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River Thames

Sep 2nd 2010

By: Cindy

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Old Man River…..just keeps rolling along.
Since the dawning of man, Old Father Thames has been a constant companion, never emptying, always full, sometimes bursting the constraints of it’s banks…..it keeps flowing, endlessly, timeless.

view from the Golden Gallery of St Paul's Cathedral of the endlessly flowing River Thames

The Thames has been a source of food, a vital link in the trade of settlements, villages and towns along it’s long and winding route to the sea, a backdrop to centuries of history and life in southern England.

a source of trade through villages and towns along it's route to the sea

From it’s source in Gloucestershire the Thames charts a 215-mile (346km) course through the valleys and vales of southern England to it’s mouth at Southend, Essex. In contrast to London, where the river swirls and races, deep and dark, it is only a few inches deep and 6 feet wide just before the pictureque village of Cricklade. There are 214 bridges, over 20 tunnels, six public ferries and one ford.
Here in London you can make the most of the river by taking a river cruise with any number of charter companies in the capital.

the River Thames has been used to transport goods and people along it's route for centuries

Try the Duck Tour for a bit of fun by land and river. Take a ride between Richmond and Hampton Court Palace,

a rainbow over the Thames on the banks of the river between Richmond and Twickenham

a trip from central London to Greenwich, home of our illustrious city’s Maritime History.

I love living in a city where a river flows through it. From the first time when I stood on London Bridge back in March 2002, I have had an ongoing love of the river and London. It never ceases to amaze and delight me with it’s different moods; sometimes rushing , swirling and dark, others still and calm.

view of Tower Bridge from the Millenium Bridge near St Paul's Cathedral and Tate Modern

It flows endlessly, fascinating in it’s perpetuity. I recall flying into London one morning returning from a trip to South Africa, the sun was just over the horizon and the river sparkled like a silver thread through the still quiet city…. just incomparably beautiful.

I especially love the river at night when it is a dark, moody ribbon of black velvet, silently rushing by on its way to the sea.

this is absolutely one of my favourite photos of the river....

The Thames River is joined along it’s route by a number of smaller rivers; e.g. the River Effra at Vauhall

the point just before Vauxhall Bridge where the Effra river joins the Thames

Take a walk along the river at Southbank and experience the Thames beach at low tide

low tide on the river Thames.....

Whenever ever you visit, no matter the time of year and even if it is just for 3 days in London, you can always enjoy the Thames, viewing this magnificent river from many a vantage point.

“You can never step into the same river; for new waters are always flowing on to you.” Heraclitus of Ephesus quotes (Greek philosopher remembered for his cosmology, 540-480BC) #quote

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Heraclitus quote, River Thames London
St Pancras Old Church, London

Sep 1st 2010

By: Cindy

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St Pancras Old Church stands on one of Europe’s most ancient site’s of Christian worship, possibly dating back to the early 4th century. The present building has been here since the 11th or 12th century and is situated close to the Fleet River which was culverted in the 19th century.

the wonderful St Pancras Old Church, London

The church has stood here through good times and bad: it was ruinous in the 13th century, rebuilt in the 14th century, half abandoned in the 16th century, restored in the 17th century and again substantially rebuilt in the mid 19th century when the 13th century west tower was dismantled and the new bell tower added.

the west tower of St Pancras Old Church - bell added in 19th Century

During the civil war, the church was used as a barracks and stables for Cromwell’s troops. Before the troop’s arrived the church’s treasures were buried for their protection and then lost, only to be rediscovered during restoration work in the early 19th century. A 6th century altar stone was among the items discovered. Legend has it that the stone belonged to St Augustine of Canterbury.
Little remains of the original medieval church but in the north wall of the nave there is an exposed part of Norman masonry.

remains of the old Norman wall

The church is situated in Lincoln Fields Park, close to the St Pancras University College Hospital.

a wonderful Victorian building - St Pancras University College Hospital

The grounds are dotted with ancient gravestones and masoleums. In the north-east corner of the fields is the Soane Mausoleum. This Grade I Mausoleum was designed by Sir John Soane, the celebrated architect of the Bank of England (1788-1830), the Dulwich PictureGallery (1811-14) and the Holy Trinity Church of Marylebone Road (1824-28). The Mausoleum was erected in 1816 following the death of his wife in 1815 and entombs his wife and son as well as himself.

gthe beautiful mausoleum of the Soane's family. husband, wife and son.

