Apsley House – The Wellington Museum
Apsley House (Wellington Museum) is one of the most ornate houses in London with a stunning collection of artwork. Unfortunately it is also one of the few places where photography is not allowed. Some photographs can be obtained from flickr or from the archives and are permitted for personal use. Their website is here ⇒. And the Wellington Collection is here ⇒ and fabulous house interiors here ⇒
Attributed to Elliot Brown on Flickr licensing at – Link ⇒
Attributed to Craig Morey on Flickr licensing at Link ⇒
Leighton House
Photograph provided by kind permission of Leighton House – Courtesy of Will Pryce
Leighton House is one of the very few venues featured on this blog where photography is not allowed. But is surely worth a visit. There is much more to see at Leighton House, and the Leighton House website is here ⇒. Viewers may also be interested in nearby Holland Park (inc Kyoto Gardens) and the extraordinary victoriana at 18 Stafford Terrace.
Photograph provided by kind permission of Leighton House – Courtesy of Kevin Moran
Photograph provided by kind permission of Leighton House – Courtesy of Keven Moran
Photograph provided by kind permission of Leighton House – Courtesy of Will Pryce
Cartoon Museum, London
The Cartoon Museum is moderately priced and hosts exhibitions, events and workshops for both children and adults (see website ⇒ ) and is very close to the British Museum ⇐ which is free to enter. Cartoons and single frame caricatures have been an integral part of British life and included political, satirical, sarcastic, social commentary, humour and the downright bawdy. Earlier cartoons/caricatures, than those here, can be found at the Queens Gallery ⇒.
? but it is quite fascinating.
Although often irreverent, cartoonist could also be patriotic especially in times of war.
The infamous Andy Capp by Reg Smythe
And, a little social commentary from an unlikely source.
And, something to read.
And, learn how to draw cartoons.
Or the easy way, which made me hungry.
Lloyd Park, Walthamstow and a Mystery Tune
Lloyd Park is right behind the William Morris Gallery ⇐ which has a some outstanding exhibits. Lloyd Park ⇒ has some pleasant lawns amongst trees and is surrounded by a very pretty moat. Further down there is a quite beautiful mystery tune but I have no idea who created it. First the moat.
At the far end is the Delice café and some more park with an art gallery (next time). Meantime more of the moat.
Add a little whimsy and the mystery tune.
This tune has been passed around for years but nobody knows who created it or where it came from. So, if anybody can identify it, I would be grateful. Meantime it is beautiful, calming and very suited to the pictures.
And, back to reality, perhaps. 🙂
William Morris Gallery, Walthamstow
William Morris (1834 to 1896) ⇒ was a writer, illustrator, textile/wallpaper designer, a social activist and founder of the Kelmscott Press. He had a considerable influence upon design during and after the Victorian period and was a close associate of Rossetti, Webb, Ruskin and Burne-Jones.
The gallery is free to enter and contains additional works by Burne-Jones. It is not a huge collection but there is a lot of educational material and some artifacts with a real wow factor. In addition the gallery provides an online collection, exhibitions (Mary Morris from October 2017 to January 2018), workshops and masterclasses. Please see the gallery website ⇒ . The easiest way to get to the gallery is at the bottom of this page.
More of William Morris can be found at the Red House ⇐ in Bexleheath (south-east of London) where he founded the decorative arts company, Morris, Marshal & Faulkner & Co which included wives and other family members.
The above wallpaper was for Queen Victoria and required 66 separate woodcuts (that’s how it was done) for each section.
The stained glass is by Edward Burne-Jones
For a closer look please right-click on the image, select “open in a new tab” and then left click in the tab/image to enlarge.
Ruskin advised aspiring artists to copy a work by Albert Dürer “until you can’t look at anything else”. William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones spent hours with the above Knight, Death and the Devil.
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Bust of William Morris
The easiest way to get to the gallery is by traveling to Tottenham Hale Rail Station (or Blackhorse Road Staion) and then take the number 123 bus which stops right outside the gallery pictured below.
