If you have ever wandered over onto the roundabout at Hyde Park Corner, you will have seen an arch, but it never occurred to me until reading more about it, that this was to celebrate Wellington’s victory over Napoleon so follows in fact from the Roman tradition of triumphal arches. Today it is known as…
Category: London
Wellington Remembered
With all the furore concerning the upcoming anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo and the Napoleonic Wars, it seemed an appropriate time to visit the Duke of Wellington’s home in Central London – sometimes referred to simply as Number One London. My friend Gill insisted on our walking through the pedestrian tunnels and I am…
Pawprint Series: Wimbledon Common
Every time I come up to town, with my faithful four legged friend in tow, we make a point of visiting Wimbledon Common – it is quite simply the most beautiful oasis of calm in the bustle of South London life. When I lived in London, this was my safety valve and I value it enormously –…
Singular Statues: the KinderTransport
I don’t know about you, but I often walk around London without taking clear note of my surroundings – intent only on reaching my destination. It’s when I arrive early somewhere for a meeting (30 minutes in this instance) that I feel I have the time to look around – and when visiting Liverpool Street…
Lego-fan-tastic: The Art of the Brick
As soon as I saw the word LEGO, I knew I would be hooked but this Art of the Brick exhibit has taken me a little by surprise. I didn’t expect the subtlety, the complexity or the emotional impact of some of the artworks created by these little plastic bricks. Based at London’s Old Truman Brewery…
Singular Statues: Terence Cuneo
When waiting for my train to arrive at Waterloo London the other day, I took a stroll around the station to stretch my legs. Hidden between two fast food stalls, I was surprised to find a large bronze statue, close to the former Eurostar terminal. Closer inspection reveals that it is a 1.5 times larger…
Singular Statues: The Lovers
For me, the interest in this statue is of the entwined couple, standing under the clock at St Pancras International, surrounded by the architectural beauty that is Barlow’s great train shed – the Victorian engineering marvel of its day. This 9 m tall (29.53 ft) statue – more accurately known as The Meeting Place –…
The Renaissance of a Victorian Gem: St Pancras Renaissance Hotel London
My friend said come on over, I have a suite at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel London – and this is the decider phrase – in the old wing. Well, I needed no further encouragement and quickly packed a bag and sped off towards this amazing property saved for the nation by Sir John Betjeman, bless…
A London secret: The Stafford’s WW2 museum
You learn something new every day my mother used to say – and over the past few days, I have found this to be true. Who knew for example about The Stafford hotel’s very own underground museum with links to World War Two? When recently having a drink at London’s alternative American Bar at The Stafford,…
Singular Statures: Isis, Kensington Gardens
As a vervent follower of the Cambridge and Oxford University Boat Race each year (am an Oxford fan), I was intrigued to see on the map of Kensington Gardens a reference to a statue of Isis. Of course I had to see what it was all about and I found it adjacent to the Diana Memorial Fountain, overlooking the lake in…
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