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
The London Garden Museum in Lambeth
The London Garden Museum is situated in and around the old church of St Mary adjacent to Lambeth Palace. The church has origins dating back almost a thousand years. It was deconsecrated in 1972 and saved from demolition by Rosemary Nicholson. By 1977, Rosemary and her husband John had converted the old church into the world’s first Museum of Garden History. Rosemary and John were admirers of John Tradescent ⇒ who is buried at St Mary and is credited as being the first great British gardener and plant hunter. In more recent times the venue has become known as The Garden Museum.
In 2016 the museum was closed for remodeling, making use of a Heritage Lottery grant. It was re-opened in May 2017. Unfortunately the beautiful Knot Garden ⇒ has been lost during the remodeling and the external gardens still need some work. The external gardens and café are free to enter but there is an entrance fee for the museum. Website ⇒.
The seemingly humble lawnmower has been of considerable influence. Before its invention, by Edwin Budding in 1830, grass was cut by scythe. Only the rich could afford such a labour intensive luxury. Even so it was only rough cut compared with today’s standards. It was because of the lawnmower we have the English garden and advancements in lawn tennis, lawn bowls, cricket and golf.
The inside of the old church is in good condition and alongside of some gardening history are there is some quite stunning stained glass.
The potato, which has become an important food staple, was first brought to Europe from Peru by the Spanish in the latter part of the 16th century although Sir Walter Rayleigh is credited with bringing them to England a little later. In Britain we refer to the potato chip as a crisp and the British chip is a kind of thick french fry. Fish and chips being our main contribution to international cuisine. 😀
The Ancient Order of Free Gardeners began in Scotland in the 17th century. The ancient order’s fortunes have been somewhat variable, more ⇒ . Personally I think making people believe one’s services are for free is asking for trouble. 😀
A good view of this window is difficult because somebody put a garden shed in the way. Really. I think it’s an experiment in avant-garden 😀 . I wrote them a note on the subject. They haven’t written back.
In Memorium to Herbert Lyttelton 1884-1914
Although close to a busy thoroughfare and still a work in progress, the garden is free and a pleasant place to sit. 🙂
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.
Museum of the Order of St John
The Order of St John (St John’s Ambulance Brigade) was founded in 1099 and is an international organisation. The museum is on St John’s Lane which is off Clerkenwell Road. That part which is frequently open, is not very big but packed with educational placards and video.
On a tour day there is additional access to upstairs rooms and artifacts, see the website ⇒. Further down this page there is a virtual tour of the upstairs rooms and a video about the Order of St Johns and St John’s Ambulance Brigade .
The short history is concise and well presented.
Please see the website ⇒ for tour days and use the contact details to determine if photography is allowed on tours.
There is no sound with the virtual tour.
Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood – Vintage toys
24 pics. The V & A Toy Museum is in Bethnal Green just a little north of Bethnal Green Underground station on Cambridge Heath Road. There are numerous events and workshops for children including schools groups. It is worth seeing their website ⇒.
The museum is free to enter and photography is allowed but difficult due the lighting and reflections from the glass cases. Nevertheless it is worth a visit, especially since their stock keeps being replenished from a large archive.
There is a second post with Chinese Rock Gardens, more toys and favourites from television here ⇐. 🙂
The V & A Museum of design in South Kensington is even larger and can be found here ⇐.
Dolls Houses
This just a sample.
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Toy Cooker and Tea Sets
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Toy Theatres
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Mechanical Puppet
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Johnny the Dunce is an early clockwork toy (circa 1850) with music and a swinging leg.
Vintage Models
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Steam Locomotives
The first two of these models have small spirit burners underneath which raise steam and result in locomotion. A good way to set your carpet on fire.
There are more model steam engines/locomotives here ⇐.
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Rocking Horse
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Teddy Bears
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Painting
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“We used to make our own amusement in the old days”.
London Transport Museum
The London Transport Museum⇒ is at the eastern corner of Covent Garden. Entry is a little expensive at £17 (in 2016) for a single adult but there are a variety of concessions, group tickets and under 18’s go free. The Acton Depot⇒ is much larger but only accessible as part of a tour or on an open day.