Behind the gallery is the gallery garden and further on is the very pretty Lloyd Park ⇐. Together with the free gallery it makes a very pleasant day out. 🙂
Victoriana at 18 Stafford Terrace and the Sambournes
Edward Lynley Sambourne and his wife (Marion) took residence of 18 Stafford Terrace in Kensington in 1874. The Sambourne family and descendants maintained the Victorian style and content. The house was taken over and maintained by the Victorian Society and then the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in 1989.
The website ⇒ is informative, interesting and shows much of Edward Lylynley Sambourne’s work as an illustrator. There are a variety of tours available and open house (when photography is allowed) on some afternoons. Hence the website is an essential read for those who wish to visit and may wish to note there are four flights of stairs without a lift.
The website is also used by Leighton House. An interesting place but photography is not allowed (2017).
For 40 years Edward Lynley Sambourne was notable contributor to the comedic and satirical magazine Punch ⇒ (its website includes a large gallery of cartoons). The house at 18 Stafford Terrace is full of drawings, artworks and some very fine stained glass. He also created the earliest draft drawings for the illustrated version of the Rev Charles Kingsley’s book the Water-Babies. More of Edward Lynley Sambourne’s work ⇒ as shown on Flickr.
The house and its atmosphere has been so carefully preserved that it is like walking back in time, although one can only enter the edge of each room. Enjoy ~ 🙂
. . and goodnight all. 🙂
The Red House at Bexleyheath
21 pics. The Red House is in a continuous state of renovation and hence a little sparse inside. Nevertheless, it is intriguing, full of history and surrounded by gardens that are both beautiful and tranquil. The house was designed by Phillip Web for his friend William Morris. Both were very creative and have a long history of respect from their peers. There is a lot more of the history at the end of this post and here is the website ⇒ with entry fees.
Nearby is the sumptuous Danson House ⇐ and it is not very far to the more ancient Hall Place ⇐.
In Walthamstow (North London) there is the free William Morris Gallery ⇐ which is well worth a look.
Meanwhile :-
The Red House Croquet Lawn with the equipment for those who know how to play.
The murals are perhaps not as vibrant as they appear here, but this is what the camera saw and hasn’t been enhanced. I think it is perhaps because of the quite extraordinary light from the windows.
The history is readable by right-clicking on the image, select “Open in New Tab” from the pop-up menu and then left-click on the image to magnify. Return here by exiting the new tab.
Hollyhocks
Of course the last say ⇐ must be given to the flowers who reliably appear year after year.
Guildhall Art gallery and Roman Amphitheater in London
The Guildhall Art Gallery ⇒ is free to enter and is right beside Guildhall ⇐ . Beneath are the remains of a Roman Amphitheater (AD 70) made more atmospheric by illuminated competitors. The gallery houses a moderate size collection of quite impressive art including some pre-Raphaelite works.
Lord Mayor Sir Francis Wyatt Truscot by Charles Bell Birch
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The Wounded Cavalier by William Shakespeare Burton
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La Ghirlandata by Dante Gabriel Rossetti
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Fair St George by John Gilbert
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The Defeat of the Floating Batteries at Gibraltar (painted) by John Singleton Copley
The painting is so large that it occupies two floors. I’m sure that’s Stephen Fry on the horse.
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Demolition of London Bridge by J.W.S
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Music Lesson by Frederic Leighton
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Ninth of November by William Logsdail
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The Woodmans Daughter by John Everett Millais
Inspired by a tragic poem with the same title by Coventry Patmore.
Guildhall in London
The Great Hall
12 pics. London’s Guildhall was built between 1411 and 1440. It can be found near Bank Underground Rail station, just off Gresham Street. History ⇒. Right beside Guildhall is the Guildhall Art Gallery ⇐ which includes the remains of a Roman amphitheater.
The entrance is just to the left of this picture and the art gallery to the right (another post). The building is mainly used for social functions but members of the public can view the Great Hall, when not in use. Please see the website ⇒.
