High Tea January 2013
My son Thomas with my wife Stephanie:
My friend Maureen Walker and I on our way to Frogmore, Windsor Great Park:
Ever at my desk working on my blog!
A portion of the Moore Family: Mrs. Stephanie Moore, daughters: Christina and Andrea, son: Thomas C.I. –one son and one daughter missing: Richard Moore and Kimberly Moore Lohr (Thomas Moore Sr. took the photograph!) 1 December 2012
I found an English tailor and a wonderful source for Scottish plaids. I like the lining most of all: a Union Flag
Paris
A cafe opposite Notre Dame, Paris
QUEEN MARY2 PHOTOGRAPHS:
My dearest cousin Joan Powelson and I at our home in London about 1992. Joan has died since, and I miss our meetings in London over the years. She was a great British scholar! I miss her.
Several years ago, friends of mine came to visit me in London. They were experiencing opera at Covent Gardent. I will never forget an experience seeing TOSCA and sitting in the Duke of Norfolk’s box. The entire evening was magic. Martha VanSickle, in the blue rain coat, sent this photograph to me. What a great time and memory!
Goodness, this is 1980; I don’t think I would recognize the gentleman. Yikes, that is me! Wow!
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 the Treasury 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 is always 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 really eager to hear from you; I am always searching.
Well, THAT’S IT.
OUR LONDON HOME WHICH WE LOVE
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
I love this blog, I love London. Your accommodation site has some very reasonable prices.
Scott
Comment by Scott Collings — November 18, 2010 @ 4:16 am
Thank you for this wonderful site! It will feed my insatiable need for anything British.
Comment by Vicki Hopkins — November 24, 2010 @ 9:03 am
Sir Thomas,
I’m writing to let you know my wife (Karen) and I had a great dinner with our mutual friends, Michael and Hillary. They took us to the Oslo Court restaurant. It was ouststanding as was the opportunity to chat with our wonderful friends for several hours. We, of course, also talked about you and the flat we rented in December 2006 (St James Street). London was cold but the people were as warm as always.
Kind Regards,
Ken Henry
Comment by Ken Henry — December 15, 2010 @ 5:41 am
Hello Mr. Moore, I stumbled upon your blog today and after reading your bio, I just had to write. I fell in London before I had even visited. I have no idea why I had this burning desire to go, but I did and after one trip, wanted to live there. Unfortunately, that never happened even though I married a Brit. He ended up moving to the USA instead of the other way around. I can’t compete with your record number of trips to London, but I have visited England nearly every year of my life since I was 20.
To make matters worse, he hates London and prefers the country. Because of this my visits to London for the past 15 years have been limited to 1 or 2 nights at the end of our annual trip to see his family. This year that deprivation boiled over and I started making noises about wanting to move there. In an effort at compromise and with a milestone birthday this year, he has given me a week in London in a flat by myself this March and another week next summer at the beginning of our vacation. I had already booked my two flats before seeing your site, but I just wanted you to know that you are living my dream. My extensive search for flats to rent (months of internet searches) brought me to the conclusion that I’d love to manage a collection of flats in London. So, if I ever win the lottery, I’ll be setting up as competition for you! (Smile).
By the way, I found your blog searching on “Craven Street” as my summer flat that I have booked is on that street.
Anyway, I’ve bookmarked your blog and intend to read it all.
Thanks
Michele
Comment by Michele Copp — January 2, 2011 @ 3:47 pm
Hello Mr Moore
How good to discover your blog this evening when researching the original Wartime Speeches. You have created a quite remarkeable Blog and do continue with this work; there is a sense of vitality and purpose about it, and bringing to the ears of young people some of the greatest speeches of the English Speaking Peoples. The work you are thus doing will become ever more important as each year passes.
Kind regards
Ian Bradley Marshall
LIVERPOOL
11 January 2011
Comment by Ian B Marshall — January 10, 2011 @ 5:48 pm
You have some beautiful images of the Albert Memorial. Is is possible to use them free of charge in an educational exhibition I am volunteering on please? There will be no charge to see the exhibition. The exhibition is on the work of George Gilbert Scott and lasts 3 weeks.
Thanks
Susan
Comment by Susan Mason — January 16, 2011 @ 8:45 am
I am delighted to visit your lovely site filled with all the things I love in life – Art – Royalty – History – travel – photography . I love knowing the geographical location of where things happen – eg having just read about Elton John’s son being booked into ~St George’s School~ Windsor, I immediately had to google it to see exactly where the school is located.
