Kenwood House

Built sometime in the early 1600's (the exact date is not known) Kenwood House became famous when Lord Mansfield bought it in 1754 and had substantial renovations done by architect Robert Adam 1764-1779 turning it into a grand stately home.

During later years the park like gardens were developed. Three sides of which are bordered by Hampstead Heath.

Now a public Heritage II building thanks to the philanthropic Edward Guinness who bought the place in 1925 and bequeathed it to the state along with a large collection of important paintings on his death in 1927.

Ironmonger Row Baths

These baths first opened in Finsbury in 1931 as a public wash house. Then became a Turkish bath house. The main swimming pool was added in 1938. Now a heritage II building about to undergo extensive renovation.

In the movie Eastern Promises the notorious fight scene in the steam room was filmed at the ironmonger row baths

Cabbies Tearooms

Back in 1875 the Earl of Shaftesbury and a few other kindly people set up a charity to build 61 shelters around London for the cabbies to have a cuppa somewhere warm and dry.
Prior to this cabbies might stop of at the pub for a pint or two. Problem with this, aside from the obvious is that their cab might also be stolen. (we're talking horse and carriage back then).

There were a few rules associated with these shelters: no gambling, no alcohol.
As they were on public highways, the police decreed that they be no bigger than a horse and carriage. This meant no more than about 10 -12 cabbies could take shelter at any one time. Thus as each new driver arrived the ones before shuffled around to fit him in, the first one leaving to make room. Just enough time to finish your warm cuppa.

Thirteen of these shelters still remain and are classified as Grade II heritage buildings. A cuppa can be bought for the princely sum of 40p