In the Great Hall their are a number of statues and stone tableaus. Here are just three.
Sir Winston Churchill
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Trafalgar and Nelson
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Lord Mayor William Beckton
And, at the far end.
Great Hall Stained Glass
I found a small unlocked side door ( I do love an unlocked side door) and some steps leading upwards. I found myself in the Old Library.
Old Library
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There were a number of old paintings and some tapestries.
Joust on London Bridge 1390
Another side door and some steps down ~
Charles I, Edward VI and Elizabeth I
Leading to a a small hall.
It was here I got nabbed by security, who were confused as to how I got into the members area. I agreed with them and was politely escorted out with my badly behaved camera (well, if they will leave old libraries just lying about).
Thank you for the visit and may all your side doors be rabbit holes.
The Queen’s House Interior at Greenwich
The Great Hall Floor
14 pictures. The house has been refurbished and is free to visit. It can be found adjacent to the National Maritime Museum⇐ in Wonderful Greenwich ⇐. Check the Queen’s House opening times ⇒. Non-commercial photography is allowed now (since early 2016). .
The house, formerly known as Queen Anne’s house, was built between 1616 and 1635 for Queen Anne (of Denmark) wife of James I of England. Unfortunately Queen Anne died in 1619 and the house lay abandoned until work restarted in 1629 for Charles I’s consort, Henrietta Maria.
The Queens House is now full of artwork including works by William Hodges, George Stubbs, Hans Holbein, William Hogarth, Thomas Gainsborough, the Tulip Staircase by Inigo Jones and one of the famous Elizabeth I Armada portraits.
The architect was Inigo Jones and the style is said to have influenced the architecture of the USA White House.
The Architecture
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The Great Hall Ceiling
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The Tulip Spiral Staircase by Inigo Jones at the Queen’s House in Greenwich
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The Artwork
This is just a small sample.
One of the three famous Elizabeth I Armada portraits that still exist. This one cost £1.5 million. There is another at Woburn Abbey and another at the National Portrait Gallery ⇐ (although I did not include the Armada Portrait) .
The Armada Portraits depict the destruction of the Spanish Armada whilst attempting to invade England. The armada was destroyed mostly by the British weather. Like many portraits of Elizabeth there are several symbols included. For instance the pearls indicate purity, the bow indicates virginity and her right hand over the America’s indicate her advancing dominion and colonisation.
Other portraits of Elizabeth I can be found at Hatfield House ⇐ and show an even more advanced use of symbolism.
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The Thames and Greenwich Hospital by Moonlight by Henry Pether
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Sir Walter Raleigh
Sir Walt founded the state of Virginia in the Americas (after Elizabeth I the virgin Queen) and brought potatoes and tobacco to Europe.
This is why the Beatles sang in “I’m so Tired”, in reference to tobacco, ” And curse Sir Walter Raleigh, he was such a stupid git”.
He secretly married a Gentlewoman of the Queen’s Privy Chamber (Elizabeth “Bess” Throckmorton) which resulted in he and his wife being imprisoned for several months. Years later, he was executed for refusing to accept James I as Queen Elizabeth’s successor.
A Ships Figurehead
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The Young Queen Victoria
Thanks for your visit and I hope that you found that interesting.
As an added note, the house does have a reputation for being haunted ⇐. To confess, it was probably me having a sick day. To be more serious, I found it a very calm place and caused no concern at all. Even the people, who took the photograph that started the rumour, refused to believe it was ghostly.
The Blackfriars Pub
The Blackfriars Public House is where Queen Victoria Street meets the northern approach to Blackfriars Bridge and is very near to Blackfriars underground rail station in central London.
The bridge has recently been covered with solar panels. This makes it the largest solar power providing bridge in the world. Across the bridge is the South Bank ⇐ with its many attractions.
The Blackfriars region of London gained its name in 1317 from the black capes (capa) used by the brothers (frere) of the priory. More ⇒.
