Peter Stone
@londonstone.bsky.social
Writer and video maker. Mostly about London. Author of 'The History of the Port of London'. Publishing London history videos at https://thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/videos/
Samuel Johnson, writer, lexicographer, and "greatest genius of the present age" died today in 1784. Read about him here www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/dr-samuel-jo...
December 13, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Samuel Johnson, writer, lexicographer, and "greatest genius of the present age" died today in 1784. Read about him here www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/dr-samuel-jo...
The London Eye observation wheel on the riverbank near Waterloo was designed by Julia Barfield and David Marks and opened in 2000 as part of the millennium celebrations. It was originally planned to stand for five years but its popularity has ensured that it will remain.
December 12, 2025 at 8:32 AM
The London Eye observation wheel on the riverbank near Waterloo was designed by Julia Barfield and David Marks and opened in 2000 as part of the millennium celebrations. It was originally planned to stand for five years but its popularity has ensured that it will remain.
The Star Tavern at Belgravia was popular with celebrities during the 1950s and '60s. It was also a place for criminals to congregate, attracted by wealthy clientele. The Great Train Robbery of 1963 was planned there by Bruce Reynolds, Buster Edwards and other members of the gang.
December 11, 2025 at 8:32 AM
The Star Tavern at Belgravia was popular with celebrities during the 1950s and '60s. It was also a place for criminals to congregate, attracted by wealthy clientele. The Great Train Robbery of 1963 was planned there by Bruce Reynolds, Buster Edwards and other members of the gang.
These dark winter evenings are the perfect time to get out and discover some of London’s beautiful 1,300 working gas lamps. Uncover their history and where you can still find them here in my video youtu.be/rq5VWPT0GF8
December 10, 2025 at 8:34 AM
These dark winter evenings are the perfect time to get out and discover some of London’s beautiful 1,300 working gas lamps. Uncover their history and where you can still find them here in my video youtu.be/rq5VWPT0GF8
Greenland Dock at Rotherhithe dates from the end of the 17th century when it was created as the Howland Wet Dock. In the 18th century it became a centre of the whaling trade and was renamed Greenland Dock. It later became part of the Surrey Commercial Docks.
December 9, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Greenland Dock at Rotherhithe dates from the end of the 17th century when it was created as the Howland Wet Dock. In the 18th century it became a centre of the whaling trade and was renamed Greenland Dock. It later became part of the Surrey Commercial Docks.
Today in 1648 two foot regiments, cavalry and artillery of Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army moved into St. Paul’s Cathedral, using the nave as a barracks and stables. Read here about London and Parliament following the defeat and imprisonment of Charles I www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/towardsthese...
December 8, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Today in 1648 two foot regiments, cavalry and artillery of Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army moved into St. Paul’s Cathedral, using the nave as a barracks and stables. Read here about London and Parliament following the defeat and imprisonment of Charles I www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/towardsthese...
Two famous music stars of the 1960 and '70s died at different times in the top floor flat of No.1 Curzon Square in Mayfair. Cass Elliot of the Mamas and Papas passed away from a heart attack in 1974 and four years later Keith Moon, drummer of The Who died in the same bed.
December 7, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Two famous music stars of the 1960 and '70s died at different times in the top floor flat of No.1 Curzon Square in Mayfair. Cass Elliot of the Mamas and Papas passed away from a heart attack in 1974 and four years later Keith Moon, drummer of The Who died in the same bed.
Big news! I’ve created a walk around Stoke Newington, a fascinating part of London. And you can join me, courtesy of VoiceMap, the service providing guided tours downloaded to your phone. Click here voicemap.me/s-newington to go directly to my walk, then download the app.
A Guide to Stoke Newington's Dissenters, Bankers and Abolitionists | London self-guided audio tour | VoiceMap
Trace four centuries of radical thinkers and religious dissent in North London with this self-guided tour of London, the United Kingdom. For the best experience, install the VoiceMap audio guide app w...
voicemap.me
December 6, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Big news! I’ve created a walk around Stoke Newington, a fascinating part of London. And you can join me, courtesy of VoiceMap, the service providing guided tours downloaded to your phone. Click here voicemap.me/s-newington to go directly to my walk, then download the app.
Read here about Christopher Wren, Nicholas Hawksmoor and the plan to build 50 splendid new Anglican churches in the early 18th century www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-fifty-ne... in The History of London
December 4, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Read here about Christopher Wren, Nicholas Hawksmoor and the plan to build 50 splendid new Anglican churches in the early 18th century www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-fifty-ne... in The History of London
Stave Hill stands at the centre of the Rotherhithe Peninsula in South-East London, in what was previously the Surrey Commercial Docks. It was created in the 1980s from the spoil of the Albion Channel, an ornamental canal that links Surrey Water to Canada Water.
December 3, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Stave Hill stands at the centre of the Rotherhithe Peninsula in South-East London, in what was previously the Surrey Commercial Docks. It was created in the 1980s from the spoil of the Albion Channel, an ornamental canal that links Surrey Water to Canada Water.
St Paul's Cathedral was consecrated today in 1697 following its rebuilding after the Great Fire. Read here about the creation of Christopher Wren's masterpiece www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-rebuildi...
December 2, 2025 at 8:31 AM
St Paul's Cathedral was consecrated today in 1697 following its rebuilding after the Great Fire. Read here about the creation of Christopher Wren's masterpiece www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-rebuildi...
Lock & Co. in St. James's Street was founded in 1676, evolving into a hat shop. It was the first to sell bowler hats. Lock has supplied many famous people with their hats over the centuries, including Admiral Lord Nelson and Winston Churchill. It is still run by the Lock family.
