<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<rss version="2.0">
    <channel>
        <title>www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk</link>
        <description>Blog for www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk</description>
        <pubDate>Sun, 13 Nov 2016 10:23:21 +0000</pubDate>
        <language>en</language>
<item>
   <title>A List and Links to My Guest Blogs</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_150883/a-list-and-links-to-my-guest-blogs.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Guest Blog Links]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[
From time to time I write guest blogs for other websites, here&#039;s a complete list:
She Doesn&#039;t Even Hide It for Please Offer Me A Seat (November 2016) a personal blog about my disability following&#160;my accident and please check out the other blog posts too
A Visit to Agatha Christie&#039;s Grave for Cemetery Club (15 September 2016) 
Bereavment - Finding My Way Through for Cemetery Club&#160; (11 May 2016 ) an extremely personal one about bereavement following the death of my da...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Sun, 06 Nov 2016 09:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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<item>
   <title>Swardeston - Visiting Edith Cavell&#039;s Birthplace</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_161585/swardeston-visiting-edith-cavells-birthplace.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Architecture]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Art &#38; Design]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Cemeteries]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Public Executions &#38; Death]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Edith Cavell]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Medicine &#38; Science]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[People]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Religion]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[UK]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[

The war memorial in Swardeston, Norfolk,&#160;is rather special. A simple, granite stone&#160;Celtic cross has the name Edith Cavell&#160;at the top of the list of villagers who lost their lives in World War I (1914 - 1919). Nurse Edith Cavell was executed on 12th October 1915, by a German firing squad during World War I, for her role in assisting over 200 soldiers to escape from occupied Belgium. I visited Swardeston, the village where Edith was born and spent her childhood and&#160;taken o...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Tue, 04 Oct 2016 08:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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<item>
   <title>Do You Know Fortnum &#38; Mason has an Ice Cream Parlour?</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_159278/do-you-know-fortnum-mason-has-an-ice-cream-parlour.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Afternoon Tea]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Cakes]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Scones &#38; Puddings]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Architecture]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Art &#38; Design]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Child Friendly]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London - Hidden Gems]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London Must Dos - Famous Places]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Westminster]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[
&#160;
The Parlour at Fornum and Mason
Fortnum and Mason is world renowned as a luxury grocery shop. However for the discerning visitor, who can manage to drag themselves away from their&#160;beautifully presented food hall, they will be rewarded with a delightful treat&#160;The Parlour, a&#160;traditonal ice cream parlour. ...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Mon, 29 Aug 2016 09:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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<item>
   <title>Afternoon Tea at the Winter Garden of The Landmark London</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_158076/afternoon-tea-at-the-winter-garden-of-the-landmark-london.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Afternoon Tea]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Cakes]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Scones &#38; Puddings]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Architecture]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Art &#38; Design]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Marylebone]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Transport]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Westminster]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[
&#160;
Recently I made a return trip to The Landmark London, a luxury five star hotel located opposite Marylebone Station, to partake of their afternoon tea. ...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Sun, 14 Aug 2016 06:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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<item>
   <title>Afternoon Tea Guide</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_65062/afternoon-tea-guide.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Afternoon Tea]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Cakes]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Scones &#38; Puddings]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London Must Dos - Famous Places]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Westminster]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[

The Ritz
One of my favourite things to do in London is to go for afternoon tea, a delicious meal consisting of sandwiches, scones and pastries. It is often considered to be one of the quintessential British experiences. Many cafes&#160;and tea shops&#160;offer this traditional&#160;service, but for the ultimate treat I would recommend enjoying&#160;it in the glamour and sumptuous surroundings of&#160;a&#160;luxury hotels. ...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Thu, 11 Aug 2016 11:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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<item>
   <title>City of Westminster Tour Guiding Course</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_77831/city-of-westminster-tour-guiding-course.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Westminster]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[
The on-line applications are now open for the Tour Guiding Course: City of Westminster for 2016/17.
I wrote this blog a couple of years ago, when I was the person who managed the twitter feed for @WminsterGuides, hope it will be helpful if you are thinking of appling....]]></description>
   <pubDate>Tue, 09 Aug 2016 08:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title>The Pudding Club - 7 Desserts, Lashings of Custard and a Dash of British Eccentricity</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_145884/the-pudding-club-7-desserts-lashings-of-custard-and-a-dash-of-british-eccentricity.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Afternoon Tea]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Cakes]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Scones &#38; Puddings]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Ceremonies &#38; Traditions]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[UK]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[