Vintage steam engines can be found at the Science Museum⇐ (free entry) and a classic/vintage vehicles race can be seen once a year at Crystal Palace Motorsport⇐.
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Horse drawn coaches developed into horse drawn trams (on rails).
Then trams powered by electricity from overhead power lines.
There were also motorised omnibuses.
Then underground powered by electricity. Although there were three oil fired steam locomotives used during construction of the underground.
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This locomotive was used on an overground line but passed through several small tunnels, hence its minimal height.
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Sprung upholstery. More comfortable than modern day but heavier.
Some of the underground trains remained like this into the 1960’s and even 1970’s. It is a testament to how well they were built.
The Routemaster bus⇐ also lasted well, the basic design being in use from 1956 to 2005.
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As luck would have it, I ran into one of these just outside the museum.
Wallace Collection Armoury
14 pics. Part of the Wallace Collection which also contains many notable works of art.
The armoury is on the ground floor. I suppose, for the gentry, such items were as much a statement of status as utilitarian. There purpose may not be so admirable to a more enlightened world but the workmanship, its alternate uses and the attendant history are best not forgotten.
There is more of this past and extraordinary workmanhip at the Tower of London/White Tower.
Henry IV’s Parrying Dagger
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The Wallace Collection
20 pics. Some of the items from the extraordinary Wallace Collection. Displayed at Hertford House in the heart of London (see Google maps), the collection was bequeathed to the nation by Lady Wallace in 1897 and is free to enter. As well as the sample items below, the collection also includes an extensive armoury and a number of beautiful gold, silver and glass ornaments. And, here is the The Wallace Collection Website.
Among the paintings can be found two paintings by Titian, five Rembrandts, nine Rubenses, four Van Dycks, eight Canalettos, nineteen Bouchers, masterpieces by de Hooch, nine Teniers, Frans Hals, nine Murillos, two Velázquez and paintings by Domenichino, Cima, Daddi, Reni, Rosa, Thomas Gainsborough, Joshua Reynolds, Antoine Watteau, Nicholas Lancret, Jan Steen, Aelbert Cuyp and nine Guardis. More information at the Wiki entry.
To view the amazing craftsmanship in more details, please click on an image and then again to magnify, Enjoy :-).
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The Laughing Cavalier by Frans Hals. Famous for his broad hat 😀 .
Rebecca and Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert by Léon Cogniet. A little enhanced to compensate for the fading effect of age.
At the siege of the castle of Torquilstone the beautiful Rebecca, daughter of Isaac the Jew, is abducted by the Norman Templar, Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert (he’s the one with the templar cross on his tunic). Ulrica, an old Saxon woman who had set fire to the castle, exalts in her vengeful fury at the top of the distant tower.
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The Witches in Macbeth by Alexandre-Gabriel Decamps.
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The Natural History Museum London
The Natural History Museum, the very interesting Science Museum and fabulous Victoria & Albert Museum are all close together and very near South Kensington underground rail station. All are free to enter, although a small donation is usual, and have picnic areas (a wise choice).
The Natural History Museum also contains The Earth’s Treasury and The Vault of precious items. Both are worth seeing. It is advisable to arrive early at the Natural History Museum to avoid queues and download/save/print the the map. The website. Here is the architecture and a few of the exhibits.
The Architecture and Charles Darwin
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Charles Darwin Statue
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The Exhibits
Diplodocus
At the main entrance “Dippy” (diplodocus), sometimes a Blue Whale, welcomes visitors with equal aplomb. Dippy likes walks in the park, sushi and going to the theater. Would like to meet similar, must have good sense of humour.
At the side entrance one is greeted by a smaller cousin. And then ~
The escalator to hell. It actually leads to a display of information about the earth’s early years and volcanoes. Included is a mock min-market that shakes to simulate an earthquake. It wasn’t working when I was there. How come they always turn off the dangerous stuff whenever I arrive ? It’s a mystery to me.
