DK Travel : London : History & Culture

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Columbia Road Market

Londoners head east on Sunday mornings for the bustling street markets. In addition to Petticoat Lane in Middlesex Street, with its bargain clothes and household items, and Brick Lane’s bric-à-brac, there is the teeming plant and flower market in Columbia Road. Ten minutes’ walk from the north end of Brick Lane, Columbia Road is a delightful cornucopia of all things horticultural at bargain prices.

Columbia Road Market
Courtauld Institute Gallery

Founded in 1932 for the study of the history of European art, the Courtauld is part of Britain’s oldest institute for teaching the history of art. Located in the North Block of Somerset House thegallery rooms are particularly strong on Impressionist paintings. Each Tuesday at 1:15pm there is a free talk on one of the paintings in the exhibition.
Downing Street

The official home and office of Britain’s Prime Minister is one of four surviving houses built in 1680 for Sir George Downing (1623–84) who went to America as a boy and returned to fight for the Parliamentarians in the English Civil War. The building contains a State Dining Room and the Cabinet Room, where a group of 20 senior government ministers meets regularly to formulate policy. Next door, No. 11, is the traditional residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Downing Street has been closed to the public for security reasons since 1989.
Dr Johnson

Samuel Johnson (1709–84) was a towering literary figure who presided over gatherings in pubs, coffee houses and literary clubs, as well as in his own home, and had opinions on everything. His satirical poem,London (1738), attacked poverty in the city and his parliamentary sketches and dictionary made him famous.
Dr Johnson

“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life,” said Dr Samuel Johnson (1709–84). He lived in the City from 1748 to 1759 and much of his famous dictionary was compiled here, with six copyists working in the garrett. His companion James Boswell reported on the social comings and goings in the house.
Duke of York Steps

A statue of the “Grand Old Duke of York”, subject of the nursery rhyme, is elevated above these steps off Pall Mall.
Dulwich Picture Gallery

This wonderful gallery is well worth the journey from Central London. Apart from the stunning collection, there are regular exhibitions, Thursday lunchtime lectures and friends events, usually including music, food and wine, to which anyone is welcome.
Dwight Eisenhower

During World War II the Allied Commander (1880–1969) lived at No. 20 Grosvenor Square, near the US embassy.
England Swings

This hit US song came out after a 1966 story inTime magazine announced the arrival of “Swinging London”.
Faraday Museum

Michael Faraday (1791–1867), a pioneer of electro-technology, experimented in the laboratories of the Royal Institution, where he was Professor of Chemistry from 1833–67. These Neo-classical laboratory buildings now house a museum.