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  3. The Parliamentary Archives

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    The parliamentary archives are housed in the Victoria Tower. Named after Queen Victoria it is the tallest tower at the Palace of Westminster. It stands at a height of 325 feet and was the tallest stone tower in the world when it was completed. It was specifically built to house the parliamentary records in fire proof rooms, after the previous building was destroyed by fire in 1834. The parliamentary records have been housed there since 1860 apart from when they were temporarily moved during wartime. On the rooftop is a flagpole which flies the Union flag or when the sovereign is present the Royal Standard.

  4. Afternoon Tea at the Savoy and the wonderful Kasper

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    Our most recent Afternoon Tea outing was to the delightful Savoy in October 2012.

    This luxury hotel, located just off the Strand, set within its own small courtyard, oozes old fashioned glamour and Art Deco elegence. Above the entrance is a gilded statue of Count Peter of Savoy, Henry III's wife's uncle, who had the Savoy Palace built in 1263, on the site where the hotel is today. It was one of the finest houses in London until it burnt down during the Peasant's Revolt in 1381.

    The Savoy Hotel was originally opened in 1889 adjacent to the Savoy Theatre, both of which were built for Richard D'Oyly Carte, the theatrical impresario who worked with Gilbert and Sullivan. The hotel was re-opened in October 2010 following a three years closure for a lavish £220m make-over. 

  5. Spotlight on... Afternoon Tea

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    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 and tea shops offer this traditional service but for the ultimate treat I would recommend enjoying it in the glamour and sumptuous surroundings of one of London's leading hotels.

  6. Tottenham Court Road Station Upgrade Project Tour

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    View of new ticket office looking North

    View of new ticket office looking North by kind permission of London Underground and Taylor Woodrow BAM Nuttall

    In 2010 the Tottenham Court Road Station Upgrade Project commenced involving the rebuilding and modernisation of the station. The station currently serves the Northern and Central lines but Crossrail services are due to commence in 2018 and it is estimated that once this begins there will be an additional 50,000 passengers per day.

    On Saturday 10th November 2012 we were fortunate to obtain places on the Tottenham Court Road Station Upgrade Project tour which was part of the Open Doors*** weekend.

    The visit commenced with a short presentation by various members of the team about the project. We then were fitted out with our Personal Protective Equipment (safety clothing) before going on the construction site.

    We were shown around the site in small groups. Our group of four were show round by Sam and Kevin who explained what construction work was taking place at the various parts of the site.

    We were unable to take our own photos on site and therefore all the photos on this blog are with the kind permission of London Underground and Taylor Woodrow BAM Nuttall.

  8. Spotlight on... Bram Stoker & Dracula

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    Bram Stoker

    Abraham "Bram" Stoker (1847 – 1912)

    Stoker was born in Clontarf, Dublin in 1847. He was the third of seven children and suffered from an unidentified childhood illness which left him bedridden until the age of seven years old. Stoker’s professional interest in the theatre started when he acquired an unpaid position as theatre critic for the Dublin Evening Mail which enabled him to attend opening night performances and interview the cast.

    One evening in December 1876 Henry Irving invited Stoker, who had written a review of him in Hamlet, to dine with him in his suite at the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin. Irving complemented Stoker on his review and it was the start of a lifelong relationship which would involve Bram becoming his friend and business manager.