The public house was built in 1905 on the site of an old Dominican Friary. More and menus ⇒.
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Don’t Advertise It. Tell A Gossip. By Henry Poole
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Ham House and the Oak Tree with an Eye
If you got redirected by Google Images, Kew Place is here ⇐
19 pics. I didn’t notice the eye (right in the middle) whilst I was taking the photograph at the back of Ham House. It hasn’t been meddled with and probably has a rational explanation. There is probably a rational response like aaaargh.
The Ham House website ⇒ and about haunted Ham House ⇒.
You can get to Ham House using the 371 bus to Sandy Lane from near Richmond rail station or via York Gardens ⇐ (please check the post for bus and ferry travel) and then visit Ham House and return to Richmond rail using the 371 from Sandy Lane.
Ham House
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Charlotte Countess of Dysart by Joshua Reynolds 1775
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Tollemache Earl of Dysart
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The above is a bath. It has a stool inside to sit on and get bathed.
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Cafe Garden
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Whimsical Dairy
The peeping Oak tree is just outside the dairy.
Sir Lionel Tollemache
The 4th Baronet, Sir Lyonel Tollemache, who kindly gave Ham House to the National Trust in 1948.
Bacon Street Art and Charlie Burns and More
Not far over the foot bridge from Fleet Street Hill/Pedley Street art⇐ there is Bacon Street and a picture of Charlie Burns who led an extraordinary life. A life which included a private audience with the Pope who gave him a medal for charitable work. Well known on Bacon Street and the surrounding area, his fascinating story can be found here⇒.
More on Bacon Street
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On Sclater Street.
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On Chance Street
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On Redchurh Street
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That is the last of street-art for a while. Next, something smaller.
Street Art Beyond Pedley Street and Allen Gardens
Starting from Brick Lane (east London), famous for a wealth of spicy foods, Pedley Street alley art⇐ leads to Allen Gardens and is not far from Spitalfields City Farm⇒. (closed on Mondays).
Allen Gardens
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The Nomadic Community Gardena and Cafe.
Turning back from Allen Gardens and through the underpass there is the Nomadic Community Gardens and Cafe (also closed on Mondays the day I went) .
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At the end of the gardens turn left into Fleet St Hill.
Fleet St Hill.
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At the end of this short road is a footbridge and what lies beyond is Cheshunt St ( turn left) then turn first right onto Kerbala St which leads to Bacon St and Charlie Burns and More⇐.
Brick Lane Street Art and Tolerance
18 pics. There is a lot of street art in the area of Brick Lane (east London). The picture above, by Stik on Princelet St, may not seem very remarkable but it shows an essential truth of this part of London. The picture is self explanatory, its significance is that it is well known and has remained intact for more than three years. And, more street-art:-
Street Art Beyond Pedley Street and Allen Gardens⇐
Bacon Street Art and Charlie Burns and More⇐
Also on Princelet St:-
On Hanbury St off Brick Lane.
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On Brick Lane.
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The Pedley St alleyway that Leads from Brick Lane to Allen Park.
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Behind me there is Allen Gardens with more street art and to the right there is more of the Pedley St alleyway with street art and the Nomadic Community Gardens, all in the next post⇐. A little further behind me is the Spitalfields City Farm⇒ which is closed on Mondays.
Dulwich Picture Gallery and Park
Saints Amandus and Walburga; Saints Catherine of Alexendria and Eligius by Peter Paul Rubens
The Dulwich Picture Gallery is not very large but does contain works of significance with occasional exhibitions and events. Ticket prices and more information can be found here⇒.
The photographs here have been a little enhanced to compensate for low lighting and the age of the paintings, nevertheless they are realistic and show why, in their time, they were so well thought of.
Girl at Window by Rembrandt van Rijn
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Vase with Flowers by Jan van Huysum
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Still Life by Jan Van Huysum
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The Bucentaur at Molo on Ascension by Canaletto
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The Penitent Magdalen by Cignani
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The Flower Girl by Bartolome Esteban Murillo
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Whilst one can always admire the patient efforts of an artist, ever changing nature provides its own special fascination. Across the road from the gallery is Dulwich Park.
