London a history

London: A History is a beautifully illustrated gift book, charting the history of England’s largest city. Written by a graduate of the Royal College of Art, young readers will explore the rich history and culture of London, with gorgeous art paired with poems, quotes and historical accounts.

From pre-history to the present day, learn about the lives of everyday people and famous events in a beautiful and fascinating compendium.

London is a city made of up 32 boroughs, which are more like villages. This does not include the Cities of Westminster and the City of London (the financial district).

Home to around 8 million people, London is officially classed as a city forest, as there are as many trees as people, and it is therefore one of the world’s greenest cities, also with one of the best public transport systems on earth.

Green London is a walker’s guide to explore natural spaces in this beautifully illustrated guide of green walkways that link via old railway tracks, towpaths and riverside walks.

Each of the 14 walks features well-known landmarks, historical events from nearby, types of trees and wildlife en-route, sections of the Capital Ring and underground links. Includes distances.

Notting Hill (not just a big blue door)

Notting Hill Holly Francesca

Holly Francesca

The London area of Notting Hill is of course known for the blue door, featured in the film of the same name, with Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. The door still attracts thousands of film buffs each year, in the area known for Portobello Market, which also featured in the stories of Paddington Bear.

The sad truth is that the next door to the ‘door’ is now a Starbucks coffee chop.

There is a little bookshop nearby, but not the one featured in the film, that was filmed elsewhere.

It’s sad that the money in Notting Hill was built from gambling and horse-racing, today we know better. Much of the land back in the day was owned by the Ladbroke family, and that’s why you’ll find that many roads are named after them. There was even a local racecourse, though that shut down in the 1800s.

Today the area is terribly expensive. You can buy a garage for the price of a normal house. But a quick look online found the cheapest studio flat was around £250K. A luxury six-bedroom house is listed at over £17 million?

Also known for its street carnival, Notting Hill is also known for its colourful buildings, and walkable streets. But as one local says, the clue’s in the name if you’re not that fit – it is of course built on a hill!

The History of London’s Coal Power Station

Battersea power station

Holly Francesca

Battersea Power Station is almost as well known as Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. One of the world’s largest brick buildings, this coal-fired power station on the River Thames has long since been converted into shops. Built in the late 1920s (the second station was added in the late 1930s), the building remained empty for years, before being converted. Today it’s owned by Malaysian investors.

When coal was the main power in England, the power station was providing around a fifth of energy needs (a fire on the night that BBC2 was due to launch, caused the station to have to delay and launch the next morning).

When first proposed in 1927, people didn’t want it (one Conservative MP warned that the power station would ‘kill every green thing within 2 miles, rot the buildings and bleach all the babies). Many people were concerned about soot and even King George V protested.

Some local residents who did love the power station’s heat were around 200 feral cats, but tragically, not-very-nice people killed all bar six of them.

One person who wasn’t a fan was straight-talking Prince Philip. He was reported to have asked one owner of the newly renovated building: ‘Why don’t you just knock the bloody thing down?’

An Observation Wheel on London’s South Bank

London eye Clair Rossiter

Clair Rossiter

Opened in 2000, London Eye is one of the world’s top tourist attractions, an observation wheel on the South Bank that has also been featured in many films.

On a clear day from the capsules, you can see for 25 miles and observe Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and even Windsor Castle in Berkshire.

Each of the 32 capsules (one for each of London’s boroughs) takes around 30 minutes to perform a full circle, giving plenty of time to relax and enjoy the views. Unlike most ferris wheels, it’s only supported on one side (like a similar wheel in Orlando, Florida).

Although it was only supposed to be a temporary structure, its popularity means that it’s now permanent (the same happened for the Eiffel Tower in Paris).

Although it claims to be eco-friendly (including using biodegradable cleaning products), it regularly holds firework displays, which any eco campaigners will tell you are far from being green. They cause acid rain, terrify pets and wildlife (and sometimes cause whole flocks of birds to drop dead to the ground in shock).

If you use fireworks, let people know beforehand, keep away from flammables, keep pets inside and use ‘quiet fireworks’ that give off lighter bangs.

It’s best to avoid fireworks altogether, or to to a regulated display. Never take dogs, find someone to look after them, in a secure place where they can’t bolt. 

The Tower of London (that’s actually a castle)

tower of London Clair Rossiter

Clair Rossiter

It’s a little-known fact that the Tower of London is also a castle. Home to many beheadings (including poor Anne Boleyn), today it’s a massive tourist attraction.

tower of London Holly Francesca

Holly Francesca

The Tower of London is also home to the Crown Jewels, thought to be worth from 2 to 4 billion pounds. Along with robes that are used during Coronations, to crown a new King or Queen.

Many of us these days believe that it would be better to use that money for other causes, though there are still more monarchists than not in England – it’s okay to disagree!

Located in the London borough of Tower Hamlets, this actually used to be a palace for royalty, before becoming infamous for housing people who would later meet a grisly end. This included spies who were executed during World War I. The last person to be executed here (by firing squad) was a Luxembourg-born German spy, who was captured after parachuting into the UK during World War II.

raven Betsy Siber

Betsy Siber

Ravens live at the Tower of London. They have their wings clipped to stop them flying off, though the tower claims this is to keep them safe and well-fed, as they have never lived in the wild.

Less common than smaller crows, ravens have metallic feathers and wedge-shaped tails. They are very playful, often flying upside-down for fun. Young ravens drop sticks mid-air, to fly and catch them.

A London Diner (that helps barnyard friends)

unity diner

Unity Diner is a unique place to grab a bit to eat, in the heart of London. Also a cocktail bar, this outfit was founded by Earthling Ed, a well-known animal welfare campaigner, with profits from the food funding Surge Sanctuary, which gives homes to rescued barnyard friends. So as you chomp your delicious vegan burger or other food, your food is helping animals two ways!

Surge sanctuary

This super-friendly team offer top-quality meals and drinks (bring your card, as it does not accept cash, due to bank notes containing animal fat – and plastic).

All the cups and straws are biodegradable (no plastic here), and (if you live nearby) it’s dog-friendly too with free treats. Any food waste is donated to animals rescued from slaughter.

Nearest tube stations are Aldgate East and Liverpool Street (both are just a few minutes walk away). 

What’s On the Menu at Unity Diner?

unity diner

(everything is vegan, despite the names!)

  • Marinara Meatballs
  • Prawn Tempura
  • Roasted Squash
  • Lobster Mac and Cheese
  • Tofish and Chips
  • Pan-seared Cod
  • Seared Oyster mushrooms
  • Prime Flank Steak
  • Caesar Salad
  • Double Bacon Cheeseburger
  • Southern Style Chips
  • Apple Crumble Waffles
  • Salted Caramel Cake
  • Vegan Cocktails!

unity diner

 

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