Bower, Archbishop's Park

If you visit the wonderful Archbishop's Park, Lambeth, which covers an area of 3.93 hectares (9.7 acres), you will discover lots of interesting sculptures and public works of art, wildlife ponds, bee hives and much more.

However, for me, the hand-carved Bower (place of repose) is an amazing piece of craftsmanship that is a wonderful place to sit and relax. 

Unveiled in 2013, this beautiful work of art was designed and hand-crafted by local craftsman, Arthur de Mowbray, who has also designed pieces for MillenniuM Green, in Waterloo, and other places. 

The project was commissioned by the Friends of Archbishop's Park and was funded by a grant from Biffa Awards.

Tower House, Holland Park

The Tower House, built by William Burges.

Wandering through the Holland Park district of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, you will find this Victorian era house, with a cylindrical tower and conical roof. It is distinct from the others houses on this street and really catches the eye.

William Burges purchased the leasehold to the land in 1875, from the Earl of Ilchester, and began designing the Tower House as his own private residence. By 1878 the exterior and much of the interior were completed, but decoration, furniture and furnishings were still being designed up until his death in 1881.

It is a red brick building with dressing of Bath stone and Cumbrian green roof slates and was Grade I listed in 1949. 

It has a basement with a kitchen and other utility rooms, while the ground floor has the hall, dining room, drawing room and library. The first floor has the main bedroom, guest room, bathroom and an armoury. The staircase is built into the cylindrical tower.

A late Victorian townhouse, with a tower.

Following his death, Richard Popplewell Pullan, Burges's brother-in-law, inherited the lease. Pullan would go on to complete some of Burges's projects. The author, Colonel T.H. Minshall then purchased the lease, before selling it on to Colonel E.R.B. Graham, in 1933.