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.

West India Docks

The next time you’re visiting Canary Wharf, take a moment to look beyond the towering glass and steel. You are standing in a place with a history that is as rich, complex, and sometimes brutal, as any in London: Welcome to the West India Docks.

Once the beating heart of a global trading empire, these docks tell a fascinating story of ambition, immense wealth, human cost, and ultimate transformation.

Before the West India Docks, the River Thames was a chaotic mess of ships, theft, and congestion. Enter the powerful West India merchants, who successfully lobbied for dedicated, secure docks. The result was the West India Dock Act of 1799, paving the way for a revolutionary development on the Isle of Dogs.

'Assembly' by Peter Burke

Sculptures... Assemble.

On the Thames Path, in Woolwich, you will find sixteen metal men, congregating together as if they are about to attend a meeting. These curious figures, who would not appear out of place in an episode of Doctor Who, are actually a public art project, by the sculptor Peter Burke.

Winchester Palace Great Hall

Ruins of the Great Hall of Winchester Palace.

Being one of the wealthiest and most important of England's Diocese, at the time, the Diocese of Winchester owned land from England's south coast up to the south bank of the River Thames.

Southwark, the oldest of London's Boroughs, was the perfect place for Winchester Palace to be built. 

Winchester Palace, was built in 1144 by Bishop Henry of Blois, brother of King Stephen. It was to become the London townhouse for the Bishop of Winchester. 

The 80 acres of land adjoining the River Thames were governed according to the laws of 'The Liberty of the Bishop of Winchester', from 1127. In this term 'Liberty' meant jurisdiction. By the end of the 15th century 'The Liberty of the Bishop of Winchester' was shortened to 'Liberty of The Clink'.

A Medieval map showing the location of Winchester Palace.

The palace was arranged around two courtyards, which housed many buildings. These included a brew-house, butchery and the first of  Southwark's six prisons... The Clink. As a townhouse, from where the bishops could escape from everyday stresses of governance, the palace also had a pleasure garden, a bowling alley and tennis courts.

The interior of the great hall as it may have appeared in the 15th century

© Historic England (illustration by Liam Wales)

In the 17th century the palace was divided into tenements and warehouses. In the 19th century a fire ravaged the area and the ruins of the palace were rediscovered. 

Walking with friends: Aldgate to Limehouse... and beyond

A message from 'Beak and Squeak'.

Monday January 5, 2026: 

Sunny with Northwest wind at 9 mph. 

2°C (35.6°F), but the windchill made it feel like -4°C

First walk of 2026.

I had arrived at Aldgate station early, so I had a wander around the edge of the City of London, while I awaited the arrival of Dyan, who would be accompanying me on today's walk. This would be Dyan's first walk with me, so I had picked a route that went along with some of her interests.

One of London's 'Slum' pubs, soon to be demolished.

On leaving Aldgate station we headed along the very narrow Little Somerset Street, as I wanted to get some photos of the 'Still & Star' pub, before it gets pulled down. The pub closed in 2017 and is one of only a few 'Slum' pubs left in London. This pub was converted from a private house into licensed premises, in the 1820s. Rumours abound that the new developers are going to build a replica of the pub in front of their new office block. Which begs the question, "Why not keep the original building?"

We followed Little Somerset Street and joined Mansell Street, Goodman's Fields and the Prescot Street. Prescot Street was the first street, in London, where the buildings were numbered, rather than having signs hung outside. This practice spread, aiding the flourishing postal service.

A true Victorian pub.

We passed the 'English Martyrs Church', built between 1873-1876 and then the 'Princess of Prussia', named for Victoria Louise, Queen Victoria’s granddaughter and the daughter of German emperor Wilhelm II. I must pop in here, one day.