The park has a number of facilities including a pleasant café and hire boats on the small lake at weekends and holidays. More information⇒
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Burgh House and Hampstead Museum Interior
Hampstead Museum A Child of Africa by Christine Gregory
Burgh House contains the Hampstead Museum⇒ which, although small, is quite pleasant and useful to those with an interest in the locality and its history. The house also provides an indoor/outdoor café (The Buttery) with some well kept flora⇐, is very near to Fenton House⇐ and not far from Hampstead Heath and Kenwood House⇐.
The Artwork
Hampstead Museum Peggy Jay Gallery
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Hampstead Museum George Charlton Portrait
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Hampstead Museum Viaduct on Hampstead Heath by Rea Stavropoulos
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The History
A sample of Hampstead history exhibits, spanning from the Mesolithic period to the present day. The exhibits include items from WWII.
Hampstead Museum Flint Artifacts
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Hampstead Museum Mayor’s Chair
New River and Woodberry Wetlands
“Well hello, welcome to the New River Walk and the recently opened Woodberry Wetland Nature Reserve”.
The river was new in 1613 when it was created to provide London with a water supply. Now it is part of the Capital Ring Walk⇒ and this is just one section. This Google map⇒ (collapse the left panel) will help and shows probably the best approach being from Manor House underground rail station through or alongside Finsbury Park to the river”.
There isn’t a lot of wildlife but it is a quite a pleasant walk and does have the occasional comedian.
Mallard Ducks
“Well I’ve got the pipe now what about the slippers”.
Wood Pigeon
“I find it best to look the other way”.
Eventually the river curves around (see map) to Newnton Close where one can choose to take the south path (on the left) beside the East Reservoir or continue on the north side of the river (on the right) . On the far side is a very pleasant indoor/outdoor café
You are now in the Woodberry Wetlands Nature Reserve⇒. The reserve was opened by Sir David Attenborough on 30th April 2016. A the time of writing (early May 2016) I did not see a lot of wildlife but it is early days yet and the habitat looks promising.
If you choose the river walk then, just beside the path at the far right corner, you will find Mr Toad (and Mole).
And, on the reservoir ⇓ a few clients are starting to appear.
“A bijou residence with lakeside views ! Those estate agents, really”.
Canada Goose
“New York or bust”.
“Four score and seven years ago ~ “.
At the far end of the East Reservoir there is a quite substantial café beside this carving. Across the road can be seen the West Reservoir. At the West Reservoir’s approach there are the Riverside Gardens and the broad steps are a good place for a picnic.
Riverside Gardens
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Opposite the water feature is the West reservoir and at the far end are the water sports⇒ and indoor climbing⇒ centres.
Continuing along the river path, one eventually comes onto Green Lanes beside the sports centre. Turning left, it is only a short walk (see the Google map) to wonderful Clissold Park⇐ with its wildlife, animal enclosures and numerous facilities.
A little afterthought ~
New work – at last!
It ls not often that I will re-blog something but this is worth seeing. All made from small items. Good luck to the artist Jane Perkins. For the original and Jane Perkin’s blog please click here ⇒. I feel sure that encouragement would be welcome. 🙂
I have finally finished two new pieces of work – on the theme of The (Un-natural) Natural World: The King of the Beasts and Cockatoo
The mane of King of the Beasts is made up of hundreds of plastic animals. Both works will go on display in a one day exhibition – Art in the Aisles – in my local church of Kenton this weekend. After that …??
Beethoven has now been photographed and printed onto laminated aluminium (looking good!) and the next step is to film the disassembling of the original using time-lapse photography – a new process for me. The component materials will then be displayed in a clear jar (urn) alongside the print. Watch this space, as they say!
