Lovely afternoon with friends. Great food and super friendly staff would highly recommend Thank…read moreyou for a great afternoon

Dick Whittington was a real person,who lived from about…read more1350 to 1423, and he was indeed Mayor of London. There are many variations of the story based on a play produced in 1606 with later additions and evolution over hundreds of years.He was never actually 'Lord' Mayor, as that title was not used until a much later period, but the Mayor was a very important position: the holder was head of government for the City of London.Usually the story is 3 times Lord Mayor. He was Mayor 4 times. Near the foot of Highgate Hill is the famous Whittington stone, which is supposed to mark the point where Dick Whittington, on his way out of London, heard the sound of bow bells chiming 'turn again Whittington, Lord Mayor of London' and decided to return to the city. The cat is harder to explain; there is no evidence that Dick Whittington ever had a cat. Maybe the association with the animal arose from the type of boat he used for trading, known as a 'cat'. The present sculpted cat on the top of the stone was not added until 1964. The story first appeared nearly 200 years after Whittington's death. Other characters were added, and Dick Whittington became a favourite pantomime in the 19th century. Many legends surround Old Highgate and Hampstead, and there is an old belief that if Whittington's Stone is ever removed or if any harm should befall it, great change and disaster will fall upon the neighbouring area. Of course, this myth is probably based upon the fact that the Stone is one of Highgate's oldest landmarks, and therefore, it would be bad luck to remove it. The real Richard Whittington was apprenticed to the Mercers' Company in the City of London. He became a successful trader, dealing in valuable imports such as silks and velvets. All his goods would have entered London through the river quays. Whittington was three times Master of the Mercers' Company and four times Mayor of London. Richard II and his successor Henry IV were important customers for Whittington. He supplied silks for the wedding dresses of the daughters of Henry IV. Richard Whittington's fortune was used for many charitable purposes, including almshouses, a library, and also public works such as improvement to the water supply and a public lavatory. The Whittington Charity still exists, and provides housing and financial help.

I noticed in discussions folk like celebs so heres a bit of info:…read moreThis is Paul McCartney's London home, which was bought in April 13 1965 for 40,000, and Paul moved in late March 1966. Paul McCartney will always be in the news I guess. McCartneys housekeeper was a Mrs. Kelly who was fired along with her husband when they tried to sell their story to an Australian newspaper. A music room/den was on the top floor and had a window overlooking the front courtyard Songs such as Penny Lane, Getting Better and Hey Jude were written there. A Knight piano stood in the music room. McCartney got design team Binder, Edwards and Vaughan to paint the piano in psychedelic colours. The job cost £300. The many visitors to Cavendish Avenue included Andy Warhol and Mick Jagger. McCartney reportedly offered Jagger his first joint in the music room at Cavendish Avenue. He had a meditation chapel built in his garden around 1967 which contained a circular bed donated to him by Groucho Marx. In 1968 fiance Jane Asher returned unexpectedly to Cavendish Avenue from Bristol to find him in bed with another girl. They broke up shortly afterwards. McCartney was the only Beatle to remain a London resident during the years that The Beatles were together. It is still owned by Paul and obviously access is prohibited.

6/18/16 Sir Paul wasn't home when we came by but I must say…read morehis home was quite well cared for and exceptionally clean! A nice neighborhood but not pretentious in any way.

I know some will think me odd for reviewing a loo, but in parts of London they seem to be becoming…read morean endangered species, and I think the free Public Lavatory is an important part of our urban heritage as well as providing an essential public service! This one is provided by Camden and is close to the Royal Free Hospital, adjacent to the terminus of the 24 bus route (formerly a tram terminus) and Hampstead Heath Railway station. (Handy, as the trains on this line do not have lavatories and neither do buses, of course). It's your classic, underground Edwardian lavatory, with generous wooden cubicles as well as two rows of urinals, with elaborate green and cream tiling, and lots of dark wood panelling. It's a miniature work of architecture, all of its own. It is kept really clean and well maintained. (Obviously, I can't comment on the Women's facilities, adjacent, but I believe they have baby-changing facilities). The Council even lists all the conveniences on its web-site, and each even has a postcode, so you can find it on Google and the like. The big downside is the flight of steps down to it - so it is not accessible for wheelchair-users.

This is the house that Tim & Dasiy Rented in the TV comady Spaced...... Skip to the end!…read more A must visit for all fans. You do get a strange feeling to see it for real. At quick walk from Camden you can recreate the finger gun battle!

