosphere along the Thames’ backstreet alleys. We may stop for a drink at a 17C former inn off Borough High Street. Maybe finish with lunch in Borough Market or […]

Shoreditch must be one of the most fun and dynamic areas of London. Situated at the edge of the City of London and filled with creative people working in art, design and media, it presents an ever-changing scene full of art galleries, bars, restaurants and shops. You may need a bit of a “helping hand” […]

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 […]