Ever since the fire at Windsor Castle in 1992, the state rooms at Buckingham Palace have been open to visitors each summer but due to the continuing Covid epidemic they are understandably shut again this year. As a way to no doubt recoup some revenue, it was decided that this summer the private gardens at… Continue reading The private gardens of Buckingham Palace
Category: Architecture
The fall and rise of St Pancras Clock
Railways have become synonymous with time keeping as their successful operation is measured through following a timetable. Before the railways time was a much more local matter based on the 24hr rotation of the earth resulting in East Anglia being about 5 minutes ahead of London and Bristol being some 12 minutes behind and places… Continue reading The fall and rise of St Pancras Clock
There’s something about Persian door-knockers!
One of the things I like about travel is encountering different ideas and customs. I really like noticing the differences. Even in the U.K. there are huge variations in buildings, landscapes, foods, accents and even customs. Whilst others delight in the homogenisation of things, especially in Europe, there is nothing that I dislike more. Things… Continue reading There’s something about Persian door-knockers!
My instagrammable blue cottage
I thought I would post some new photos of the front of my new but ancient cottage. it being outside, it is the one of the few things I have managed to get completed during the virus situation. It is still not quite complete but due to everything going on I missed a few planting… Continue reading My instagrammable blue cottage
The forlorn church of St Mary Somerset
When I was out in London last week, I went on a walk of discovery. As is often the way in London, I ‘discovered’ several places but also got the chance to visit somewhere I knew perfectly well even though I’d never been there… at least not for 6 or 7 years and never to… Continue reading The forlorn church of St Mary Somerset
A Grotesque Gift – The difference between a gargoyle and a grotesque!
As I write this, yesterday I received a mysterious box from Oxford University and for a split second I wondered what it might be but then I realised it must certainly be a gift from my tourist friend Lorraine in Australia. We’d been to Oxford as part of our epic North of England tour, Oxford… Continue reading A Grotesque Gift – The difference between a gargoyle and a grotesque!
The Buttermarket of Barnard Castle
Along with Middleton-In-Teesdale, Barnard Castle is one of the two principal towns in beautiful Teesdale. Whilst being a local shopping centre; it also is home to one of the most fantastic ruined castle Barnard Castle and the even more magnificent Bowes Museum with its magical silver swan. More modest in scope though none the less beautiful… Continue reading The Buttermarket of Barnard Castle
The Bridge of Sighs in Oxford
There are so many beautiful sights to see in Oxford, the famous old university city known as the City of Dreaming Spires due to the wonderful architecture of Oxford which is prone to take the breath away of even the most seasoned traveller. So beautiful in fact that Hitler deemed it to be his future… Continue reading The Bridge of Sighs in Oxford
The Restoration of the Aldgate Pump of Death!
I’ve no doubt included photos and mentioned in passing the old Aldgate water pump which used to be right next to an eastern gate of the old Roman wall surrounding the city of London. Aldgate Well was first mentioned all the way back in the thirteenth century during the reign of King John. It possibly… Continue reading The Restoration of the Aldgate Pump of Death!
Open House London
Open House London has long been my favourite cultural event in London each year, despite the fact I’ve always been busy working and never got to enjoy the fun myself but it is the concept of it that I love so much. One can enjoy free access to buildings which are not usually open to… Continue reading Open House London
Stephen Liddell 