On the south-east side of the fields is The Hardy Tree: The novelist and poet Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) is best known for his novels set in rurual ‘Wessex’, however before turning to writing full time he studied architecture in London from 1862-67 under Mr Arthur Blomfield, an architect based in Covent Garden.

Hardy's Tree - Thomas Hardy laid these tombstones, now part of the tree's roots

During the 1860’s the Midland Railway Line was being built over part of the orginal St Pancras Churchyard. Blomfield was commissioned by the Bishop of London to supervise the proper exhumation of human remains and dismantling of tombs.

He passed this unenviable task onto his protege, Thomas Hardy in c.1865.

Thomas Hardy, poet and author - story of the Hardy Tree

Hardy would have spent many hours in Old St Pancras churchyard during the construction of the railway, overseeing the careful removal of bodies and tombs from the land on which the railway was being built. The headstones around the Ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior) would have been placed here around this time. Note how the tree has since grown in amongst the stones.

note how the roots of the tree have grown around the ancient tombstones

A few years before Hardy’s involvement here Charles Dickens makes reference to Old St Pancras churchyard in his Tale of Two Cities (1859) as the churchyard in which Roger Cly was buried and where Jerry Cruncher was known to ‘fish’ (a 19th century term for tomb robbery and body-snatching).
As you enter through the hospital gates the first thing you see is the The Burdett-Coutts memorial sundial: This elaborate sundial was designed by George Highton of Brixton in the decorative Gothic style and is a Grade II listed structure on English Heritage’s list of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic interest.

the very lovely Burdett-Coutts memorial sundial

It was unveiled in 1879 by Baroness Burdett-Coutts (1814-1906) one of the great Victorian philantrophists who sought to rid London of it’s slums. One of the richest women in the mid 19th-century and widely respected for her undying generosity and piety, she was known as the ‘Queen of the Poor’ and ‘Nursing-Mother of the Church of England’. She was the first woman to be given a peerage in 1871 and was buried in Westminster Abbey in honour of her charitable services. The memorial is constructed of Portland stone, marble, granite and red Mansfield stone with extensive mosaic enrichment depicting flowers and the seasons. The spire includes a sundial, relief carvings of St Pancras and St Giles and a list of eminent persons buried in the churchyard. The whole structure is enclosed with cast-iron railings with stone statues on pedestals at each corner thought to have been modelled on Baroness Burdett-Coutts’ own collie dog.

statue of the collie dog....I thought it looked more like a lion

I find these old churches and accompanying churchyards filled with ancient graves to be endlessly fascinating. The memorials and masoleums are incredibly ostentatious and flamboyant with relief carvings.

flambouyant tombs in the churchyard of St Pancras Old Church

St Pancras Old Church continues to function as the Anglican Parish Church for this part of London. The interior of the church is wonderful, the walls lined with amazing memorials. The Victorians were far more extravagant with their memorials than we are there days and the churchyards offer fabulous view into the lives of those days.

wonderful memorials in the church interior

I am not in any way religious and enjoy these old churches for the historical rather than religious stories, and yet the iconography of these old churches always leave me filled with awe, so filled with spirituality that they are.

the beautiful interior of St Pancras Old Church

an old picture of St Pancras Old Church as it was in 1827 with the Fleet River in the foreground

picture of St Pancras Old Church with Fleet River in the foreground - and yes that is my reflection

how the area looks today - the road where the river used to be

a map of the grounds - showing the church on the right side and the hospital on the left

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ancient churches of London, St Pancras Old Church
Madame Tussauds

Aug 31st 2010

By: Cindy

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A visit to Madame Tussauds, London

Madame Tussauds London - Marylebone Street (off Baker Street)

Experience the glittering world of fame and be wowed as you mingle or interact with some of the world’s most famous figures. Who would you like to meet? As you journey down the red carpet start with a photoshoot…pose for the paparazzi before you come face to face with some of your favourite celebrities from the world’s of sport, music and royalty.
From France to Britain: The lady who became known as Madame Tussaud was born as Marie Grosholtz. With roots dating back to the Paris of 1770, she learned her skills; modelling wax likenesses under the tutelage of her mentor, one Dr Philippe Curtius in the years leading up to the French revolution.

high on the building housing the exhibits is a wall plaque with a bust relief of Madame Tussaud

