Derek and David Charnick talk about The Gordon Riots – The most destructive riots in the history of London which took place in 1780 and resulted in over 300 deaths – But why ?

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Derek O'Reilly visits Hampstead an area that provides some real hidden gems such as the Freud Museum and Kenwood House. We explore the Heath and Golders Hill Park to learn how the area still maintains its village atmosphere today.

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Holborn and Bloomsbury have a history that dates back over 700 years. We visit 48 Doughty Street the home of Charles Dickens from 1837 to 1839. Derek visits the London Silver Vaults with Selina Kensit, the largest stockist of silver in the world. We discover the colourful history of the Foundling Museum (Britain’s first home for abandoned children) dating back over 250 years. Lastly to tempt your taste buds we visit Le Cordon Bleu one of the UK’s leading schools in culinary arts.

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Derek meets Vic Norman an expert on the historical pubs of London. They start their tour in the east of London and travel to Mayfair debating which is the oldest pub in London along the way.

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In this episode Derek and Vic take a walk along the river Thames and discuss the historical significance of pubs en route. They make interesting architectural observations and make some grim discoveries on their travels.

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Diane Burnstein discusses with Derek the Jewish communities arrival from the 17th century and their influence on London, paying particular attention to the east end.

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Discover the revolutionary Modernist homes and idealistic architecture built in Hampstead in the 1930s such as The Sun House by Maxwell Fry, and 66 Frognal by Connell Ward and Lucas. Much of the architecture echoed design trends in Europe and the walk includes passing housing by the émigré architects Ernst Freud and Erno Goldfinger. Elements of eighteenth-century design were also an influence for some architects.

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David and Derek explore shady characters in the late 1700’s around the east end, in particular the sentencing of The Reverend Benjamin Russen whose historical sex abuse case in 1777 established an important legal precedent. Back when public executions were a form of entertainment, we look at Tyburn and other such sites.

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Covent Garden is an area of London buzzing with excitement. We interview our local historian in The Royal Opera House, feature the Savoy Hotel, including an exclusive interview with the head butler, visit the home of Benjamin Franklin, and explore the wonders and history of the National Portrait gallery which first opened in 1856.

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We discover some of St Pancras’ history and why it is the only station in London that is raised above ground level. The area is also home to the renowned British library boasting over 150 million items from all over the world.

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