About Picture this UK
Picture this UK (picturethisuk.org) Contains:- Best Places to Photograph in London, Best Places to Photograph near London, Best Places to Visit in London, Best Places to Visit near London, Best places to see in London and 100 + places to visit in London. Both inside and out.
Tower Bridge
British Museum
Please click on the ⇒Gallery⇐ for more
Vestry House Museum, Walthamstow And
To the left is the Vestry House Museum (website ⇒) and to the right is a quaint corner ⇒ and a church with some stained glass.
The vestry House Museum history and artifacts.
There are always accusations of corruption. Both true and manufactured.
Edwin Alliot Verdon-Roe built and flew the first British working aircraft. It crashed, but only a little bit. He went on to produce the Avro 504, the most used British aircraft of of WWI. Initially WWI was called the Great War, they didn’t know there would be another.
The more modern style of bicycle had a chain and gearing so that the big front wheel of the penny-farthing was no longer needed. Bicycle clubs became very popular.
And, a pleasant garden out the back.
And, then there is a history of poverty and how it was dealt with.
Slowly, slowly it gets better. The desire to help keeps on being born, unstoppable and defiant. More at Wheels on Fire ⇐ .
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The Boat Lift. Re-titled the the True Nature of Humanity by blogger Cindy Hope and worth knowing the truth it speaks.
And ~
And, be strong and be defiant and great each day new day as a gift.
Stained Glass and A Quaint Corner in Walthamstow
Not far from here is Walthamstow Street Market ⇒ which dates from 1885 and is the longest street market in Europe. Also in Walthamsow is the William Morris Gallery ⇐ and just behind that is beautiful Lloyd Park ⇐.
This spot is up St Marys Rd or by bus up Church Hill. The sign post is rather whimsical as the only place open to the general public is the Vestry Museum and the church (for services and events). There is of course a pub with a garden.
Down the hill is Walthamstow. Behind the tree is the Vestry House Museum (in another post). To the right is one of the Alms Houses.
The Ancient House. And, there’s that pub again. Did I mention that it has a garden ?
And a n ancient Pillar Box for post.
St Mary’s Church ⇒ is open for services and a number of events. I managed to sneak in while they were preparing for a concert.
The above can be expanded for reading. Click on the image and then again to expand.
There wasn’t a lot of stained glass but it was of good quality.
So it’s goodbye from sunny (sometimes) Walthamstow
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. 🙂
The Charles Dickens Museum
Charles Dickens was more than a novelist, as can be seen at London’s Charles Dickens Museum ⇒.
The museum includes a large number of educational items together with some furniture and artifacts from Dickens life. Not far away is the Foundling Museum ⇐ which represents a charity supported by Dickens.
A little walk through some of the exhibits common to a Dickens day.
A chalice presented to Charles Dickens by the the Morning Chronicle
Whilst there is a fee to enter the museum, there is a pleasant indoor/outdoor café that is free to enter.
The Foundling Museum, London
The Foundling Museum includes history and artifacts of the Foundling Hospital. The creation of the hospital began as a campaign in 1720 by sea captain Thomas Coram to relieve the plight of abandoned children. Eventually, in 1739, a charter for a foundling hospital was granted by King George II. Over the years the charity was supported by notables such as Handel, Hogarth and Charles Dickens..
Statue of Thomas Coram
The museum holds a number of exhibitions and displays and it is well worth checking the website ⇒, the hospital history ⇒ and Coram’s Charity history ⇒.
King George II by John Shackleton
The hospital was based on well meaning intent and saved many young lives. Nevertheless, life could be harsh in a stern regime especially for boys, as told by the harrowing tale of Tom Mckenzie (The Last Foundling ⇒).
Girls Uniform
Although perhaps not all the time.
Foundling Girls in the Chapel by Sophia Anderson
The museum contains numerous works of art donated by the artists.
The March of the Guards to Finchley by Hogarth
Duke of Cambridge
Robert Gray
Hetty Feather
Hetty Feather was a temporary exhibition based around the heroin’s exploits at odds with the strictures of a foundling’s life. The stories have been in book and TV form.
The young patients at Great Ormond Street Hospital, inspired by the Hetty Feather stories and the lack of kindness that they expose, produced a number of art works telling of the kindness that they receive in more modern times. Some are on show at the Foundling Museum. This one caught my eye.