I look forward to visiting your site regularly.
Comment by Dianne — February 12, 2011 @ 7:27 pm
[...] just to get the perfect spot on the street to enjoy the festivities. Perk your interest? I hope so. My father, Thomas Moore, Sr., owner of The London Connection, is on the street blogging about his Royal Wedding experience. [...]
Pingback by 70 year old man camping out in London for the Royal Wedding — Could be worth $1000 to you. « The Anglophile — April 28, 2011 @ 9:48 am
We had the good fortune of staying with The London Connection in Kensington Court in 2004, which was delightful and have also visited and stayed once with our friends the DuBoses in Catherine Wheel Yard in St. James, which was so much fun. Would love to stay with you anytime. We are complete Anglophiles ourselves and will get on BA anytime and will be up at 3am tomorrow glued to the TV to watch this event with most of the world. Hope all goes well and that you have a wonderful view of everything!
Comment by Linda Alexander — April 28, 2011 @ 12:43 pm
Hi – we were fortunate to stay with you in 2004 in Kensington Court and also to visit and stay once with our friends the DuBoses in Catherine Wheel Yard in St.James – so much fun there. We are complete Anglophiles ourselves and any chance to get on BA and head there and use our passport, we are there! We try and come over every year and visit all the Antique Fairs that are going on the in June and also travel out in the country somewhere different every year. The London Connection is fabulous! Everyone that has ever stayed with you will continue to do so! Thanks so much for your blog. We will be up at 3am tomorrow to watch everything going on over there! Enjoy!
Comment by Linda Alexander — April 28, 2011 @ 12:56 pm
Hi Tom,
Thank you so very much for your blog! I love it! I have never been to London (or anywhere else) and I am learning so much from you….better than any guide book I have read!!! I stumbled across this as I was looking for accommodation. My husband and I are coming to stay in one of your apartments in June and I can hardly wait. Thanks again. It’s fantastic and your photos are amazing!
Comment by Colleen Rieniets — April 28, 2011 @ 5:46 pm
What an amazing site! I am a freelance writer from Canada specializing in equestrian and horse history and I was researching Rotten Row and Hyde Park for my upcoming blog for my site http://horsesandhistory.wordpress.com and I stumbled across your site. It is so full of great information. Who needs a guide book!! I will add your site to my blogroll and I have LIKED you for my Facebook page.
Cheers
Cindy
Comment by Cindy Crank — May 26, 2011 @ 3:33 am
Mr. Moore-
I was looking for the painting “The Apotheosis of Lord Nelson” and saw your name and “London Connection” at the bottom of the page, well known to my wife and me. We will always associate you and your company with one of our best visits to London ever (but aren’t they all, really)? I don’t like to read too much into things but I’m going to go ahead and take this as a “sign” that it’s time for us to go back! I love your site and we’ll be checking in with you soon.
Best Regards,
Steve
Comment by Steven Curry — July 5, 2011 @ 10:38 am
Great to meet you at the magic stall the other day Thomas Sr.
Comment by Neil Henry — September 5, 2011 @ 11:17 am
It was my pleasure. I want to see more magic when I am here soon. You put on quite a performance. Nice job. Thomas Sr.
Comment by tmooresr — September 5, 2011 @ 2:40 pm
Hi Tom,
I loved your blogs of london, I happened to google up your page as i was planning a week long trip to london sometime in 2012/2013. The photographs were fantastic, can you let me know how you achieved so many good pictures. Any tips / tricks, what kind of equipmen do you use.
Thank you
Harry
Comment by Harry — January 5, 2012 @ 1:02 pm
Hello Tom,
Greetings and congratulations on your beautiful blog, – which I found via Google after watching a program about Windsor Castle on the Knowledge Network in British Columbia. Your presentation with excellent photos of the larger than life statue of Queen Victoria is marvelous EXCEPT for there being no mention of the sculptor who created this grand work. – or have I somehow missed it?
Considering the talent, skill and labour involved for the artist, it would seem a pity to be ignored and forgotten.
Jan
Comment by Jan Sharkey Thomas — March 10, 2012 @ 11:26 am
Interesting but you really should advise travellers going to the Isle of Wight to spend time in Portsmouth, the home of the Royal Navy. The queen and members of the Royal Family are frequent visitors to the city. Here you can go aboard Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory, the first ironclad HMS Warrior and see up close Henry VIii’s warship The Mary Rose which sank in the Solent and was raised in 1982 (my husband was involved in the lift!) ….there is also a fine naval museum in H M Dockyard too..
