Grim’s Dyke has an expansive history and is one of the most notably active sites in Harrow. Not only does it have a connection that goes back to the first years of the very first century, it’s also an important site of historical interest, due to the Anglo-Saxon earthworks known as Grim’s Ditch, its rich architectural connections to the architect … Read More
Share in Lady Gilbert’s love of roses, with this brief history
Roses are one of the most popular garden shrubs in the world. They’ve been grown since early civilisations, being grown in ancient Babylon, as well as in Chinese, Egyptian and Greek gardens, as far back as 500 BC. Lady Gilbert had a particular fondness for roses. She created a beautiful sunken rose garden within the grounds of Grim’s Dyke and … Read More
Where to stay when you visit Harry Potter
The award-winning tour ‘The Making of Harry Potter’ is an experience not to be missed. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, have created an experience that delights old and young alike. If you want to enhance that experience further, why not bring your children to stay at Grim’s Dyke – it’s architecture will have them thinking they’ve arrived at their own … Read More
How to cater for children at your wedding
We all love a good wedding! It’s a lovely time for celebration, plus it brings the entire family together – including the old and young. Often though, young children can find the whole experience a little overwhelming. It can be a long day for them, plus it’s often geared more for the older guests. However, with a few simple tweaks, … Read More
How the humble Typewriter changed the artistic world
In Mark Twain’s autobiography, he claimed to be the first author to submit a typewritten book manuscript for publication. He used a Remington typewriter to type out his manuscripts and, in his autobiography, he states ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’ as being the first typewritten manuscript. The year – 1876. It has since been proven that the first typewritten manuscript … Read More
The portraits of W.S. Gilbert
The National Portrait Gallery currently has 13 portraits associated to Sir William Schwenck Gilbert. What’s interesting about all of Gilbert’s portraits is how they all show him as a natural sitter. His relaxed stance is evident in all of those later years portraits and he seems to be equally at home in front of a painter or a camera. Harry … Read More
How the Victorian comic book magazine was born
Comic Cuts was the first comic to be created in Britain. It went on to inspire a host of other comic publications by rival publishing companies. Then reporter, Alfred Harmsworth, was its creator and he used the comic to grow his small publishing firm into the largest periodical publishing company in the world, Amalgamated Press. Story papers, known as Penny … Read More
Victorian Christmas traditions
The marriage of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert bought about huge changes for Christmas, as it once was. Up until this point it hadn’t really been recognised as a holiday by businesses and the act of giving presents was something that was reserved for New Year. With the newspapers sharing insights into the newly married royal couples life, the Christmas … Read More
A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas
During their careers, both Gilbert and Sullivan contributed to Christmas entertainment in a variety of ways. Gilbert not only contributed through his written works, but his family also enjoyed spreading the Christmas spirit through their parties and pantomimes. Sullivan did not have a family, but he kept himself busy with his compositions, including four Christmas carols and opera collaborations with … Read More
Christmas cards – a very Victorian tradition
Christmas is a time for giving and, for many households, Christmas cards are an essential part of that giving tradition, a way to spread the joy and cheer of happy holiday greetings. However, Christmas cards weren’t always cheerful or traditional! The first commercial Christmas cards were created by Sir Henry Cole in 1843. A senior civil servant, Cole wanted to … Read More