Anna of London

Anna of London Presenting the most wonderful city in the world. Join with me as I guide you around London - discover its history, its hidden corners and its quirkiness.

During this tricky travel period I am also guiding online. Do join me for a virtual tour of london.

A visit to the Royal Mews with a family with history! They are related to William de Tracy, one of the four knights who ...
26/05/2026

A visit to the Royal Mews with a family with history! They are related to William de Tracy, one of the four knights who murdered Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. 😮 “Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?” said Henry II. Well four of his most loyal did the job for him! Thomas Becket went on to become one of the most important Christian martyrs and Canterbury one of the most important pilgrimage sites for centuries! Job well done? 🤷‍♀️ Certainly a good earner for the cathedral!

09/05/2026

The Old War Offices on Whitehall were very run down before being restored by Raffles to create a stunning hotel. It retains so many architectural features and literally oozes history. Many famous people have worked here and many momentous decisions were taken within its walls. Definitely worth a visit! Would love to stay here!

Strange when people come running up to your guests to ask for their autograph. I thought Chris and Danielle were a great...
04/05/2026

Strange when people come running up to your guests to ask for their autograph. I thought Chris and Danielle were a great fun bright couple who were an absolute pleasure to show around London. Turns out Chris is rather well known on the NFL circuit as a pundit and a former American footballer. I can tell you Chris Simms is also a really nice guy!!

30/03/2026

Westminster Abbey. Two distinct styles …. The Gothic of King Henry III from C13th is so detailed. The vaulting is pointed… the cloisters have so many memorials… Shackleton, Drake, Halley…. But behind that medieval door is the original Norman church of King Edward the Confessor. Huge thick walls, low ceilings, so little light. This is over 950 years old! ❤️

23/03/2026

The Palace of Westminster has a medieval heart.. Westminster Hall… the building dates to 1097 in the reign of William II, not one of our greatest kings, but he gave us a fine hall! The original walls are still there hidden behind the newer stone cladding. Many historic events have taken place here… trials of William Wallace and King Charles I among many others. This is also where Queen Elizabeth II, her mother and Winston Churchill lay in state, visited by thousands wanting to pay their respects. Compare to St Stephen’s lobby which is a much later addition. Definitely worth taking the tour inside here! ❤️

21/03/2026

Happy Nowruz! The Kurdish New Year celebration is usually a big festival with its focus in Akre in Iraq. People take torches up to the top of this mountain and the town will be full to brimming! The type of feast they will have is like the delicious lunch we took in Akre… Last night we ate an Iraqi meal here in London to celebrate too… and also Eid… the end of Ramadan. Praying for a better new year for everyone in the war torn area … Praying for Peace! 🇮🇶

14/03/2026

My journey to Iraq was to discover amazing historic sights… I found so much more! A moment to remind the warmongers of the aftermath of war. These are the streets of Mosul which saw Iraqis defending themselves from ISIS terrorists liberating the houses one by one only 10 years ago. “Don’t Iraqis have family too?” A famous line spoken in the Houses of Parliament in an epic Anti-War speech. This is the devastation….and the rebuilding…. preserving and renovating important buildings… the house of worship… and the smiles of the kids who are the future….. Today a house on the street where I stayed in Baghdad only 6 weeks ago was blown up. Iraq has suffered so much… the stability here is complicated and fragile. May they succeed in staying strong in their determination to retain their hard earned peace! 🥺 🇮🇶

The British Museum… to guide here is a joy and yet terrifying at the same time. Quite simply there is so much here… and ...
28/02/2026

The British Museum… to guide here is a joy and yet terrifying at the same time. Quite simply there is so much here… and so much detail to detect, understand and relay. So many cultures with their customs, beliefs, histories and gods to absorb. It will be a lifetime of learning… and I love it! 🥰

The Tudor Heart ❤️ Almost definitely commissioned for Katherine of Aragon by King Henry VIII it is gold with red and whi...
19/02/2026

The Tudor Heart ❤️ Almost definitely commissioned for Katherine of Aragon by King Henry VIII it is gold with red and white enamel on the heart and also on the clasp in the shape of a hand. With their initials entwined and a message… ‘Always yours’ it shows the relative success of Henry’s first marriage.. if only she had borne him a son! Gold treasures like this would have been plenty at the court of a Tudor King, but so few have survived. So wonderful that through the Portable Antiquities Scheme we can prevent treasures like this disappearing from view. Fundraising ensured that this gold heart went on display in the British Museum so everyone can enjoy it.

Look who I bumped into on the job!
18/02/2026

Look who I bumped into on the job!

Address

London

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Anna of London posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Anna of London:

Shortcuts

Share

Category