At the tender age of 17 she became art tutor to King Louis XVI’s sister at the Palace of Versailles. During the French Revolution she was hastily forced to prove her allegience to the feudalistic nobles by making the death masks of executed aristocrats.
Madame Tussaud came to Britain in the early 19th Century alongside a travelling exhibition of revolutionary relics and effigies of public heroes and rogues at a time when news was communicated largely by word of mouth. Madame Tussaud’s exhibition was a kind of travelling newspaper, providing insight into global events.
In 1835 Madame Tussaud’s exhibition established a permanent base in London as the Baker Street Bazaar. People paid sixpence to meet the biggest names of the day and in 1884 the attraction moved to its present site in Marylebone Road.

facade of the building that houses the exhibits of Madame Tussauds

In the 20th century Madame Tussauds’ role began to change thanks to the rapid growth of both popular tabloid press and public literacy. It came through some major upheavals, surviving near destruction by fire (1925), earthquake (1931) and World War II ‘Blitz’ bombing (1940.)

the more popular view of Madame Tussauds in London, as seen walking towards the building from Baker Street Station

Today, Madame Tussauds combines its diverse history with the relentless glamour, intrigue and infamy of 21st century celebrity. Some of Madame Tussauds’ original work and earliest relics are still on display in London, including the death masks she was forced to make during the French Revolution and the Guillotine that beheaded Marie Antoinette. You can marvel at what is possibly the earliest example of animatronics –‘Sleeping Beauty’ – a breathing likeness of Louis XV’s sleeping mistress Madame du Barry sculpted in 1763; the attraction’s oldest figure on display.
Open daily from 9.30am – 5.30pm. If you want to visit, it is as well that you book ahead as the queues can be very long (and tedious), especially in summer.
Nearest tube station: Baker Street – Bakerloo, Jubilee, Hammersmith & City, Circle & Metropolitan lines. ( you have a wide choice here). for more info on the tube lines, click here.
Train: Marylebone station (10 minute walk)

From Madame Tussaud’s you can take a ticket to ride on the Hop-On Hop-off buses that will take you on a magical tour of the city.

things to do in London, what to see when in London

Madame Tussauds
London by boat – River Thames Boat Services

Aug 30th 2010

By: Cindy

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River Thames Boat Services
Places of interest to visit by boat

A visit to London would not be complete without a trip along the river. London is a maritime city and it’s history and development has been intertwined with the Thames throughout the ages.

take a river boat cruise on the Thames for a different view of London

There are many places of interest and perhaps with only 3 days in London you may not have time to visit them all, but fear not….just a trip in one of the boats alone is worth fitting in to your schedule.
However, if you do have the time then travelling on the river provides a relaxing way of getting around, starting west of London Central and flowing east along the river Thames as it winds through the city, these are places where you can hop-on or off of a boat and what you can see at some of the stops along the way!

MILLBANK MILLENNIUM PIER
Tate Briain

Millbank Millenium Pier - for a visit to Tate Britain

WESTMINSTER MILLENNIUM PIER
Houses of Parliament
St Stephen’s Tower (Big Ben)
Westminster Abbey
Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Room

Westminster Millenium Pier in foreground & London Eye Millenium Pier on far bank

LONDON EYE MILLENNIUM PIER
London Eye
BFI Imax Cinema
Dali Universe
London Aquarium
Southbank Centre
Florence Nightingale Museum

EMBANKMENT PIER
Cleopatra’s Needle
Trafalgar Square
Covent Garden
London Transport Museum

FESTIVAL PIER
Southbank Centre
National Theatre
BFI Imax Cinema

BLACKFRIARS MILLENNIUM PIER
St Paul’s Cathedral

BANKSIDE PIER
Shakespeare’s Globe
Clink Museum
Vinopolis City of Wine
Tate Modern

LONDON BRIDGE CITY PIER
HMS Belfast
London Dungeon
Hay’s Galleria
Britain at War Experience
Old Operating Theatre
Southwark Cathedral
Clink Museum
City Hall

TOWER MILLENNIUM & ST KATHERINE’S PIER
Tower of London
Tower Bridge Experience
St Katharine’s Dock

CANARY WHARF PIER
Canary Wharf Tower
Isle of Dogs (not really an island)

GREENWICH PIER
National Maritime Museum
Royal Naval College
Royal Observatory
Greenwich Park
Greenwich Market

QE11 PIER
The O2 (aka The Millennium Dome)

WOOLWICH ARSENAL PIER
Royal Artillery Museum
Firepower and Heritage Centre

What you need to know before boarding one of the boats:
Buy your ticket before you board (except for some services where you can buy your ticket on the boat)
Under 5’s travel for free
Senior Citizen rates apply to those of pensionable age
Travelcard holders – many operators offer 1/3 off normal advertised adult and child fares on production of a valid Travelcard.
Many river boats offer mobility-impaired access and newer river craft have accessible toilet facilities.

