Take a tipple at the Shakespeare's Head

Pub's name's are always accompanied with a picture or icon to help you find your way there.  This was particularly useful a couple of centuries ago when many of the patron's could not read.  The Shakespeare's Head was built in 1735.
The surrounding fields were the site of the Foubert Military Academy, a school that trained in the military arts, and was renown for their horsemanship skills.  Major Foubert was a fencing master in Paris before fleeing the persecution of the Huguenots arriving in London in 1679.  The Academy survived until 1820 when the area was redeveloped.


This included the now famous Carnaby street, which was originally a street market, until the designers, mods, and hippies arrived in the 1960's.

If the walls of the Shakespeare's Head could talk, what tales it could tell.  It is reputed the missing hands of the bust leaning out of the window were lost as a result of a bomb that dropped nearby during WWII.

Home to the Prestigious Army

The honourable artillery company were incorporated in 1537 by King Henry VIII, to defend the realm with the use of longbows, crossbows and habdgonnes.

From 1638 they acquired this property on 6 acres of land which as London grew has become part of central London.
The elite regiment work in intelligence and alongside the City of London police force. Possibly the majority of their duties these days is ceremonial, where we'll see them in full regalia at the lord Mayors Parade or State visits.  

Medals and More

Tucked away in a little street near The National Gallery is the London Medal Company. The store is stuffed full of militaria from Britain and around the world.  In recent years they have become specialists in medals and a re now one of the leading dealers of British Orders, Decorations & Medals in the world.