Monthly Archives: October 2018

Mitre Square

Posted on 31 October 2018 by

Above: Looking into Mitre Square from the NW end, with the cafe on the right. Until a few years ago, the almost unanimous verdict of anyone who ventured into Mitre Square was that it was ‘Dim and dingy’. Of course, … Continue reading →

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Aldgate Square

Posted on 29 October 2018 by

Above: Looking NW across the new Aldgate Square. Until 2016 you would not have found ‘Aldgate Square’ on a map of the City. Now it is a place of calm and tranquillity. If you happen to know the busy streets … Continue reading →

Posted in /City-Aldgate, Subj_Squares | 3 Comments

Port of London Authority

Posted on 26 October 2018 by

Above: Looking north at the old Port of London Authority building from the gardens on Tower Hill. It is now in use as a hotel. This is a story about the organisation of the old dock systems in London. From … Continue reading →

Posted in /City-Tower | 3 Comments

Knollys’ Red Rose Rent

Posted on 24 October 2018 by

The Knollys Rose Rent Ceremony is held in June each year and is organised by the Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames. On that day one red rose will be plucked from a garden in Seething Lane … Continue reading →

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Roman Wall at Tower Hill

Posted on 22 October 2018 by

Above: One of the most impressive remaining sections of the Roman Wall stands near the entrance to Tower Hill Underground Station. The Romans established Londinium – which eventually became the modern City of London – in AD 43. The settlement … Continue reading →

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St Dunstan in the East

Posted on 19 October 2018 by

Above: View of the elegant spire from the south side of the Thames. It was taken in 2003 while a new glass-clad office block called Plantation Place was being completed. The earliest recorded mention of the church was in 1272. … Continue reading →

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Custom House

Posted on 17 October 2018 by

Above: View of Custom House from the south side of the Thames in 2011. The reason for not choosing a later picture is because the clear skyline in this view is now ‘cluttered’ with high-rise buildings. When this view was … Continue reading →

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Legal Quays

Posted on 15 October 2018 by

Above: Part of the Agas map, c1561, showing the Legal Quays. London Bridge acted as a barrier to sailing ships wanting to moor on the Thames near the City of London. This was true in the days of the Romans … Continue reading →

Posted in /City-Billingsgate, /City-Tower, /Thames | Leave a comment

Pepys, Samuel and the Navy Office

Posted on 12 October 2018 by

Above: A City Plaque in a small public garden near the site where the official residence used to stand. Samuel Pepys was born in the City of London in 1633. He was born in a house just off Fleet Street … Continue reading →

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Roman Bath, Lower Thames Street

Posted on 10 October 2018 by

Above: Remains of the Roman bath today. From AD 43 to AD 410 the ’square mile’ was a Roman settlement, known as Londinium. Apart from sections of the Roman Wall, little can be seen that is Roman above ground. Going … Continue reading →

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