The reasons for continuing to remember those who gave their lives for freedom never rang so vividly true for me than with this single snapshot taken yesterday near Southsea Common, Portsmouth. An elderly man was photographed looking for his friend’s names on the cenotaph by the seafront by a young journalist. The hack then shook…
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…
KP is Kensington Gardens most precious gem
KP or Kensington Palace, situated within Kensington Gardens, is one of its most precious gems. It is restrained yet exuberant and well worth visiting if you are addicted, like I am, to Lucy Worsley’s BBC4 series on The First Georgians – all geared to celebrate 300 years since the Hanoverians were invited to take over…
A Regal Day Out
This summer why not head on over to Arundel Castle for a truly regal experience. A Castle has stood guard over the people of Arundel since 1067, when on Christmas day William the Conqueror’s most loyal baron, Roger de Montgomery was awarded a third of Sussex. One of the longest inhabited country homes in England – the seat to the Dukes of Norfolk – there are a…
Five of the Best: Southern England’s Country Estates
Having been a recent convert to the National Trust and English Heritage, I find myself seeking out places to visit during the weekend and here are some of my favourites. My enthusiasm, as you will see, has even led me to visit independently owned properties too! Little gems all. If you visit Goodwood House for the…
When a dream became a reality: Zaha Hadid at Vitra
One of the many highlights of the architectural tour of the Vitra Campus just outside Basel in Weil am Rhein, Germany, (a bus ride from Basel) is the chance to view the first building ever constructed by noted architectect, Zaha Hadid. Vitra, being the design centric company that it is, took the innovative decision to collaborate with key…
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