Near the elevator, on the ground floor, you can meet one’s ancestral relatives. The top row is the present and then seven rows of one million years each. Spot anybody that you know ?. To read the labels, click on the image and then again to magnify.
Unfortunately the dinosaur gallery was closed during my visit, but there were a few on show.
This little tyke is animated. Noticeably breathing and occasionally moving in his/her sleep.
Cynognathus
The Cynognathus was supposedly about the size of a dog. If that’s true, I wonder if Lord Baskerville knows it’s out.
Megatherium Americanum
Aka, prehistoric stick insect.
Killer Bird and Pseudo-elephant
“My mother always said you were a skinflint, look at me when I’m talking to you and when are you going to fix that shelf and stop calling me beaky”. “Aaaarg”
Shell and Triton’s Trumpet
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Baler Shell
The Baler Shell, so-called because it is very useful for baling out canoes (honest).
Queen Conch
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There are loads of stuffed animals. I picked just one.
Dodo Bird
The Dodo bird, it is reported, became extinct because it was not sufficiently afraid of mankind. There’s a lesson in that somewhere.
Ichthysaurus Fossil
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Goethite
I can take a hint.
The Earth’s Treasury 2 at the Natural History Museum London
More from the Earth’s Treasury at the Natural History Museum London. There is also Earth’s Treasury 1 and The Vault of precious items.
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And crunchy chocolate cake to finish, I think.
The Vault and the Cursed Amethyst at the Natural History Museum London
Latrobe Gold Nugget made of rare crystallized gold.
At the end of the Minerals Hall at London’s Natural History Museum is The Vault which contains a number of precious objects including the Latrobe Gold Nugget, the Medusa Emerald, the Cursed Amethyst and a Martian Meteorite. 19 more pics ↓ . And, more at the Earth’s Treasury and Earth’s Treasury 2.
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The Vault
These are just a few of the rare items in the vault.
Yellow Sapphire and Padparadscha
Sapphires come in various colours and, like ruby, are made of corundum. The orange/pink is a rare colouring of sapphire known as padparadscha.
Imperial Topaz
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Rain in Seawater – An Aquamarine variety of Beryl
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The Scotch Koh-i-Noor – A Goshenite variety of Beryl
It is a bit of a mystery how it got its name, as it probably came from Brazil.
Sapphire Button
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Opal Necklace
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The Hope Chrysoberyl
This was once a part of the collection of Henry Philip Hope along with the Hope Diamond.
The Medusa Emerald
The medusa is regarded as one of the world’s finest mineral specimens.
Cut Morganite
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Crystal within a Crystal
A pink morganite crystal that grew around a blue aquamarine core.
Amethyst Boulder
It is amazing to think what might be found inside an ordinary looking rock. 🙂
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The Cursed Amethyst
The Cursed Amethyst
It is reputed that the Cursed Amethyst was stolen from an Indian temple in 1857 and then passed through several unfortunate hands before being owned by Edward Heron-Allen who bequeathed it to the museum. Whilst Heron-Allen owned the gem he had it kept in a bank vault within seven locked boxes. The whole story can be found here.
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The Tissant Meteorite from Mars
Tissint Meteorite
The Tissant Meteorite landed near the village of Tissant in Morocco in 2011, taking 700,000 years to travel from Mars having being ejected by that planet. Its particular importance derives from the indications that there was once liquid water on Mars. If there is water, now beneath the surface, then solar-powered electricity can be used to split the H2O into Hydrogen and Oxygen. The second can be used to support life, and both together as rocket fuel.
On the other hand, we could take more care of our own planet first. 🙂
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The Minerals Hall
With thousands of specimens.
Hydrohematite
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Iridescent crystals
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Iridescent Stalactites
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Chalcotrichite
More at the Earth’s Treasury.
Earth’s Treasury at the Natural History Museum London
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It would be rather marvelous to think that this opalescent wonder is a moon rock. Even more marvelous to realise that it came from our own Earth.
