Flowers at Kew Gardens
From around the grounds.
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From the Japanese ornamental gardens.
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… and just outside on a nearby cottage.
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Elegant Danson House and Park
20 pics – Danson House and park are near Bexley Heath just a few miles east of London. The park includes a boating lake with rowing boats for hire, a water-sports center, the Danson Stables public house/restaurant, a very well equipped children’s play area and the elegant interiors of Danson House where photography is allowed.
The house includes very pleasant tea rooms, a spiral staircase, three very ornate rooms on the first floor and an exhibition on the second floor. During my visit the exhibition was of beds.
The house was originally built in 1766 and the paintings are from that period. Refurbished and opened by the present queen in 2005.
Unfortunately the opening times are limited. Please see the Danson House website. Very near is Hall Place with extensive grounds and is also worth a visit.
Danson House
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In the Cellar
On the second floor.
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Olde English Garden
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Part of the Park and Boating Lake
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The Fan Museum at Greenwich
The Fan Museum is at 12 Croom St, Greenwich and, at just £4 entry fee with numerous concessions, is well worth a visit. The museum is thought to be the only museum, dedicated to fans, in the world. There is also a charming Orangery style tea room (you do need to book ahead)
The museum is quite small but has a number of activities and events. You can also create or commission your own designs. For more information please click here and then start with “Practical Information” from the side menu. For more of the many attractions at Greenwich please click here.
The Fans
It is well worth seeing the finer details, which are little obscured by the folds. To do so, please click on the image for full screen and then again to magnify. To return here use the “back arrow” screen button on your browser.
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The Orangery Tea Rooms
You might notice the false shadow that has been painted on to give a 3D effect. You will need to book for tea, so please see the website (the link is at the top).
Wild Fowl at Hall Place
Welcome to Cray river at Hall Place park.
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Let me take you on a brief tour. Please walk this way.
Here we have Ducksville.
…. and of course our newest inhabitants.
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.. and so it’s good night from him and good night from me. Do come again there’s loads of us, innit. 😀
Inside Hall Place
The interior of Hall Place may see a little empty at first, but it does give the impression of being recently vacated and still vibrant with the presence of it’s previous occupants. One might imagine the graceful elegance of past days, romance and gentle intrigue. More about Hall Place, admission and gardens can be found here.
Above is a view of the hall from the side gallery and below is the musician’s gallery as seen from the floor of the main hall.
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Hall Place Gardens
Hall Place is a little north of Bexley (not Bexley Heath) to the east of London. The gardens are free, there is a large car park, the rail station is not far away, there is small butterfly house, entrance to the hall is £8 and it makes a great day out. The hall dates back to about 1540 and was built on the site of a manor house built about 1240. More at The Hall Place Website, Hall Place Interiors and History of Hall Place.
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The Queens Beasts
More about the Queens Beasts
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… and this is part of their very interesting art gallery
Butterflies at Hall Place, Bexley
The butterfly house at Hall Place is very small and hot but one can re-enter on the same £4 ticket.
This lady is definitely dressed for the summer ball.
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Chocks Away.
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The Black Night does battle with the invaders.
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The next one got away (they really won’t keep still) but the flowers are nice.
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Thank you for your visit and I hope you found it enjoyable. There will be more from the magical Hall Place later.
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Flora at Hall Place, Bexley
12 Pics – Hall Place
In the hot house and shop.
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This one comes in peace, offering tokens of jelly beans.
Happy is the tiger with a badger as guardian angel
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Hang on Snoopy, snoopy hang on, de dup de dup, dee do do, de dup .
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Whaaaa, surprise.
In the Garden
She’d not pulled a double a double rose, a rose but only two, When up came young Tam Lin says “Lady pull no more.”
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In the House
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Thank you for visiting and there will be more about the house and gardens later.
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.
Climate Change Rally – London 2014
If you would like to learn how we can have more of an effect click here. (click here for 2015 Rally Information)
For the past 3 decades, it seems to me, that there has been much effort to persuade people that there is no point in trying to make a difference. It didn’t work. To those who never give up, add those who are just beginning. Hope and endeavor just keep on being born. It is slow but it is relentless. ~ Latest news – 40,000 attended the London rally. That’s 4 times the expected number.
To download a picture; left click to expand then right-click and choose “Save Image As” from the pop up menu.
Nelson Mandela, Lloyd George and Winston Churchill. I think they would have approved
And, It’s a Long Road Out of Eden, but it does have some good guitar on the way.
I have a slight preference for the original Eagles version, but this is the best recording I could find.
More news from the BBC
Bench Presses
Books about Town
By popular demand.
The National Literary Trust together with Wild in Art, created the Books About Town project. As result 50 ornate benches were placed around London in early July 2014. Each bench is dedicated to a particular book. The benches will be removed from 15 September 2014 in preparation for auction in October. The auction will raise money for the trust. What a great idea. Just below are a few I managed to photograph in Greenwich and here are all the Books About Town ⇒ and here is More About Greenwich ⇐.
