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
Ightham Mote Interiors
Well hello and welcome to Ightham Mote, a pleasant idyll in Kent. The interiors are presented as a walk through time including an extraordinary painting. Views of the exterior and beautiful gardens and more information about this medieval manor house can be found here ⇐. But first, a little walk through time (although not necessarily in the right order 🙂 ) ~
The above is a corner of the Billiard Room situated across the main courtyard. Back to the main building :-
A replica of Ellen Terry’s famous beetle-wing costume in which she played Lady Macbeth in 1888/89
Miss Elsie Palmer by John Singer Sargent 1890
Thank you for the visit and if you missed the exterior views then you can find them here ⇐ .
Ightham Mote
Ightham Mote (pron; I tham) is a well preserved medieval manor house that was built in the 14th century and is near to Sevenoaks in Kent. The approach is down into a wooded dell that is not at all dingily.
Their website ⇒ and the wiki history ⇒.
The manor house contains an interesting museum of artifacts from various eras (here ⇐ ) and is surrounded by very pleasant gardens and an extensive array of footpaths throughout the surrounding area. Ightham mote has never been inhabited by very ambitious people or involved in dramatic events. Its gentle past is perhaps responsible for its very peaceful atmosphere and has made it a pleasure to visit. 🙂
Across the bridge and into the courtyard.
One enters the house under the rose covered arch. Note the large dog kennel. There is a picture of its inhabitant later.
Outside is just the beginning of the gardens and rural walks. Turn around and there are the stables.
Inside the stables there are a few pictures including one of the dog who inhabited the courtyard kennel.
There is an extraordinary painting inside the house ⇐ and I hope that you enjoyed your visit.
Nunhead Cemetery
Nunhead is one of the “magnificent seven” privately owned cemeteries built during the 1800’s to accomodate the needs of a rapidly expanding London. The others are Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park ⇒, Kensal Green, West Norwood, Highgate, Abney Park and Brompton Cemetery.
Nunhead Cemetery is on quite a steep hill so there are bus route directions ⇒ to the top of the hill and include some other venues in the region.
To view the cemetery map, please click on and then again to magnify.
There are various routes with lots of ivy covered ancient gravestones but it was a sunny day so I kept to the cheerful.
Inside the old chapel there is some art work both modern and ancient. There are occasional exhibitions and tours. Please see the Friends of Nunhead Cemetery ⇒.
At the lower end exit/entrance of the cemetery turn left and then past the Waverly Arms are the bus stops. It is not far to One Tree Hill, the Oak of Honor and St Augustine’s ⇐, but it is up a steep hill so please see the directions ⇐ for a bus route. The same link shows a route to Peckham Rye Park.
Peckham Rye Park and Flowers
From stop V across the road from Peckham Rye rail station the numbers 63 and 363 buses travel south along the west side of Peckham Rye Park. About half way along the park’s length is the easiest way to it’s centre where all the trees are. The Café on The Rye is to the left by the car park, whilst straight on is :-
Peckham Rye Park Japanese Gardens
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Sexby Gardens
If this is early April then summer must be amazing
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Peckham Rye Park Lake
The lake is at the east side of the park and is a short distance to Nunhead Cemetery ⇒, but it is uphill so please see the directions ⇐ for a bus route.
St Augustine’s, One Tree Hill and the Oak of Honor
One Tree Hill is named after the Oak of Honor ⇒ and is a small nature reserve with St Augustine’s Church, the oak and a fine view across London.
The easiest way to get to One Tree hill and St Augustine’s is by the P12 bus from Honor Oak Park rail station to the top of the hill by road. There is a path on the opposite side of the road which passes the Maha Lakshmi Vidya Bhavan.
There is an alternative route via Peckham Rye Park and Nunhead Cemtery here ⇐.
The path leads first to :-
St Augustine’s Church
The church was built between 1870 and 1900 and has some fine architecture and stained glass. It is open in the afternoon during the summer months and is always open on a Saturday morning. More ⇒. Please check the website for services and events before you visit.