More pics ↓ with an ocean in a small opal and still more at the Vault and more at Earth’s Treasury 2 .
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This a real monster at around three feet tall, but it lacked a little colour, so a tiny tweak and ~
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If that were a drink it would be so delicious.
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There are literally hundreds of these.
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I’m not sure what a carved meerschaum pipe is doing here but I think she would be welcome anywhere.
Such wonders all around,
We need but stop and search the ground,
We need but pause and view the sky,
And cherish time before end is nigh.
Model Steam Engines at the Science Museum
Model of Shand Mason Steam Fire Engine
On the mezzanine floor, that you can only reach by stairs, of the Science Museum in the “Making of the Modern World” hall you can find these hand crafted beauties. The Science Museum also has a wonderful collection of beautiful antique watches.
Model of Alexandra Steam Train
Model of Stephenson’s Long Barrel Steam Locomotive
Model of Austria Steam Locomotive
Model of Crampton’s Steam Locomotive
Model of American 4-4-0 Steam Locomotive
Model Steam Train
Model Steam Train Showing Exposed Fire Tubes
This one shows the fire tubes that carry the hot gases from the fire box through the boiler. It was by this innovation that it was possible to transfer a great deal of heat quickly to the surrounding water, hence create and maintain a large volume of high pressure steam to drive the locomotive. The steam rises to the bubble on the top and a throttle controls the steam flow to the cylinders/pistons beneath.
And, a Rolls Royce
Model of Rolls Royce Silver Ghost 1911
And, a Wooden Ship
Model Wooden Ship
And, on the Ground Floor
Model of the Rocket Steam Train
Royal George No 5 Model Steam Train
Happy traveling. :-).
Beautiful Timepieces at the Science Museum London
32 pics. The London Science Museum now incorporates the Clock Museum which was previously housed at the Guildhall. Along with some beautifully crafted watches there are examples of chronometers.
The chronometer has been vital to the ability to create charts and safely navigate the world. The first chronometers were invented by John Harrison and are currently kept at Greenwich. Navigation and Greenwich and Greenwich Mean Time and there importance to the modern world can be found here whilst information about Harrison’s timepieces here.
Here are just a few of the hundreds of timepieces on view at the museum. It is well worth viewing the detail by right clicking on a picture, selecting “Open Link in New Tab” and then left click on the image to magnify.
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The Watches
Cornelius Yate c1620
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Robert Grinkin c1620
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Robert Grinkin
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Jean Robert Soret c1812
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L’Epine
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Andrews c1790
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Jean LeRoy
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Jean Antoine Lepine Late 18th Century
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George Daniels c1986
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The Marine Chronometers
Charles Shepherd c1822 Marine Chronometer
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Barrauds Marine Chronometer c1822
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Cogden and Son Marine Chronometer
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The Clocks
Johan Schneider c1625
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Fromanteel and Clark c1695
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J. Schmidt Table Clock c1827
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I hope you enjoyed that and so it’s goodbye from them and it’s goodbye from me.
Science Museum London
22 pics. The Natural History Museum⇐, Science Museum and fabulous Victoria & Albert Museum⇐ are all close together and very near South Kensington underground rail station. All are free to enter, although a small donation is usual, and have picnic areas (a wise choice).
It is advisable to download/save/print the museum map⇒. Their website is here⇒ and of special interest are the beautiful antique timepieces⇐ and the model steam engines⇐.
Newcomen type Atmospheric Engine
During the early 1700’s there was a developing energy crisis. Coal was needed to fuel industry, especially the smelting casting and forging of iron. Surface coal was becoming rare and deep mines were subject to flooding. Pumping out by hand or animal power was inadequate so Newcomen invented the Atmospheric Engine around 1712 and they continued as the only kind of steam engine until 1802.
The Atmospheric Engine filled a cylinder with steam at normal pressure which then condensed and reduced to less than atmospheric pressure. The external atmospheric pressure then pushed the piston into the cylinder, drawing the beam down and lifting the water pump at the other end. The age of the industrial revolution advanced along with our dependence on fossil fuels.
