The Surrey Chapel and The Ring

On the northern corner of Blackfriars Road and Union Street stood the Surrey Chapel, built in 1783. It then took on a completely different persona.

The Surrey Chapel was one of the first octagonal churches, in England, and was constructed in 1783, by Reverend Rowland Hill. The chapel had innovative features that included gas lighting, underfloor heating and an organ that used thunder and lightning effects, He chose the octagonal design so that the Devil would not be able to lurk in the corners.

Able to hold 1,200 people, the eccentric Reverend Hill preached here for nearly fifty years, usually to a full congregation, from his pulpit that was situated in the centre of the chapel.

In 1881 the chapel closed and, by 1910, was converted into a boxing arena, by Dick Burge, who was a former British lightweight champion between 1891-1897, and his wife Bella. They replaced the pulpit with a raised, roped-in enclosure, with a circular stage surrounded by seats for spectators.

Dick Burge renamed the building 'The Ring', which stems from early literal ground-drawn fight circles used in the early bare-knuckle boxing days under London Prize Ring Rules.

It would become the first indoor boxing ring for the working classes and would go on to become one of the most popular boxing venues, in London, famous as a proving ground for boxing talent, where well-known prize-fighters took on apprentice fighters. 

Astronomical Clock, Bracken House

It is always important to look everywhere, when walking around London. This includes looking up as well as down, as you navigate the labyrinth of London's streets, as you never know what you will see. 

This is how I saw what could be London's strangest clock.

It is quite easy to walk by the building at 10 Cannon Street, without paying it much heed. It is much like any other office block, built in the 1950s, rising nine-storeys into the sky, with larger windows than most buildings of the time. Its only real difference is the pink sandstone cladding. But, even this doesn't really make it stand out, standing as it does on its own.

But, above the door is something that should grab your attention. At first glance it looks like an enamelled tile, or an elaborate design to draw the eye. It is, in fact, a clock. But, not a boring old clock that just tells the time. This is an astronomical clock and it really is a wonderful object.

St Mary the Virgin Aldermanbury

The remains of St Mary Aldermanbury church.

Thursday October 29, 2020

Meandering my way through Holborn on my way toward Euston station, I passed by the remains of St Mary Aldermanbury church, which is situated beside the City of London Police HQ.

Considering its location within the City of London, it is a tranquil place to sit and relax. The footprint of the church is all that remains, with trees and shrubs having been planted to bring the area to life.

Benches are placed around a small square, so that you can relax and soak up the atmosphere.

Although only parts of the walls remain, the church lives on... across the Atlantic Ocean.

Winston Churchill's Britain at War Museum

Britain at War Experience

Saturday September 8, 2012

Around the London Bridge and Tooley Street area of Southwark, there is a lot of work ongoing as part of the upgrade to London Bridge station.

Many of the attractions in the area are either moving, closing for a short time or, like Winston Churchill's Britain at War Experience, closing with no plans to reopen.

The aforementioned Britain at War Experience is a permanent exhibition open 7 days a week, only closing from December 24-26.

The exhibition includes the chance to huddle in an Anderson shelter and hear all the terrifying noises of an air raid overhead. You can get up close and personal with real wartime bombs, some of which tick, rare documents and photographs in the unique Bomb Disposal display.

This way to the Air Raid Shelter

You can even visit the 'Drury Lane' dressing room and catch a glimpse of the stars of the war years. Then there is the Rainbow Corner, which was a club to entertain the GI's.

You get to learn about the Land Army Girls and other women who fought in the war on the home front. 

There are Ration Books, Posters, gas masks and so mush more to see.

Although small you still need a good hour or so to see and experience everything, but it is still worth the visit.

 Britain At War

UPDATE

Although the website is still active, 

Winston Churchill's Britain at War Museum closed permanently in 2013.