St Augustine ⇒ (354 AD to 430 AD) was an early Christian theologian and philosopher.
These walls aren’t really speckled. The effect is the consequence of an unusual mix of ambient light and a high ISO camera setting necessary for the dark alcove without flash. I thought it was a pleasing effect so I left it in.
One Tree Hill
On retracing one’s footsteps there is a set of steps leading to the top of the hill and the Oak of Honor.
If you think I’m climbing up there just to get a few photographs, then you must be ~
what ! no, stop that, get off.
Pesky elves. I wish they wouldn’t do that.
Oh well, since I’m here.
The Oak of Honor
This Oak of Honor ⇒ was planted in 1905 and is the third on that site. The original oak marked the southern boundary of a region known as the Norman Honor of Gloucester ⇒ which began its existence in 1166.
Legend has it that Queen Elizabeth I took rest under an oak on the hill when she went a-maying in 1602. Alternatively she had a picnic with Sir Richard Bulkeley on 1st of May. A-maying could have a variety of meanings including being quite frolicsome. 🙂
As an aside: The spelling of Honor, rather than the usual English spelling of Honour, derives from the antiquity of the place. Early English favored “or” rather than “our” for many words. These earlier spelling were transported to the Americas and remain in use. England seems to have developed and favoured the alternatives due to a continued influx of languages.
Near to the oak is a fine view across London from One Tree Hill’s southern position.
The oak and view are at position 1 on the map. To enlarge the map please click on and then gain to magnify.
The park proceeds down the far side of the hill to Brenchley Gardens where one can board the P12 bus again. The bus can be used to go back to Honor Oak Park rail station (traveling West and then back up the hill) or the other way to Nunhead Cemetery or Peckham Rye Park (later posts).
Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoyed the tour.
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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Crystal Palace Park and Dinosaurs
While strolling through the park one day, in the merry merry month of May (at the southern end),
I was taken by surprise, by a pair of roguish eyes,
I was scared but I didn’t run away,
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:-).
“Me too”.
El Magnifico.
El Sticko.
“I keep throwing the stick but El Thicko keeps bringing it back. I hope it doesn’t start a trend”.
“Did somebody say stick”.
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“My tongue’s thwollen”. More squirrels here⇐.
Coot Chicks more here ⇐.
This is all at the southern end of Crystal Palace Park.
Heironymous.
“Bosch, got it”.
“Come here, me little Jacky, now aw’ve smoked mi backy
Have a bit o’ cracky, till the boat comes in
Dance ti’ th’ daddy, sing ti’ th’ mammy, dance ti’ th’ daddy, my little man
You shall have a fishy on a little dishy
You shall have a fishy when the boat gets in.”
Near the café at the southern (lowest) end of the park.
This is from the northern (highest) end of the park.
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The upper terraces were once the site of the Crystal Palace. Crystal (Glass) Palace was originally sited in Hyde Park and housed the Great Exhibition⇒ from 1851 to 1854 then the whole thing was moved to Penge and the Park created. The structure was burned down in 1936 but the park remains and, once a year, is used for a race of classic/vintage cars⇐.
On the upper terraces can be found four of these (two at each end). Currently being refurbished they are actually caged to prevent further attacks upon tourists. 😀
If visiting the park it makes more sense to start at the northern (high) end at or the mid area (right next to Crystal Palace station), walk down hill (for the dinosaurs and ponds) and then escape by using Penge West rail station. And, I hope you enjoy your days out.
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Crystal Palace Motorsport Motorcycles 2016
16 pictures. Determination and enthusiasm. What more do you need ?
There are some of the classic cars here⇐ and more of them racing here⇐. In the meantime, wouldn’t taxis be more fun like this ⇓ ?.
