Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British monarch, is one of the highlights of any visit to London. Did you know that just beside the palace are the Royal Mews, which you can also visit? The Mews are where the Royal Family have kept their fine horses and elegant carriages for centuries and where they have parked their luxury automobiles since Edward VII purchased the first royal car in 1901.

Granted Freedom of the City of London in 1993, I have often been asked whether I had ever exercised my right to herd sheep or cattle across London Bridge. This ancient privilege to bring animals into the City without payment of tolls had long since been abandoned when the livestock markets closed and in any case was of no special importance once the gates and a single river crossing were replaced by the modern landscape we all know today.