Many of the central tube stations have free booklets on display near the ticket booths. These booklets give you the times and fares of the different services.

Enjoy and make the most of your 3 Days in London
for online information go to http://www.tfl.gov.uk

or for a whole heap of fun on land and river….you could take a Duck Tour for a completely different experience!

for a completely different experience......by land

......and water. Enjoying a Duck Tour on the River Thames

getting around London, things to do in London, what to see when in London

duck tours, River Thames Cruises
Churchill War Rooms and The Battle of Britain 1940

Aug 29th 2010

By: Cindy

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”Never was so much owed by so many to so few”. Winston Churchill – The Prime Minister

picture of Winston Churchill on the far right. this photo hangs in the foyer of the War Rooms

2010 marks the 70th anniversary of The Battle of Britain – the Battle fought over Britain the summer of 1940, generally agreed to be between the 10th July and 31st October 1940. On 28th August 2010, a Hurricane and Spitfire flew over parts of England and the English channel, that saw some of the fiercest aerial combats, on a commemorative flight alongside an Airbus A320, as part of the Battle of Britain 70th anniversary celebrations. Fourteen Battle of Britain veterans took to the skies in this special memorial flight accompanied for part of the way by a Spitfire and Hurricane from the period. The battle for air supremacy, involving 71 Fighter Command squadrons and allies from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and across Europe, between the RAF and the Luftwaffe in 1940 was a decisive chapter in WW2.

a replica of the iconic Spitfire Mk1 that fought in the skies over Britain and Europe during WW2

Last week, while I was on walkabout through London, part of my journey took me past the Churchill War Rooms, situated off Horse Guards Parade, between King Charles Street and Parliament Square. Today the Churchill War Rooms, are an outstanding place to explore life on the home front, as you wander through the Cabinet War Rooms which operated round the clock from the beginning of the war in 1939 to its end in August 1945.

Churchill War Rooms - situated below ground under the War Offices off Horse Guards Parade

I was thrilled to see a replica Spitfire Mk1 outside on the pavement. (I was also dismayed to discover that the day after my visit they hosted an anniversary event! if I had but known……..) However, at the time I did not, so with that depressing knowledge still in the future, I made my way downstairs to have a quick peek. I did not go on the tour this time around as my time was limited, but from what I did see….it looks awesome….I will be back. While I was underground I saw this photo hanging on the wall… one of the most endearing and iconic photos of the war.

like a phoenix arising from the ashes....St Paul's Cathedral photographed during WW2

I spent a few more minutes looking around and then made my way back aboveground and into the present, where I enjoyed some time admiring and photographing the Spitfire.

a replica of the iconic Spitfire Mk1, on display in front of the Churchill War Rooms

a story board in front of the Spitfire telling the story...in brief

On the same pavement area and just a few feet away is this heart-breakingly beautiful memorial to the 202 people who lost their lives in the October 12th, 2002 Bali bombing. It is greatly upsetting to see the ages of the victims, as young as 18 years.

a heart-breakingly beautiful memorial to the 202 innocent lives lost.... a place of peace and quiet contemplation

This is one of the traits of Britain that I truly love…… the memorials that dot the city and the country; memorials to people who lost their lives in acts of terrorism or acts of nature and accidents. Lest we forget………….

The Churchill War Rooms can be found just off King Charles Street between Horse Guards Parade and Parliament Street.

the entrance to the Churchill War Rooms view from across Horse Guards Road, just outside St James's Park

The Old War Office, a magnificent building designed in the baroque style, served as the centre of all military affairs in the British empire between the late 18th Century and 1963, the decisions made in this building completely changed the world forever, painting a 3rd of the world pink, then eventually creating the commonwealth and dismantling the empire.

a statue of Lord Mountbatten in an enclosed garden situted between The Old War Offices and Horse Guards Parade

It was from these rooms that the First World War battles were masterminded and the Second World War was won. (and no it’s not an illusion, the buildings do appear to be lopsided…they are not…it’s my photo! I have no idea why, perhaps coz I took it while in a hurry).
nearest tube station: Westminster – Jubilee Line

Churchill War Rooms, Clive Steps, King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AQ
Open daily 9.30am – 6.00pm – last admission 5.oopm (closed 24, 25 and 26 December) There is an entrance fee.