The&#160;Pudding Club&#160;was founded in 1985&#160;to celebrate&#160;traditional British puddings.&#160;Each meeting offers a choice of 7 different puddings for an informal evening of sheer (over) indulgence, fun and British eccentricity! The weekly meetings are held at the Three Ways House Hotel in Mickleton village in the picturesque Cotswolds, UK. Attendance is open to everyone but pre-booking is required.&#160;&#160;&#160;...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Sun, 20 Mar 2016 10:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title>The Magic of Staying in an Oxford College</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_144243/the-magic-of-staying-in-an-oxford-college.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Architecture]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Art &#38; Design]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Literature]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Religion]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[UK]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[
&#160;
Oxford, with its world famous university, is only about 50 miles/ 80km from London&#160;and is easily doable as a day trip. During the vacation period many&#160;colleges rent out their rooms to the public, it&#039;s a great opportunity to stay somewhere very unique and historic, so I booked a two night stay at Christ Church, Oxford&#039;s largest college.&#160;To be honest I wasn&#039;t sure what to expect but it exceeded my expectations and I loved every minute of my stay there.&#160;...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Wed, 02 Mar 2016 09:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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<item>
   <title>Flying Scotsman - The Magical Steam Train Returns to King&#039;s Cross Station</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_143871/flying-scotsman-the-magical-steam-train-returns-to-kings-cross-station.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Ceremonies &#38; Traditions]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Transport]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[UK]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[
&#160;
The Flying Scotsman returned to&#160;service on Thursday 25 February 2016, following a &#163;4.2 million restoration.&#160;Scheduled to leave London King&#039;s Cross for York at 7.40am, I felt totally&#160;privileged to be there and wave her off. A huge Thank You to the National Railway Museum in York for leading the campaign to save this magnificent locomotive. Here are a few photos of an unforgettable day. Enjoy!...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Thu, 25 Feb 2016 22:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title>The Wonderpass - Discovering Baker Street&#039;s Colourful History</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_142344/the-wonderpass-discovering-baker-streets-colourful-history.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Architecture]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Art &#38; Design]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Child Friendly]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Literature]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London - Hidden Gems]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Marylebone]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Museums &#38; Historic Houses]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Parks &#38; Gardens]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Religion]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Theatres]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Transport]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Westminster]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[
&#160;
The Wonderpass is now open. The Marylebone subway, next to&#160;Baker Street Tube Station, has been transformed to showcase the area&#039;s colourful history and its cultural attractions. In 2014&#160;Baker Street Quarter Partnership, who commissioned the project, approached me to research the timeline for the Wonderpass. When it opened in January 2016, I was very proud to visit and see the results of my research on display. ...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Sat, 06 Feb 2016 22:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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<item>
   <title>Following in the Footsteps of Vincent Price on the Witchfinder General Tour</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_137772/following-in-the-footsteps-of-vincent-price-on-the-witchfinder-general-tour.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Architecture]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Art &#38; Design]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Cemeteries]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Public Executions &#38; Death]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Ceremonies &#38; Traditions]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Literature]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Macabre]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Museums &#38; Historic Houses]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[People]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[UK]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[

Lavenham Guildhall
Lavenham, in Suffolk, is one of Britain&#039;s finest medieval villages. With its magnificent timber framed Guildhall and pretty cottages it is the&#160;quintessential, picture postcard town. However in 1968, its picturesque Market&#160;Place&#160;became the film location of one of the most horrific scenes in Vincent Price&#039;s Witchfinder General. Last month I was thrilled to&#160;attend&#160;the Witchfinder General Location Tour with the&#160;Vincent Price London Lega...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Tue, 08 Dec 2015 07:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title>The Delightful Geffrye Museum&#039;s Christmas Past Exhibition</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_68222/the-delightful-geffrye-museums-christmas-past-exhibition.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Child Friendly]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Ceremonies &#38; Traditions]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London - Hidden Gems]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Museums &#38; Historic Houses]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Parks &#38; Gardens]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[

In the 1630s room the table is laid out with&#160;sweet dishes&#160;
 Updated with 2016 opening times
One of my favourite places to visit in London is the Geffrye Museum, located in former eighteenth century almshouses. The Museum is named after Sir Robert Geffrye, a former Lord Mayor of the City of London, at whose bequest the almshouses were built. The Geffrye features eleven period rooms which reflect the styles and fashions of the English middle classes from 1600s to the present day. ...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Tue, 24 Nov 2015 09:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title>Great Gardens of London - Gorgeous Gardens You&#039;ll Want to Visit</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_135236/great-gardens-of-london-gorgeous-gardens-youll-want-to-visit.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London - Hidden Gems]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London Must Dos - Famous Places]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Parks &#38; Gardens]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Westminster]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[

Great Gardens of London&#160;by Victoria Summerley, with photos by Hugo Rittson Thomas and Marianne Majerus has just been published by Frances Lincoln. It&#039;s a stunning book featuring&#160;30 amazing gardens across&#160;the Greater London area, all of which have been beautifully photographed, such as Winfield House, Regent&rsquo;s Park, which features on its front cover, see above. ...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2015 07:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title>A Visit to the Macabre - Edgar Allan Poe&#039;s House Philadelphia</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_134747/a-visit-to-the-macabre-edgar-allan-poes-house-philadelphia.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Literature]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Macabre]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Museums &#38; Historic Houses]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[People]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[