On the Origin of Species – Charles Darwin
The Railway Children – E. Nesbit
The Canterbury Tales – Geoffrey Chaucer
Frozen in Time – Captain Scott
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt – Michael Rosen
Flowers at Upper Greenwich Gardens
I’m always amazed at the extraordinary detail that can be seen in flora when using more than the human eye. Enjoy 🙂 More of Wonderful Greenwich.
Upper Greenwich Garden Views
11 pics ~ Upper Greenwich Park is a great place to spend a morning and have a picnic. Then wander on to the observatory and from there down the hill for a range of attractions, mostly free. For more information please click on Visiting Wonderful Greenwich.
Now you see me, now you don’t. (a little slideshow)
I’ll jump. Idiot
There is also a deer enclosure but, on the day, they were hiding. ❗
The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
9 Pics. Admission to The National Maritime Museum at Greenwich is free and non-commercial photography does not require a license. There are many other attractions (mostly free) at Greenwich. Please click here for more and for travel information.
The Top Floor Gallery
Horatio Nelson. The painting was commissioned by a friend in Nelson’s younger days
The First Floor Mezzanine
The Ground Floor
I do like the little dog. He looks like a fiercely loyal friend, or a headbanger. 😛
The First Floor
There isn’t a lot on the first floor but it does provide an elevated view of ground floor exhibits.
It was him. No, it was him with the sword. How dare you sir. I will draw my sword and cut off your nose.
No, it was me with the smug expression, and I’ve got a scroll. 😛
The Chapel at the Naval College, Greenwich
The Chapel
7 Pics – Entrance is free and non-commercial photography is allowed without license. The Painted Hall Pictures. Visiting Wonderful Greenwich and it’s History and Travel to Greenwich and Visitors Map
Thames River – Westminster to Hampton Court
22 Pics. With hindsight I would have traveled to Richmond (underground railway – District Line) and tried the alternative river service provided by Turks to Hampton Court. The journey would have been shorter (1 and 3/4 hours) and travels the more picturesque part of the river (including the above bridge).
There is only one company that provides Thames River travel all the way from Westminster Bridge to Hampton Court, that is WPSA. However I was not all that impressed. It is 3 and 1/2 hour journey, the upper deck seating uncomfortable, the engine noisy and the commentary full of irritating chatter. Added to which, the first part of the journey was not greatly picturesque apart from the immediate view of Westminster Palace (Pictures) which could have been seen/photographed from the south bank of the river.
Here are the pictures of the two legs:-
Westminster to Richmond
Please click on an image to expand and view a slide show:-
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Richmond to Hampton Court
Please click on an image to expand and view a slide show:-
Palace of Westminster and Big Ben
6 Pics: The Palace of Westminster hosts the UK Parliament’s House of Commons and House of Lords. Visitor Tours and Photography Restrictions inside, outside is not a problem.
Alongside is Westminster Abbey. Visiting Westminster Abbey, where photography is not allowed inside. Both are right outside Westminster Underground railway station. Nearby, one can take a variety of river tours.
The fine detail of the palace exterior is not often seen, so here are some pictures. 🙂
The Thames at Windsor
17 Pictures
The River Thames at Windsor offers a pleasant afternoon and a good follow-on from a visit to Windsor Castle. There are both Tour Boats and Hire Boats available. The tour boats provide a frequent 40 minute service and an occasional two-hour trip. I took the two-hour tour and thought it quite good value for money. Unfortunately there are no river trips from the City due to the many intervening locks. French Bros public boat trips. You can book online but you don’t have to. There are other hire companies included in Travel by Train, Map/Tour and Hire Boats. But first a word from our sponsor.
Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of rum.
Wild Foul
Where’s Fred. It’s mine I tell you.
I say, they’re not so much wild fowl as slighty miffed. Mwa Ha.
First we go under the bridge and then we come back under the bridge. Good game.
Call that a duck.
River Views
Personally I prefer one of these. The upper deck is a simple array of chairs and they were quite happy for me to bring my own tea and sandwiches, bought from an outlet near to the ticket office. The lower deck is more plush with a bar and snacks.
The first part of the tour is quite pretty. It then gets a little dull for a while until after the lock. There is a commentary indicating places of interest and the homes of the famous.
I hope you enjoyed the tour and thank you for visiting.
Wonderful Greenwich and its History
A Great Day Out 
Visiting Maritime Greenwich makes a whole day out and can be for little or no cost (take a picnic) and is one of the best places to photograph in London. It includes the Upper Park Gardens, Deer Enclosure, Royal Naval College, National Maritime Museum, the Queens House, Royal Observatory, Exhibitions, Planetarium, Arts and Crafts Market, Cinema, Comedy Club and a broad range of Restaurants, Cafes and Taverns. The best place to start is at the Upper Gardens and then down the hill.
Greenwich is also a World Heritage site with a wealth of architecture and art of historical interest. At the end of this post is more entertainment information.
Many of the attractions are free and can be photographed and one can stand upon the worlds Prime Meridian at 0 degrees Longitude (see the Tourist Information Map ⇓).
