History - Archive Articles

Today’s the 125th anniversary of opening the Blackwall Tunnel

On this day in 1897, London's first-ever road tunnel opened under the Thames, offering a connection across the river that East London had long been missing.

Marble Hill reopens after seven years of restoration work

Just under 300 years ago, one of the country's earliest Neo-Palladian villas was built next to the Thames, and now, following extensive restoration work, it's opening up to the public.

Victorian peepshow of the Thames Tunnel up for sale

A popular toy of Victorian times was the peepshow, and a paper peepshow of the Thame Tunnel is up for sale next week.

How the modern colour purple was invented in London

This summer, an awful lot of purple will be evident in London, from regal jubilees to the opening of the Elizabeth line, and not many people know that the modern colour purple was invented in London.

By law, Easter was supposed to be last weekend

This weekend is Easter, but it was supposed to have happened last weekend if a law from 1928 -- that fixed the date of Easter -- were to be enforced.

180th anniversary of the closure of the Kensington racecourse

This month marks the closure of a failure, an attempt to build a luxury horse racing track comparable to the best in England, right in the heart of London.

Remarkable Roman mosaic discovered in Southwark

An incredibly well-preserved Roman mosaic that may have decorated a room in an important building has been discovered near London Bridge in Southwark.

Nunhead Cemetery’s derelict lodge set for restoration

Plans to restore Nunhead Cemetery's former superintendent lodge have been approved by Southwark Council, and there's now a consultation on how the building will be used after its restoration

Westminster council pauses plans to scrap gas streetlights

Works to replace Victorian era gas lamps in central London with electric street lights has been paused by Westminster council following an outcry about the plans.

200th anniversary of London’s oldest surviving surgical theatre

Hidden away in the roof of an old church near London Bridge can be found the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe, and plans have been announced to mark its 200th anniversary.

The Marquess of Westminster drinking fountain

It probably sounds like the name of a pub, but in Pimlico is a drinking fountain erected to the memory of the 2nd Marquess of Westminster.

Crystal Palace’s Victorian subway gets approval for restoration

Plans to restore the grade II* listed subway at the top of Crystal Palace has been given approval by Bromley Council, allowing the restoration works to start later this year.

The South Kensington subway – a history

Running under the road between South Kensington station and the Museums is a Victorian subway, and depending on how you look at it, it's either longer than it was, or shorter than it should be.

See hundreds of English Civil War reinactors march down The Mall

A date for your diary, as an annual march down The Mall to commemorate the execution of King Charles I will take place later this month.

The Christmas Cracker memorial in Finsbury Square

What looks like a typically grand Victorian drinking fountain in the City of London is in fact a memorial to the family that invented the Christmas Cracker, well, sort of.

South London’s King Alfred statue has the legs of a Roman goddess

What has long been thought to be London's oldest outdoor statue has turned out to be even older than expected after restoration work uncovered its Roman origins.

Eighteen more sites added to London’s heritage at risk register

The annual update to the list of heritage sites at risk in London has seen 18 sites added to the register over the past year, although in good news, 32 sites were removed as they are no longer considered to be at risk of further decay.

500th anniversary of the Defender of the Faith

Today marks the 500th anniversary of the Pope granting the title of Defender of the Faith to King Henry VIII, and it is still claimed by British monarchs to this day.

Going inside Greenwich’s Devonport Mausoleum

A modest brick building in Greenwich is the final resting place of Sir Thomas Hardy and Admiral Lord Hood, and also many ordinary sailors.

A blue plaque unveiled for Diana, Princess of Wales

An English Heritage blue plaque has been unveiled today on the side of Coleherne Court on the Old Brompton Road, where Diana lived at the time of her engagement to the Prince of Wales 40 years ago, in 1981.

1930s photos of Twickenham sewage site unearthed

An archive of photos from the construction of a sewage works in the 1930s has been uncovered and handed to Thames Water's archivists, and they have now been digitised.

See inside the St. Leonards air raid shelter in East Sheen

On a side street not far from Mortlake station is a set of 1930s residential flats and in front a curious brick building - the entrance to an underground air-raid shelter.

Watch the Cart Marking ceremony this Saturday

This Saturday, over 40 historic and interesting road vehicles will roll into Guildhall Yard to take part in an ancient ceremony.

A blue plaque for Muppets creator, Jim Henson

Hampstead has gained another Blue Plaque, this time for the Muppets creator, Jim Henson, who lived in the area from 1979 while working on The Muppet Show.