Decades before the 1967 Sexual Offences Act partially decriminalised sex between men, some freedom and community could be found in the numerous illegal drinking dens and makeshift private members’ clubs which popped up in and around Soho. One of these was the Caravan Club, which dazzled the streets of Soho in the 1930s, but was unfortunately shut down by police on this day (25th August) in 1934.
Tag Archives: rambling london
The Bells of London Town
On this day (11th July) in 1859, Big Ben rang for the first time because (spoiler alert!) Big Ben is a bell not a tower. I used this anniversary moment to shine a light on some of London’s most exciting bells.
A Little Bit More Lockdown Art
This is Part Two of my jaunt through the Royal Academy, bringing you some beautiful art and its relation to the general lockdown experience.
When England went Bananas
On 10th April 1633, the earliest recorded bananas went on sale in England, in an apothecary on Snow Hill in London.
I’ve read more about bananas in the last 24 hours than I have in my entire life, but it was completely worth it – a bit of creative writing, a bit of fascinating history!
Harrington and Hogarth: (Street) Art in London
Comparing the 18th and 21st centuries, William Hogarth and Conor Harrington, the collision of the galleries and the streets of London.
Memoirs of a Londoner: Samuel Pepys
London is full of fascinating people and great stories. Today we’ll be following in the footsteps of 17th century Londoner, Samuel Pepys.
A Very London Christmas, Part 2
London just had too many fabulous Christmas traditions to fit into one post so I’ve split it into two for you. Just for you! You’re welcome.
A Very London Christmas
London has some wacky Yuletide traditions, a few of which I’ll share with you today. So sit back with your glass of mulled wine, put on a Father Christmas hat and some reindeer slippers, and enjoy… (and press play on the Christmas Hits playlist. You know you want to.)
Foundling
Two mothers and two Foundlings. Two strands of a story woven together in eighteenth century London.
Fanakapan and Claesz: (Street) Art in London
Another comparison between two seemingly polar opposite worlds! Fanakapan and his hyper realistic balloons to be compared to… *drum roll please*…
Pieter Claesz!
No, don’t know him? Well, all that’s about to change. He was part of the still life wave which took off in the Dutch Republic in the seventeenth century.
Rambling London Tours 