London, getting around London, history of London, things to do in London, what to see when in London

Churchill War Rooms
The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom

Aug 28th 2010

By: Cindy

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A couple of weeks ago I was walking around Westminster enjoying a bit of sight-seeing, mostly the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. I had decided to take a photo of the statue of Abraham Lincoln that is at the far end of Parliament Square.

the statue of Abraham Lincoln that stands in front of the Supreme Court Building. This is a replica of a work by the American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens which is located in Lincoln Park, Chicago

As I crossed the road at the traffic light I suddenly noticed the very beautiful facade of the building to my left….

The Supreme Court; carvings above the entramce

This amazing building just happened to be The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom! Oh! my word….it is beautiful. I had never noticed it before, but for sure now that I had….it was time to explore. I stepped into the foyer and to my delight discovered that we, the public, we free to visit and walk about. Wow, this building should be added to London’s listed of hidden gems!

The building has three storeys, a basement and dormered attic storey with a steep hipped roof which is nine bays wide. The entrance is a segmental arched deep set portal with great segmental arched window above, framed by canted bay turrets (English Heritage listing description).

sculptures on the left-hand side of the Supreme Court entrance

A tower, with large arched windows and lofty stone chimney stacks, rises above the building to the same height as the nearby parish church of St Margaret. The exterior is decorated with fine stone carvings and parapets and dormers that mirror Barry and Pugin’s Palace of Westminster.

carvings on the right-hand side of the entrance

The Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal in the United Kingdom. It plays an important role in the development of our law, deciding points of law of the greatest public importance. The Supreme Court was established by the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, and sat for the first time in October 2009. The Court now undertakes the work previously carried out by the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords.

The Supreme Court is housed in the former Middlesex Guildhall, on a site which has been directly linked with justice and the law for nearly a millenium. The site is highly symbolic, chosen to represent the United Kingdom’s separation of powers. From Saxon times this area was known as Thorney Island, offering sanctuary for fugitives in the precincts of Westminster Abbey. The present building was completed in 1913, and is the third courthouse or Guildhall to heav been built on the site since 1807.

I was lucky enough to be able to tour the floors and even had a peek inside the number 1 court of the land Awesome.

Court Number 1 of The Supreme Court

The ceiling is beautifully decorated with restored Middlesex Guildhall light fittings,

ceiling detail of Court #1

the bench arms are carved with fabulous animal shapes

beautifully carved armrests

and feature original carved bench ends.

bench ends - featuring King Henry VIII

Inset along the walls of the graceful curving staircase, which is just beautiful,

gracefully curved staircase

feature magnificent stained glass windows depicting The Middlesex coat of arms amongst others.

The Middlesex coat of arms in stained glass

This consists of three saxon seaxes (curved knives) below a saxon crown and the three ribbons bear the names of rivers marking the boundaries of the historic counties. On the 2nd floor is a beautiful stained glass window looking out onto Parliament Square.

beautiful stained glass window on the 2nd floor

The foyer is beautiful, white marble and glass, creating a lovely space of light. To the left of the entrance is the Middlesex Regimental War Memorial.

I would highly recommend a visit to this fabulous building, even it is just to enjoy the dignified atmosphere.

another stained glass window

beautifully restored stained glass window

This beautiful building is to be found over the road from Westminster Abbey if you are standing with Westminster Abbey behind you and Houses of Parliament on the right of you. Nearest tube station is Westminster on the Jubilee line. Enjoy! Hope you manage to fit it in even f you only have 3 days in London.

London, free things to do in London, history of London, things to do in London, what to see when in London

hidden gems, The Supreme Court
V&A aka Victoria & Albert Museum

Aug 28th 2010

By: Cindy

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I went walkabout in London yesterday, something that I do as often as possible since I live here and have more than just 3 Days in London. I am often delighted by the hidden gems that are found off the beaten track. Yesterday I decided to visit the big name museums in South Kensington since I have not been for a while. First stop was the Natural History Museum.

Natural History Museum, South Kensington

To my dismay I noted that there was a massive queue and since I am not partial to standing for hours in a queue I decided to continue instead to the V&A.

