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
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.
Kensington Palace
17 pics. From Queensway Underground station, across the main road, through the main gates and along the broad avenue facing south through Kensington Gardens. After a short walk, a small clock tower and the Elfin Oak ⇐ can be seen on the right. A little further on, also on the right, is Kensington Palace. The palace was built in 1605. More of its history, from Wiki, can be found here ⇐. The official website, with admission prices etc, can be found here ⇐.
Non-commercial photography is permitted but the lighting is dim and there is a certain amount of glare. As a result it was necessary to use a higher ISO setting than I would normally wish and gives a brighter impression than is really the case. Nevertheless, if you like old houses, it is the most atmospheric that I have come across so far.
It is well worth using the map, provided with your ticket, and finding the Queen’s rooms. They are located behind a large wooden door and you may have to ask an attendant for access. However, the staff are very friendly, informative and helpful.
If you wait a little while, the shadow will dance accompanied by the sound of shoes upon the hard wood floor and occasionally a little music.
Above is Princess Amelia, a favourite daughter of George III. The shadow dancers will occasionally move into each others space and dance together.
One can only wonder at how many, during the long past, have gazed at this view from the window and of their thoughts and dreams. You might spare a moment to join them.
And, hats off to the artisans who built this for their skill and diligence.
You might also like to see some of Kensington Gardens Flowers ⇐ or perhaps what the local Water Fowl ⇐ do for fun.
The Albert Memorial and The Royal Albert Hall
Click on Copyright⇐ or at at top right of page. 14 pics. Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, was much missed by the queen when he died. Victoria was taken by long years of mourning and fell into a long period of personal decline. Part of the queen’s tribute to the prince are the Albert Memorial and Royal Albert Hall. The memorial can be found on Google maps at the southern end of Kensington Gardens. The Royal Albert Hall is just across the road.
The Albert Memorial
The Royal Albert Hall
The Tall Ships at Greenwich
The Greenwich Tall Ships Festival
14 pics. The Festival brought a group of tall ships up the Thames for the first time in 25 years. They met from all over the world at Falmouth and raced to Greenwich. During the last day parade the wind was not favourable to sail. Hats off to the skippers for making sail for the spectators, even though it meant expending extra fuel to make progress. There were 50+ taking part. Here are a few.
Dar Mlodziezy
Dar Mlodziezy, which dwarfed all the other vessels, won the first in it’s class (A).
Duet
Duet won first in it’s class (B) and first overall. It is a yawl. That is, it has an additional mast/sail aft of it’s rudder. The design was originally created to add extra sail without breaking the design rules for it’s racing class. That, together with a big mainsail and two additional foresail(s) on it’s bowsprit, makes a very powerful rig that takes skill to handle well. The Cirdan Trust ⇒. Pictures under sail (updated) ⇒.
Stavros S Niarchos
The Stavros S Niarchos won the communications prize for doing the most to aid the race schedule communications.
Tenacious
Tenacious was a mix of able bodied and less able bodied crew. They did well to gain third in their class (A)
Gulden Leeuw
The Golden Leeuw won the the Friendship Trophy for having contributed the most towards international friendship and understanding. They were also the most international crew and won the Young Trainee Award.
Pelican of London
The youngest Captain (Tom Whiteford)
J.R. Tolkien
Loth Lorien
Morgenster
Oosterschelde
Mercedes
Swan
Pirate
I couldn’t get the name of this one but it certainly caught everybody’s attention. Most particularly because it had a working cannon which they delighted in using, making everybody jump and producing great clouds of smoke. They even had the cheek to fire it in the vicinity of Woolwich Arsenal. In past days they would have been blown to bits.
Royal Barge
The Royal Barge appeared two days earlier and is the one used for the Queens Jubilee. Sixty years in the same job and they didn’t even give her one with an engine. A close look at the those on the oars would indicate that they have probably been quaffing something.
Next, click on – The Festival and it’s characters.
And, thank you for visiting.
The Painted Hall at the Naval College, Greenwich
The Painted Hall
9 Pics – Entrance is free and non-commercial photography is allowed without licence. The Chapel Pictures. Visiting Wonderful Greenwich and it’s History and Travel to Greenwich and Visitors Map
From May 2017 to early Sept 2017 there is an opportunity to climb trestles for a closer look. There is a charge during this time so please see the website ⇒.
A closer look reveals that shadows are painted on, to give a 3D effect.
Here again is a 3D effect.
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At the Greenwich Visitors Centre
A word from our sponsors.
He’s stone deaf you know.
It’s very peaceful here.
Freed From Time 