Meath Memorial, Christ Church & the Memorial Cross, Lancaster Gate

Lancaster Gate

The square at Lancaster Gate is the focal point of a large residential estate, laid out in the late 1860s by the speculative developer Henry de Bruno Austin. The estate reputedly take sits name from the nearby north gate into Hyde Park, which honours Queen Victoria, the Duchess of Lancaster.

The square was refurbished by Westminster City Council in 2002 and creates a new setting for the restored Memorial Cross.

Bayswater Road follows the route of a Roman Road 'Via Trinobantia'. The area was predominantly farmland until the 19th century.

The botanist and playwright John Hill had his physic garden here until 1775. In 1795, the locality flourished as the Bayswater Tea Gardens, famous for its springs and salubrious air. Later, the name was changed to the Flora Tea Gardens and then Victoria Tea Gardens which finally closed in 1854 for comprehensive development.

Lancaster Gate is a fine example of a mid-Victorian London development. The layout and scale of its long imposing terraces represent Bayswater's most ambitious architectural achievement.

The Grade II listed stuccoed terraces are richly ornamented with classical porticoes, colonnaded balconies and console cornicing.. The terraces south of Lancaster Gate are the work of architect Sancton Wood. Those to the north, adjacent to the former Christ Church, are the work of architect John Johnson.

Meath Memorial

The monument at the junction with Bayswater Road is the Meath Memorial.

The memorial was designed by Hermon Cawthra RA and commemorates Reginald Brabazon, 12th Earl of Meath (1841-1929). It was unveiled in 1934. The Earl of Meath was actively engaged in social and philanthropic work. He was the first chairman of the Young Men's Friendly Society, first President of the British College of Physical Education, and founder and first President of the Lad's Drill Association.

Lord Meath was also the first chairman of both the London County Council Parks Committee and the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association.

Steps in the memorial lead to a tall pedestal with a portrait medallion together with a domed top surmounted by the figure of a seated boy.

The monument is Grade II listed.

'Chiswick': A Harland & Wolff 'Large Woolwich' type Cargo Ship

Monday April 21, 2025.

As much as I love walking through London, I also enjoy walking along the Grand Union Canal.

So it was that I came across this piece of London maritime history, while walking towards Hillingdon, along the Grand Union Canal. 

What caught my eye was the legend 'Harland & Wolff'. As I approached the vessel I could see a man standing beside it. After a quick introduction, his name is Mark, he told me a little about the narrowboat and allowed me to take some photographs of the signage and Harland & Wolff plaque.

He explained that it was one of the last working cargo ships on the Grand Union Canal and that part of the area, beneath the canvas, had now been converted, so that he could live on it. I then bid him farewell and continued on my way.

It is a beautiful craft and looks pretty good at 88 years and 1 day old.

History

London has always had a long history of shipbuilding, with the Port of London being one of the most important strategic maritime locations for over 2,000 years.

Over the centuries many companies moved, or opened, new facilities along the banks of the River Thames.

King Henry VIII created the first permanent dockyards at Woolwich. Then, over the centuries, more shipbuilders began to move to the River Thames, owing to the safety of the river and the Port of London. These companies included Ditchburg & Mare, Russell's, Samuda Brothers, Thames Ironworks, Watson & Company, Wigram's and Yarrow to name just a few.

One of the most famous names to appear, along the River Thames, was Harland & Wolff, of RMS Titanic fame, whose North Woolwich yard was the largest in London. They also had another six Harland & Wolff repair yards spread along the river at London, Millwall, Surrey and West India Docks.

Their North Woolwich yard had workshops for boiler making, French polishing, sail making, upholstery and a large forge.

The yard was also used for repairs to vessels, including warships. 

St Mary-at-Lambeth Church and Tower

Standing beside Lambeth Palace is all that remains of St Mary-at-Lambeth church. Or, more correctly, its tower.

There has been a church on this site since before 1086, while Lambeth Palace opened in 1435.

In 1851 the church was demolished, with the exception of the tower, and rebuilt, so that more seats could be added. This Middle Ages inspired building remained in use until 1972. 

At the base of the tower, is an immersion font. Archbishop of Canterbury Edward Benson (1883-1896) appointed his close friend John Reeve as the Rector of St Mary's, in 1894. Reeve commissioned this font in Benson's memory. It is one of only two known examples of an immersion font to be found in an Anglican church.

The tower is still accessible to visitors who, for a small fee, can climb the 131 steps to the roof of the tower.

