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.

Walking with family: Westminster to South Bank... and beyond

Sunday August 12, 2012

My mum, Uncle Martin and myself arrived at Westminster at 16:30. 

Our plan: Walk along the South Bank and take some night shots of London. 

With Westminster closed to traffic, due to the barriers still being in place from the Marathon, earlier in the day, we were able to get unfettered photographs of the Palace of Westminster, Boadicea, City Hall and more. Being able to stand in the middle of Westminster Bridge we were able to get some photographs from different angles. 

We then made our way onto the South Bank and began our stroll towards Tower Bridge. Around the Jubilee Gardens, there were many stalls, artists, rides, entertainers, musicians and much more. The throng of people enjoying the late afternoon sun, including Olympians and Paralympians, only added to the heady atmosphere of London at its best. 

With lots of stops, to take photographs, it was a slow but enjoyable stroll. By the Festival Hall there was a map of the World, made completely out of Lego. Because of its size it was very hard to get a photograph of the whole thing, but it was nice to see. It reminded my of my boxes of Lego that are still in my loft. 

Tower Bridge

Olympic Bridge.

Sunday August 12, 2012.

It was late afternoon as I travelled to the Unfinished City, to soak up the Olympic atmosphere.

After wandering around Westminster, I headed for Tower Bridge in the hopes of grabbing a few images of the Olympic Rings, which had been hung beneath her western walkway. The bridge was also being lit up with colour-changing lights, giving it an extra special look.

As night descended the bridge began going through a myriad of colour-changes, it was hard to find the perfect one to shoot. Then, as if on queue, the lights took on the colour of the Union Flag; Red, White and Blue.

Queen Victoria Memorial

Vintage Victoria.

Tuesday June 26, 2012.

Considering how many visits I have made to the Unfinished City, there are very few photographs that I have taken of Buckingham Palace or the Victoria Memorial. I have visited the area on numerous occasions, but crowds always obscured, or prevented, me from obtaining the shot I wanted.

However, on this particular afternoon, the crowds were light, so I was able to grab some great shots. I took this shot with a sepia setting, before adding a distressed effect later on.

Battle of Britain Monument

A Monument to "The Few".

Wednesday May 2, 2012.

I have always been fascinated by the various statues, monuments and memorials dotted around London, including the temporary pieces that appear every now-and-again.

I also have a fascination with the Battle of Britain, so, when I found out about this monument, I had to visit it.

Gallery