Edgar Allan Poe (1809 &ndash; 1849)&#160;was an author of gothic, macabre tales and poems. Some of his best known works are "The Raven", which is commemorated with a statute in the garden of his former home, and "The Fall of the House of Usher". His short story, &#160;"The Murders in the Rue Morgue", is considered to be the first modern detective story. So when I recently attended the Death Salon in Philadelphia I was thrilled to visit his former home....]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 2015 08:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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<item>
   <title>Edith Cavell Wreath Laying Ceremony by St Martin in the Fields</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_133167/edith-cavell-wreath-laying-ceremony-by-st-martin-in-the-fields.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Architecture]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Art &#38; Design]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Cemeteries]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Public Executions &#38; Death]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Edith Cavell]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Ceremonies &#38; Traditions]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London - Hidden Gems]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[People]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Westminster]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[

Nurse Edith Cavell was executed on 12th October 1915, during&#160;World War I, for assisting over 200 allied soldiers escape occupied Belgium. There is an annual public wreath laying ceremony that takes place at her memorial, in London, on the anniversary of her death, which is&#160;organised by the Cavell Nurses&#039; Trust. The next wreath laying service will be held on Wednesday 12th October 2016 at 10.30am and is free to attend. ...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2015 09:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title>Trocadero&#039;s Enchanting Arthurian Frieze in Picturehouse Central</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_133075/trocaderos-enchanting-arthurian-frieze-in-picturehouse-central.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Architecture]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Art &#38; Design]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Literature]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London - Hidden Gems]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Westminster]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[

On a recent visit to the newly opened Picturehouse Central in the Trocadero Centre, I was delighted to discover this captivating Arthurian themed frieze.&#160;After&#160;the film I&#160;took&#160;a few&#160;photos, which wasn&rsquo;t easy, as I was on a moving escalator,&#160;but I&#160;managed to capture all ten panels. ...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2015 09:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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<item>
   <title>&#34;This is a Spot Most Beautiful&#34; Eltham Palace&#039;s Art Deco Elegance</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_132459/this-is-a-spot-most-beautiful-eltham-palaces-art-deco-elegance.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Agatha Christie]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Architecture]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Art &#38; Design]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London - Hidden Gems]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Museums &#38; Historic Houses]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[People]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[

Entrance Hall
Eltham Palace&#160;is best known today for its sumptuous art deco interiors created in the 1930s - 1940s when Stephen and Virginia Courthauld resided there.&#160;The&#160;house however has an amazing history, from medieval manor house and&#160;Tudor royal palace to the Courtaulds,&#160;which is covered&#160;my original blog post. 
Last month I made a long overdue return visit to as this year they have opened five more rooms and this blog is going to focus on its art deco inte...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2015 08:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title>The New Lady Betty Afternoon Tea in the Art Deco Splendour of the Queen Mary Inspired Belmont Room</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_131476/the-new-lady-betty-afternoon-tea-in-the-art-deco-splendour-of-the-queen-mary-inspired-belmont-room.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Afternoon Tea]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Cakes]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Scones &#38; Puddings]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Architecture]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Art &#38; Design]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[UK]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[

Bettys has just introduced&#160;the new Lady Betty Afternoon Tea and earlier this week I visited their elegant Belmont Room in York to partake of this. For anyone unfamilar with this small chain of delightful tea rooms&#160;in Yorkshire you may like to read my original blog post Bettys is Brilliant.&#160;...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2015 06:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title>Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, and the Wallpaper at The Goring</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_131235/catherine-the-duchess-of-cambridge-and-the-wallpaper-at-the-goring.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Afternoon Tea]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Cakes]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Scones &#38; Puddings]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Architecture]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Art &#38; Design]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London - Hidden Gems]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London Must Dos - Famous Places]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[People]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Westminster]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[

The Goring is the hotel&#160;where&#160;in 2011, Catherine Middleton and her family stayed the night before her marriage to Prince William. The other week I visited&#160;for afternoon tea with @DawnCorleone which is featured seperately in my Scones of the Month&#160;blog.&#160;When I entered their Front Hall, I was immediately impressed with their beautiful wallpaper, so much so that when we left the restaurant we went to have a closer look. The Goring&#039;s Facebook page states that "The G...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2015 20:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title>London Sightseeing Tour on Stanfords Victorian Horse Drawn Omnibus</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_130925/london-sightseeing-tour-on-stanfords-victorian-horse-drawn-omnibus.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Architecture]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Art &#38; Design]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Child Friendly]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Ceremonies &#38; Traditions]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London - Hidden Gems]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London Must Dos - Famous Places]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Theatres]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Transport]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Westminster]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[