'Whale on the Wharf (Skyscraper)' by Jason Klimoski and Lesley Chang

Canary Wharf is home to over 100 pieces of public art, spread across the site from Westferry, in the west, to Wood Wharf in the east. 

Some of these works were purchased, while others were commissioned or are on loan to the Canary Wharf Group.

The latest piece to join this collection is 'Whale on the Wharf (Skyscraper)'. It was designed by Jason Klominski and Lesley Chang, from the architecture and design firm StudioKCA, with the aid of the Hawaii Wildlife Fund.

Standing at 11m (36ft), or four storeys tall, and weighing 5 tonnes, this permanent artwork shows the whale breaking the surface of the water, arching its back as if it is going to crash down on the footpath beside Wood Wharf.

The piece is made from plastic, washed up on Hawaiian beaches, in an effort to highlight the problem of plastic in our seas and oceans. The sculpture is not just made from recycled plastic, but sustainable elements, too. Its base is unique, being a first-of-its-kind low-carbon concrete underwater base, made from coffee grounds from local bars and cafes.

The Canary Wharf Group has, since 2009, sent zero waste to landfill from its managed areas. This sculpture has been placed to show their commitment to reducing waste. Even the installation process, of the sculpture, was carefully considered to minimise its carbon footprint.

To see more photographs of some of the public art on display, across Canary Wharf,

click on the link below.

Gallery

Canary Wharf Art Map: Download

Walking with Keilyn: West India Docks to East India Docks... and beyond

Sunday April 13, 2025.

Another Sunday and another Walk with Keilyn.

We began our day with a walk to Watford Metropolitan station, with food, snacks and drinks all packed in my rucksack. We boarded the train and headed off towards London. We switched to a Jubilee line train, at Finchley Road, and continued our journey to Canary Wharf.

On exiting Canary Wharf station we began our walk by heading through Jubilee Park, checking out some of the Canary Wharf Public Art, and Easter Eggs, on our way to Wood Wharf.

Approaching Wood Wharf we could easily spot 'Whale on the Wharf (Skyscraper)', the latest piece to join the Canary Wharf Public Art trail. Standing at four-storeys, and made of 5 tonnes of recycled plastic, the whale towered over the crowds that come to see it. 

From here we continued eastward, along Branran Street and onto Lovegrove Walk, before we joined Preston's Road. From here we walked along Coldharbour, passing 'The Gun' public house and then Nelson House, before rejoining Preston's Road.

We then walked around, the now sealed, Blackwall Basin Entrance Lock, before rejoining the Thames Path North East Extension.

A compass, in the ground, was bisected by the Prime Meridian Line, so Keilyn could stand on both east and west of the line. 

We then continued along the path until we reached Virginia Quay and the Virginia Quay Settlers Monument.

With time getting on we stopped to eat our lunch, at East India Quay, enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the River Thames and the view across to the MillenniuM Dome.

Camley Street Natural Park, St Pancras

Having walked the length of the Regent's Canal and having visited Gasholders Park and Coal Drops Yard, on numerous occasions, I had seen Camley Street Natural Park from the canal towpath, but had never explored it. This had to be rectified.

So, it was while out walking with Keilyn that we decided to go for an exploratory of the park, to see what was there. Crossing the Regent's Canal, via the Somers Town Bridge, we headed through the giant iron gates and into the covered seating area of the park.

Walking around the cafe and learning centre we made our way to the entrance of the reserve and began our exploration.

The path was compacted and strong and bordered by low, wooden borders that separated the footpath from the wild meadows and ponds. Information boards, spread sporadically around the site, showed the fauna and flora that could be spotted throughout the year. Unfortunately, our visit took place at the beginning of March, so much of the wildlife was absent, giving the place a truly tranquil feel.

The path soon joined wooden walkways, which allowed water to flow beneath them from the interconnecting ponds and the Regent's Canal.

Seating area, either on the banks of the Regent's Canal or in small clearings gave ample space to sit and take in the peace.

We explored the ponds, seeing only coots, mallards and moorhens, while blackbirds, great tits, long-tailed tits, magpies, pigeons and robins flew between the trees.

The sound of skittering, through fallen leaves, could have been wood mice or other small rodents, but there was nothing that we could see.

Logs, piled up in various locations, and bug hotels seemed quiet, with their inhabitants buried in the soil or deep inside the rotting wood.

The ponds, with their crystal clear waters, seemed devoid of life, too.

Various ferns, planted in a stumpery, were still growing, while many other plants were yet to bloom.