The Kindness Scale.
I have always believed and always observed that when children are treated with wisdom and shown kind example then they show us the the true nature of humanity. Another example that kind nature being here ⇐ and more of the past that made the present in Wheels on Fire ⇐.
Have a kind day.
The London Waterbus and Regents Canal
The London Waterbus operates between Camden Lock Market ⇐ and Little Venice on the Regents Canal. The waterbus has a seasonal timetable ⇒ and the journey time is approximately 50 minutes. The Little Venice destination is a charming pool with a barge cafe and an enchanting barge puppet theatre ⇓.
The canal is part of a huge network that was once the lifeblood of trading Britain, moving goods and raw materials between ports and the hinterland by horse-drawn barge. Many of the old canals have been restored and now provide for house boats and holiday barges. History ⇒ and scenic Barge Holidays ⇒ (one source) and the Norfolk Broads Holiday River Boats ⇒ (no canal locks).
Many canals have tunnels and this section of the Regents Canal has two. The longest UK tunnel of 3.24 miles is in the north of England at Standedge ⇒ (pronounced Stannige). The long tunnels did not have towpaths and men had to lie on the cargo and push the barge along by walking along the roof or walls of the tunnel (called legging). Professional leggers were available at one shilling per hour and the Standedge tunnel would take a back-breaking three hours to traverse with a fully laden barge.
Here are just a few snaps from the London Waterbus journey.
Starting from a small cut just past the lock at Camden Market the waterbus passes St Martin’s Church and then some pleasant foilage.
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Then there are several embassies.
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The route passes through Regents Park (London) Zoo, although all that can be seen from the canal is the giant aviary.
Cunningham Place.
One of the few remaining Catholic Apostolic Churches (Maida Vale). A curious religious movement which was founded by three self appointed apostles in England in 1831 and spread to Germany and USA. The church ceased ordination in 1901 and so became virtually extinct by the 1970’s.
Arriving at Little Venice there is the barge cafe.
And, a fine view back across the pool.
On the other side of the Little Venice pool is the Puppet Theatre Barge ⇒, which magically appears from Richmond between October and the following July. Whilst it may not look like much from the outside, the inside is warm and cosy and the performances are skillful and enchanting and usually suitable for a broad age range.
Camden Market, Camden Lock Market, Horse Tunnel Market and Stables Market
Upper Camden High Street
Imagine an Alladin’s cave within a cornucopia fed by a horn of plenty. In the Camden Markets one can find eatables, wearables, carryables, sparklies, wall and ceiling hangables, film cameras and magical hidden caves of delight.
If you intend any serious shopping then print a large Google map of the market area north of Camden Lock and another south of the lock. That way you can retrace your steps to the best bargains. There are some overpriced items and Camden is very busy at the weekends so buyer beware. On the other hand there are some unique craft items.
To get there use London Underground Rail to Camden Town on the Northern Line. There are two exits. Use the one onto Camden High St and walk up the road with the main intersection at your back.
Camden Market is the smallest of the markets but is a bit bigger then it looks.
Camden Lock Market is a lot bigger than it looks.
The building on the right is the famous Dingwalls ⇒ music venue and the Comedy Loft ⇒. A little further on from the lock is the stop for the London Waterbus ⇐ to Little Venice.
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The market halls are quite fascinating and lead down to the canal side with a number of eateries.
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On the side away from canal is Camden Lock Place and another market area. Turn right at the sight of Shaka Zulu and you will come back to the High Street.
This picture is with the High Street at my back and you will find Gilgamesh on your Google map. Don’t go back onto the High Street but venture down the little alley on the right of the picture.
The first thing that strikes one is a magic carpet of spiced aromas from all over the world. I got the impression that if I stayed too long I would be forever mesmerized and never leave.
But, if you continue then there is an Alladin’s cave with many side alleys to watch out for.
Camden Lock and the Regents Canal are part of a huge canal network stretching across Britain and the lock once provided stables and a hospital for the barge horses.
Hidden away, it is one of largest markets in Camden with a plethora of arts, crafts and fashion. I can only show a small part of it.
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If you can find your way out, passing this sign, then there is yet another market area curving away into the distance but eventually returning to the canal.
