Little known fact about the Orleans Park Gallery: the designer of the main body of the house, now a museum was an architect by the name of John James, while the properties owner was James Johnston. What larks!

The Octagon was built as a pavilion at a slightly later date (c1720) and was designed by the much better known architect James Gibbs, friend of Christopher Wren.

It only took it present name in the late 18th century when it housed Louis Philippe Duc D'Orleans (later Louis XVII) during his exile from France. Just to prove that even French monarchs aren't always that classy its worth noting he named one of sprogs 'Beaujolais' a name both the Beckhams and Sarah Palin are said to be seriously considering for future progeny.

I once undertook a school project on the history of Orleans Park which involved much fieldwork. I can attest it is a lovely, an ideal venue for lounging in the sun, playing top trumps, three-and-in, hide and seek, hulahooping and frisbee, eating coleslaw and spam sandwiches, pretending to smoke candy sticks and debagging the class clodpole.

When it snows there's even a little hill in front of the gallery to race bin liner toboggans down.

I'm sure the inside is nice too.