Take a stroll along the canals through Little Venice, with peaceful surroundings leading to lively…read moredining and entertainment as you wind toward Paddington. Enjoy the eclectic boats parked along the way; maybe the On Air sign will be lit on the radio boat. Be sure to visit Rembrandt Gardens at the canal fork, then decide if you"ll head left toward Regent's. Of course we'll return.

A wonderful part of the city near Paddington Station where you can walk along and around the canal…read morearea and just take in the scenery. It was nice and quiet in the morning, there were a few cafes close by in the area as well. While on the path keep an eye out for bike riders going by as they use the canal path too.

One of the wonders of my childhood. By the childrens…read moreplayground stands the trunk of an oak tree. it is now surrounded by a high metal fence. I don't think that was always there. It is 900 years old and is carved and painted with elves, fairies, witches and more. Carved by Ivor Innes an illustrator. It is now a grade II listed item and Spike Milligan loved it. In 1996 he led a successful campaign to have it restored and did a lot of work on it himself. He believed in both magic and children. If you have small children take them and watch their faces. If not go and be a child again yourself.

Move in closer and you'll discover that the old tree holds…read morea special secret essay writing services reviews (http://www.essaywritingforum.com/) that the gapes and grooves in the weathered old bark are home to an array of fairies, imps, elves and gnomes along with their little forest friends.

Bit of maybe useless information but it is still thereif you are an ardent fan..maybe?…read more The ground floor and basement maisonette was leased to Ringo Starr from early 1965, though he was to live here for only a short time before marrying Maureen Cox and finding a proper house ('Sunny Heights' in Weybridge). Ringo chose to keep the lease and sublet the flat to friends. This was the flat where John Lennon and Yoko Ono first lived together, and at the time it was owned by Ringo Starr after he had moved out. McCartney wrote several Beatles songs here including Eleanor Rigby. It was the location of their nude Two Virgins album cover and also the scene of their October 1968 drugs bust.During their time living at the flat, John and Yoko shot the controversial nude cover photographs. Apple employee Tony Bramwell having set up the camera for them and rushing away before any clothes were shed. Jimi Hendrix also rented it for a short while afterwards but was evicted after painting all the walls black. After the police raid, the landlord sought an injunction against Starr, forbidding anyone but Starr or his family to live there, and for no music or instruments to be played. Starr appealed, and a compromise was reached; only Starr or a family member would live in the flat. Nonetheless, Starr never used the place again, and sold his lease during 1969.

I love it when a walk through the back streets throws up a surprise like this a whole row of houses…read morewith sphinxes (is that the correct plural?) flanking their doors! Of course in size they don't compare to some of the more famous examples around London (e.g. those at Crystal Palace), but they are just as well made and quite impressive. The houses are also decorated with other Egyptian inspired motifs on their fronts, including iron work. I didn't take the numbers, but they are around 60-70, either side of the junction with Sheen Grove. Definitely worth a little diversion for fans of Egyptian inspired architecture 5 stars for those folks, 3 stars for the average person who might like a look as they pass, average 4

I have to say this is one on my favourite roads in islington, i absoloutely love it! and totally…read moreagree with points in moonrising's review

Clarence House is the current residence of Prince Charles and Camilla and former home of Queen…read moreElizabeth, the Queen Mother before her passing. Since Prince Charles and Camilla do live here, Clarence House is only open 1 month of the year in August. However, if you buy tickets and sign it and get it stamped at the end of your visit, it's good for unlimited future visits for one year (though really, it's good for all of August next year because they're not open year-round). The tour is 45 minutes long and each tour is a bit different. Your guide will go over highlights that they're interested in, so if you get a different guide, you'll learn, hear, and see different tidbits and aspects of each room. Even though there are several stories, you only experience the rooms on the first floor. At the end of your tour, there is a gift shop for souvenir purchases. Beware of the condescending gentleman (if you can even call him that!) at the register who provides a snoot attitude when he deems you haven't purchased enough to receive a paper bag.

Famous as the London home of the late Queen Mother. Now the official residence of the Prince of…read moreWales and the Duchess of Cornwall. Pre-booked guided tour with a timed entrance. Small group views The Entrance Hall leading to the Lancaster Room. The Morning Room has been re-decorated by the Prince of Wales. Favourite along with the Dining Room. No photography is allowed in the grounds. Small gift shop. Wheelchair users can view all rooms.