Bøker av Lucy McMurdo

Explore the rich history of the South London districts of Battersea and Clapham in this guided tour through their most fascinating historic and modern buildings.

Explore the rich history of Chelsea in West London in this guided tour through its most fascinating historic and modern buildings.

Explore the rich history of Shoreditch and Hoxton in East London in this guided tour through their most fascinating historic and modern buildings.

A fascinating tour of the architectural treasures and landmarks of Southwark and Blackfriars from across the centuries.

Secret Clerkenwell and Islington explores the lesser-known history of Clerkenwell and Islington in London through a fascinating selection of stories, unusual facts and attractive photographs.

A fascinating exploration of the architectural heritage, treasures and landmarks in the City of London from across the centuries.

The two communities of Hampstead and Highgate, perched on London's northern heights, are remarkable for their leafy, atmospheric narrow streets and stunning architecture. They act as a magnet to millionaires and superstars and boast some of the most exclusive and expensive addresses in London today. In this book, author Lucy McMurdo provides a well-illustrated and fascinating tour of the architectural highlights of both areas through the centuries. These desirable locations have been sought after not only for their clean air and waters, but for their magnificent views over the capital. People have settled here for hundreds of years and many of the shops and homes date back to the 1600s and 1700s. Evidence of Hampstead and Highgate's historical importance is further demonstrated by the many ancient inns that line their streets, and remain in business today. Both areas have prosperous town centres and are full of boutiques, restaurants and bars. Their high streets continue to exude an air of luxury and wealth and attract many visitors. A major asset of these two 'villages' is their proximity to vast, open spaces such as Hampstead Heath with the magnificent Kenwood estate. Grand villas have always graced the heath's perimeter and the houses of Keats and Freud are now open to the public. The graves and tombs of famous local residents are to be found in Highgate Cemetery, including authors, artists, musicians, writers, and even revolutionaries, such as Karl Marx. This accessible and engaging perspective will be of great interest to residents and visitors alike.

The London districts of Islington and Clerkenwell are charming to explore. Within their streets are the greatest variety of architectural styles, ranging from Tudor, Georgian and Victorian to modernist and contemporary twenty-first-century design. In Islington & Clerkenwell in 50 Buildings, author Lucy McMurdo presents a well-illustrated and engaging perspective of the rich architectural heritage of both areas. Islington has a wonderful vibrancy. Its main thoroughfare of Upper Street overflows with bars, restaurants, cafs, pubs and clubs, giving rise to the nickname 'Supper Street'. Hostelries have lined this street for centuries. It was here, on the main route into the capital, that herdsmen bringing cattle and sheep to Smithfield broke their journey from the north. Until the growth of industry in the 1800s, Islington was renowned for its river, springs and meadows, and a recreational destination for hunters and archers. Industrialisation resulted in an increasing population, transforming Islington's character and replacing fields with terraced houses, Georgian squares, gin distilleries, warehouses, depots and factories. Neighbouring Clerkenwell has always been more densely populated. Until the 1530s it was famous for its monastery, priory and nunnery and, in the late 1600s, it was a haven for French Huguenot immigrants, and later refugees and workers from Ireland, Prussia and Italy. For hundreds of years the River Fleet acted as Clerkenwell's main artery and, together with the district's many springs, was a prime reason for the area's development. The French Huguenots who settled here brought skills in watchmaking, precision engineering, printing, bookbinding and weaving - many of which are still found in the area today.

Chiswick is considered to be one of West London's most appealing suburbs, renowned for its leafy appearance, riverside pubs and fine houses. Its four original villages - Strand on the Green, Turnham Green, Little Sutton and Old Chiswick - have remained a cohesive body despite the construction of a major road in the 1950s. The area has always been known for its good air, fishing and riverside trades. In the late nineteenth century Thornycroft & Co. shipbuilders launched their vessels and built the first torpedo boat for the Royal Navy. The yard was close to another of the area's main industries - brewing - and Fuller's Griffin Brewery is still a major business here operating from its 350-year-old site beside the Thames. In Chiswick in 50 Buildings author Lucy McMurdo presents an engaging and accessible perspective of the area's rich architectural heritage. Walk around Chiswick's streets and you will see buildings from the 1500s onwards in every architectural style. Until the mid-nineteenth century it was renowned for its market gardens and parkland as well as its grand Palladian villa, Chiswick House, designed in the early eighteenth century by the 3rd Earl of Burlington. This remains one of Chiswick's treasures. With the arrival of the railway in the 1860s the area became rapidly urbanised, the population increased and fields made way for housing. Unsurprisingly, many famous people have made Chiswick their home including artists Hogarth and Whistler and poet W. B. Yeats. Illustrated throughout, this book guides you on a fascinating architectural tour of this leafy and attractive London suburb.