30+ Attractions on London’s South Bank
Here there are more than 30 places to visit on London’s South Bank and more than 40 additional places to visit, in and around London, shown in this sites Gallery ⇐, most of which can be photographed.
South Bank Attractions
This ⇐ indicates a click-on link to a photographic article with a further link to the location’s website.
This ⇒ indicates a direct link to the location’s website.
Locations can be found on this Google Map where one can enter the name of a location in the Search box and/or click-on + to magnify.
Several Miles East of Bankside
Fabulous Maritime Greenwich ⇐ includes extensive parklands,
several free venues, numerous photographic opportunities, the Fan Museum, the Naval College Painted Hall and Chapel, the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory, the Planetarium, the Cutty Sark, craft market, a comedy club, theatre, picturehouse, numerous eateries and a notable history.
The most straightforward travel route is by use of the Docklands Light Railway to the “Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich” station. Alternatively the DLR to Deptford then the No 53 bus to the top gardens (saves walking up the hill)
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Just East of Bankside
Tower Bridge Exhibition ⇐ 
⇒. Visit inside to see the architecture, machinery and high level views including the glass floor.
Nearest station is Tower Hill.
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and the The Tower of London ⇐ ⇒. on the North Bank, includes 
walking the battlements, the White Tower (armaments and armour) The Fusiliers Museum, Royal Chapel and Crown Jewels. You can photograph for non-commercial purposes everything except the last two.
Nearest station is Tower Hill.
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Back to the South Bank and the nearest station to the following venues is London Bridge.
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HMS Belfast ⇒. Access is from the 
South Bank. The easiest way to get there is the walkway at the corner Morgan’s Lane (see Google map) near London Bridge station.
View what life was like on board for the crew at war and at sea from WW2 to 1963. Best to check the website/contact for photographic opportunity inside the ship.
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London Bridge City Pier ⇒. Boat trips to/from North Greenwich (east) and Embankment (west).
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The Shard Viewing Platform ⇒. At the top of the tallest building
in the European Union. It can be expensive but, according to their website there is “no time restriction on your stay”.
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London Bridge Experience ⇒. Billed as the UK’s scariest year round attraction, complete with tombs.
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Southwark Cathedral ⇐ ⇒. A site of worship for more than a
thousand years, it has some extraordinary stained glass and a curious legend attached. It is free to enter and an amateur photographer’s permit can be obtained from the cathedral shop for £2.50. The cathedral is in continuous use, so do check the link (and on to the website) for the times of services.
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The Clink Prison Museum ⇒. Built upon the original site of the Clink
Prison (1144) and gave all other prisons their pseudonym. Do see the link for opening times.
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Along Bankside
The Golden Hinde II ⇒. A replica of Sir Frances Drake’s ship. The 
original was used to circumnavigate the globe between 1577 and 1580. Available for fun and interactive tours.
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Anchor Pub ⇒. From where you can get a first view of St Paul’s 
Cathedral across the Thames. A tavern has been on this site for more than 800 years and was rebuilt in 1676 after being destroyed in the Great Fire of London.
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The Rose Playhouse ⇒. The first Elizabethan theatre on Bankside and 
continues to entertain audiences today. Please see the website link for “Whats on” .
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The Globe Theatre ⇒. A replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre just
a few hundred yards from where the original stood. The theatre provides tours, exhibitions and plays. Please see the website link for opening times, available options and “Whats on”.
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Millennium Bridge ⇒(Wiki). That’s the one that, as soon as it was 
opened, had to be closed for two years to fix the alarming swaying motion and was known to Londoner’s as the “wobbly bridge”. It is now used extensively by pedestrians and is a convenient means of passage between the South Bank and St Paul’s Cathedral.
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St Paul’s Cathedral ⇐ ⇒. Although this is on the North Bank, it is
but a short walk across the footbridge. There is a charge for admission and there are only a few days each year when photography is allowed. It does have some extraordinary architecture and decor, There are many more photographs attached to the above link.
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South Bank Street Performers mostly in the vicinity of the footbridge.
