First published in 1966, Nairn’s London is an idiosycratic and intensively subjective meditation on a city and its buildings.

Join Stephen as he focuses on what Ian Nairn had to say about Westminster and to explore some of his favourite places in this part of SW1 – and some of his not so favourites. Find out what he was talking about when he wrote “For me this … shows the difference between actually being and trying very-hard-to-be, better than any in London”. And which street does he describe as “overrated: a complete 18th century street with some jolly porches, but nothing more, except an oasis in a pretty grinding part of Westminter.” On the other hand he says of one 1960s tower block “It has spark, it is a real live idea of a building, where the dead fish all around it are just so many square feet of lettable office space to exist in loveless apathy until the time comes for their demolition.”

So let Stephen take you back to the mid 1960s to hear Ian Nairn’s distinctive views on some Westminster buildings. He did not like what what happenning to London back then. He would probably be horrified to see what has happened since he wrote his book.

You can check travel options at the Transport for London Journey Planner.