Footprints of London

  Brian noticed that the statue of Queen Anne outside St Paul’s has acquired this rather fetching garland in the last couple of days, but he cant think what it is there for. “I suppose that anyone could have climbed over the railings with some difficulty and put it there.  I’ve looked to see if…

Three of the Footprints team – Jenny Rossiter, Jenni Bowley and Elaine Wein are helping out with some walks for two new courses at Morley College. The Extraordinary Women of Southwark course was written to celebrate International Women’s Day. It investigates the lives of women who played an important role in shaping the social landscape…

A listed building, in the United Kingdom, is a building that has been placed on the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest maintained by English Heritage. Although most structures appearing on the lists are buildings, other structures such as monuments, sculptures, and even milestones and mileposts are listed. Owners of listed…

Saffron Hill is one of my favourite London streets, a dark narrow street winding along between Farringdon Road and Hatton Garden. Although the buildings have  changed a lot, the street still has a very secretive air that reminds me of its criminal past, one of the most disreputable addresses in 18th century London. It was here…

  Why is there a second street sign on Fleet Street saying “Poetic”? Brian thinks it was part of an advertising scheme in Poetry Week magazine a few years ago. He will have plenty more Fleet Street oddities in his walk on Sunday http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fascinating-fleet-street-tickets-9620225353

  The building on the right used to be the printing works for the Great Eastern Railway at Stratford, producing the companies posters, timetables and tickets. As the Victorian railway system was run by many different companies, it was important to track which company’s trains a passenger had travelled on, so tickets became increasingly important…

If you are going on any of Walk London’s Winter Wanders this weekend look out for Footprints of London members Neil Sinclair, who will be leading ‘The Amazing History of the Banks of the River Thames’ and ‘London’s hidden alleyways and courtyards’ and Diane Eccles who will be leading “St Paul’s and the Secret Corners…

Two view of Leadenhall Market, one of the most photogenic buildings in the City of London. You can visit them on Robin’s Walking A Christmas Carol on Saturday 21st December. Brian (who took these photographs) also has some walks on Christmas Day and Boxing Day – see the schedule for details.

London is starting to look particularly festive at the moment and our series of Christmas walks continues with Walking a Christmas Carol, SoHoHo , Alun’s Christmas themed look at the pubs and restaurants of Soho, Dickens After Dark and Churches, Corners and Corridors (and mince pies too) Don’t forget that Brian will also have some…