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and often includes a Bubbleer more pictures ⇐. 
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The Tate Modern ⇐ ⇒. is a large modern art gallery very close to the
footbridge on the South Bank. There are a great variety of works including some of political history and ideology. It is free to enter and you may photograph for non-commercial purposes.
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Near to The Tate Modern and Millenium Footbridge ⇓.
Bankside Gallery ⇒. An educational charity of the Royal Watercolour Society and the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers. Artwork is also for sale.
Purdy Hicks⇒. Art Dealers .
Nearer to The London Eye (Giant Ferrris Wheel) and nearest underground station is Waterloo ⇓
National Theatre ⇒. Whats on.
Hayward Gallery⇒ . Closed for two years from October 2015 for essential repairs..
Queen Elizabeth Hall⇒. Closed for two years from October 2015 for essential repairs.
South Bank Centre⇒ , A variety of events and festivals dedicated to the arts.
London Wonderground⇒ . Circus, cabaret, fairground and family entertainment.
London Eye ⇒. Giant Ferris Wheel (as seen from St James Park 
on the north side of the Thames).
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Between the London Eye and Westminster Bridge ⇓
The London Dungeon⇒ . “We are a thrill-filled journey through London’s murky past. You get 110 minutes of laughs, scares, theatre, shocks, rides, special effects, characters, jokes, mazes and storytelling”.
Shrek’s Adventure ⇒. “Join Donkey on his magical 4D flying bus before journeying through 10 interactive live shows in a walk and ride madcap adventure”.
Westminster Palace ⇐ ⇒. As seen from the South Bank across 
Westminster Bridge. The link leads to information about tours inside the Palace.
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West of Westminster Bridge on the South Bank ⇓
Florence Nightingale Museum ⇒.
Garden Museum ⇒. at Lambeth.
Tate Britain ⇐ ⇒. On the North Bank but only a short walk over Vauxhall Bridge. The Tate Britain houses a quite large collection of classical works and modern pieces.
Fenton House, Porcelain, Instruments, Views, Hampstead
20 pics. Fenton House is not spectacular but it is very charming with a large collection of porcelain (including Meissen) together with several musical instruments and paintings. Its website is here (it isn’t open every day and there is a charge but there are occasional concerts) and some of its history here.
The above view of the gardens is from the third floor balcony and in the distance can be seen The Admirals House (where the origins of Mary Poppins was written) which has its own history here.
One can photograph everywhere except the harpsichord in the dining room (it belongs to the Queen) and the large framed pictures on the third floor.
Unfortunately there is no café but there several places for refreshment near the corner of Mount Square and Heath Street and along New End there is The Duke of Hamilton and The Buttery of Burgh House (they are all on Google Maps).
Not far away, just to the north of Hampstead Heath, is Kenwood House which is free to enter.
The Meissen.
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Another view from the third floor balcony showing the Shard of Glass in the distance.
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Super Bubbles on London’s South Bank
Alien Relaxes Under Duvet
Along London’s South Bank there are a variety of street performers including singers, performance artists and bubbleeers. Here are some pics of amazing bubbles outside the Tate Modern Art Gallery. Being outside a modern art gallery, I’ve added a little whimsy. 😀
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A little dog defends the world from bubbles by giving them a good barking at. Job done, he then had little snooze.
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Lifeboat Emerges From Jelly World
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Prehistoric Alligator Gives Large Frog a Ride
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Swimmer Leaps Out of Water – Frightened by Prehistoric Alligator
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Jumbo Jet
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Jumbo Jet Makes Emergency Landing on Massive Bubble Bath – Frightens Prehistoric Alligator – Frog’s Had Enough and Goes Home on Bus
Well, might have. 😀
The Tate Modern Gallery
The Tate Modern (website) occupies a huge building on London’s South Bank amongst a cluster of other venues, including the Globe Theatre. It’s contents can be classified generally as modern art but does include some items of past political and ideological interest.