Left to right:&#160; Basil, Bob and Harney with Tim Wood
I love exploring London and when I heard that Stanfords, reputedly the&#160;world&#039;s biggest&#160;travel and map bookshop, have just launched a London sightseeing tour by horse drawn Victorian omnibus I just had to check it out. So last night&#160;joined by&#160;Julie and&#160;Carolyn, friends and fellow guides, we&#160;were taken for an utterly&#160;delightful ride by Basil, Bob and Harney, three magnificent Dutch Warmbloods. ...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2015 07:30:00 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title>Swan Upping &ndash; Counting the Swans on the River Thames</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_130653/swan-upping-counting-the-swans-on-the-river-thames.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Child Friendly]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[City of London]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Ceremonies &#38; Traditions]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Transport]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[UK]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[
&#160;
&#160;David Barber, The Queen&rsquo;s Swan Marker
Swan Upping is an ancient ceremony which counts the number of mute swans on the River Thames.&#160;&#160;This still relatively unknown tradition is an&#160;annual event, which takes place during the third week in July. Earlier this week Julie and I went to Oakley Court hotel to watch&#160;this spectacle&#160;and&#160;to partake of&#160;afternoon tea (seperate blog to follow).&#160;...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2015 08:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title>Coffin Works - Birmingham&#039;s Industrial Heritage Brought Back to Life</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_130363/coffin-works-birminghams-industrial-heritage-brought-back-to-life.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Cemeteries]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Public Executions &#38; Death]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Child Friendly]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Macabre]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Museums &#38; Historic Houses]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Religion]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[UK]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[
&#160;
As a volunteer at Barts Pathology Museum and a lover of all things macabre, quirky and unusual when I heard about the Coffin Works, a former coffin fittings factory in Birmingham,&#160;I just had to visit. I booked myself on a guided tour and just loved it. It&#039;s utterly fascinating, certainly not morbid or gruesome and it&#039;s suitable for children. It&#039;s an industial heritage museum, simular to Ironbridge or Beamish, but&#160;just on a much smaller and more intimate scale a...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2015 11:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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<item>
   <title>Midsummer Night&#039;s Dreaming at the Museum of the Order of St John</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_129967/midsummer-nights-dreaming-at-the-museum-of-the-order-of-st-john.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Afternoon Tea]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Cakes]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Scones &#38; Puddings]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Architecture]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Art &#38; Design]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Ceremonies &#38; Traditions]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Literature]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London - Hidden Gems]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Medicine &#38; Science]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Museums &#38; Historic Houses]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Parks &#38; Gardens]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Religion]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Theatres]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[

Chapter Hall
Last week I was thrilled to&#160;attend&#160;&#160;"A Midsummer Day&#039;s Dream" Champagne Tea at the Museum of the Order of St John. The museum occupies two historic sites,&#160;the&#160; gatehouse&#160;which houses the museum&#039;s galleries and has&#160;a series of stunning rooms and a seperate building which includes the Priory Church and the Norman crypt. The magnificent suite of historic rooms provided the perfect backdrop for a splendid&#160;afternoon of Shakespearean ...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2015 14:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
   <title>Bedford Park London - The First Garden Suburb</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_129632/bedford-park-london-the-first-garden-suburb.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Architecture]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Art &#38; Design]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Ceremonies &#38; Traditions]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London - Hidden Gems]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Parks &#38; Gardens]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Religion]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[

Bedford Park in Chiswick, West London is a rather special place,&#160;it has the distinction of being the first Garden Suburb. It optimises the best of suburban living, with tree lined streets, attractive houses and community facilities, all within a short commute to central London. The Bedford Park Festival is held annually in June and offers a variety of events including musical performances, talks, children&rsquo;s&#160;activities and exhibitions. ...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2015 20:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
   <title>The Roof Gardens in Kensington - London&#039;s Enchanted Gardens</title>
   <link>http://www.guidedwalksinlondon.co.uk/blog/read_129393/the-roof-gardens-in-kensington-londons-enchanted-gardens.html</link>
   <category><![CDATA[Architecture]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Art &#38; Design]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[London - Hidden Gems]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Parks &#38; Gardens]]></category>
   <category><![CDATA[Religion]]></category>
   <description><![CDATA[

The Roof Gardens London&#160;are utterly magical. I visited recently, when the gardens were open as part of the&#160;Open Garden Squares weekend, and although it was a&#160;dull and drizzly&#160;morning,&#160;they&#160;certainly have more than a touch of Hollywood&#160;glamour&#160;about them and I felt like I had just walked onto a&#160;movie set. Don&#039;t forget to look out for the flamingos! ...]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2015 07:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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