Fascinating walking tours of London’s history, delivered by a passionate and knowledgable guide. Currently available for Canary Wharf and The City of London.
20/01/2024
London History Snapshot: Westminster and Whitehall.
- Westminster Palace (the Houses of Parliament) used to be on an island (Thorney Island) cut off by tributaries of the river Tyburn.
- Parliament as it is today, was designed in the gothic style in 1834 because the then more fashionable classical design was associated with republicanism (hence the Whitehouse in the US).
- There is a Rodin sculpture right in the heart of London - one of 12 casts of the Burghers of Calais (which is the maximum amount under French law)
- The Tate Britain stands on the site of the former Millbank prison through which many ancestors of today's Australians began their journey down under. At one point 4000 prisoners a year were transported from there.
- Downing street is named after Sir George Downing (born 1623)- the 2nd ever graduate from Harvard, who was so untrustworthy that his name became synonymous for someone who betrays another's trust…And thats where our modern PMs live. hmm.
