When you are stuck inside for an indefinite amount of time, all you can think of is escaping. Yes, we are all imagining the days where we can walk through a store or sit and enjoy a cup of tea in cafe. However, I’ve also taken to planning my next London trip, and all of the history that I could dive into. I crossed off nearly my entire bucket list on my 2019 UK trip, but the list is filling up quickly again. Today I’m going to share my updated London history wishlist and where I hope to visit!
If I’m being realistic, this next UK trip probably won’t happen for another 3 years. I’m saving to hopefully do my PhD in the UK, and a UK trip would heavily cut into those savings. However, if I’m not there doing my PhD by then, I will make a trip happen. In either case, this list will be needed! So, what is on my London history wishlist this time around?
1. Kew Palace
This is the only English Historic Royal Palaces property that I have yet to see! I tend to travel in February/March, given that pretty much everywhere is warmer than Canada then. However, that makes it quite difficult to visit Kew. So, my next visit will have to be in the summer. Kew Palace was built in the mid seventeenth century, however the places that you can visit date to the eighteenth century. Queen Charlotte’s Cottage was built in 1772, and George (III) and Charlotte used the cottage for meals and rests when they were enjoying the gardens. You can also visit Frederick’s kitchens. The Prince of Wales built them in the 1730s to feed him and his family, and the royals continued to use them until 1818.
And then Kew Gardens. The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew houses one of the most diverse and impressive botanic collections in the world. It’s made up of several different greenhouses and gardens, and is world-renowned. (I’m currently reading The Kew Gardener’s Guide to Growing Herbs, and it is fantastic. The growing zones in the UK are fairly different from ours, but I’m enjoying it never-the-less.)
2. The Wallace Collection
The Wallace Collection is an art collection in London that is open to the public. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the Marquesses of Hertford (4 Marquesses and an illegitimate son) collected a number of impressive artworks. Although the collection has over 5,500 pieces, it’s strength is in 18th century French art. And it isn’t limited to paintings- there are sculptures, porcelain, and furniture included.
However, it isn’t just the artwork that brings people in. The building itself is quite simply, gorgeous. The current Wallace House is in Manchester Square, and was the home of Sir Richard Wallace (the illegitimate son of the 4th Marquess) and his wife in the nineteenth century. It opened to the public as a museum in 1900, and the rooms have been restored to their state in 1890. It is one of the impressive and beautiful museums that I’ve seen, with striking colours and architecture. Give me a day there!
3. St. Paul’s, Covent Garden
Although I’ve spent a fair deal of time in Covent Garden, I’ve never actually gone into St. Paul’s! Known as the actor’s church, it was designed by Inigo Jones in 1633 and was the first church in London to be completed after the Reformation. You probably are not surprised that it has a strong association with the theatre community, given its location. Plays are actually performed there on a regular basis, as there is a professional company, Iris Theatre, based in the church.
Covent Garden is one of my favourite parts of London. The connection with ballet/theatre in London, the market itself, the architecture, it is all perfect for me. However, visiting places of worship are also one of my favourite things to do, as it is often a meaningful part of people’s lives. This might be a smaller church, but that doesn’t make it unimpressive in view or history.
4. Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College
I did visit the Queen’s House and Naval College in Greenwich on my 2019 trip, and I loved it. Inigo Jones (yes, the one from above) designed the Queen’s House and I knew I had to visit. Sir Christopher Wren, my other favourite architect, designed However, the Painted Hall restoration work was not completed for several months after I visited. The Painted Hall is known as a Baroque masterpiece, and took almost two decades to complete (begun in 1707 and finished in 1726). Like many of London’s older buildings, it has had several different uses in its lifetime. However, Nelson’s funeral in January 1806 has probably got to be the most important. Much like Banqueting House, I will be spending quite a bit of time gazing up at the ceiling!
5. RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
Is a London history wishlist anything without multiple royal homes? This festival always takes place in the middle of July, so I guess that determines when I will be visiting specifically! I saw this festival from the outside when I visited Hampton Court, and had no idea what was happening. However, now that I know what it is, I absolutely need to attend. If I could swing being there for several weeks, I would also visit some of the other RHS festivals, but Hampton is it for me. (And yes, it is because I could also visit the Palace. If this shocks you, you must be very new to the blog…) Seeing photos from all of the RHS has inspired me to garden myself, though I will completely admit my own plants don’t look particularly impressive.
Sidenote: I know it is for the best, but I’m quite sad that the shows will probably be cancelled for this year!
Bonus: St. Paul’s Cathedral
I actually have visited St. Paul’s Cathedral, but when I was there, you weren’t allowed to take photographs. However, in summer of 2019, they allowed photography!! (Again, just months after I left…..) I absolutely will head back to the Cathedral and take many, many photographs. Between the staircase and the dome, there is more than enough material to get lost in. (Plus, I have to admit, I do find St. Paul’s to be a calmer place to visit than Westminster Abbey, even though both were packed when I visited.)
Bonus: A private Look Up London tour
Joining Katie’s Southwark walking tour was one of my favourite memories on my 2019 trip, and I will absolutely book a private tour with her! (Probably Covent Garden, to get as much out of it as I can…) If you are in London, I can’t recommend a Look Up London walking tour enough. Katie will give a new perspective on London, even if you are a local!
What would be on your London history wishlist?
Cheers,
The Historian
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I had to see The Wallace Collection as one of my case studies for my MA thesis so take what I say with a grain of salt- I didn’t love it (except for one or two areas). It is very much an art museum because they are constrained by their mandate to keep everything that was originally there when the Wallace family was alive & had collected it as it was. That being said, the individual pieces are gorgeous. You’ll let me know what you think when you go!
As for my wishlist, it’s slightly outside of London but I’ve never been to Windsor Castle.
I am fascinated by collection mandates, and I think that knowing that is the case going into it, I will be okay with. I don’t really have a favourite period of art, which helps- I’m not really disappointed by much haha.
Windsor is very cool, but I was a little disappointed- I had literally planned my entire trip around Windsor and then a month before, the queen changed her mind and decided to go there, so I couldn’t see much. I will head back eventually to see the chapel!