Exploring London is a treasure hunt where every turn can lead to discoveries about ancient mythology, explorers and warriors, famous citizens and everyday heroes. The many layers of the built city are like an onion – as you look at the city you can peel back the centuries to discover unexpected stories and links with today. All you have to do is keep your eyes open and do a little research to understand what you see.
Exploring the streets and alleyways of London will reveal a lot of history. When I write my reports on the art, architecture and history of London, I use the photos I have taken. (If I MUST use a photo that I found online, I will tell the source.)
I always have my camera at hand and I have taken LOTS of photos. I even like to take photos out the airplane window, and sometimes get lucky, as I did with the photo above. The plane approached Heathrow right over central London; it was a clear day, and I was sitting on the right side! If you click on the photo, it will enlarge so you can see the detail better. This works with all the photos I insert in the stories.
16 Old Bailey, City of London – built as offices for Chatham and Dover Railway
When I download them into my computer files, I often see things that I missed in person. For example, when I photographed this building, I missed some iimportant details
Lady with locomotive – 16 Old Bailey, City of London
When I zoomed into to have a closer look, I discovered some decorative detail that told a lot about the history of the building, and also gave my quite a laugh. I think this lady with the little locomotive is very amusing – and she is interesting, too.
I hope you find my stories about London interesting. And I hope it encourages you to get out and explore your own community.
Re “There’s Music Everywhere” and “There’s More Music” – you’ve incorrectly identified some of the instruments. In the first post, all the instruments you’ve called small harps are lyres. The instruments on the Barkers Building are a cello and a trumpet, not a guitar and cornet. The putto on the Criterion is playing a cornet. And that roundel on the Royal College of Organists is almost certainly St Cecilia.
Lovely to see the RAM pediment close up as I studied there 40 years ago.
Your photos of South Sea House are great. Very clear and better than mine taken this morning. Thank you for caring about these places. I am an Aussie on a quest And every clue helps. Thanks.