Exploring London in October 2018 [Day 1/3]
A recent comment on Twitter made me think of a musical I saw in London in 2018 yet when I went looking for my photos to reminisce, I couldn't find any online report, except for two pics in my Instagram! I can't remember why I never got around to sharing more photos, especially when that trip was actually one of my most in depth explorations of London!
With the lack of traveling at the moment, I went through all my photos for a proper virtual journey.
I always look for something new to do during the day and for this trip I had been inspired by a co-worker, who had asked if I had ever seen the 'horse block of the Duke of Wellington'. I didn't even know what that was, so I did some research and found it mentioned in a blog about The Secret Walk of London, a guide to discover tucked away places from London's history. I decided to walk along this route and spent two days trying to find all the sights, while discovering even more hidden corners; it was awesome!
Because I arrived on Liverpoolstreet Station, it was more convenient to do the described walk backwards and I didn't get to that horse block until day 2. So that will be revealed later, let's start with day one: Monday October 22, 2018
I had taken the night Ferry on Sunday evening (getting in the mood with scones for 'dinner';) and arrived in Harwich around 06:35 a.m where I got on the train replacement bus to London.
I arrived at Liverpoolstreet Station around 09:00, such a glorious trainstation.
Thames water! Not sure what these are, I suspect artsy ventilation for the underground?
I'm glad London has streetmaps all over, I always get a little disorientated, but eventually I find the first destination on my walk: Postman's Park!
Postman's Park is a garden made up from the churchyards of St Leonards and St Botolph and the graveyard of Christchurch on Newgate Street. It was opened in 1880 and is home to the famous Watts memorial, built in 1900 as a tribute to heroic men and women. It's really special to read all these tiles about brave acts from 'ordinary' people.
Just outside the Postman's Park there is a Police Callbox on St Martin Le Grand (#19, the last sight on the Secret London Walk) Only a few of these old police call boxes are left; apparently some of them served as the TARDIS in Dr Who!:)
One of my favorite spots on this walk was the Christchurch Greyfriars churchyard. This garden covers the site of the church of the Franciscan monastery which was demolished by the Great Fire of London in 1666. The church was rebuilt by Sir Christoper Wren between 1687 and 1707. The churchyard became an open space in 1872 and the church remained until it was bombed in 1940; only the WW2 bombed-out walls of the church still stand. The garden is designed to match the floor plan of the former Wren Church, it has beautiful rosebushes.
A peek of St. Paul's from New Gate Street (doubledecker!) I cross that street to find the Breadbasket Boy (#18 on Secret London Walk) A sculpture dated 1688, depicting a boy and his breadbasket on the corner of Panyer Alley, which was apparently once the centre of London's baking businesses.
A closer look of St. Paul's from Paternoster Square.
Many beautiful buildings and facades on this square, from all ages. I love the sun dial on the corner.
London's first public drinking fountain (1859) at the corner of Old Bailey and Newgate Street, near St Sepulchre-without-Newgate, where I sat down on a bench in the shaded churchyard.
Glorious building across from the historic Old Bailey Courthouse (London's Central Criminal Court, 1673-1913)
That curvy colourful building is Mizuho House, head quarters of Mizuho Bank. This building offers such a nice contrast with its modern design (architecture by Fletcher Priest & Sauerbruch Hutton, 2015).
More facades on my way to the next secret spot...
...St Bride's Church (#15 on Secret London Walk) Its multi-tiered steeple is also said to be the inspiration for the modern wedding cake, after a local cake-maker, Thomas Rich, created a replica in icing.
Walking along Fleetstreet, this area became known for printing and publishing at the start of the 16th century. By the 20th century most British national newspapers operated from here. That big Art Deco Clock is on the side of the former HQ of The Telegraph.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese: Pub from 1667 (#12) Outside, there's a cool painted sign describing how the pub was rebuilt "in the reign of Charles II" with a list of monarchs who have reigned since then.
For the next part of the walk we go from Fleet street through Bouverie Street...
A hidden Pegasus!
As I worked for a small printer's for almost 20 years, I can't get enough of these murals in Magpie Alley (#13 on Secret London Walk) that depict the history of the printing press and newspaper industry in the area.
Tucked down below between buildings you can find Magpie Alley Crypt (#14 on Secret London Walk) - a relic of the White Friars from the 13th century. Apparently, in the mid 16th century, Henry VIII "appropriated" most of the monks' property for his doctor and the crypt was used as a coal cellar. It lay buried for centuries until it was unearthed in 1895.
Tudor street; from there I turn left to get to Temple Street. Pegasus emblem on the gates of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple (professional associations for barristers and judges). This area is named after the Knights Templar, a powerful military religious order of the Middle Ages.
Pegasus emblem on the gates of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple (professional associations for barristers and judges). This area is named after the Knights Templar, a powerful military religious order of the Middle Ages.
I take a sneak peek through the gate (at Victoria Embankment) and discover a fascinating statue in the Temple garden.
That white building is the Inner Temple.
