Look Up London

Hard to believe that this is only 5mins from Parliament Square! The Duck Keeper’s Lodge in St James Park was built in 1841. After bomb damage in WWII it was almost left derelict but thankfully it was saved, used as a storeroom, then carefully restored in 1982.

Down this narrow passage off Borough High Street there's a unique survivor... This is the only over-hanging timber-framed building in the area, once The Goat Inn which was established c.1542! Read its history in the latest blog here: lookup.london/calverts-build…

How closely have you looked at Waterloo station? The entire main entrance is a Memorial to the First World War and its details are well worth a moment to pause and admire. Read all about the history on my blog here: lookup.london/waterloo-stati…

You might assume the former Morocco warehouse dealt in spices, but we’re in the heart of Bermondsey’s tanneries and this used to deal in the finest Moroccan goat leather, perfect for fine gloves and bookbinding.

The V&A’s Ceramic Staircase was designed by Frank Moody and his students 1865-1871. Moody was the ceramics master in the school of design and this staircase perfectly exemplifies the museum’s aim to inspire future artists and designers. I always have to pause and admire it. 😍

The glorious 18th century staircase of the Courtauld Gallery. Designed by William Chambers it symbolised a ‘journey of enlightenment’ from the darker floors up to the skylit Great Room which used to host the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition.

By my count there are now 28 statues of women to enjoy in London! Here's a full list (and map!) of all the historic, non-royal women who have statues across the capital. How many have you spotted?! lookup.london/international-…

One of the most famous hotels in the world, the Lanesborough on Hyde Park Corner, was once home to St George’s Hospital from 1733-1980. Look up above the columns and you can spot the old lettering! Read all about its history on the blog here: lookup.london/lanesborough-h…

At Putney Bridge Station is an incredible WWII survivor, a pilbox! Ever spotted it? Read about its history here: lookup.london/putney-bridge-…

How closely have you looked at the Hop Exchange in London Bridge? It's an incredible survivor of the brewing history around Borough Market. Read all about it here: lookup.london/history-of-the…

Today London has a new statue of a women! Fanny Wilkinson was Britain's first professional female landscape designer, creating over 70 parks for London. Sulpture is by Gillian Brett with HOLT restoring the 1904 memorial fountain. Read about Fanny here: lookup.london/fanny-wilkinso…

The story of Kenwood House is often told through its various male owners but there are three interesting women linked with this beautiful country on the edge of Hampstead Heath (thaat you can visit for free!). Read their stories here: lookup.london/ladies-kenwood…

One of London’s oldest shops is Berry Bro’s & Rudd on St James’s Street, est.1698. Inside you can find a telegram from White Star Lines informing them of a lost shipment of wine on the Titanic.

Thanks to a flurry of reviews from tours this weekend, I've been bumped up to #3 of all London tours on Tripadvisor! If you've joined a tour and not left a review yet you can leave one here: tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Rev…

No matter how many times I visit St Dunstan in-the-East, I’m always enchanted. There’s been a church here for centuries but it was demolished after 1666 then rebuilt by Wren. It still has his steeple but the interior was gutted in the Blitz and it opened as a garden in the 70s.

Happy (belated) Birthday to Fanny Wilkinson, born 6 June 1855. Never heard of her? You've probably seen her work in London because she created over 70 parks and gardens across the city. lookup.london/fanny-wilkinso…

Great Ormond Street Hospital doesn’t have ambulances. It has “Peter Panbulances” This is a nod to a 1929 gift from JM Barrie, creator of Peter Pan. He donated all copyright and royalties of every performance and adaptation of Peter Pan in perpetuity to the children’s hospital!

A big 👏👏 to Katie of @Look_UpLondon who came to speak to this year's Become a Lambeth Tour Guide students last night at @morleycollege Insights & tips from her career from Walks 🚶‍♂️to Writing ✍ Recommend the book & Women’s History Map 👇

Many are unaware of this peaceful green oasis right by Westminster Abbey. It open to the public, just don’t walk on the grass, that’s a privilege reserved for pupils at Westminster School, founded back in 1560!

In Charterhouse Square you can find a fun artwork by Alex Chinneck as part of Clerkenwell Design Week. Chinneck's work often subverts a typical solid object and renders it all wibbly wobbly (yes, that's the technical term). Also love his crossed arms post box in Canning Town.