London Informer

Topped by what looks like a flaming Christmas pudding, this, the tallest isolated stone column in the world, stands 202ft high and although obscured by office buildings, the Shard being the latest, can still offer commanding views of The City. If you have the energy, and it must be said, the courage to ascend its [...]

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It was in 1962 with the construction of the Post Office Tower that St. Paul’s Cathedral lost its claim to be London’s tallest building after dominating the City’s skyline for centuries. It then took nearly 20 years before the NatWest Tower laid claim to that crown, but it now seems for developers a race to [...]

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It is arguably Londoner’s favourite industrial building and best viewed when travelling along the road of the rich and famous – Cheyne Walk. There on the opposite bank of the Thames is “The Temple of Power” as it was then dubbed when constructed in the 1930s. Battersea Power Station, the largest brick built building in [...]

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By the end of next year the archetypal cabs both loved and loathed in equal measure by the drivers will not be seen plying for hire in London. The FX4 first appeared on London streets in 1959, its shape beloved of tourists, has sold more than 75,000 vehicles and was the first diesel cab with [...]

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CAB is one of the many acronyms learnt on The Knowledge; this one is the aide memoire for three bridges spanning the Thames at its wealthiest location: Chelsea, Albert and Battersea, and one – Albert – is arguably London’s prettiest and most feminine. Except for Tower Bridge, built in 1894, Albert Bridge is the only [...]

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You are sitting in your deckchair enjoying the sun when from next door a ball is kicked into your garden. Annoying? Just think of what it must have been like for George Augustus Henry Cavendish, 1st Earl of Burlington – Lord George Cavendish to his friends – to have oyster shells (the takeaway food of [...]

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Samuel Johnson’s friend James Boswell had an interesting experience on Westminster Bridge. He recalled: “I picked up a strong jolly young damsel and taking her under the arm I conducted her to Westminster Bridge, and there in amour complete did I engage up in this noble edifice. The whim of doing it there with the [...]

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Harrods cast it aside in 1928, Selfridges followed 17 years later, but by then Gordon Selfridge was too busy having his way with twin showgirls The Dolly Sisters, than worry too much about what went over the door of his emporium. Currys have dispensed with its services and Starbucks, well they are American, never used [...]

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Watching the new series of Downton Abbey I was struck by the similarities with modern Britain, and more specifically the Edwardian characters’ complete lack of discretion when within earshot of their servants – much like

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Now before you start reading today’s little missive I must add a cautionary note. If you haven’t reached your thirtieth birthday my words of wisdom will have no relevance in your life and I suggest you just chat amongst yourselves for the next five minutes. According to the latest research, no doubt funded by the [...]

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I read last week that Abercrombie and Fitch are to pay Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino – no I haven’t heard of him either – a star of MTV’s hit reality show Jersey Shore a small fortune NOT to wear their iconic clothing, so it occurred to me that an approach could be made to Marks [...]

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New research has concluded that our attention span nowadays could be limited to Just A Minute before our minds are distracted; so to make my point Today this post is limited to take about 60 seconds to read. In this Material World of gizmos and gadgets; of Facebook, Twitter and blogs Any Questions on any [...]

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For some Japanese tourists their first taste of Europe proves overwhelming. Coming from a culture that espouses civility and respect, they expect European capitals to have the same degree of controlled manners as that of Tokyo’s 33 million inhabitants. For someone who drives daily on London’s roads, experiencing the rude and aggressive attitudes of my [...]

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In the late 1960s my wife went into her local Barclays to withdraw some money, these were the days when you would give the teller a cheque to withdraw your money and they would look at you with a mildly disapproving manner, as if you were imposing upon their valuable time. But on this day [...]

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Be it Boris; Ken; Bikes; or cabbies, nothing it seems to polarise London’s opinion more than rickshaws. When last writing about these three-wheeled wonders I received more comments than for almost any other subject. So at the risk of being accused of self-interest and ignoring the environmental advantages of using this mode of transport in [...]

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