For the literary minded there is an amazing collection of memorabilia, ephemera etc in the Portsmouth City Museum relating to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who was not only a local doctor but also was ‘goalie’ for Portsmouth Football Club when he wasn’t writing his stories of Sherlock Holmes. Also close to the continental ferryport is Charles Dicken’s birthplace. Many notable people were born in the city including the late Peter Sellers whose mother nearly gave birth on the stage of the Kings Theatre, Southsea ….the same theatre that his Goon Show pal Spike Milligan ‘died a death’ on in the Bedsitting Room! Spike never forgot the experience and wanted the theatre consigned to Room101 (a British TV comedy show where celebrities can metaphorically ‘dump’ their most hated items, places etc!!!). I sactually aw him in the Bedsitting Room at the Kings ….and it was truly awful….but I still loved Spike!
As well as all the history of ‘Pompey’ there is also the resort town of Southsea with 2 miles of beautiful seafront, Southsea Castle, D Day Museum, Sealife Centre …. and stunning gardens …as well as 2 piers! For shopping there are 2 shopping centres as well as the prestigious Gunwharf Quays (set in what used to be HMS Vernon) with outlet shopping, Cinema, nightclubs and fine restaurants – this is conveniently situated next to the Harbour Station …you can’t miss it …look for the spectacular Spinnaker Tower which boasts fantastic views of the Solent and the city! There is something for everyone here…..even a trip to the Isle of Wight by hovercraft from Clarence Pier if you want something a bit faster than the passenger catarmaran from the harbour or the car ferry from Old
Portsmouth ….which are run by Wightlink by the way ….it was Sealink many years ago!
Comment by Sheena Brown — May 12, 2012 @ 7:05 pm
I stumbled on your page by accident some how and spent the whole morning reading and looking at the amazing photography.
We are visiting England for the first time this June & can hardly wait after seeing your blog.
Cheers from Canada!
Comment by Timothy Watson — May 19, 2012 @ 7:16 am
Dear Sir
what a most fabulous blog you have! Thank you very much for these precious memories, tips and amazing photos!!! I am also an Anglophile and Londonphile myself and I´m on my 12th trip to London -Hope and pray I can get to your remarkable mark of 168 trips to London ! Can´t get enough of London, never, ever and my idea of Holidays, beauty and civilization is summed up in one city only: London.
Cheers from Brazil, where I was born by mistake (should have been born in London, instead)
Beatriz
Comment by Beatriz Martins — June 1, 2012 @ 5:53 am
I want to thank you for your amazing photos! Keep up the great work! Charley in SF, CA
Comment by Charley Marsteller — August 15, 2012 @ 11:52 am
Dear Mr. Moore
Visiting London soon for a limited time.
If you were a fan of Robert Adam and had to choose between visiting Osterley and Syon, which would you choose?
Any other thoughts you have would be most welcome.
Sincerely
Nathan Robinson
San Francisco
Comment by Nathan Robinson — September 7, 2012 @ 9:14 am
Love this blog! Staying in one of your properties at the end of this month. I have a beautiful property on Lake Tahoe, would you ever consider trading for a week? My daughter is attending University at St.Andrews, so I have been making several trips, this month I will be in London with my Mother and two daughters. We may need a good car service for some travel outside of London, any recommendations? love the train, but we need to get there “faster”.
Cheers,
Laura
Comment by Laura Lyon — March 10, 2013 @ 1:38 pm
Well I am certainly happy to have stumbled upon your blog when I was trying to do a little research on some of the sites we had seen during our UK trip in 2012.Although I must say, I wish I had your info and expertise before our trip…perhaps another time.
I certainly will continue to follow your very informative and enjoyable blog.
Sincerely,
Bonnie
Waterloo,Ontario
Canada
Comment by bonnie — April 13, 2013 @ 10:31 am
Re Osterley versus Syon: choosing which one to visit,if you can only go to one.
Syon, Syon Syon: the grounds,the gardens….
As a house Syon is in much better condition and you get a real feel for a grand grand old aristocratic house.
On the other hand one does get a stark sense of the bones of the Adams’approach at Osterley; so if you can manage it pop into Osterley for an hour or so- take a picnic and enjoy it under the trees at Osterley park.
Comment by Blossom — April 18, 2013 @ 12:01 am