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London History

Meet The Pelicans of St. James’s Park: The Big-Billed Bullies with a Rather Curious Past

St James’s Park? Is that the one with all the Pelicans? Yes, it is. Six of them, actually. And they’re quite a hit with Londoners and tourists alike, so we thought we’d let you know all about them. Words by Alastair Reid Schanche London is no stranger to some rather unusual creatures. You’ve got the …

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A Grand Tour of London’s Abandoned Tube Stations

Heard of London’s disused Tube stations? Discover the capital’s abandoned spots and the fascinating stories behind them.  It turns out that London has lots of disused tube stations. Perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise –  the first London Underground train dates back to 1863 – of course, there’s been lots of change since then.  …

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Time to Discover: Down Street Station – Winston Churchill’s Abandoned Tube

Discover Down Street Station, London’s abandoned Tube Station with a bizarre AF history. Let’s go. Ever heard of Down Street Underground Station? Don’t worry – we hadn’t either until we stumbled across it on the interwebs.  That’s because it’s London’s long-lost tube station with a secret second mission.  After a strange few weeks of obsessing …

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The Curious History of the Charterhouse in London

Looking to explore the Charterhouse? This eccentric London spot has many tales to tell, here’s everything you need to know before you visit. The Charterhouse in London has an intriguing past that dates back to long before it was the Charterhouse– and it’s quite eerie.  There are plenty of places to visit at the Charterhouse …

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The Hidden Secrets of London’s Senate House

Have you heard about Senate House? This peculiar London building is home to many secrets – here’s why you need to visit. Sitting pretty behind the British Museum, this Bloomsbury gem is one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the capital – and if you didn’t already know how much we adore …

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The Hidden Secrets of Fulham Palace: Royal Banquettes, Georgian Remodelling and Manorial Courts

Looking to explore Fulham Palace? This quirky London spot is steeped in thousands of years of history. Here’s what you need to know before you visit. Did you know that the Bishops of London once occupied a palace in London for over 1,300 years? We didn’t either, to be quite honest. Fulham Palace is an …

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Auto-Icon: Did You Know You Can See Jeremy Bentham’s Stuffed Head at UCL?

Heard about the peculiar Auto-Icon at UCL? Here’s why and how you can see Jeremy Bentham’s real head in London. First up: What on earth is an Auto-Icon? Well, it’s a preserved dead body, clothed and displayed as if the person was still living. In this case, it’s Jeremy Bentham’s head and body – and …

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The Secret Masonic Temple Hidden in a Central London Hotel

There’s a secret masonic temple underneath the Andaz Hotel in Liverpool street. Here’s what you need to know…  Wait… There’s a Secret Masonic Temple Hidden in the Andaz Liverpool Street?  You’ve probably been to the Andaz Hotel before, or at least heard of it, but did you know that the Andaz has a Masonic Temple …

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The Hidden Secrets of the Clerks’ Well

Discover the Clerks’ Well  – the very spot from which Clerkwell takes its name.  Many of us will have visited Clerkenwell many times before– after all it’s well known for its cosy gastropubs, trendy bars and hip cafes.  But what if Clerkenwell had a little piece of history to discover that was still around to …

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