‘But what is to be the fate of the Great Wen? The monster called the metropolis of the empire?’ William Cobbett, 1830
I am a journalist who has worked in the national media since 1993, starting at The Sunday Times as a 17-year-old sportswriter. I have also been features writer at Time Out, where I edited the Big Smoke section.
I have written about architecture, politics, cinema, drugs, beer, history, music, museums, comedy, football, hippies, archeology, poetry, food, art, tunnels, auctions, buses, books, ghosts and jukeboxes. I also write about London quite a lot.
I have written for the Times, Independent, Observer, Independent On Sunday, Uncut, Prospect, Metropolitan, Sight And Sound, World of Interiors, 4-4-2, Completely London and New Statesman.
This is a personal blog. You can contact me at petershepherdwatts@hotmail.com.
Peter Watts
The Great Wen 
It’s great to see you blogging here, was gutted when Big Smoke was cancelled. Am really looking forward to reading more, the first few articles have been excellent already, it’s enough to get me excited about coming back home to the city after a year away!
Hi Geoff
very nice of you to say, but I wouldn’t hurry back; it’s just started snowing again.
Hi Peter,
Great to read your new blog. It’s looking good and you already have some great content here.
This internet business is the future. I reckon in twenty years or so there’s going to be one in every home.
Tom
It’s great to see you blogging here, was gutted when Big Smoke was cancelled. Am really looking forward to reading more, the first few articles have been excellent already, it’s enough to get me excited about coming back home to the city after a year away!
+1
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Will follow future blogs with interest
Love this blog! I run a small gallery and would love to send you info….or you can check it out for yourself…. http://www.orangedotgallery.co.uk
Hopefully hear back from you!
Danielle
Hello,
I just wanted to invite you to Tired of London, Tired of Life’s second birthday party.
If you fancy it, the invitation is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tiredoflondon/5076349834/
Keep up the good work.
Tom
Thanks for the link. Enjoying the trip.
That was a bit intimidating. I’ve just started a London blog with no journalistic experience whatsoever, and without really ever looking a blogs before. I’m learning from excellent examples such as this one and making it up as I go along.
Amazing blog!! Just discovered it and loved it. I guess it’s gonna take me long to read so many stories. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Excellent blog. You clearly learnt your craft from a master somewhere along the way.
Neatly effective piece. Ta.
Great blog, Peter. You might be interested in mine as well: http://coalholecover.blogspot.co.uk/. It’s about a disappearing reminder of when London was smog-filled and a lot sootier.
A great blog , one of the best in London
Love this blog – really filled with love for London.
Can I also recommend http://www.lifelonglondoner.blogspot.com, which is in a similar vein to yours?
I absolutely adore London and I’m delighted to see a blog about it! 🙂
JjUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE memorial for the Columbia market air rid shelter disaster was Unveiled on the 75 anniversary of the incident by two of the remaining survivors and may be found in the rose garden linking Sivill Ho to Ravenscroft park. Thanks for you mention
Wow, there’s a head of steam on this blog. Very good. Thanks for some truly excellent postings and a fine style…
i recommend his book it rocks
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Just landed on your blog via some 90s London reminiscing – great stuff, thanks 🙂
Just posted two music maps about NW London and I hope you find them interesting. Please pass them on to other people who you think would be interested.
http://kilburnwesthampstead.blogspot.com/
Best wishes,
Dick
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Dear Peter.
I wanted to say how much I’ve enjoyed reading your book on Denmark Street. I’ve walked up and down the street many, many times and had always known if it’s history but after reading the book I’ll never look at it in the same light again. It’s meticulously researched and perfectly captures the magic of each period that’s written about.
Surely there’s a musical lurking somewhere of its story?
Congratulations.
Mark
Thanks Mark – that is very kind of you!