I honestly thought that golden creature was a cow, but the red badge of the Middle Temple features the Lamb of God with a flag bearing the Saint George's Cross.
On the right one of the dragons that was erected (hahaha) to indicate the Western boundary of the City of London (1963 - the dragons were formerly mounted above the entrance of the Coal Exchange which was demolished in 1983)
Ahw, these red phone booths are getting rare in London too *sniffles*
These Green Sheds were built between 1875 and 1914 for black cab drivers. They seated about 10-13 men, with an attendant who would sell food but also cook food brought by cabbies. They could sit, eat and read here (books & newspapers were provided by benefactors). This one at Temple Place was restaurated in 1989. Currently there are 13 of these shelters still functional for the public, they are run by the Cabmen's Shelter Fund.
I bought a massive sausage sandwich at the Green Shed and had lunch underneath the sculpture of Isambard Kingdom Brunel (Civil Engineer 1806-1859)
It's a bit of a maze through tiny alleys to find the Roman Bath (#10 on Secret London Walk)...
Apparently Charles Dickens wrote about this bath in David Copperfield (1850), but its origins are unknown. Earliest written reference is from 1784 in a book by John Pinkerton in which he speaks of a "fine antique bath" These days you're only allowed to take a peek through the window...
Cool architecture in Strandlane.
Abandoned Tube Station (#9 on Secret London Walk) The Strand with the main entrance to old Aldwych station; it was opened in 1907 with the name Strand, after the street on which it is located, and was the terminus of the short Piccadilly line branch. Service was discontinued in 1994. Got a better photo of the exit and second entrance on Surrey Street.
Clement House and the South African High Commission (#6) can you see the elephant in that facade? There are more stone animals to discover on the walls of this building!
That was the last part of the Secret Walk for today; I will continue the quest for the rest of the hidden sights tomorrow. I'm going to my hotel to check in and to get ready for the evening.
The loot I scored on Liverpoolstreet station this morning; of course I got a bunch of delicious bath stuff and I have time for a bubble before dinner:)
I have dinner at Saracen's Carvery (where you can choose your own bit of meat)
Spuds and gravy plus a piece of cake for dessert:)
After that I went to the Leicester Square Theatre for Richard Herring's podcast: RHLSTP!
I had a great spot on the front row! Richard did two very funny interviews, both are available on YouTube: New Zealand stand-up Rose Matafeo and English comedian and presentor Nish Kumar.
Took the tube back to the hotel (Cockfosters, never not funny!) where I treasures all my autographed goodies from RHLSP <3
To be continued! (Then I'll also get to that musical;) J.
Crossposted from https://beelikej.dreamwidth.org/572300.html [
comments] Lurk or comment wherever you like:)
I always look for something new to do during the day and for this trip I had been inspired by a co-worker, who had asked if I had ever seen the 'horse block of the Duke of Wellington'. I didn't even know what that was, so I did some research and found it mentioned in a blog about The Secret Walk of London, a guide to discover tucked away places from London's history. I decided to walk along this route and spent two days trying to find all the sights, while discovering even more hidden corners; it was awesome!
Because I arrived on Liverpoolstreet Station, it was more convenient to do the described walk backwards and I didn't get to that horse block until day 2. So that will be revealed later, let's start with day one: Monday October 22, 2018
I had taken the night Ferry on Sunday evening (getting in the mood with scones for 'dinner';) and arrived in Harwich around 06:35 a.m where I got on the train replacement bus to London.
I arrived at Liverpoolstreet Station around 09:00, such a glorious trainstation.
Thames water! Not sure what these are, I suspect artsy ventilation for the underground?
I'm glad London has streetmaps all over, I always get a little disorientated, but eventually I find the first destination on my walk: Postman's Park!
Postman's Park is a garden made up from the churchyards of St Leonards and St Botolph and the graveyard of Christchurch on Newgate Street. It was opened in 1880 and is home to the famous Watts memorial, built in 1900 as a tribute to heroic men and women. It's really special to read all these tiles about brave acts from 'ordinary' people.
Just outside the Postman's Park there is a Police Callbox on St Martin Le Grand (#19, the last sight on the Secret London Walk) Only a few of these old police call boxes are left; apparently some of them served as the TARDIS in Dr Who!:)
One of my favorite spots on this walk was the Christchurch Greyfriars churchyard. This garden covers the site of the church of the Franciscan monastery which was demolished by the Great Fire of London in 1666. The church was rebuilt by Sir Christoper Wren between 1687 and 1707. The churchyard became an open space in 1872 and the church remained until it was bombed in 1940; only the WW2 bombed-out walls of the church still stand. The garden is designed to match the floor plan of the former Wren Church, it has beautiful rosebushes.
A peek of St. Paul's from New Gate Street (doubledecker!) I cross that street to find the Breadbasket Boy (#18 on Secret London Walk) A sculpture dated 1688, depicting a boy and his breadbasket on the corner of Panyer Alley, which was apparently once the centre of London's baking businesses.
