Local History

How 1980s grandparents’ garish home décor became kitsch again

The original Ackermans chocolate shop was in Kensington Church Street where Princess Margaret and The Queen Mother would pop in - but production took place at their second shop in Goldhurst Terrace

The original Ackermans chocolate shop was in Kensington Church Street where Princess Margaret and The Queen Mother would pop in - but production took place at their second shop in Goldhurst Terrace

The lost London chocolate shop founded by refugees and loved by the Queen Mother

The O2 Forum remains a live music venue but over the years it has been an Irish dance hall, bingo hall, super cinema and variety theatre.

The O2 Forum remains a live music venue but over the years it has been an Irish dance hall, bingo hall, super cinema and variety theatre.

The Art Deco cinema that became an iconic venue played by Arctic Monkeys and Rihanna

Erno Goldfinger, left, designed the Balfron Tower in Poplar and lived in the 26 storey block for two months as a sociological experiment to study the living conditions of GLC tenants and use the experience when designing further homes.

Erno Goldfinger, left, designed the Balfron Tower in Poplar and lived in the 26 storey block for two months as a sociological experiment to study the living conditions of GLC tenants and use the experience when designing further homes.

How a row over a cottage's demolition inspired a feud and an iconic Bond villain

There are calls to make James Bond monogamous for a modern world (Image: PA)

There are calls to make James Bond monogamous for a modern world (Image: PA)

007 - Licence to kill, but not to play the field

Ronnie Scott's first opened in 1959 in a basement in Gerrard Street Soho and moved to its current location in Frith Street in 1965.

Ronnie Scott's first opened in 1959 in a basement in Gerrard Street Soho and moved to its current location in Frith Street in 1965.

The world famous London jazz club that started in a humble Soho cellar

The Coronet in Holloway Road

The Coronet in Holloway Road

The grand London cinema that became a Wetherspoons and is now daubed with graffiti

The OVO Wembley Arena has hosted big name music stars but was originally built as a swimming pool.

The OVO Wembley Arena has hosted big name music stars but was originally built as a swimming pool.

An iconic London music venue where a 'wonder pool' is buried under concrete beneath

In the 1990s, crop circles were thought to be created by aliens

In the 1990s, crop circles were thought to be created by aliens

Steve Allen, comedian

Police warn crop circle makers: We know you're human

A file photo taken in 1930 of a line of nippies wearing the original uniform so named because they were nippy on their feet.

A file photo taken in 1930 of a line of nippies wearing the original uniform so named because they were nippy on their feet.

The lost London cafe chain that had iconic waiting staff called 'nippies'

Queen Anne's Mansions in Petty France was London's first high rise building and lasted 100 years before being demolished.

Queen Anne's Mansions in Petty France was London's first high rise building and lasted 100 years before being demolished.

'A hideous pile' - London's first high-rise building now lost forever

Rusheymead Nursery seen here in 1949, is part of Nazeing's long association with nurseries (Image: Nazeing History Workshop)

Rusheymead Nursery seen here in 1949, is part of Nazeing's long association with nurseries (Image: Nazeing History Workshop)

History and Heritage

Nazeing History Workshop

The roots of Nazeing’s nursery boom and the growers who built it

York Road London Underground station opened in 1906 and has been closed since 1932 although several moves were made to try to reopen it.

York Road London Underground station opened in 1906 and has been closed since 1932 although several moves were made to try to reopen it.

The lost London Underground station you can still spot from passing trains

For many years the former Marlborough Road station ticket hall was used as a Chinese restaurant.

For many years the former Marlborough Road station ticket hall was used as a Chinese restaurant.

London Underground

The lost Tube station that became a Chinese restaurant

How much will a Freddo cost in 2080? (Image: PA)

How much will a Freddo cost in 2080? (Image: PA)

Stranger Things made the 80s cool again and now my child hates me

A Full English is no longer a popular choice of breakfast (Image: Wikimedia)

A Full English is no longer a popular choice of breakfast (Image: Wikimedia)

From bacon glory to beige misery the tragic fall of the Full English

South Kentish Town station was open between 1907 and 1924 and inspired a story about a passenger who got off at the abandoned platform and never got out.