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One of Camden’s Little Wizards
Returning to the canal one might take a coffee and watch some of the little wizards taking a bath. Then there is eating and drinking and making merry or the Dingwalls ⇒ music venue or the Comedy Loft ⇒ or a short walk up the road to The Roundhouse Theatre ⇒ at Chalk farm (where you booked a ticket) or, earlier in the day, the London Waterbus ⇐ to Little Venice and the Puppet Theatre Barge⇒ (October to July) .
One might happily contemplate any of these delights or the soft ghostly figures of a horse drawn canal barge with the mellow spirits of a bargee family taking tea in the quiet of the evening, or wake up in front of one’s computer screen having been spellbound by the little wizard. Well, one might. 🙂
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 ~
St Mary’s Church in Stoke Newington
A view of the stunning St Mary’s Church⇒, designed by George Gilbert Scott, as seen from just inside Clissold Park⇐ at the eastern end. The church dates from 1858 and was built when the “Old” church (further down this page) was no longer adequate. Inside the “New” church ⇓.
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And, from the street ⇑. Just to the left, on the nearer side of the street, is the old church ⇓.
The old church site dates back to the early 14th century but was rebuilt during the 16th century. This makes it the oldest Elizabethan church still in use in London. It is also a venue for community events, artwork, music and for hire. The website is here⇐.
Thanks for the visit and perhaps you would like the Clissold Park Goslings⇐.
Clissold Park, Deer, Goats and Ducks
Clissold Park is one of the most pleasant places I have been fortunate enough to visit. It has lakes with numerous waterfowl, a goat enclosure, a deer enclosure, a small butterfly house (sometimes), a paddling pool (sometimes), a playground, a skate park, a small aviary, tennis courts and an indoor/outdoor café. Please click here⇐ for more information and an expandable park map.
The above view is from near the Green Lanes entrance. Probably the easiest means of travel is to Manor House underground rail station then a bus 141 or 341 (from Stop C beside the shops opposite the Park View Cafe) traveling south and alight at the second stop after passing the large brick-built synagogue with two towers.
Just to the left of the entrance is the first lake (the other is a little further along) where, of course, will be found some of these ⇓.
White Ducks
For more Clissold Park wildfowl including Canada Geese Goslings please click here ⇐.
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And, for still more with Egyptian Geese Goslings, Mallard Ducklings and Coot Chicks please click here ⇐.
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And, there are some ducks here ⇓ followed by some four legged critters and the café with its Wisteria. 🙂
Tufted Duck
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Another Tufted Duck
Which James Bond film does he ⇑ remind you of ?
Redhead Duck
” I may appear to be a little wooden but the girls are more relaxed” ⇓.
Female Redhead Duck
“Oh what bliss, four or five hours to put my feet up while his nibs does posing”
“Oh well, I suppose I could take a break. Somebody peel me a grape”.
Further towards the church steeple and a little to the right are the enclosures..
“Did somebody mention nibbles”.
There is small geodetic dome for a butterfly house but it was not open when I was there. There is also a small aviary but it was not possible to photograph through the complex mesh. So I photographed a flower instead and then on to the deer.
Fallow Deer
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You cannot enter these enclosure and these photographs were taken with a zoom lens. Nevertheless, it is an opportunity to safely see these animals and without having to travel far out of London.
There are more deer at Bushy Park ⇐, Richmond Park and Hampton Court Old Deer Park. In those places it is possible to roam more freely (with care) although the deer can be difficult to locate in such large expanses. The easiest to find are at Hampton Court Old Deer Park where the deer are either in the open field or somewhere beneath the single line of trees.
A little further on is a view of St Mary’s Church (Stoke Newington). The small footbridge crosses a short section of what remains of New River, which was new in 1613. More of that later.
Moving to the left and going around, there is ⇓.
The Clissold House café with its nearby hedge of Wisteria. At the bottom right can be seen a little of the old New River.
Female Mallard
Which also has the occasional duck.
The Wisteria hedge
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Wisteria Close Up
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On the other side of the Wisteria hedge is another area of the café. Such places can be a little expensive, so a picnic is always worth considering.
So as we leave the park, the church is at our backs and will be in another post. Not far off is the Rose and Crown with menus⇒ where the prices are not too unreasonable for a meal and you can get a Sunday Roast up to eight or nine in the evening (probably a good idea to book ahead).
I hope you enjoyed the tour. Next is the nearby St Mary’s Church⇐ and then the slightly more rugged Woodberry Wetlands and New River walk⇐.