A closer look of St. Paul's from Paternoster Square.
Many beautiful buildings and facades on this square, from all ages. I love the sun dial on the corner.
London's first public drinking fountain (1859) at the corner of Old Bailey and Newgate Street, near St Sepulchre-without-Newgate, where I sat down on a bench in the shaded churchyard.
Glorious building across from the historic Old Bailey Courthouse (London's Central Criminal Court, 1673-1913)
That curvy colourful building is Mizuho House, head quarters of Mizuho Bank. This building offers such a nice contrast with its modern design (architecture by Fletcher Priest & Sauerbruch Hutton, 2015).
More facades on my way to the next secret spot...
...St Bride's Church (#15 on Secret London Walk) Its multi-tiered steeple is also said to be the inspiration for the modern wedding cake, after a local cake-maker, Thomas Rich, created a replica in icing.
Walking along Fleetstreet, this area became known for printing and publishing at the start of the 16th century. By the 20th century most British national newspapers operated from here. That big Art Deco Clock is on the side of the former HQ of The Telegraph.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese: Pub from 1667 (#12) Outside, there's a cool painted sign describing how the pub was rebuilt "in the reign of Charles II" with a list of monarchs who have reigned since then.
For the next part of the walk we go from Fleet street through Bouverie Street...
A hidden Pegasus!
As I worked for a small printer's for almost 20 years, I can't get enough of these murals in Magpie Alley (#13 on Secret London Walk) that depict the history of the printing press and newspaper industry in the area.
Tucked down below between buildings you can find Magpie Alley Crypt (#14 on Secret London Walk) - a relic of the White Friars from the 13th century. Apparently, in the mid 16th century, Henry VIII "appropriated" most of the monks' property for his doctor and the crypt was used as a coal cellar. It lay buried for centuries until it was unearthed in 1895.
Tudor street; from there I turn left to get to Temple Street. Pegasus emblem on the gates of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple (professional associations for barristers and judges). This area is named after the Knights Templar, a powerful military religious order of the Middle Ages.
Pegasus emblem on the gates of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple (professional associations for barristers and judges). This area is named after the Knights Templar, a powerful military religious order of the Middle Ages.
I take a sneak peek through the gate (at Victoria Embankment) and discover a fascinating statue in the Temple garden.
That white building is the Inner Temple.
I honestly thought that golden creature was a cow, but the red badge of the Middle Temple features the Lamb of God with a flag bearing the Saint George's Cross.
On the right one of the dragons that was erected (hahaha) to indicate the Western boundary of the City of London (1963 - the dragons were formerly mounted above the entrance of the Coal Exchange which was demolished in 1983)
Ahw, these red phone booths are getting rare in London too *sniffles*
These Green Sheds were built between 1875 and 1914 for black cab drivers. They seated about 10-13 men, with an attendant who would sell food but also cook food brought by cabbies. They could sit, eat and read here (books & newspapers were provided by benefactors). This one at Temple Place was restaurated in 1989. Currently there are 13 of these shelters still functional for the public, they are run by the Cabmen's Shelter Fund.
I bought a massive sausage sandwich at the Green Shed and had lunch underneath the sculpture of Isambard Kingdom Brunel (Civil Engineer 1806-1859)
It's a bit of a maze through tiny alleys to find the Roman Bath (#10 on Secret London Walk)...
Apparently Charles Dickens wrote about this bath in David Copperfield (1850), but its origins are unknown. Earliest written reference is from 1784 in a book by John Pinkerton in which he speaks of a "fine antique bath" These days you're only allowed to take a peek through the window...
Cool architecture in Strandlane.
Abandoned Tube Station (#9 on Secret London Walk) The Strand with the main entrance to old Aldwych station; it was opened in 1907 with the name Strand, after the street on which it is located, and was the terminus of the short Piccadilly line branch. Service was discontinued in 1994. Got a better photo of the exit and second entrance on Surrey Street.
Clement House and the South African High Commission (#6) can you see the elephant in that facade? There are more stone animals to discover on the walls of this building!
That was the last part of the Secret Walk for today; I will continue the quest for the rest of the hidden sights tomorrow. I'm going to my hotel to check in and to get ready for the evening.
The loot I scored on Liverpoolstreet station this morning; of course I got a bunch of delicious bath stuff and I have time for a bubble before dinner:)
I have dinner at Saracen's Carvery (where you can choose your own bit of meat)
Spuds and gravy plus a piece of cake for dessert:)
After that I went to the Leicester Square Theatre for Richard Herring's podcast: RHLSTP!
I had a great spot on the front row! Richard did two very funny interviews, both are available on YouTube: New Zealand stand-up Rose Matafeo and English comedian and presentor Nish Kumar.
Took the tube back to the hotel (Cockfosters, never not funny!) where I treasures all my autographed goodies from RHLSP <3
To be continued! (Then I'll also get to that musical;) J.
Crossposted from https://beelikej.dreamwidth.org/572300.html [
comments] Lurk or comment wherever you like:)