Peter Stone
@londonstone.bsky.social
Writer and video maker. Mostly about London. Author of 'The History of the Port of London'. Publishing London history videos at https://thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/videos/
The small group of closely-packed streets named Shepherd Market in Mayfair were built by Edward Shepherd between 1735 and 1746 to house shopkeepers who served the large houses around Piccadilly. It originally included a duck pond and theatre.
November 26, 2025 at 8:32 AM
The small group of closely-packed streets named Shepherd Market in Mayfair were built by Edward Shepherd between 1735 and 1746 to house shopkeepers who served the large houses around Piccadilly. It originally included a duck pond and theatre.
Following his conquest of England, William of Normany told the people of London they could continue as before. But he also defended against them by surrounding the town with fortresses. Read here about London during the Norman period www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/london-and-w...
November 25, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Following his conquest of England, William of Normany told the people of London they could continue as before. But he also defended against them by surrounding the town with fortresses. Read here about London during the Norman period www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/london-and-w...
Cannon Street stretches from St. Paul's Churchyard to the junction of King William Street. Candle-makers were located there during the medieval period, and it became known as Candlewright Street, eventually corrupted to its modern name.
November 24, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Cannon Street stretches from St. Paul's Churchyard to the junction of King William Street. Candle-makers were located there during the medieval period, and it became known as Candlewright Street, eventually corrupted to its modern name.
Do you know there are six windmills in London?
Do you know where they are?
Find out in my video about London’s windmills. Click here to watch youtu.be/qMY9BDP_T8o
Do you know where they are?
Find out in my video about London’s windmills. Click here to watch youtu.be/qMY9BDP_T8o
November 23, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Do you know there are six windmills in London?
Do you know where they are?
Find out in my video about London’s windmills. Click here to watch youtu.be/qMY9BDP_T8o
Do you know where they are?
Find out in my video about London’s windmills. Click here to watch youtu.be/qMY9BDP_T8o
The men in this sculpture are John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown. In 1919 they were the first to successfully fly across the Atlantic, making the flight in a Vickers biplane. The sculpture stands on the former site of the large Vickers factory at Crayford in south-east London.
November 22, 2025 at 8:35 AM
The men in this sculpture are John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown. In 1919 they were the first to successfully fly across the Atlantic, making the flight in a Vickers biplane. The sculpture stands on the former site of the large Vickers factory at Crayford in south-east London.
Thomas Gresham, merchant, financier, founder of London's original stock exchange and science college died today in 1579. Read about him here www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/sir-thomas-g...
November 21, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Thomas Gresham, merchant, financier, founder of London's original stock exchange and science college died today in 1579. Read about him here www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/sir-thomas-g...
These beautiful lamps date from the 1860s when the Victoria Embankment was completed, originally gas-powered but converted to electric in the following decade. Electric bulbs were still in their infancy and they were soon converted back to gas until bulbs became more reliable.
November 20, 2025 at 8:34 AM
These beautiful lamps date from the 1860s when the Victoria Embankment was completed, originally gas-powered but converted to electric in the following decade. Electric bulbs were still in their infancy and they were soon converted back to gas until bulbs became more reliable.
On this day in 1477, the 'Dictes and Sayings of the Philosophers', the first book printed in England in English was published. It was printed by William Caxton and presented to King Edward IV. Read here about William Caxton www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/william-caxt...
November 18, 2025 at 8:34 AM
On this day in 1477, the 'Dictes and Sayings of the Philosophers', the first book printed in England in English was published. It was printed by William Caxton and presented to King Edward IV. Read here about William Caxton www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/william-caxt...
The original Westminster Bridge was opened on this day in 1750 in a midnight ceremony. Read about the creation of the bridge here www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-original...
November 17, 2025 at 8:32 AM
The original Westminster Bridge was opened on this day in 1750 in a midnight ceremony. Read about the creation of the bridge here www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-original...
Oliver Cromwell was installed as Lord Protector in a grand ceremony in Westminster Hall today in 1653. Read here about London during the Protectorate period www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/london-durin...
November 16, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Oliver Cromwell was installed as Lord Protector in a grand ceremony in Westminster Hall today in 1653. Read here about London during the Protectorate period www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/london-durin...
The Regent’s Canal was created in the early 19th century to link London with the industrial Midlands. It is now one of London’s gems. Discover the canal’s history in my video here: youtu.be/0zjcrCB8MeE (46 minutes).
November 15, 2025 at 8:33 AM
The Regent’s Canal was created in the early 19th century to link London with the industrial Midlands. It is now one of London’s gems. Discover the canal’s history in my video here: youtu.be/0zjcrCB8MeE (46 minutes).
During the 19thC there was a fascination in Britain for Egypt. When a terrace in Richmond Avenue at Islington was constructed in 1841, pairs of obelisks and sphynxes were added to guard the entrance to each house.
November 13, 2025 at 8:34 AM
During the 19thC there was a fascination in Britain for Egypt. When a terrace in Richmond Avenue at Islington was constructed in 1841, pairs of obelisks and sphynxes were added to guard the entrance to each house.
During the Civil War the Royalist Army commanded by Prince Rupert marched towards London today in 1642 where they clashed with Parliamentary militiamen at Brentford. Read here about London during the Civil War www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/london-durin...
