Author | Lightnews

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · 2d

I’ve passed through Ealing Broadway countless times and watched it evolve — from a busy Underground stop to a key hub on the Elizabeth line. Down on Platform 9, a 1910-style sign (a 1992 replica) still whispers of another era. I can’t help but wonder who once waited there over a century ago.

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · 5d

Once a glittering 1930s cinema, later a forgotten bingo hall, the Troxy in Stepney has lived more lives than most London buildings. From wartime singalongs to drag shows and rock gigs, it’s a story of reinvention, survival, and East End spirit.

The Troxy

East London’s Resilient Giant

open.substack.com

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · 10d

It’s the little details on the Underground that often go unnoticed. At Waterloo, artist Christopher Tipping’s 1987 designs brought monochrome terrazzo floors and screen-printed tiles to the Bakerloo and Northern line platforms.

Do you have a favourite Underground station?

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · 14d

In 1767, midwife Elizabeth Brownrigg lived here. She seemed respectable… until parish officers discovered a tortured apprentice chained in her cellar!

open.substack.com/pub/tracingl...

The Cruel Mistress of Fetter Lane

It’s just another quiet side street off Holborn.

open.substack.com

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · 21d

London’s black cabs aren’t just transport — they’re tradition.
Each driver masters the Knowledge: 25,000 streets, 320 routes, every shortcut in the city.
But cab numbers are falling fast — can this London icon survive?

open.substack.com/pub/tracingl...

The Knowledge: London’s Living Map in the Mind

If you ask someone to picture London, chances are they’ll conjure up a handful of icons: Big Ben, Tower Bridge, a red bus, and of course, the black taxi.

open.substack.com

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · 23d

They call it The Vase: One Blackfriars, the sculpted glass tower rising by the Thames. Finished in 2019, it divides opinion — beauty or excess? Either way, it’s pure modern London: bold, reflective, and impossible to ignore.

1

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · 25d

The Tower of London Zoo: A Royal Menagerie

The Tower of London, a formidable fortress steeped in history, has played host to a fascinating chapter in the annals of zoology.

open.substack.com

2

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · 27d

The Aldwych: London’s Crescent of Secrets

History in a Half-Moon

open.substack.com

1

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · 28d

The Town of Ramsgate Pub

Wapping's Echoes of the Past

open.substack.com

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · 29d

Judy Garland

Last stop London

open.substack.com

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Oct 1

Who is George Peabody and why does he have a sculpture in London?

In the annals of philanthropy and finance, few figures stand as tall as George Peabody.

open.substack.com

2

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Sep 30

Tucked away by the old Roman Wall are the ruins of St Alphage London Wall. Once a medieval church dating back to the 12th century, it was rebuilt, bombed, and finally left as a ruin. Today, it’s part of St Alphage Garden — a quiet green space where you can sit beside centuries of London’s history.

1

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Sep 29

Simpsons Tavern - Behind Closed Doors

Down a small alley off of Cornhill lies Bow Court.

open.substack.com

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Sep 27

Good coffee in London is easy to find. But great coffee from independent retailers is still such a joy when you come across it.

This gem called Knockbox Coffee is just one of those pleases that sell great coffee. Give them a visit.

📍Lambs Conduit Street WC1

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Sep 26

Lit by London’s Fumes: The Story of the Methane Lamps open.substack.com/pub/tracingl...

Lit by London’s Fumes: The Story of the Methane Lamps

The hidden history of the lamps that once turned waste into light.

open.substack.com

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Sep 25

Brand new post!

The Car Park That Preserved a Roman Wall

The Car Park That Preserved a Roman Wall

Bay 53!

open.substack.com

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Sep 24

Leslie Green: The Architect Who Painted London Red

In the annals of architectural history, few names resonate with the vibrant hue of oxblood red quite like that of Leslie Green.

open.substack.com

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Sep 23

Findlater's Corner

Nestled amidst the bustling streets of London, Findlater's Corner at London Bridge stands as a testament to the city's rich history and vibrant atmosphere.

open.substack.com

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Sep 23

Old history in a modern setting. But where am I?
.
.
.
.
.
.
The old police station in Belgravia, now a privately owned home, mixes history in a modern contemporary setting. It has some other wonderful touches.

1 1

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Sep 22

Tower 42

London's skyline is a canvas painted with architectural masterpieces, each building telling a unique story of progress and resilience.

open.substack.com

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Sep 21

Handel and Hendrix: A Musical Tapestry

Centuries apart with one address in common!

tracinglondon.substack.com

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Sep 21

The Star Tavern

The Pub, The Robbers and The A Listers!

tracinglondon.substack.com

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Sep 20

London has something wonderful to snap 📸 at every turn!

1

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Sep 20

Beautiful St Helen’s

Tranquillity in Bishopsgate

tracinglondon.substack.com

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Sep 18

St Pancras was built in 1868 after Midland trains got second place at King’s Cross. 🚆
They answered with a red-brick Gothic giant — designed to be seen for miles and outshine their rivals.

1