London - Islington

Charterhouse, originally a Carthusian priory, is now a home for gentlemen, who must be bachelors or widowers over the age of 60. The original charterhouse (from the French "Chartreuse") was founded in 1371 by Sir Walter de Manny, an officer in Edward III's army. After the dissolution of the priory in 1537 the property passed through various hands, including those of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland (executed 1553) and Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk (executed 1572), and was finally purchased by Thomas Sutton in 1611, who then founded the Hospital and School, which became one of the country's leading public schools, and which in 1872 moved to Godalming in Surrey. The buildings, damaged in the Second World War, have since been carefully restored. All of them contain 16th and 17th C work. Notable features are: The Master's Court, which is entered by way of the Gatehouse (15th C, modernized); the stone wall on the southeast side was part of the monastery; the Chapel, originally the chapterhouse, which contains the founder's tomb. Also of interest are the chancel wall and the choir. The Great Hall, on the north side of the Master's Court, which was built in the 16th C with stone from the old monastic buildings is now the dining hall. The Brothers' Library (17th C) adjoins the Great Hall. The Great Chamber is a magnificent room with a richly decorated stucco ceiling and old Flemish tapestries. The Washhouse Court (16th C) was originally the lay Brothers' quarters/work rooms.

The Estorick Collection presents important works created by Italian artists during the first half of the twentieth century.

The House of Detention is London's only underground prison. Attractions include original Victorian cells, a fumigation room, passageways and tunnels.

The Little Angel Marionette Theater is London's famous puppet theater. Established in 1961, the 100 seat theatre stands side-by-side with the workshop where puppets are developed, carved and constructed.

The Marx Memorial Library is home to books, pamphlets and periodicals on all aspects of Marxism, the science of Socialism and history of working-class movements. The library is a memorial to Karl Marx.

John Wesley (1703-91), the founder of a religious sect, the members of which were called "Methodists" from their pious and methodical lifestyle, established in London in 1778 a simple chapel which is the mother church of the Methodists, and is still a working church. John Wesley worked in England and North America as a revivalist preacher and his house in London has been furnished as a memorial. Wesley is buried in the graveyard behind the Chapel.

The crypt of Wesley's Chapel houses the Museum of Methodism which traces the history of Methodism from John Wesley to the modern day.