December 1, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Lock & Co. in St. James's Street was founded in 1676, evolving into a hat shop. It was the first to sell bowler hats. Lock has supplied many famous people with their hats over the centuries, including Admiral Lord Nelson and Winston Churchill. It is still run by the Lock family.
On this day in 1936 the Crystal Palace in south-east London was destroyed by fire. The blaze was so big it could be seen for miles and was watched by an estimated 100,000 people. Read here about the history of the Crystal Palace www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-great-ex...
November 30, 2025 at 8:32 AM
On this day in 1936 the Crystal Palace in south-east London was destroyed by fire. The blaze was so big it could be seen for miles and was watched by an estimated 100,000 people. Read here about the history of the Crystal Palace www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-great-ex...
Fulham Bridge, predecessor of Putney Bridge and only the second bridge over the tidal River Thames, was opened today in 1729. Read here about its creation www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/putney-bridge/
November 29, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Fulham Bridge, predecessor of Putney Bridge and only the second bridge over the tidal River Thames, was opened today in 1729. Read here about its creation www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/putney-bridge/
The Three Kings pub at Clerkenwell was originally known as the Three Johns but renamed in 1783. The current building dates from 1871. The pub sign shows the three kings Henry VIII, Elvis Presley and King Kong, although apparently they never met in real life.
November 28, 2025 at 8:30 AM
The Three Kings pub at Clerkenwell was originally known as the Three Johns but renamed in 1783. The current building dates from 1871. The pub sign shows the three kings Henry VIII, Elvis Presley and King Kong, although apparently they never met in real life.
In past centuries taverns and coffee houses were where businesmen, politicians and others met to discuss matters. Read here about coffee houses, taverns, tea, and chocolate in Restoration London www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/coffee-houses/
November 27, 2025 at 8:33 AM
In past centuries taverns and coffee houses were where businesmen, politicians and others met to discuss matters. Read here about coffee houses, taverns, tea, and chocolate in Restoration London www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/coffee-houses/
The small group of closely-packed streets named Shepherd Market in Mayfair were built by Edward Shepherd between 1735 and 1746 to house shopkeepers who served the large houses around Piccadilly. It originally included a duck pond and theatre.
November 26, 2025 at 8:32 AM
The small group of closely-packed streets named Shepherd Market in Mayfair were built by Edward Shepherd between 1735 and 1746 to house shopkeepers who served the large houses around Piccadilly. It originally included a duck pond and theatre.
Following his conquest of England, William of Normany told the people of London they could continue as before. But he also defended against them by surrounding the town with fortresses. Read here about London during the Norman period www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/london-and-w...
November 25, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Following his conquest of England, William of Normany told the people of London they could continue as before. But he also defended against them by surrounding the town with fortresses. Read here about London during the Norman period www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/london-and-w...
Cannon Street stretches from St. Paul's Churchyard to the junction of King William Street. Candle-makers were located there during the medieval period, and it became known as Candlewright Street, eventually corrupted to its modern name.
November 24, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Cannon Street stretches from St. Paul's Churchyard to the junction of King William Street. Candle-makers were located there during the medieval period, and it became known as Candlewright Street, eventually corrupted to its modern name.
Do you know there are six windmills in London?
Do you know where they are?
Find out in my video about London’s windmills. Click here to watch youtu.be/qMY9BDP_T8o
Do you know where they are?
Find out in my video about London’s windmills. Click here to watch youtu.be/qMY9BDP_T8o
November 23, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Do you know there are six windmills in London?
Do you know where they are?
Find out in my video about London’s windmills. Click here to watch youtu.be/qMY9BDP_T8o
Do you know where they are?
Find out in my video about London’s windmills. Click here to watch youtu.be/qMY9BDP_T8o
The men in this sculpture are John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown. In 1919 they were the first to successfully fly across the Atlantic, making the flight in a Vickers biplane. The sculpture stands on the former site of the large Vickers factory at Crayford in south-east London.
November 22, 2025 at 8:35 AM
The men in this sculpture are John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown. In 1919 they were the first to successfully fly across the Atlantic, making the flight in a Vickers biplane. The sculpture stands on the former site of the large Vickers factory at Crayford in south-east London.
Thomas Gresham, merchant, financier, founder of London's original stock exchange and science college died today in 1579. Read about him here www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/sir-thomas-g...
November 21, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Thomas Gresham, merchant, financier, founder of London's original stock exchange and science college died today in 1579. Read about him here www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/sir-thomas-g...
These beautiful lamps date from the 1860s when the Victoria Embankment was completed, originally gas-powered but converted to electric in the following decade. Electric bulbs were still in their infancy and they were soon converted back to gas until bulbs became more reliable.
November 20, 2025 at 8:34 AM
These beautiful lamps date from the 1860s when the Victoria Embankment was completed, originally gas-powered but converted to electric in the following decade. Electric bulbs were still in their infancy and they were soon converted back to gas until bulbs became more reliable.
On this day in 1477, the 'Dictes and Sayings of the Philosophers', the first book printed in England in English was published. It was printed by William Caxton and presented to King Edward IV. Read here about William Caxton www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/william-caxt...
November 18, 2025 at 8:34 AM
On this day in 1477, the 'Dictes and Sayings of the Philosophers', the first book printed in England in English was published. It was printed by William Caxton and presented to King Edward IV. Read here about William Caxton www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/william-caxt...
The original Westminster Bridge was opened on this day in 1750 in a midnight ceremony. Read about the creation of the bridge here www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-original...
November 17, 2025 at 8:32 AM
The original Westminster Bridge was opened on this day in 1750 in a midnight ceremony. Read about the creation of the bridge here www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-original...