St Vedast-alias-Foster Public Garden and its Treasures, City of London

In the shadow of St Paul's Cathedral and hidden along a small passageway, from Foster Lane, is this wonderful public garden, that holds some intriguing and historic items.

The garden is built on what was once a graveyard belonging to St Vedast-alias-Foster, a church that was founded in around 1170. 

The church has been restored many times and rebuilt at least twice, the last by Sir Christopher Wren following the Great Fire of 1666.

The church was completely gutted during The Blitz, with its restoration being undertaken by Canon Charles Bernard Mortlock, Poet Laureate John Betjeman, Noel Mander a master organ builder and architect Stephen Dykes Bower.

An adjacent plot to the north, formerly the location of the Fountain Pub, was purchased and used for the construction of a new Rectory. On land between this new Rectory and what is now the parish hall of St Vedast a small secluded courtyard was built.

Passing through these blue doors and up the three small stone steps you will find yourself in a small courtyard, with a tree as a centrepiece, various plants and plaques. The white walls in contrast with the brick walls and the covered walkway gives this small courtyard an almost Mediterranean feel. 

But there are secrets to be discovered here: Roman tiles, sculptures and a 3,000 year old brick, from Iraq.

On the south wall you will find the remains of a Roman pavement, discovered 18 feet below the floor of the church of St Matthew, Friday Street, which was demolished in 1886.

There is a small sculpture of Canon Charles Bernard Mortlock, entitled 'Head', by Jacob Epstein.

'The Wild Table of Love' by Gillie and Marc

At the corner of Eastbourne Terrace and Praed Street, Paddington, there is a rather large sculpture of various endangered animals, sitting and having a banquet together.

The animals, being hosted by Rabbitwoman and Dogman, are a koala, Bengal tiger, African elephant, Masai giraffe, a hippo, a lion, Northern white rhino, mountain gorilla, Grevy's zebra and a chimpanzee.

Two seats allow visitors to join the banquet, as this is an interactive sculpture where interaction is key.

Retracting Footbridge, St Katharine Docks

The original footbridge.

St Katharine Docks, which was the only major project of Thomas Telford in London, opened in 1828. His idea was to use as much of the land as possible for warehouses and to limit quayside space, ensuring cargo was lifted directly into the warehouses.

Because of the way he designed the docks, narrow footpaths allowed workers to walk around the site. However, to get from one side of the dock to the other could take some time, so Thomas Rhodes, the resident engineer of Telford, designed this retractable bridge, between the Central Basin and the East Dock.

Constructed with iron castings and wrought iron forgings, by John Lloyd, the bridge was linked to rail-mounted cast iron counterweight boxes that allowed it to stretch across the dock. Using a rack and pinion system the bridge could be retracted into the masonry of the dock walls.

The housing for the bridge.

'Skystation' by Peter Newman

Wandering, as I do, I discovered this spaceship-like metal sculpture, near Nine Elms. 

Affixed to its side is a small plaque that reads:

SKYSTATION

51°28'57"N

PETER NEWMAN

0°08'11"W

2015

Besides this there is no explanation as to what this sculpture represents, or is for. 

"Where is the centre of London?"

One of the most common questions that I get asked, when visiting London, is "Where is its centre?"

This is a difficult question to answer, as there is no correct, or true, answer. At least not an answer that will satisfy everyone. 

As London has changed throughout the centuries and its population has grown from 250,000, in 1663, to over 8 million today, its centre is hard to locate.

But, with satellite data, and people 'pinging' their locations, accuracy becomes more important.

So, let's take a look at where the centre of London is... Currently.

London's earliest central point was established, in 1663, with the original Charing Cross. This was erected by King Edward I in honour of his dead queen Eleanor. Today, a plaque marks this spot where all distances to London are measured from. 

The plaque is set into the ground behind the Equestrian Statue of King Charles I, on the traffic island directly south of Nelson's Column. 

However, as London has grown its centre has moved and various people and companies have suggested it to be in different locations.