Clissold Park Goslings, Ducklings and Coot Chicks
“My name is Pond, James Pond, and ~”. – More here ⇓ and Here⇐.
Egyptian Geese and Goslings
“Here we come, walkin’ down the street, we get the funniest looks from, ev’ry one we meet.
Hey, hey, we’re the Goslings, and people say we paddle around.
But we’re too busy singing, to put anybody down”.
“Whisper, whisper”.
“You’re kidding”.
“Oh my gosh, he’s right”. “One small step for man, one giant leap for a little gosling”.
“Oh look, I’ve got two of them”.
“See what I have to put up with”.
“Where’s that bus. Looks like we’ll have to swim for it”
“I get around, get around round round, I get around,
I’m gettin’ bugged driving up and down this same old strip, I gotta finda new place where the kids are hip,
My buddies and me are getting real well known, yeah, the bad guys know us and they leave us alone,
I get around, get around round round, I get around”.
“We are sailing, we are sailing, home again ‘cross the sea.
We are sailing stormy waters, to be near you, to be free”.
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Coot and Chicks
Many people think that the expression “bald as a coot” refers to the white featherless shield on the adult coots forehead.
There might be another explanation.
“I saw a mouse, where, there on the stair, where on the stair, right there,
A little mouse with clogs on, well I declare, going clip clippity clop on the stair”.
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Mallard Duck
“Just call me Slick”.
Female Mallard and Ducklings
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Mallard Duckling
“Oh soup. The world is made of soup. Oh frabjous day”. 🙂
“They call me Baby Driver, and once upon a pair of wheels,
Hit the road and I’m gone ah, what’s my number,
I wonder how your engine feels, ba ba ba ba”.
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Moorhen
“This is the river police. We know you’re here somewhere. Stop all that singing and come out with your wings up”. 🙂
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More about Clissold Park and more goslings and ducks here⇐.
Clissold Park Geese, Ducks and Swan
Canada Goose and Goslings
“Announcing the Goslette triblings”. – More here ⇓ and Here⇐.
“Oh dad”. “Honestly, he’s so embarrassing”.
“Where’s Agnes”.
“I’m off”.
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“I say, lets all go see the fountain.”.
Clissold park also has a Fallow Deer enclosure, goats, an aviary and is quite close to the new wetlands nature reserve at Woodberry. More of these things later. In the meantime:-
White Duck Family
Charlie is the original “odd duck”.
He leads his aquatic family from the bank side, quacking all the way.
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It looks and sounds very much like a trainer calling instructions to a rowing crew
“Don’t do that when I’m talking to you”. “Really, no manners whatsonever”.
And, off they go again.
Female Tufted Duck
“Quackers”. Well one can’t have a post about ducks without it.
Redhead Duck
“One should be more sedate”.
“And keep up appearances”.
“Oh the stress”.
“Stress ! You should see my bill for neck maintenance”.
“On the other hand”
“I’m sittin’ on the dock of the bay
Watchin’ the tide roll away, ooh
I’m just sittin’ on the dock of the bay
Wastin’ time
doop doo doo, dup be doob be doo doo”.
More about Clissold Park and more goslings and ducks here⇐.
Burgh House and Hampstead Flora
Burgh House provides space for the small Hampstead Museum⇐ and a pleasant indoor/outdoor tea-room (The Buttery). It is close to the charming Fenton House⇐, not far from Kenwood House⇐ and the outdoor seating area has some nicely kept flora.
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The above orchid is from inside Burgh House and the flora below is from picturesque Hampstead.
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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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Waltham Abbey and King Harold’s Day
The Church
There has been a church on this site since 610 AD. Rebuilt on a grander scale by Harold Godwinson (Earl of Essex and East Anglia) and consecrated in 1060 AD. The church has a long history that can be found here.
Harold Godwinson later became King Harold II in 1066. During that year Harold was forced to march north to Stamford Bridge and fend of a viking invasion. Two weeks later he was in Hastings trying to repel the Norman invasion. The Normans prevailed over the Anglo-Saxons and England/Britain was changed forever. This was the last successful invasion of the British Isles.
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King Harold’s Day
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“Hit me with your rhythm stick”. Morris dancing didn’t appear until 1448 but I’m not going to say anyting.
“I don’t know why they do it. They’d be better of with a hammer, like me and Thor”.
