Author | Lightnews

Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · 1d

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 · 4d

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

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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 · 13d

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

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The Cruel Mistress of Fetter Lane

It’s just another quiet side street off Holborn.

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Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · 20d

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?

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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.

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Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · 22d

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.

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Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · 24d

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.

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Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · 27d

The Aldwych: London’s Crescent of Secrets

History in a Half-Moon

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Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · 27d

The Town of Ramsgate Pub

Wapping's Echoes of the Past

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Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · 28d

Judy Garland

Last stop London

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Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · 29d

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.

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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.

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Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Sep 29

Simpsons Tavern - Behind Closed Doors

Down a small alley off of Cornhill lies Bow Court.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Sep 23

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

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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.

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Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Sep 21

Handel and Hendrix: A Musical Tapestry

Centuries apart with one address in common!

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Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Sep 21

The Star Tavern

The Pub, The Robbers and The A Listers!

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Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Sep 20

London has something wonderful to snap 📸 at every turn!

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Tracing London @tracinglondon.bsky.social · Sep 20

Beautiful St Helen’s

Tranquillity in Bishopsgate

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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.

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