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BSA Rocket 3
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Harley Davidson
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Triumph Bonneville
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Triumph Speed Triple
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Triumph StreetTwin
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Triumph Thruxton
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Triumph Tiger XR
Gnatty.
Triumph Rocket III
Beasty. At 2,294 cc what else can you call it ?
Crystal Palace Motorsport 2016
Mygale F200 M12
20 pictures. A race for classic cars at Crystal Palace Park every year (this year was 29th and 30th May). Here⇐ are some of the classic cars on show, here⇐ are some of the motorcycles and below⇓ are some of the race contenders in action on Sunday 29th May 2016, including some of the vintage entries.
Crystal Palace is one of the oldest racing tracks in the world and the first place from which live televised motor-racing was ever broadcast. The race website ⇒.
Crystal Palace was once the site of the Great Exhibition (1851) and remained standing until 1936 – history ⇒.
A fast shutter speed means that the cars look strangely motionless but in fact were whizzing along. You can add your own racing car sounds for realism. 🙂
Except for ‘im ⇑, who was strangely enigmatic.
Wolseley Hornet Special
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Wolseley Hornet
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Wolseley Hornet
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Austin
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Ford Lotus Cortina
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Ford Anglia
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Lotus Elan+2
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Jaguar E Type
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MGB GT V8
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Caterham 7 Supersprint
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Radical PR6
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Ensign LNF3
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Emeryson
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Force PT
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Sheane Formula Vee
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Emeryson
Crystal Palace Motorsport Classic Cars 2016
Austin
22 pics. Held at Crystal Palace Park every year (this year was 29th and 30th May). Crystal Palace is one of the oldest racing tracks in the world and the first place from which live televised motor-racing was ever broadcast. The race website ⇒.
The Crystal Palace was once the site of the Great Exhibition (1851) and remained standing until 1936 – history ⇒
Below are some of the exhibitors and race contenders. The next post is more of the cars in action⇐, followed by the motorcycles⇐. Crystal Palace also has Dinosaurs ⇐ .
TVR
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Austin 7
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Riley TT Sprint
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MG
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Click on the text and then again to enlarge.
MG
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Wolseley Hornet Special
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Daimler SP250 Special
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Caterham 7 Supersprint
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Ford Popular 103
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Mini Coopers
These three are famous. I’ll give you a clue; they still have their doors on.
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Caterham
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Lester MG
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Renault Alpine
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Daimler
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Chevron B19
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Pilbeam MP43 / BMW
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.
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 Horniman Museum
20 pics – The Horniman Museum and grounds are free to enter and include the lower gardens and wonderful flower beds⇐ with more spectacular flowers at the upper gardens⇐.. The museum is a mix of natural history, unusual artifacts from around the word and a small but unusual aquarium (there is a charge of £4).
The museum and grounds are located just south of London near Forest Hill rail station and make a good day out at little expense. Please click on information/events⇒ and/or the getting there map⇒. The map shows the route from station to museum as quite short. It is a bit longer than it appears and is better to take one of the buses (listed on the map page) up the steep hill to the museum stop. The museum stop is just past this clock tower at the prow of the hill.
The Museum
The Aquarium
This chap has all the appearance of gnome doing a high-five. You can even see a face.
Pretentious, moi ?
Doh.
Horniman Museum Gardens
12 pics – A view from the upper gardens of the Horniman Museum across London’s Canary Wharf and the Shard of Glass (the tall pointy thing). For a range of quite extraordinary flowers from the upper gardens please click here, for the museum interiors and artifacts please click here.
The dye garden.
I didn’t post process these. They really are this bright.
Alright now I’ve got a pearl of wisdom, what do I do with it ?
I you think I’m strange, wait until you see what’s inside the museum. I was thrown out for being too normal :-D.
Flowers at the Horniman Museum
These pictures were taken at the upper garden area of the Horniman Museum in mid August of 2014. There will be more about the extraordinary Horniman Museum later.
Freed From Time 