Byron 200

Today 19 April marks the bicentenary of Lord Byron’s death and our Poet for Places Kira Nelson has released an epic poem about his life.

“This is the finest work of poetry that I have ever produced and I cannot tell you how many hours for days on end have been put into making Vyronas a poem worthy of the man!”

A wreath-laying at Westminster Abbey with the Byron Society and the Poetry Society commemorated his legacy:

But words are things, and a small drop of ink

Falling like dew upon a thought, produces

That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.

– Don Juan

Students from Ormiston Latimer Academy also visited Byron’s statue today as part of our Proud Places programme – 400 students have now learned about Byron in advance of his statue restoration project.

To read more about the statue restoration see here.

For more on Kira’s poetry see here.

Cabmen's Shelter Listing

Over the past 40 years Heritage of London Trust has restored and helped save the 13 surviving cabmen’s shelters. We’re delighted that the final one has now been listed.

Our most recent shelter project is the Pier, on Chelsea Embankment, which had been derelict for 11 years after a ‘red route’ was installed (which means vehicles are not allowed to stop). HOLT worked with the Cabmen’s Shelter Fund to bring the Pier back to use for the public as a café, as close as possible to its original use.

We’ll continue to champion these iconic green shelters and look forward to marking 150 years of the Cabmen’s Shelter Fund in 2025.

Pope's Grotto Civic Trust Award

We are thrilled that Pope's Grotto has won an AABC Conservation Award as part of this year's Civic Trust Awards! HOLT has supported different elements of this project for over 10 years, including the gates and the central stone chamber which is now so evocative of Pope’s time.

The Civic Trust Awards said: "Alexander Pope’s Grotto, an enchanting Grade II* structure, unfolds a captivating tale of architectural brilliance, eclectic design, and intricate conservation."

Knight Frank generously supported the restoration of the central chamber.