Once we had seen everything that we could we made our way out of the park, promising to come back later in the year to see what wildlife may have taken up residence.

Paddington Bear

Paddington Bear statue at Paddington station.

This statue of Paddington Bear, at Paddington station, is a bronze sculpture by Marcus Cornish. Considering Paddington Bear has been around since 1958 the statue wasn't erected until 2000.

The origins of London's most famous 'fictional' bear, Paddington, began in 1958, when Michael Bond wrote 'A Bear Called Paddington'. He had been shopping and seen a lone teddy bear, in a London shop, "looking forlorn", and based Paddington on him. It took Michael Bond just 10 days to write the first story.

Michael Bond remembered watching newsreels of children being evacuated, during World War II, who had labels around their necks, carrying bags containing their possessions, which gave him the inspiration for the style.

Paddington Bear plaque at Paddington station.

The first story, 'A Bear Called Paddington', sees the Brown family arriving at Paddington station and discovering the bear, sitting on his suitcase with a note attached to his coat that read , 'Please look after this bear. Thank you'. The Browns are unable to pronounce the bear's name in its bear language, so, they call him Paddington, as that is where they found him.

Originally, Paddington was to have "travelled from darkest Africa", but, as his agent pointed out, there are no bears in Africa, so he changed it to "darkest Peru", where the spectacled bear comes from. It is Paddington's Aunt Lucy who sends Paddington to London, as a stowaway, after his uncle Pastuzo has moved to a Home for Retired Bears, in Lima. Paddington tells them, "I came in a lifeboat and ate marmalade. Bears like marmalade."

32 Windsor Gardens, from 'Paddington' (2014).

So, the Brown family, that includes the parents, Henry and Mary, and their children, Jonathan and Judy, take Paddington home to 32 Windsor Gardens.

Paddington was always polite, addressing everyone with their title, but hardly ever using their first name. He also had a capacity to innocently get himself into trouble, while trying so hard to do things right.

However, those who incurred his disapproval would be met with one of his special 'hard stares'.

Master Oak: The Oldest Tree in Middlesex

The Master Oak.

No one knows how old this ancient oak is, but it is believed to have been an acorn during the time of King Henry VIII (1491-1597).

During his reign many oaks were felled for the building of his warships, as timber for barns, barrels, furniture and for firewood. Oak smoke was also used to cure food as a way to preserve it.

It was certainly growing well in the late 17th century, when the Poet Laureate, John Dryden, rewrote a verse from Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales':

"The monarch oak, the patriarch of the trees,

Shoots rising up, and spreads by slow degrees.

Three centuries he grows, and three he stays

Supreme in state; and in three more decays."

The Master has a shape that shows that it probably had its branches and top removed to encourage growth. The pollarded wood was probably used for fuel.

'Time and Tide Bell' by Marcus Vergette

Attached to the sea wall of Trinity Buoy Wharf is this bell, designed by the sculptor Marcus Vergette.

The unique design of the bell, developed by Marcus Vergette and Dr Neil McLachlan, means the bell is rung by the river to mark each high tide. Uniquely, from just one strike the bell sounds different notes one after the other to form a melody.

"Fixed in space, rung by the power of nature, yet making ever-changing sounds, the bell symbolises the complex relationship between man and his environment. The Time and Tide Bell creates, celebrates and reinforces connections between our history and our environment. Here at Trinity Buoy Wharf Leamouth, it will serve as a powerful marker of sea level rise at the very heart of our maritime history." 

- Marcus Vergette

The Trinity Buoy Wharf Bell was launched at high tide on September 19, 2010.

Part of the 'Time and Tide Series', this 3 metre tall bell, cast in aluminium bronze, is third in a planned series of twelve bells, located throughout the United Kingdom. 

The first bell was installed at Appledore, North Devon, while the second was installed at Great Bernera, Outer Hebrides.

Walking with Keilyn: Crystal Palace Park and Wellington Arch

Sunday March 30, 2025.

The day was set to be a warm one, as Keilyn and I set off for Watford Metropolitan station, ready to begin another day in London. However, unlike our usual visits, I had yet to decide where to go. So, we sat on the train, which would be terminating at Baker Street, due to a points failure, still wondering where to go. Approaching Finchley Road, I had an idea, so we left the train and changed to a Jubilee line train, which we took to Green Park. Here we changed to a Victoria line train, heading for Brixton.

On exiting the station we had one minute to get to Bus Stop 'Q', where we hopped aboard the 432 towards Anerley Station. Roughly 30 minutes later we got off the bus, at Thicket Road, with Keilyn still having no idea where we were going.