Victoria and Albert Museum, aka V&A, South Kensington

It is probably about 5 years since I last visited the V&A, yeah I know… shame on me! It’s right on my doorstep…..ok well not quite, but almost So anyhow, it was with a huge sigh of relief and not a little bit of delight that I noted….no queue. Now that’s more like it! Well…..all I can say is that this was heaven re-visited. My memory of the last visit was that it was overcrowded and quite dark. I am not sure, but it looks like they may have had an overhaul. It is fabulous and although it seems to play 2nd fiddle to the British Museum……it certainly should be top of the London attractions.

Stepping into the foyer I was reminded of the exhuberant glass exhibit hanging from the ceiling. a great prelude to what was to come.

Victoria and Albert Museum foyer - Chihuly glass chandelier

I enjoyed a very happy 4 hours meandering about, visiting displays that left me gasping with delight and awe. They have a huge number of fascinating exhibits and hall filled with wonderous delights of stained glass,

stained glass exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum

priceless silver treasures,

silver exhibits at the V&A Museum

awesome pieces of art that were created hundreds and in some instances thousands of years ago. The Japanese

Japanese Pagoda - V&A Museum

and Chinese exhibits are wonderous. I walked till my feet ached and still did not get my fill. In one of the halls is a more current exhibit named ‘ 1:1 – Artchitects Build Small Spaces’ - fascinating pieces which are interactive and you are allowed to explore (you have to remove your shoes first ).

small spaces - detail of exhibit

small spaces exhibit at the V&A

small spaces exhibit at the V&A

Sadly the Small Spaces exhibition ends on 29th August, so if you have not yet been….I can highly recommend that you go. The other exhibits will still be there and the V&A is free to visit, however they do depend on donations to continue purchasing items of delight and ancient history as well as for the upkeep. Give generously….we are blessed to have such a magnificent treasure. The building itself is worth the visit with a fabulous facade and the enormous crown that tops the main entrance, looking quite over the top and yet incredibly beautiful.

the crown on the top; V&A Museum in South Kensington

the crown on the roof of the Victoria and Albert Museum viewed from the silver exhibit hall

The Victoria and Albert Museum is situated in South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL. There is a lovely restaurant acrosss the equally lovely courtyard where you can enjoy a meal in fabulous surroundings.

fabulous surroundings at the V&A restaurant

Nearest tube station is South Kensington on the Circle, District and Piccadilly Lines and is a short walk away. The museum can be accessed via an underground tunnel, that is wide enough for loads of people to move easily and brightly lit. The entrances to the various museums are well sign-posted. Enjoy! And if you do visit be sure to leave a comment and tell us what you enjoyed most.

London, free things to do in London, history of London, things to do in London, what to see when in London

Chihuly glass chandelier at the V&A, V&A, Victoria and Albert Museum
Toad Hall at The Scoop

Aug 27th 2010

By: Cindy

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I finally got my wish….clear skies at 6pm! The reason I was so keen for this today is that I wanted to see Toad Hall at The Scoop!

Toad Hall at The Scoop

To say that I was absolutely enchanted by this delightful play would be an understatement. A fun, silly, riotuous play with characters from Kenneth Graham’s ‘Wind in the Willows’. The Scoop is situated at More London Riverside, between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, London, SE1 2DB on the south bank of The Thames. The reference to our delightful Mayor Boris Johnson, is unmistakable, and the players send him up in the most amusing way! The colours, fun and energy definitely appeal to children, but the humour was definitely for the adult palate. I thorough enjoyed the play which only lasts for an hour……and it is an hour of delight! A must to see before it finishes on 5 September. You can still see it this weekend on Saturday and Sunday and next week Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 5th being the last show. The play is FREE and all they ask is for a small donation after to allow them to continue to wonderful tradition next year.

Nearest tube stations: Tower Hill on the District & Circle Lines or London Bridge on the Northern Line. Personally I would recommend that you go via Tower Hill and walk alongside the Tower of London and the over the river via Tower Bridge to the Southbank and to The Scoop. This route will give you the best of many of London’s wonderful sights: the Tower of London, remnants of the ancient London wall, a view of the Tower of London that is 2nd to none, and a walk across our iconic Tower Bridge with it’s delightful view of the River Thames. Enjoy and if you only have 3 Days in London be sure to make the most of it.