Travel to Greenwich includes maps, best parking, public transport and ways to avoid climbing the hill and you can save the Tourist Information Map as a PDF. The History of Navigation and Greenwich is a more extensive exploration of navigation through the ages,
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The Upper Gardens
Click on Views Flowers Squirrels
and. although you cannot photograph in there:-
The Rangers House
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In the Town – Maritime Greenwich
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The First Shop in the World
Nauticalia is full of seafaring items. It’s at 25 Nelson Rd, that is South past the market and turn left.
It might sound like an excessive boast. Then again it does stand at Longitude 00′ 00′ .4′ West.
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The Cutty Sark
Turn left out of the DLR station, along the short mall and then turn left again.
This great Tea Clipper has been recently restored after a fire during a previous attempt at restoration.
The interior is open to view although it is expensive with many other venues free. Admission.
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The Royal Naval College
Painted Hall
Designed by Christopher Wren, (currently closed until 2019) admission was free, you could take non-commercial photographs and was definitely worth a visit. More Information and Photographs of the Painted Hall.
It is accessible via the Cutty Sark gate or the West Gate. The visitor center is the best option as a first port of call. Please see the Sitemap.
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Chapel
Chapel Photographs Admission is free, you can take non-commercial photographs and is worth visiting.
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The National Maritime Museum
Admission is also free here, you can take non-commercial photographs and is worth visiting. The Museum.
More Photographs from inside the Museum. However, please bear in mind that the exhibits do change over time.
Behind these buildings, there is the hill which leads to the Royal Observatory and the Planetarium.
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The Queens House
Formally known as Queen Annes House, it is in fact associated with two Queens. Admission is free. The interior architecture and art works mean that it is certainly worth a visit. Non-commercial photography has been allowed since the refurbishment in early 2016.
The Queens House ⇐ History of the Queens House ⇒
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The Fan Museum
There is a small charge but you can take non-commercial photographs.
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Greenwich Market
The market offers numerous arts and crafts at reasonable prices. Images from inside the market.
How to find it.
This view is from the South with the park at my back. Using the sitemap, exits from the Naval College, are from the Romney Gate which faces the park or the the West Gate (turn right towards the park).
When facing the other way there is Greenwich Park, with the Queens House, the National Maritime Museum,the Royal Observatory and Planetarium up the hill.
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Greenwich Park
The Royal Observatory and Planetarium
The Royal Observatory (see charges) houses the Astronomy Center Gallery (free), the Harrison Timekeepers, the UK’s Largest Refracting Telescope, Flamsteed House and the Meridian Courtyard. The Planetarium, is nearby.
Flamsteed House, Meridian Courtyard, the Harrison Timekeepers and navigation is here ⇐.
View the Tourist Information Map (updated and you can save as a PDF) and discover that there a number of places where one can stand on the Prime Meridian for free and without queuing.
The red ball at the top is used to mark time (either noon or 1 pm) when it dropped so that ships could set their chronometers. It was used instead of a noon day gun because sound takes time to travel. The Time Ball.
The climb is about 140 feet. That’s about the height of a 15 story building. The easiest gradient is by the road to the right. The diagonal route, under the trees has a place to sit about half way up.
The climb can be avoided by traveling around to the plateau beyond, and do the tour in reverse. Please see Travel to Greenwich.
And, you must think I’m daft, if you think I’m going to walk up there.
Turns out you’re right.
Straight on past the observatory is a more landscaped park (see the row of three pics at start) that leads to diagonal roadside parking and the number 53 bus stop.
The West Park
Turning right after the observatory and crossing the road (The Ave ~ Avenue) leads to an untended part of the park.
There one could see a statue by Henry More entitled Knife Edge. It was on loan to the park and may be gone by midsummer 2014. Here are two views of the same statue.
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Further on, can be seen a view of Our Lady and Star of the Sea.
There is also another view over London.
The Ave
The Ave ~ Avenue divides the main park and the West side and is closed to all traffic after dusk. With the trees acting as a buffer to sound and light, it is very much like being in the countryside.
It is used by cyclists and the occasional skate boarder, so it wise to stay on the pavement/sidewalk.
The Ave ~ Avenue continues as King William Walk and at the bottom the welcoming sight of a Tavern.
Greenwich Nightlife
Greenwich also has the Up the Creek Comedy Club on Creek St, a Theater and Picture House
There are numerous Taverns, Pubs, Cafes and Restaurants. Using Google Maps enter any one of those four descriptions.
You can also specify Indian, Vietnamese, Chinese,Thai, Italian, Spanish and French. And, there is a traditional Pie and Mash shop.
The nightlife is generally thriving but gentle. A good place to unwind.
Food and Drink
Like many tourist venues food and drink can be both pricey and pretentious, especially at the park owned venues. Best option is to picnic in the park. On rainy days there is plenty of shelter/benches on the walkway between the Museum and Queens House.
Alternatively, recommended are “The Yacht” and the “Plume of Feathers”. Both to the east of the Naval College.
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If you get a chance to visit, I hope you enjoy. 🙂
Art in Victoria Park
Victoria Park, Bow, London, UK. – Click on an image to enlarge.
The progress of cheerful duck will always overide serious reflections.
I can do this all day.
Standing Guard on the Triffids (not in the same place)
At the Royal Inn on the Park That’s what I call a makeover
Freed From Time 