South Kentish Town station was open between 1907 and 1924 and inspired a story about a passenger who got off at the abandoned platform and never got out.

The abandoned Tube station that inspired a 'lost passenger' legend

Students from King Harold Academy entertained the residents and staff at Honey Lane Care Home at Christmas (Image: KHA)

Students from King Harold Academy entertained the residents and staff at Honey Lane Care Home at Christmas (Image: KHA)

Spotlight on Schools

King Harold Academy

The Waltham Abbey school strengthening intergenerational connections

A fully restored Thumper, a Diesel-Electrical Multiple Unit, should be returning to the Epping Ongar Railway in the spring (Image: EOR)

A fully restored Thumper, a Diesel-Electrical Multiple Unit, should be returning to the Epping Ongar Railway in the spring (Image: EOR)

Epping Ongar Railway

Epping Ongar Railway gears up for 2026 with new events and community plans

Here are five pie and mash shops that have closed in east London across the past five years

Here are five pie and mash shops that have closed in east London across the past five years

Five pie and mash shops that closed across east London in the last three years

Kingston-near-Lewes is a pretty village in the South Downs but is said to have a ghostly past

Kingston-near-Lewes is a pretty village in the South Downs but is said to have a ghostly past

This 'posh' village may be pretty but is said to be haunted by a ghost

David Piggott, the main presenter of The Chingford Newsreel which is celebrating its 75th anniversary next year

David Piggott, the main presenter of The Chingford Newsreel which is celebrating its 75th anniversary next year

Newsreel which provided 'a rich record of life in Chingford' to be celebrated

Villagers sit around the crater from the first bomb to land in the village on July 26, 1940 (Image: Nazeing History Workshop)

Villagers sit around the crater from the first bomb to land in the village on July 26, 1940 (Image: Nazeing History Workshop)

History and Heritage

Remembering the Second World War in the small village of Nazeing

Tinkering at the Classic car boot sale

Tinkering at the Classic car boot sale

Cultural attractions

Get your old set of wheels blessed by a vicar at Classic car boot sale

Larkswood Pool in Chingford was a popular lido (Image: Gary Stone)

Larkswood Pool in Chingford was a popular lido (Image: Gary Stone)

Gary Stone, historian

When a Chingford swimming pool was on the BBC

Larks Hall farmhouse once stood on six acres of farm land (Image: Gary Stone)

Larks Hall farmhouse once stood on six acres of farm land (Image: Gary Stone)

A 16th century Chingford farming survivor

Friday Hill House was built in 1839 (Image: Gary Stone)

Friday Hill House was built in 1839 (Image: Gary Stone)

Friday Hill House Gardens and Moat

The Grade II listed manor house in Chingford

Woodford police station on the corner of Mornington Road c1910 (Image: Gary Stone)

Woodford police station on the corner of Mornington Road c1910 (Image: Gary Stone)

Gary Stone, historian

When the Metropolitan police arrived in Woodford

Station Road became a residential and shopping area in the 1880s (Image: Gary Stone)

Station Road became a residential and shopping area in the 1880s (Image: Gary Stone)

Gary Stone, historian

The railway brings retail to Chingford

A policeman walks the beat along Wanstead High Street (Image: Gary Stone)

A policeman walks the beat along Wanstead High Street (Image: Gary Stone)

Gary Stone, historian

When buses terminated on Wanstead High Street

A £2 coin has been listed for sale for £8,000

A £2 coin has been listed for sale for £8,000

London Underground

'Rare' £2 London Underground coin for sale for £8,000

The Wilfred Lawson Temperance Hotel in Woodford Green c1921 (Image: Gary Stone)

The Wilfred Lawson Temperance Hotel in Woodford Green c1921 (Image: Gary Stone)

Gary Stone, historian

The Woodford Green hotel that only served non-alcoholic drinks

Vintage 1930s train carriages will be running on parts of the Piccadilly Line next weekend.

Vintage 1930s train carriages will be running on parts of the Piccadilly Line next weekend.