She was very good and produced some appealing airs.
The value of life was accounted very differently then. A slaves life being worth less than a toe of any other person.
On the other hand they had some sophisticated shoe marketing techniques.
What did the Normans ever do for us ?
“Falcons, who said falcons, I’ll give them food poisoning”. The falconry display includes a Peregrine Falcon and is here 🙂
Advertising in the Age of Innocence ?
Most of these are from the 1920’s. A few are earlier. They all come from the Bekonscot Model Village⇐. You might notice that some of the claims are blatantly exaggerated, but I think I prefer that to the present day subtleties of spin. More here ⇐.
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The tonic wine might be more welcome.
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I included this because I find it inspiring that so many such projects, both religious and secular, have stood the test of time. They often work quietly in the background and have made a profound difference to the lives of vulnerable people over the decades.
🙂
Hatfield House and Gardens
There is a lot of history and a lot to see at Hatfield House. This is just a sample. I’ve started with this flower because it is the most regal that I have seen. You might also like to view the amazing interiors and some of its Elizabethan history by clicking here.
Inside the house are the famous Rainbow and Ermine portraits of Elizabeth I, together with a number of ornate ceilings and artifacts.
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For instance, this is Lord Burghley who created and ran what was probably the first organized intelligence service.
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. Access from Hatfield rail station is via a viaduct (I’ve always wanted to say that) that spans over a village.
Further into the estate is the old house and gardens.
This is the rear view of the newer house.
Across the green is the old church.
And, nearby is a path leading to the church which is open to visitors for part of the day.
In the church grounds there is this Tudor cottage.
And, inside the church the ceiling is being restored.
There are a number of gardens and water features.
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Meet the crew. There are several statues but I thought this was the best and appears to feature Queen Elizabeth I herself.
There is quite an extensive shopping mall with a gallery, large cafe and this. A toy shop and gun shop side by side. What can I say, it’s the countryside. Here are some flowers.
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If you like history then Hatfield House is steeped in it. More here.
Hatfield House and Elizabeth I
17 pics. Hatfield House is one of the most historically significant places to photograph near London and The Grounds ⇐, Extraordinary Chickens ⇐, Hatfield House Website ⇒.
Upon an autumn day being 27th November 1558 beside an oak tree near to Hatfield House which was her home at the time, Princess Elizabeth Tudor was told that she had become Queen Elizabeth I of England, following the death of her elder half-sister Queen Mary I.
Elizabeth’s accession had not been a certainty. Queen Mary I, also known as “Bloody Mary”, resented her own mother’s displacement as Henry VIII’s wife by Elizabeth’s mother Anne Boleyn. Queen Mary’s sobriquet stemmed from her attempt to return England to Catholicism by persecution of Protestants. Elizabeth was considered to have protestant leanings and likely to undo Mary’s efforts.
Fortunately Elizabeth was popular and had a number of powerful allies. Otherwise the whole future of Britain would have been changed and would have had a significant impact upon world history. Elizabeth’s reign of 44 years was known as a Golden Age with herself as “Gloriana” the virgin queen.
Portraits of Elizabeth started to include a variety of symbols which made them statements of intent and power and helped to establish the cult of Elizabeth. Here are two of them with some of the symbols explained, followed by images from within Hatfield House.
The Ermine Portrait shows Elizabeth holding an olive branch in her right hand signifying the offer of peace. Upon her left is an ermine wearing a crown as a collar and near her left hand the sword of state.
The ermine in the picture, with its black flecks, is a stylised version that indicates its heraldic significance that looks up to the queen.
An ermine is a stoat (short-tailed weasel) in its white winter coat. It represents purity and valour based upon an old legend that it would rather die than soil its white coat. Monarchs and peers had used the ermine to make cloaks. With several of the pelts sown together, the black tipped tails created a pattern of dark flecks. This then became an heraldic device of black flecks upon white.
Taken overall the message is that whilst Elizabeth offered peace, she was ready to use the sword, limited only by righteous regal purity.
The Rainbow Portrait includes the Latin phrase “Non Sine Sole Iris” (No Rainbow Without Sun). Although in the last year of her reign, Elizabeth is depicted in her prime with flowery symbols of spring on her dress.
The dress is protected by a cloak that has eyes and ears both inside and outside. There is also a serpent on her arm that represents subtle wisdom and a powerful bite.
