Romance of a Shop Tour

Regents Park, sitting in the boroughs of Camden and Westminster, has a short history compared to that of the majority of London, opening in 1811. The 487 acre park started its life off as King Henry VIII’s hunting grounds, but through the work of John Nash was developed into an area of leisure for those of higher social classes (Britannica). Around the time of its development into a park, there was a massive rise in leisurely activities such as: shopping, going out to restaurants, and going to parks. The park is defined by two rings, an inner and outer ring, lined…

In The Romance of a Shop, Aunt Caroline’s residence is at the Lancaster Gate development. Amy Levy characterizes Aunt Caroline as a traditionalist upper-class woman deeply concerned about how society perceives her and those connected to her. Exploring Lancaster Gate’s rich historical backdrop and integrating it with the book provides a deeper understanding of Aunt Caroline’s background and the influences shaping her personality.

Lancaster Gate is two terraces of 15 six-story townhouses in the Bayswater district of Central London constructed in the early 1860s. Until 1965,…

Originally, Baker Street in the City of Westminster in London was a high class residential zone, but in modern days, Baker Street has become a commercial area. This change is most notably contributed to the fact that Baker Street is considered a thoroughfare because of its importance as a primary path of travel for people coming and going. This high level of foot traffic made Baker Street the perfect location for a revolutionary new idea. In 1863, Baker Street was the birthplace of the ‘Met,’ a new form of transportation which allowed passengers to cut through London underground in the…

The wealthy area of South Kensington, previously known as The Alexander Estate, is home to tourist attractions such as museums, as well as wealthy residential areas that house many expats. While referred to as The Alexander Estate, the area was used largely for farming ("Kensington and Chelsea"). In 1851, however, the Great Exhibition, an international event to show the technological advances of England was held in Hyde Park, a prominent landmark in the area (“South Kensington”). After the exhibition, a significant amount of money was poured into the area in order to create…