Readers must ask themselves who in the world is the author of this blog. What does he know about anything. What makes his information credible? I don’t blame you for wondering who I am. Let’s see if I can give you an idea. My son Thomas Jr. and I own a short-let company for flats in Central London. We have been offering flats to travelers to London for nearly thirty years. Between the two of us, we have 45 years experience. IT’S A LIFE SENTENCE, for sure. We love our work, and we have thrown all our energies into the effort of doing a great job. We have had spectacular team members and owners over the years who have all made contributions, but it has been our ultimate responsibility to see that everything works.
I am Thomas Moore Sr., and I am the host of this blog. Let me give you some insight into my travel experience. I live in the United States but have maintained a London home for the past twenty-five years. I spend a good deal of time each year in the UK, often being in London four or five times a year. My September trip was my 168th trip to the UK during my sixty-six years. My wife Stephanie makes me laugh when she says I salivate when I see a suitcase because a trip to London means new experiences and more music, more theater, more paintings, more antiques, more flats, and more restaurants. With an airplane ticket, a debit card, and my passport, I am away knowing that I am off to what I consider the most civilized spot on the planet: London.
Over the years, I have taken many tours to Europe. My own children and their friends were dragged onto planes, trains, and boats to enjoy the “European Experience.” It must have had its effect because my five children love to be Londoners, wandering London streets. We have wandered through galleries looking for paintings, furniture, rugs, jewelry, and miniatures. I have wandered all over Britain in an effort to add to my 18th century porcelain and miniature collection. I must say it has been an enchanting time gathering fine items for home to be given to my family. I have been a literature scholar specializing in Renaissance literature, graduating from Brigham Young University in French and English Literature. I completed a Master’s Degree with an emphasis on French Renaissance literature. And then I went to the East to study Neo-Platonism in European poetry. All along, I also had an emphasis in History.
In later years, I taught for over thirty years while developing several businesses and enjoying many community projects. I was Vice-President of the Utah symphony, President of the Union Station Development Corporation which restored the historic Ogden train station. I was instrumental in placing the Eccles Historic District on the the National Register for Historic Places. My wife and I bought one of the great Prairie-style houses designed by Eber Piers, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, which later became the home of Marriner S. Eccles, eventually Under-Secretary of State and First Chairman of the Reserve Board–possibly the most important financier of the 20th century. Stephanie and I have filled the house with fine paintings, 18th century porcelain, fine Persian rugs, 18th century furniture, and fine silver. It is much like an English country house–dogs on the beds and in the chairs. But more, it has been the home of our five children, and now our 13 grandchildren.
Our life in London includes theater, church, historical residences, furniture, Persian rugs, ancient documents, silver, and Derby porcelain. I love to collect, and I have friends in the art world, the book world, the stamp and coin world, and the world of music. I love our life high in the Rocky Mountains, but I am always eager to get to London to plug in my charger. I love to take my friends with us, and we have wonderful times riding the double decker buses, wandering through the galleries, and haunting book shops and antique markets. I rush to Portobello Road to see my dealer friends whom I have known for years. Sometimes, they have items they have been saving for me, and I am excited to be with them. Our jeweler has been designing something which intrigues us, so we arrive at Heathrow, put down our luggage, and head off.
My wife says I talk about London from morning until night. She is thrilled I am writing this blog because she hopes I spread my London enthusiasm around a bit. After 43 years of marriage and non-stop London chatter, she is delighted to share my UK enthusiasm. She tells me I should write a London travel book; I tell her that I prefer to be in one. So, here we are.
I am so happy you are all coming along with us on this blog experience. I hope it is helpful, and I hope you will post and assist. Your ideas and experiences are valuable to those who are participating. i am rally eager to hear from you; I am always searching.
Well, THAT’S IT.
Thanks,
Tom
http://www.londonconnection.com
We first went to Bumbles Restaurant(near Victoria Station) because I am a Dickensian!
That was about 20 years ago, and we still go there about once a year. Recommend? Of Course!
Comment by Richard Yeo — November 28, 2009 @ 7:15 pm
I’ve only been traveling to London for work (primarily) and pleasure (whenever I can) for just over 6 years now, but have long thought about renting a flat vs. staying in a hotel. That plan was delayed since I found a hotel I liked VERY much…but the price of a stay kept going up and up…so, since I was reasonably familiar with London and knew several neighborhoods, I thought the time was right to finally rent.
My wife and I rented the Connections flat at 15 Hay Hill (# 63 Berkeley House) in Mayfair when we were there in mid-October. All I can say is that I hope it will be available whenever I’m in town (about 3-4 times a year).