You can have the chance to ride on vintage 1930s London tube carriages

The George & Dragon pub in Wanstead c1890 (Image: Gary Stone)

The George & Dragon pub in Wanstead c1890 (Image: Gary Stone)

Gary Stone, historian

The George & Dragon in Wanstead

Brett Ellis went to see his hero Gazza in Watford (Image: Wikimedia)

Brett Ellis went to see his hero Gazza in Watford (Image: Wikimedia)

The truth about 'never meeting your heroes'

The crossroads at Chingford Mount c1925 (Image: Gary Stone)

The crossroads at Chingford Mount c1925 (Image: Gary Stone)

Chingford Mount Road

The crossroads at Chingford Mount

Looking north along Old Church Road, Chingford, in 1910 (Image: Gary Stone)

Looking north along Old Church Road, Chingford, in 1910 (Image: Gary Stone)

Gary Stone, historian

When Chingford was farming country

The Duke of York in Epping High Street around 1912 (Image: Gary Stone)

The Duke of York in Epping High Street around 1912 (Image: Gary Stone)

Epping High Street

When Epping High Street's Duke of York pub became a bank

The Old King's Head in Loughton c1901 (Image: Gary Stone)

The Old King's Head in Loughton c1901 (Image: Gary Stone)

Gary Stone, historian

The Old King's Head in Loughton

Old Church Road at the junction with Hall Lane, c1925 (Image: Gary Stone)

Old Church Road at the junction with Hall Lane, c1925 (Image: Gary Stone)

Gary Stone, historian

When shops took over the houses in South Chingford

The Jubilee line was originally going to be called the Fleet line

The Jubilee line was originally going to be called the Fleet line

The history of the Jubilee line - London's 'newest' Tube service - in four maps

The Greatest Gathering celebrates the 200th anniversary of the modern railway

The Greatest Gathering celebrates the 200th anniversary of the modern railway

Our offers and promotions

See the Greatest Gathering of trains and rail exhibits with Just Go

Kings Head Hill in North Chingford c1925 (Image: Gary Stone)

Kings Head Hill in North Chingford c1925 (Image: Gary Stone)

Gary Stone, historian

A North Chingford Hill named after a pub

The Broadway at Woodford Station c1905 (Image: Gary Stone)

The Broadway at Woodford Station c1905 (Image: Gary Stone)

Gary Stone, historian

The Broadway at Woodford Station

Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge on Rangers Road , Chingford in the 1960s (Image: Gary Stone)

Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge on Rangers Road , Chingford in the 1960s (Image: Gary Stone)

Gary Stone, historian

Hunting lodge built for King Henry VIII in Chingford

A photo of Upminster station in 1907

A photo of Upminster station in 1907

The history of London's easternmost station more than a century after it opened

Epping High Street in the 1920s with Herbert M Cottee & Sons garage (Image: Gary Stone)

Epping High Street in the 1920s with Herbert M Cottee & Sons garage (Image: Gary Stone)

Gary Stone, historian

Long serving garage on Epping High Street

Chingford Fire Station on Bull Lane (now King's Road) in the 1920s (Image: Gary Stone)

Chingford Fire Station on Bull Lane (now King's Road) in the 1920s (Image: Gary Stone)

Gary Stone, historian

Chingford firemen build their own truck

The clock and barometer in Albert Crescent, South Chingford, c1950 (Image: Gary Stone)

The clock and barometer in Albert Crescent, South Chingford, c1950 (Image: Gary Stone)

Gary Stone, historian

South Chingford's unreliable clock

David Bennett with his Joy Davidson photo book

David Bennett with his Joy Davidson photo book

'I've solved mystery of why only 30 people turned up to legendary band's gig'

Loughton High Street in the 1940s (Image: Gary Stone)

Loughton High Street in the 1940s (Image: Gary Stone)

Gary Stone, historian

When Loughton lost its village feel

The village pond on The Green in North Chingford c1895 (Image: Gary Stone)

The village pond on The Green in North Chingford c1895 (Image: Gary Stone)

Gary Stone, historian

North Chingford's former pond

Brett Ellis used to enjoy belting out a hymn in school assembly (Image: Newsquest)

Brett Ellis used to enjoy belting out a hymn in school assembly (Image: Newsquest)

Mourning the loss of singing a 'banger' in school assemblies

Several areas in south London used to be in Surrey until the Greater London Act came into swing

Several areas in south London used to be in Surrey until the Greater London Act came into swing

Five south London towns that used to be part of Surrey