November 12, 2025 at 8:32 AM
During the Civil War the Royalist Army commanded by Prince Rupert marched towards London today in 1642 where they clashed with Parliamentary militiamen at Brentford. Read here about London during the Civil War www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/london-durin...
During the 19thC the area immediately north of Smithfield meat market was a centre for bacon production, carried out in small smokehouses. Smokehouse Yard, off St. John Street, was formerly a bacon production facility and warehouse built in the latter part of that century.
November 11, 2025 at 8:30 AM
During the 19thC the area immediately north of Smithfield meat market was a centre for bacon production, carried out in small smokehouses. Smokehouse Yard, off St. John Street, was formerly a bacon production facility and warehouse built in the latter part of that century.
Today in 1827 a banquet was held under the Thames in the partially-complete Thames Tunnel, then being being built by father and son Marc and Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Read here about the Thames Tunnel www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-thames-t...
November 10, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Today in 1827 a banquet was held under the Thames in the partially-complete Thames Tunnel, then being being built by father and son Marc and Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Read here about the Thames Tunnel www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-thames-t...
In 1927 the General Post Office opened an underground railway between Paddington and Whitechapel, with 6 stations. A fleet of driverless trains carried letters and parcels below the congested streets. It operated for 76 years and closed in 2003. @PostalMuseum
November 9, 2025 at 8:35 AM
In 1927 the General Post Office opened an underground railway between Paddington and Whitechapel, with 6 stations. A fleet of driverless trains carried letters and parcels below the congested streets. It operated for 76 years and closed in 2003. @PostalMuseum
Did you know there are still around 1,300 working gas lamps in London? An increasing number are historically-listed structures, with some lamp-posts now 200 years old. Discover the history of London’s gas lamps and where you can find them in my video youtu.be/rq5VWPT0GF8
November 8, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Did you know there are still around 1,300 working gas lamps in London? An increasing number are historically-listed structures, with some lamp-posts now 200 years old. Discover the history of London’s gas lamps and where you can find them in my video youtu.be/rq5VWPT0GF8
Cody Dock on Bow Creek near Canning Town in East London, was created in the 1870s for unloading of coal for the nearby Bromley-by-Bow gasworks. It is now a community and arts centre, managed by the Gasworks Dock Partnership charity.
November 7, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Cody Dock on Bow Creek near Canning Town in East London, was created in the 1870s for unloading of coal for the nearby Bromley-by-Bow gasworks. It is now a community and arts centre, managed by the Gasworks Dock Partnership charity.
Joseph Bazalgette probably did more to modernise the fabric of Victorian London than any other person. You can read his life story here www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/joseph-bazal...
November 6, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Joseph Bazalgette probably did more to modernise the fabric of Victorian London than any other person. You can read his life story here www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/joseph-bazal...
When John Styleman, a director of the East India Company, died in 1734 he left money for these 12 almshouses to be provided at Bexley for the local poor. They were built in 1755 after the death of his widow. They continue to be managed by a charity and are Grade II listed.
November 5, 2025 at 8:34 AM
When John Styleman, a director of the East India Company, died in 1734 he left money for these 12 almshouses to be provided at Bexley for the local poor. They were built in 1755 after the death of his widow. They continue to be managed by a charity and are Grade II listed.
During the late 19th century large numbers of Italian immigrants lived in a tight network of streets and courtyards around Holborn and Clerkenwell. Many worked as street musicians and icecream sellers. Read here about London's Little Italy www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/little-italy/
November 4, 2025 at 8:32 AM
During the late 19th century large numbers of Italian immigrants lived in a tight network of streets and courtyards around Holborn and Clerkenwell. Many worked as street musicians and icecream sellers. Read here about London's Little Italy www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/little-italy/
Joseph Grimaldi was the first great clown of English theatre, transforming the part into a starring role of pantomime.His home was here at Exmouth Market at Clerkenwell, which was stormed by a crowd of fans in 1828 after he announced his retirement.
November 3, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Joseph Grimaldi was the first great clown of English theatre, transforming the part into a starring role of pantomime.His home was here at Exmouth Market at Clerkenwell, which was stormed by a crowd of fans in 1828 after he announced his retirement.
The world’s first regular high-definition television service began from Alexandra Palace today in 1936. Read the history of Alexandra Palace palace www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/alexandra-pa...
November 2, 2025 at 9:22 AM
The world’s first regular high-definition television service began from Alexandra Palace today in 1936. Read the history of Alexandra Palace palace www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/alexandra-pa...
Did you know there are six windmills in London?
Do you know where they are?
Find out in my new video about London’s windmills. Click here to watch youtu.be/qMY9BDP_T8o
Do you know where they are?
Find out in my new video about London’s windmills. Click here to watch youtu.be/qMY9BDP_T8o
November 1, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Did you know there are six windmills in London?
Do you know where they are?
Find out in my new video about London’s windmills. Click here to watch youtu.be/qMY9BDP_T8o
Do you know where they are?
Find out in my new video about London’s windmills. Click here to watch youtu.be/qMY9BDP_T8o
All Jews were forced by Edward I to leave England today in 1290 or face death. Read here about the Jews of medieval London and their expulsion from the country. www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-jews-of-...
November 1, 2025 at 8:32 AM
All Jews were forced by Edward I to leave England today in 1290 or face death. Read here about the Jews of medieval London and their expulsion from the country. www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-jews-of-...