The location was so convenient….right near beautiful Green Park and its Underground station….and plenty of great places in the area for dinner, snacks and drinking. I always feel at home when I’m in London, but never more than when we had our own flat.
The Connections’ service was also great. I was on business in Monaco, so my wife arrived in town first and was picked up at the airport by their driver and given an extensive tour of the flat. It was a breeze for her and she was all settled in when I arrived late that afternoon.
My first call will be to Connections for all my trips to London (the next one in the Spring). I’ve been telling all my friends about the flat, and even showed it to our friends in London so they can tell their friends visiting from out of town.
Thanks, Tom Sr. (and Jr.) for a great flat with great service at a great price. You’ll be hearing from me again soon.
Very Best,
Jim Scott
Comment by Jim Scott — December 2, 2009 @ 2:37 pm
I want to thank you for this great blog and for your insights into London. I was bitten by the London travel bug at a very early age, but it took many years for me to actually travel there. Now I’m in London at least once or twice a year. Thankfully, London Connections has a fabulous apartment in the area I love the most – St Martins Lane, and I’ve stayed there several times, and am staying there again at the end of January 2010. Love your biography…gosh, we are SOOO similar!! I hope to contribute what I can to add to your wonderful insights into London life.
Comment by Jan Ashby — December 24, 2009 @ 12:12 am
KEEP POSTING. WE all benefit.
Thanks,
Tom
Comment by tmooresr — December 24, 2009 @ 2:05 am
Hi Tom,
I just found your blog – very interesting and enjoyable! Thanks for sharing your experiences, I’m going to be a regular reader.
I actually find your facination with London interesting, my memories are that you were an expert on Paris and all things French, I can only imagine the insights you must have on London.
Take care, and thanks again for sharing your experiences in your blog.
Eric
Comment by Eric Mitchell — December 25, 2009 @ 10:50 am
I adore your blog, The Anglophile. Stayed with my mom at your flat in Knightsbridge in Oct. and returning with my family in June. My son is working for UBS in London and lives in Maida Vale. Was thrilled to see your piece on Little Venice and will be booking the canal walk for the family, it is such a beautiful area. I will be my family’s guide on this trip, thanks to all your wonderful tips and suggestions.
Thankyou for sharing your gardens in Utah, simply stunning.
Christie Krugler
Comment by christie krugler — March 24, 2010 @ 3:27 pm
Mr. Moore:
I am trying to track down biographical information about Eber Piers. We strongly suspect, based on the oral history passed down from owner to owner, that he is responsible for construction of the Browning house at 2529 Jackson Ave., Ogden, which we have restored as much as possible to its Prairie style. We saw the reference in your blog to Piers being a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. There is a lot of urban legend on Jackson ave that the houses here were built by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. But we cannot find that information in the limited web data related to Frank Lloyd Wright, and we were wondering if you had a source for that information in your blog about Piers and Wright. We have found a lot of info about Wright’s “mormon” student Taylor Wolley of Salt Lake, but not Piers. Alas. Any information you can offer us would be most appreciated.
Donna and Jerry Spangler
Comment by Jerry Spangler — March 26, 2010 @ 11:48 am
Hi Tom, I have just found your blog and would like to add my congratulations too – and that’s coming from a ‘native’ Londoner! I am in the happy position of making an enjoyable and rewarding living sharing my love for both London’s fine heritage and her most satisfying rural areas with visitors from all around the Globe, but by far the majority are North Americans, so on the strength of the positive comments from some of the visitors who have stayed in one of your London flats I’ll add a link to my website to help ‘spread the word’. I will certainly check back regularly and wish you and your readers well. Ray Ruddick (Blue Badge Driver-Guide).
Comment by Ray Ruddick — May 9, 2010 @ 9:26 am
Dear Thomas Moore, Snr,
Just found your site while just ‘fact-checking’ some details on Poets Corner, Westminster Abbey. Fabulous summary – many thanks. I have only had the chance to visit London about five times, but lived there 1992 – 2004. Came home to Australia, and began my family history research to discover that I had about eleven London ancestors! Every time I found another BDM in a church, I could see it, been in it, went past the front door 200 times, without walking in etc! Even had a 1792 marriage in St. Luke’s Cheslea, where you know there is a large statue of the other Thomas More’. After the next Lottery win, I win definitely stay at your short stay place. Kind regards, Paul T. Seto, Queensland
Comment by Paul T. Seto — August 7, 2010 @ 3:13 pm