The one above was built in 1791 and continued in use for 127 years.
Bell Crank Engine by Boulton and Watt
Later, a more powerful type of pressurized steam engine, which pushes a piston along a cylinder, was developed by James Watt in 1802. This one powered a workshop and later an electrical generator.
Puffing Billy
The earliest practical steam locomotive was designed by Richard Trevithick in 1804 and used for the transport of coal. The Puffing Billy, above, was built by William Hedley.
Stephenson’s Rocket
George Stephenson built the Locomotion for the Stockton and Darlington Railway which was the first public steam railway in the world. It was his son, Robert Stephenson, who built the famous and more successful Rocket in 1829.
Grand Junction Railway Locomotive Columbine
Then innovation took off in leaps and bounds.
Traction Engine
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Pumping Engine
Steam driven pumping became another essential for the advancement of human civilization by the provision of clean water and removal of waste. Both were essential for the limitation of disease. You might like a look at the beautifully ornate Crossness Pumping Station ⇐ and the awesome machines at the London (Kew) Water and Steam Museum ⇐.
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Bessemer Converter
These developments were aided by the invention of the Bessemer Converter in 1856. Molten iron, refined from iron ore in a Blast Furnace, is poured into the vessel and then air followed by oxygen is forced through the molten metal. This was the first method of removing impurities on a large economic scale to produce steel.
The great gout of fire that spouts from the converter is awesome and can be seen on video by clicking on Bessemer Steel Making at Workington Cumbria⇒.
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Babbage’s Difference Engine No 2
Meanwhile there had been a need to produce accurate mathematical tables for engineers, astronomers, navigators etc. After around 25 years of trying, Charles Babbage created the Difference Engine No 2. Whilst it can only add and subtract, it can be programmed do so a number of times, hence it can multiply and divide. Modern computers use the same method.
Ribbon Loom by James Heywood using the Jacquard Principle
This clever little device can automatically weave a complex design using a series of punched cards for instruction. That is, a programmable process. Punched cards were used by early computers.
And then :-.
Well alright its early days yet.
Amy Johnson’s Airplane Jason
Amy Johnson was the first person to fly solo from Britain to Australia, although in several legs. If you click on twice to expand, you might notice an AA (Automobile Association) sticker just beneath “Jason”. Now that’s what I call optimism.
And then:-
The Spitfire
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Lockheed Electra
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Normal service will be resumed when Grommet gets back from the chip shop. 🙂
Harrier Jump Jet
And then :-
Space Rockets
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Space Satellite
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Space Capsule
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Moon Lander
And then:-
This suspended globe in the Science Museum turns and changes to show the weather patterns and day and night. At times it shows the vast number of lights we are burning.
The Clock of the Long Now
Please click on twice to expand the small print.
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Fossil fuels have been the foundation of our modern world and all of its benefits. Knowing no better, we have used a crude and poisonous medicine, we now have to evolve to stop the increasingly damaging side-effects. Considering all that mankind has done, surely we can manage this too.
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The Royal Mews
10 pics and the best is last. I thought a Royal Mews would have cats deep in thought but it turns out to be coaches. The one above is the “Glass Coach” and was used for royal marriages, including our own Queen Elizabeth II.
The Royal Mews can be found at the southern wall of Buckingham Palace (near Victoria Station) beside the Queens Gallery and you can photograph in both. Nearby are the State Rooms, where photography is not allowed. There are also some very royal gift shops,
And, there’s a green one,
And, Vorsprung durch Technik,
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This is a Donkey Barouche. Although it would probably look prettier with a donkey sitting in it. 🙂
I thought I might borrow this for Christmas. I’m sure they wouldn’t notice. It would make a great tankard full of amber foaming beer for quaffing.
And, here’s my ride. Cinderella would have been jealous.
I think the coachmen turn back into corgis at midnight. 🙂
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Oh poop, I got caught and put in jail. I’m being held for ransom. Help ! Send mince pies and brandy or it’s jingly bell sleigh duty for me.
Freed From Time 