The rainbow in her right hand seems to have no colour. I have not found a commentator who explains this but does seem to be of significance.
Taken altogether this is Elizabeth as the source of nature’s beauty and light protected by an ability to hear and see everything and to act upon that knowledge.
One of the famous Queen Elizabeth I Armada paintings can be seen at The Queen’s House ⇐ in Greenwich.
There have been many films depicting Elizabeth’s very dramatic life. My personal favourites are the 1998 film “Elizabeth” and the 2007 film “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” both starring Cate Blanchett and, I think, definitely worth seeing.
And, here is the house:-
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There are a great many works of art in Hatfield House, this one took my interest because it shows that artists of the past had some curious notions or tried to create them. In this picture of Eden there are people other than Adam and Eve and some of the animals are transparent. Click on twice for a closer view.
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This painting of Cicely Alice (Marchioness of Salisbury) was painted about 1910. I found it to be somewhat enigmatic. Whilst I could not find any cause for it, if you click on twice to expand, it looks as if she is about to burst into tears.
More from the grounds ⇐.
Sutton House
Lenenfold Parlour
So called because of its rare linenfold design wood paneling.
19 pics. Sutton House is not very big but it is a real gem and is well worth a visit. It was built-in 1535 by Sir Ralph Sadleir (Principal Secretary of State to Henry VIII) and has a long history of occupation including merchants, sea captains, Huguenot silk-weavers, Victorian schoolmistresses and Edwardian clergy. In later years it was used by WWII Fire Wardens, the ASTMS Union and then a squat/music venue/community center known as the Blue Room. The staff are friendly and helpful and it is well managed which results in a sense of preserved rather than restored.
More history here ⇒, website (opening times/small entry fee) here ⇒ and essential travel guide here ⇐. Note: sometimes the website (2019) is misleading about opening times and how to book a visit, you can contact here ».
There is also a Georgian Parlour, tea room, small cafe. outdoor seating areas, used book shop, cellar and chapel (little bare though), small garden/play area and community room. The site hosts a number of events and family themed days (check the website above).
Do use the paper guide provided on entry, otherwise it is very easy to miss a room or one of the treasure chests.
Art Gallery
If you click on twice to expand, then you will see the names of the young artists. The room also has an audio-visual guide.
Little Chamber
Great Chamber
Sir Ralph Sadleir MP
Lady Sadleir and Sir Edwin Sadleir both by Mary Beale
Victorian Room
Tudor Kitchen
That’s my selfie.
Top Floor
This is what remains of the the Blue Room squat, which has it’s own history.
Courtyard Seating
Breakers Yard Garden and Sand Pit
Shop
I do love a duck.
Flowers at Kenwood Park
10 pics. Kenwood Gardens can be found here and Kenwood House interiors (with information and travel) here.
Flowers at Kenwood Gardens
Mostly Rhododendron in a great variety of colours and roses near the cafe
Kenwood is a very welcoming place and this flower even has dance steps for the bees :-).
Flowers at the Cafe Seating Area and Shop Wall
Kenwood House Gardens
This is the front of Kenwood House with entrance to the rear, gardens to the left and cafe/shop to the right. The interiors are here and flowers are here. Entrance is free to both house and gardens and non-commercial photographers are welcome inside.
The nearest underground rail station is Archway and the 210 bus can be taken from stand E to the next stop E (near Compton Ave) and then a short walk to Kenwood House.
This is one of the most pleasant and peaceful gardens and park-lands that I have visited. Most of the flowers are Rhododendron in a great variety of colours. There will be close ups in the next post.
Kenwood House Gardens
Just to the left of the Dairy (small white building) in the distance just beyond the gardens, is a statue by Henry Moore.
Henry Moore – Two Piece Reclining Figure No 5 . Myself, I might have called it “Dreams of a Jive Bunny”. 🙂
Back to the gardens.
Spot the Gorilla
This is a view to the south of Kenwood Park and beyond is Hampstead Heath. If you look closely, just to the right of center, one might see a huge green shaggy gorilla with three fingers in the water. 🙂 And, who’s he talking to ? 🙂
The cafe has a very pleasant seating area amongst an array of flowers, with more seating from where this photograph is taken, and a shop to the right. The staff are friendly and, although quite busy, a very calm and enjoyable atmosphere.
Here is the boss (of all he surveys). 🙂
Freed From Time 