Category: Local

Eight Wells

Llanover House in Monmouthshire lies about 150 miles west of London, at least it did until it was demolished in 1936.

A State of Grace

A friend from America was visiting London recently. I took him to The Grenadier for a Bloody Mary, Ognisko (aka the Polish Hearth Club) for lunch and Opera Holland Park (for Hansel and Gretel). He also was taken by the Judge to the White’s tent at (Royal) Ascot, ticking a 4th box of things he… Continue reading A State of Grace

The Aynscombes of Mortlake

“From 1689 to 1721 Cromwell House was the residence of Edward Colston (1636-1721) of the London Mercers’ Company, a major philanthropic benefactor in Bristol, his home town. In 1792 Lysons described it as an “Ancient house” and it was then associated with the Aynscombe family: Cromwell Lane was renamed Aynscombe Lane.” (London Gardens Trust)

On The Wing

I planted this wisteria floribunda ‘Alba’ in March 2016 and now it is living up to its name with abundant, long tresses of white blossom.

The Green, Green Grass

The Byzantine emperor (610 – 641), Heraclius, is mentioned in James Heneage’s The Shortest History of Greece. True to his title Heraclitus is not.

Easter Eggs

The peregrine falcon has laid four eggs this year in the nesting box on a high, north-facing ledge on Charing Cross Hospital.