London Ramblings #5: An Early Morning Stroll in Covent Garden

Dear Reader(s),

I know, it’s been a terribly long time since I’ve last made an appearance on the blog and it feels almost like I’ve become the sidekick on my very own show. I’ve properly fallen off the wagon this time – I shall reassure you, only the blogging one, that is – but I think I’m ready to board this midnight train again. (Can you guess which song they just played on the radio?*)

The past four months have been (almost too) rich in trials and tribulations, including a parental visit nonetheless, and as such my blogging efforts had to take the backseat. (I have a feeling this sentence *might* upset my parents and I really shouldn’t toy with half of my readership.) While life has certainly been hectic in this part of the world, I’ve also launched a new Hidden Mayfair tour and some exciting projects are in the pipeline, so stay tuned for more info soon.

Alright, let’s see if I can still do this blogging malarkey. Today I invite you to join me on a 5am adventure around Covent Garden. (Yes, late sleepers, I’m afraid that’s not a typo!)

Covent Garden as many of you have probably never experienced it: completely empty!

London Ramblings #4: The surprising Barbican Conservatory

Dear Reader(s),

I hope this new blog post finds you well? We’ve made it to the end of yet another month and I can’t wait to turn the page on this one. February has never really been a particular favourite of mine and there have been a few bumps along the road this year. I shall spare you the (not-so) gory details as I feel that I have already exceeded my quota of rants for the month …

I’m happy to report I passed my guiding exam at the National Portrait Gallery at the beginning of the month, thanks to the support of my classmates and Lady Emma Hamilton. In a cheeky nod to Helen of Troy, I called Lord Nelson’s rather (in)famous mistress ‘the face that launched a thousand scandals’ and this comparison didn’t go down too well with the examiners, but I have a feeling Emma was smiling down on me that day and would have approved! 🙂

While I truly hate breaking promises, I can’t deliver a blog post about Luxembourg today and I must admit defeat yet again. (Shame on me & mea culpa in one!) Instead I have decided to focus on one of the more pleasant days of February, which included a visit to one of London’s most secret green spaces: [cue for suspenseful music] the Barbican Conservatory.

The rather unusual Barbican Conservatory: where urban and concrete jungle collide.

Grand Staircases of London #2 (St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel)

Dear Reader(s),

You’ve managed to surprise me yet again! Yes, all of you, wonderful people out there in the dark. (Bonus points for anyone who recognizes this film reference!) Thank you very much for the support you’ve shown towards my Courtauld Gallery post. Your responses and retweets have been highly appreciated during the past week!

In today’s post I have decided to write about the rather grand staircase at the St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel. I know, it’s a bit of an obvious choice, but if this iconic and imposing staircase is good enough for the Spice Girls*, you can’t fault me for featuring it on this humble blog too!

The grand staircase at the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel.