94 Piccadilly and Palmerston's blue plaque

Passing along Piccadilly recently I noticed a blue plaque marking the former residence of Lord Palmerston, the 19th century British Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary. In Palmerston's day, this late Palladin style three-storey mansion was known as Cambridge House. 94 Piccadilly then became the home of the Naval and Military Club from 1862 until 1999 when terms for the lease renewal could not be agreed. Redevelopment by a property tycoon had been mooted but this appears to have fallen through and the future of the building is in doubt.

Last chance for ice skating at Somerset House on the Strand

Ice skating on the temporary rink in front of the neo-classical Somerset House ends on Sunday 23rd January. Get your skates on!

Joy Division photography exhibition at Somerset House, Strand

Dropped into Somerset House on the Strand today to have a look at the exhibition of Joy Division photographs by former NME photographer Kevin Cummins. The band are captured in their Manchester rehearsal room and on stage at The Factory in Hulme. There are also some iconic location shots depicting the band in snowy Manchester. This exhibition is on until January 30th in the South Wing of Somerset House. Signed copies of Cummins' latest book featuring more classic photographs of the band are available if you're still feeling flush after xmas.