Category: Architecture/ Archeology

1. Crime and Cream Teas at the Agatha Christie Festival Part I - Greenway

   Posted on 8:00am Tuesday 7th Oct 2014

    

   

    Barnaby

   Greenway was Agatha Christie's beloved holiday home in Devon and seems a good place to start the first installment of my blog about the recent Agatha Christie Festival. This annual crime writing festival takes place in and around Torquay, Agatha's birthplace, each September to coincide with her birthday. Since my last visit in 2011 the festival has certainly grown both in the numbers of visitors and organised events.

2. Spectra in Victoria Tower Gardens - Artwork to Commemorate the Start of WWI in Britain

   Posted on 8:00pm Thursday 7th Aug 2014

   Spectra is a powerful lightbeam illuminating London's iconic skyline for this week only.

   The public are able to view this temporary art installation at the Victoria Tower Gardens, 24 hours a day until Monday 11th August 2014. 

3. The Newly Re-opened Imperial War Museum London - Atrium and First World War Galleries

   Posted on 9:00am Tuesday 22nd Jul 2014

    

   On Saturday 19^th July 2014 the Imperial War Museum London re-opened to the public following a £40 million refurbishment and yesterday I visited with @LondonSE4. Here are some photos of the impressive new atrium and its very poignant First World War Galleries. 

4. The Secret Gardens of Marylebone Part II (including some rather unique toilets)

   Posted on 9:30am Tuesday 24th Jun 2014

   

   Paddington Street Gardens

   In Part II we are looking at Paddington Street Gardens (which includes some public toilets which have some rather unique features) and the gardens of the Wallace Collection, which are a couple of my favourite public open spaces in Marylebone.

5. The Secret Gardens of Marylebone Part I

   Posted on 11:00am Sunday 22nd Jun 2014

   

   Marylebone is one of my favourite parts of London as it has magically retained a village type atmosphere. Although just a short walk from Oxford Street it's less busy and the roads in and round Marylebone High Street and up and coming Chiltern Street are full of fabulous, small and independent shops and delightful cafes, pubs and restaurants. Marylebone also has some beautiful gardens which form the centrepieces to its grand squares. They are known as Key Gardens as they are private, gated gardens which are usually only open to residents or businesses located in the square who have access via their own key or key fob. However these charming gardens are occassionally open to the public, such as during Open Garden Squares weekend, and are worth exploring.

6. Getting inside Alfred Hitchcock�s Head � Well Almost!

   Posted on 1:00pm Tuesday 20th May 2014

   

    Master of Suspense by Antony Donalson (2003)

   The other week in my unending homage to Alfred Hitchcock I went to have a look at his head. The huge, steel, semi submerged head designed by Antony Donaldson, measuring 25m/ 82f x 11m/ 36f x 9m/ 29f, stands in a courtyard surrounded by apartment blocks on the site of the former Gainsborough Studios where Hitch directed some of his early films. 

7. Celebrating John Lewis� 150th Anniversary in Style � Roof Garden and Exhibition

   Posted on 6:00pm Monday 5th May 2014

   

   John Lewis opened his first store at 132 Oxford Street, London on 2^nd May 1864. In celebration of the store’s 150^th anniversary the roof garden and a special exhibition are open to the public from Saturday 3^rd May 2014. 

8. Seeking Out Art Deco Delights - The Hoover Building London's Most Elegant Supermarket?

   Posted on 10:00pm Sunday 20th Apr 2014

   

   Photo by Yannick Pucci

   In Yannick and mine’s quest, *cough* ok our obsession for all things art deco, the other week we out geeked ourselves by visiting a supermarket. Needless to say this was no ordinary shop as the Grade II* Listed Hoover Factory had been on our Must Do list for a while as it is one of the finest art deco buildings in London.

9. New City of London Visitor Trail Map & App Launch

   Posted on 8:00pm Thursday 20th Mar 2014

   

   Fabulous views of the River Thames from Tower Bridge

   Tuesday 18^th March 2014 saw the launch of the New City of London Visitor Trail Map & App at Tower Bridge.

   Yannick Pucci and I were delighted to be one of the 140 invited guests who found out more about the features of this great new app while taking in the magnificent City views. 

10. Rotherhithe to Tower Bridge - A Walk Along the Thames Pathway Part 2

    Posted on 9:00am Tuesday 18th Mar 2014

    

    In Part Two of this blog I continue my journey via the Thames Path to Tower Bridge and on the way saw the remains of Edward III's Manor House and explored the fascinating area known as Horselydown as well as taking in some fabulous views of the London skyline.