Category: Transport

1. Alfred Hitchcock's East End Mosaics

   Posted on 9:00am Tuesday 11th Feb 2014

   

   Rebecca

   Alfred Hitchcock is without a Shadow of a Doubt one of the most influential film directors of all time. He was born at 517 High Road, Leytonstone, East London on 13th August 1899 and there are 17 fabulous Hitchcock themed mosaics at Leytonstone Tube Station to commemorate this. 

   The Rebecca mosaic, above, features the nameless heroine with the creepy Mrs Danvers. A nice touch is that St John's Church, a nearby Leytonstone landmark features in the background. 

2. Brick City - Iconic Landmarks in Lego

   Posted on 7:30am Tuesday 29th Oct 2013

   

    St Pancras International Station - the backdrop of the white walls make the model's details really stand out

   One of my favourite things in London this year so far was seeing the charming miniature scale Lego version of St Pancras International Station made by Warren Elsmore, which was on display back in May at Waterstones Piccadilly. It was the perfect treat for me as it combined my love of Lego and architecture.

   I was therefore delighted to discover that the model is on display again in London at "Brick City" at the arts depot until Saturday 2 November 2013. This small, free exhibition includes other iconic landmarks from London and around the world all made from Lego. It is featured by the Family Arts Festival as just one of the fun events taking place during the half term school 

3. Grahame-White Watch Office - Exploring the RAF Museum London Part II

   Posted on 9:00am Tuesday 10th Sep 2013

   

    The original wooden cantilevered staircase - note the carved decoration on the newel post (the vertical post at the bottom of the banister)

   Last week I made a return visit to the RAF Museum London this time introducing its delights to my friends @ypldn, @franpickering and @kathrynsdaniels. During our visit we were shown around the Grahame-White Watch Office by one of the museum's volunteers.

   The office which was built in 1915 was part of the Grahame-White factory, the UK's first purpose-built aircraft factory. It was located at the time on the London Aerodrome in Hendon. During World War I the site was used by the military and after that by the RAF until it closed in 1987. Both the factory and Watch Office were later dismantled and re-constructed on its present site. A clip of “Brick By Brick: Rebuilding Our Past” a television documentary featuring Dan Cruickshank showing the restoration of the buildings can be seen here.

4. Exploring the RAF Museum London

   Posted on 9:30am Sunday 4th Aug 2013

   

    Blériot XI in the Milestones of Flight Gallery - named after Louis Blériot, the first person to cross the English Channel in an aeroplane

   Although I have often travelled past it I had to admit that until recently I had never visited the RAF Museum in Hendon. The first thing that hit me when I arrived was the sheer scale of the place, it is massive housing over 100 aircraft housed within five galleries. The display is impressive and varied, there really is something for everyone and you don't need to be an enthusiast to spend a few enjoyable hours there.

5. The Royal Mews: More than just Posh Stables

   Posted on 10:50am Wednesday 26th Jun 2013

   

   Mail Coach

   The Royal Mews provides road transport for The Queen and members of the Royal Family. It houses an impressive collection of historic carriages and motor vehicles. It is a busy, working stables which was very evident when I visited earlier this week with friends Yannick Pucci and Fran Pickering as one of the first things we saw was the departure of the daily messenger Brougham, the royal mail coach that has been collecting and delivering post between Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace since 1843.

6. St Pancras International Station In Lego

   Posted on 11:30pm Wednesday 15th May 2013

    St Pancras International Station in Lego

   At present there is a treat in store at Waterstones Piccadilly for anyone who loves Lego. To coincide with the publication of "Brick City: LEGO for Grown Ups" by Warren Elsmore there is an amazing miniature scale version of St Pancras International Station made from Lego bricks, complete with working clock. 

7. Little Venice, its Canalway Cavalcade, History & Architecture

   Posted on 9:30pm Sunday 5th May 2013

   

   It’s uncertain where the name "Little Venice" came from and even though you’re unlikely to see any gondolas, it’s a title that well suits this area with its attractive waterways.

   For most of the year Little Venice is one of the most charming and tranquil corners in London but on the first bank holiday weekend in May (Saturday 4th - Monday 6th May 2013) the area is transformed with the vibrant and colourful Canalway Cavalcade, a unique waterways festival. It is organised by the IWA (Inland Waterways Association). More information about the IWA can be found on their website here.

8. The Agatha Christie Trail in London & Torquay

   Posted on 7:00am Thursday 14th Mar 2013

   

   Agatha Christie Memorial - London

   The London memorial to Agatha Christie by Ben Twiston-Davies is cleverly designed  in the shape of a book reflecting her status as one of the world’s best selling authors.

   The bronze memorial was unveiled on 18^th November 2012 to coincided with The Mousetrap's 60th anniversary celebrations. 

   It is located close to Leicester Square Tube Station at the junction of Cranbourn Street and Great Newport Street, in the heart of London’s theatreland. 

9. Spotlight on... Covent Garden Piazza

   Posted on 6:26am Wednesday 27th Feb 2013

   

   The elegant Piazza, an Italianate styled main square, is Covent Garden's centrepiece. It’s the heart of a vibrant area offering a wide choice of theatres, shops, restaurants, cafes and public houses.

   Free daily shows by the entertaining street performers take place by the portico (porch) of St Paul’s Church and inside the Central Market House. 

10. The Utterly Charming St Albans Signal Box

    Posted on 6:30am Tuesday 12th Feb 2013

    

    St Albans is best known for its magnificent cathedral but if you’ve travelled there by train you might have noticed the historic St Albans Signal Box adjacent to the station. This cheerful yellow and maroon painted building always puts a smile on my face as I travel past it so I was delighted to find out that there are regular free open days throughout the year.

    The Signal Box is Grade II listed and dates back to 1892, replacing an earlier one on the site. It is a prefabricated wooden building, meaning that it was built off site, and at a later time the building was extended with the idea to house more levers but they were never installed. It closed in 1979 and has since been restored and opened to the public thanks to the volunteers from the St Albans Signal Box Preservation Trust.