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More London, The Scoop, Toad Hall
Barclays Cycle Hire

Aug 27th 2010

By: Cindy

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At 3 Days in London we are always out and about and looking for fun things to do and see. Yesterday, as mentioned in my post for Sherlock Holmes, I happened to be in the Baker Street area. While walking around looking for interesting buildings etc to photograph I walked past Barclays Bank……and lo and behold right outside their branch in Baker Street I saw a row of the new bicycles; a new scheme set up by our fabulous Mayor - Boris Johnson in conjunction with Barclays. These particular bicycle stands are in fact situated in Crawford Street rather than Baker Street, and a fine sight they make too.

a row of Barclays Bicycles in Crawford Street, just off Baker Street.

As I approached, a fellow was in the process of procuring one for his journey and off he went. (I did not photograph him….he may have been offended) . So instead I just photographed the bikes themselves. I think this is such a fabulous idea and although I have yet to try one for myself, I have seen many people of all ages pedalling around the city. Such a brilliant idea. A great way too for tourists to get around and see the city…..if they can dare to brave our busy streets!

For more information about the bicycles visit this site! You do have to register and on the site there is a map to show you where they are located and how to go about becoming a member. Journeys under 30 minutes are free and there is a code of conduct icon which you can have a look at too. If you do decided to use the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme, be sure to leave us a comment at 3 Days in London and tell us about your experience. Have fun!!

London, getting around London, things to do in London

Barclays Cycle Hire. getting around London, transport for london
Sherlock Holmes

Aug 26th 2010

By: Cindy

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“It was a September evening, and not yet seven o’clock, but the day had been a dreary one, and a dense drizzly fog lay low upon the great city. Mud-colored clouds drooped sadly over the muddy streets. Down the Strand the lamps were but misty splotches of diffused light which threw a feeble circular glimmer upon the slimy pavement. The yellow glare from the shop-windows streamed out into the steamy, vaporous air, and threw a murky, shifting radiance across the crowded thoroughfare. There was, to my mind, something eerie and ghost-like in the endless procession of faces which flitted across these narrow bars of light,–sad faces and glad, haggard and merry. Like all human kind, they flitted from the gloom into the light, and so back into the gloom once more.” from ‘The Sign of the Four’ by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (creator of the mythical figure – Sherlock Holmes)

Sherlock Holmes in typical pose

I took a trip into London today to meet up with a friend for coffee (well actually I had hot chocolate ). We had arranged to meet at Baker Street station in front of the statue of Sherlock Holmes that stands a few feet away from the entrance of the station in Marylebone Street

Sherlock Holmes - Marylebone Street near Baker Street station

“It was a wet rainy day, the gloom hung heavy in the air. A soft rain fell persistently, creating dank, dark puddles of viscous water. Pedestrians, their faces reflecting the gloom of the day hurried by, desperate and harried as they rushed to their destinations, eager to step out the wet”. (thats my contribution!) and yes, it was a wet, rainy day today and thats pretty much how it was albeit still August….but I was in no hurry… I had photos to take. So after meeting with my friend I made my way along the wet pavements to the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221b Baker Street to see for myself, this famous address.

Sherlock Holmes Museum

Although the address is indeed fictitious and purely the invention of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, it is fun to see this famous house where apparently Sherlock Holmes solved so many of his mysteries. The address 221b boasts the doorbell that Sherlock Holmes supposedly used.

221b Baker Street - home of Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes and Dr John H Watson lived at 221b Baker Street between 1881-1904, according to the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Sherlock Holmes lived here 1881 -1904

The house was last used as a lodging house in 1936 and the famous 1st floor study overlooking Baker Street is still faithfully maintained as it was kept in Victorian Times. I managed to catch a glimpse of the interior of the house and it is beautifully appointed in the style of the times.

interior of 221b Baker Street - home of Sherlock Holmes

The museum looks like it could be really fun to visit; the admission price is currently £6.00 per adult and £4.00 for children. Opening times 9.30am – 6pm daily except Christmas Day when it is closed.

Nearest tube station is Baker Street on Jubilee, Bakerloo, Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City Lines. Exit into Baker Street, turn right and walk towards the end of the block cross over and next to the beatles memorabilia shop is the museum. To see the statue, exit into Marylebone Street and turning to your left walk along the pavement where you will see the statue….. you can’t miss it. Enjoy and have fun on your 3 days in London.

Hints and tips, London, getting around London, things to do in London, what to see when in London

221b Baker Street, Sherlock Homes
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