I was disappointed at the absence of poster, record cover and street art but there is a breadth of other items and probably something to suit most tastes. I’ve tried to include a broad mix of items that I like and those that I do not. Taste is a very personal choice and, I think, not a matter for value judgements (they thought so too and wouldn’t let me take my angle-grinder in 🙂 ).
The venue is free to enter and photography is permitted except in some of the exhibitions. Further up river is the Tate Britain with a mix of classical paintings and some modern art sculpture.
Tate Modern – Winnie Mandela
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For a closer view, click on the image and then again to magnify.
This is half of an installation in progress. The other half is the same but faces the other way with a platform in between and will be “A live art game for children and adults”.
Tate Modern – Salvador Dali – Autumnal Canibbalism
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Tate Modern – Pablo Picasso – Weeping Woman
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Tate Modern – Gerhard Richter
I did find that many of the larger works were better viewed at a distance and hence very effective when seen in the smaller scale of a photograph.
Tate Modern – Gerhard Richter
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Tate Modern – Lee Bul – Untitled (Cravings White)
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I’ve included this as an example of post-modern existentialist irony. That is, there is a sign outside the exhibition room that says “NO PHOTOGRAPHY” and me with no angle-grinder. Some people have no sense of humour.
Southwark Cathedral Interiors, Stained Glass and Legend
21 pics. Southwark Cathedral has some of the finest stained glass that I’ve seen anywhere. It is free to enter and a non-commercial photographers permit/sticker can be purchased from the shop for £2.50. The Wiki hiistory is here and the cathedral’s website is here.
The site of Southwark Cathedral has been a place of worship for more than a 1000 years and has a curious legend attached to its origins (see below). It is is very close to London Bridge Station and near to Bankside, The South Bank, The New Globe Theatre, The Tate Modern and many other venues of interest (South Bank Attractions »).
Beside the cathedral is the Borough food market where one can purchase almost anything from Falafel to Thai food.
For a closer view please click on an image and then again to magnify.
Southwark Cathedral End of Nave and Font
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Southwark Cathedral Choir and Sanctuary
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Southwark Cathedral Sanctuary
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Stained Glass
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Restored by Harvard Alumni after WWII bomb damage
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Artifacts
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The site of the original Globe Theatre is nearby and William Shakepeare lived in the parish for several years.
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This is the cathedral’s present owner. Well, he thinks he is and that he put the cat in cathedral. 🙂 .
“Everybody else is having a lie down so why not me”. 🙂
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The Legend of Mary Ovarie
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Not far from the cathedral, on Bankside, there is a replica of Drake’s ship the Golden Hinde. Beside the ship is a stone tablet with the strange legend of Mary Ovarie and the origins of Southwark Cathedral.
You can click on the image to expand and magnify, but some of the writing is a little faded so it is reproduced below.
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“Legend suggests that before the construction of London Bridge in the tenth century a ferry existed here. Ferrying passengers across the River Thames was a lucrative trade. John Overs who, with his watermen and apprentices, kept the “traverse ferrie over the Thames”, made such a good living that he was able to acquire a considerable estate on the south bank of the river.
John Overs was a notorious miser and devised a plan to save money. He would feign death believing that his family and servants would fast out of respect and thereby save a day’s provisions. However, when he carried out the plan, the servants were so overjoyed at his death that they began to feast and make merry. In a rage the old man leapt out of bed to the horror of his servants, one of whom picked up a broken oar and “thinking to kill the Devil at the first blow, actually struck out his brains”.
The ferryman’s distressed daughter Mary sent for her lover, who in haste to claim the inheritance fell from his horse and broke his neck. Mary was so overcome by these misfortunes that she devoted her inheritance to founding a convent into which she retreated.
This became the priory of Saint Mary Overie, Mary having been made a saint on account of her charity. During the Reformation the church of St Mary Overie was renamed St Saviour’s Church. In 1905 it became Southwark Cathedral and the collegiate church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie.”
Well, would you Adam and Eve it.
Freed From Time 