We entered Crystal Palace Park, via Cintra Gate and found ourselves on the Lower Terrace. Once I had explained where we were we went off to explore the terraces, sphinxes, ruins and, of course, the BBC Transmitter.

Much of the structure is now protected, by metal railings, with some of the statues in a sorry state. Walking along the upper terrace you get a sense of how massive the site is. Standing at the top of the steps we were both amazed by how far we could see, so stunning was the view.

We then headed down the park towards the National Sports Centre, where people were running around the track, while others were practising Beach Volley Ball.

Following the path we descended the steps and turned south, heading around the lakes in search of the dinosaurs and other extinct animals. We spent a good forty-five minutes wandering around, spotting as many of the animals as we could, with only the Pterodactyle being obscured by the overgrowth.

We then headed towards the Crystal Palace Park Market, that we had spotted earlier, in search of some lunch. The market had food stalls from various corners of the Earth, while other traders were here to sell their unique wares: cheese. chili, wines, pastries, herbs and the like. The smells were incredible, as we made our way through the market, making us hungrier than ever. 

It was then that Keilyn noticed a Hot Dog stall. The sausages were thick and a foot long and looked amazing. Keilyn ordered a six-inch one, with ketchup, while I had the foot-long, with onions, gherkins and chili sauce. With food in hand we sat on the grass, in the shade of a tree, and tucked in. They were delicious!

Feeling like our bellies were going to burst, we headed off around the Lower Lake, making our wat back towards the Bus Stop, stopping at a local shop to buy some more drinks and an ice cream for Keilyn.

Walking with friends: Barbican to Tower Bridge... and beyond

Thursday March 27, 2025.

Having celebrated my birthday, yesterday, I was eager to use my day off to visit London. With my girls at school I roped in my friend, Gary, to join me for the walk.

I took a bus to meet Gary at Rickmansworth station, where we caught a fast Aldgate-bound Metropolitan line train to Barbican. 

Our first stop was a visit to Postman's Park and the G.F. Watt's Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice, which Gary had never seen, before we continued our walk south towards St Paul's Cathedral.

Turning on to Foster Lane I spotted the two open blue doors and, after climbing the three stone steps, we found ourselves in a secluded courtyard. This courtyard, once part of a graveyard, is a public garden that is owned by the church of St Vedast-alias-Foster.

A tree acts as a centrepiece to the slabbed and pebbled space, with various potted plants and shrubs dotted around the space. Two white walls are in juxtaposition with the brick walls, while the covered arcade adds an almost Mediterranean feel to this tranquil space. A framed display of Roman pavement pieces along with various plaques adorn the walls, while a relief sculpture of Canon Mortlock, by Jacob Epstein, is affixed to another wall.

But, I was here to see a rather obscure brick. It is a mud brick, etched with cuneiform writing, that was unearthed in Iraq and is almost 3,000 years old. Strangely, there is no plaque or marker, so I had to do some research on this piece of ancient history, on my return home.

Just metres from this 'secret' garden we saw a London Plane tree, growing in the grounds of the former St Peter West Cheap Church grounds. This platanus x acerifolia tree is said to be the oldest tree in the City of London.

From here we continued our route, by following Cannon Street, to Eastcheap, before turning down Pudding Lane, passing the Monument, before reaching Lower Thames Street, where we visited the Church of St Magnus-the-Martyr.

The Church of St Magnus-the-Martyr is a wonderful Grade I listed church, which was one of the first buildings to be destroyed by the Great Fire of 1666. Although this church dates from 1687, there has been a church here since the 11th century. 

Inside this church there is a model of the Old London Bridge, which was created by David T Aggett, a member of the Metropolitan Police who rose to the rank of Detective Superintendent in the Fraud Squad. He was also a keen model maker and this model of Old London Bridge took almost three years to complete. As he was also a liveryman of the Plumbers' Company, he donated the model to St Magnus Church, which is the Plumbers' Company church. As a little joke he placed a Metropolitan Policeman on the bridge, which people can seek to find when admiring the model.

Having found the Policeman and some of the other interesting parts of the model we explored the rest of the building, before leaving the church and continued our walk along Lower Thames Street.

We stopped at Tower Hill Market for a bite to eat, which we ate on the square outside All Hallows by the Tower. The sun, by now, had burnt away the fog and mist, causing the temperature to soar, as we made our way across Tower Bridge to the south bank.