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!
Category: Architecture
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
York Watergate – The ceremonial gateway to the River Thames, out of sight of water.
Following on from Mondays post on the Lions of the River Thames, not to far away is one of the last remnants of an era of grandeur on the Thames that has largely been swept away. The York Water Gate. However, if you walk along the River Thames you won’t ever find it. That’s because… Continue reading York Watergate – The ceremonial gateway to the River Thames, out of sight of water.
The protected views of London
Before continuing with my series on London canalscanals, I thought it best to write a brief post on something not very well known but that nonetheless has played an important role in the modern development of London, namely protected views. London is far from the only city in Britain to have protected views, namely views… Continue reading The protected views of London
My first trip up Londons newest roof garden @ 120
As roof gardens go, The Garden at 120 is spectacularly high at only 15 storeys but aside from traditional old buildings which happen to have a few pots on the roof (my most memorable being the Windsor Hotel in Cairo), this was my first visit to any purpose built roof-garden. My visit took place whilst… Continue reading My first trip up Londons newest roof garden @ 120
Introducing The Tulip – Londons slightly erotic looking skyscraper
It says something about how much development is occurring in London and also for the longevity of my blog that my 2014 post entitled Looking Up At London is now thoroughly out of date. I’ve written other blogs about the massive reconstruction, just one of the top of my head was the post on Battersea… Continue reading Introducing The Tulip – Londons slightly erotic looking skyscraper
Up Close and Personal with the Greenwich Painted Hall Ceiling
Two weeks ago you may have seen my post on the Painted Hall in Greenwich which is often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of England. The artwork is 300 years old however and due to age, wear and tear and earlier attempts at preservation, the imagery had become very dark and rather indistinguishable from… Continue reading Up Close and Personal with the Greenwich Painted Hall Ceiling
Stephen Liddell 