Walking with Erin: The Wallace Collection to Carnaby Street... and beyond

The Great Gallery.

Tuesday February 20, 2024.

With half term upon us I had already planned to take a walk with Keilyn, later in the week. Erin, not one for long walks wanted a day out , too, so we decided to visit the Wallace Collection.

We caught a Metropolitan line train to Baker Street and began our day.

We headed down Chiltern Street, on to Dorset Street and then on to Manchester Street, spying Hertford House on our left, all the while I was taking photos of Coal Hole Plates, as I think they are nice pieces of history.

A Coal Hole Plate.

As tickets are not required, unless seeing one of their temporary exhibitions, we headed through the doors into the entrance hall. Ahead of us carpeted marble stairs lead to the first floor, while rooms were to our left and right. We decided to start on the ground floor and work our way up the house.

We headed through the shop to the Housekeeper's Room, where paintings by Turner, Bonington and Canaletto. 

'Fishing Boats' by Bonington.

We then headed through to the first of four rooms dedicated to Arms and Armour. Weapons from India, Persia, Japan and Europe, among others, were displayed, along with armour from various countries.

Arms and Armour.

Following these rooms we headed to the Smoking Room, which was filled with jewellery, porcelain and the like, before heading to the 16th Century Gallery, the Front State Room, the Back State Room, the Dining Room and then the Billiard Room.

The Smoking Room.

We then ascended the stairs and entered the Boudoir, the West Room and the three West Galleries.

The Staircase.

The highlight, for me, was the Great Gallery, which is an amazing and spacious room. Furniture and paintings, along with ornaments were spread around this cavernous room, while seating allowed you to sit and take in the room.

The Great Gallery.

We then made our way though to the three East Galleries and then the East Drawing Room. Each room was splendid and it felt like stepping back in time. The Small Drawing Room led us to the Large Drawing Room, the Oval Drawing Room and the Study.

Erin in the Oval Drawing Room.

We then moved through the Boudoir Cabinet back in to the Boudoir and out onto the Landing. After a brief break we headed down the staircase and headed out of Hertford House.

'A Slice of Reality' by Richard Wilson

View looking east.

Northwest of the O2 Arena, along Olympian Way, there is a vertical slice of a ship, stood next to the bank. It is a strange sight to behold, looking like the remnants of some ocean disaster, but it is not.

The clean lines where the ship has been cut allow you to see the inner decks, gangways and the inner hull.

As it turns out, this is no accident, but rather a sculpture by Richard Wilson.

John Evelyn's Mulberry Tree

John Evelyn's Mulberry Tree.

Walking through Sayes Court Park I was confronted by this fenced off tree. At first look the tree is definitely very old and, I assumed, fenced off to protect it. 

This was only partially correct as it turns out that this tree has a history. A history involving Peter the Great of Russia. Intriguing.

'Liberty Grip' by Gary Hume

'Liberty Grip' by Gary Hume.

Continuing my blogs about the various pieces of public art to be found along the Olympian Way, around the Greenwich Peninsula, I give you what I consider to be the strangest... 'Liberty Grip' by Gary Hume.

'Tribe and Tribulation' by Serge Attukwei Clottey

If you wander along the Olympian Way, which is part of the Thames Path around the Greenwich Peninsula, you will see numerous pieces of Public Art. There is 'The Tide', 'Here', 'A Slice of Reality' and more.

One of the most intriguing ones, that I have found, is 'Tribe and Tribulation' by Serge Attukwei Clottey.

Walking with friends: King's Cross to Whitechapel... and beyond

A circular Tube Map, advertising Google's new 'circle to search' feature, at King's Cross station.

Saturday February 3, 2024.

Originally our plan had been to walk westward from London Bridge towards Vauxhall, as this was a route that we had only partially completed before. However, with a few train strikes and some engineering works being carried out, we decided on a completely different route.

Len made his way from Kings Langley to meet me and we caught the Metropolitan line to King's Cross, where we waited for Gary, who was travelling down from Peterborough. Len and I had a coffee, while we awaited Gary's train. Once Gary had arrived, at around 10:40, we decided to head east, along Pentonville Road to City Road and then onto Commercial Street.

Trains covered in graffiti, Shoreditch.

On the way we passed through Shoreditch and saw lots of graffiti covered trains and buildings. 

With the time getting on for 11:30ish, we headed along Whitechapel Road in search of a bite to eat. A small restaurant, which was reasonably priced, provided sustenance and, suitably full, we continued ever eastward.

The Blind Beggar.

Our first port-of-call was 'The Blind Beggar'. Gary had never visited this infamous pub, so he was pleased to enter. While we sat and chatted the actor Vas Blackwood entered, as he uses the pub as a starting point of his walking tours around the East End. Gary decided to go and have a chat with him, buying a signed photo and getting a selfie with him.

I think that sometime very soon I shall book myself on to one of Vas Blackwood's Walking Tours, as they are meant to be really informative and entertaining.

Gary with the actor Vas Blackwood.

Suitably refreshed we left the pub and headed south, through Shadwell towards Wapping, as there was a pub that I thought they might like to visit.

'The Tide', Greenwich Peninsula

'Quick Tide' by Felipe Pantone.

Greenwich Peninsula is an ever-changing place to visit. From its massive Peninsula Square with its water fountains, its boutique market and shops and, of course, the MillenniuM Dome, or the O2 Arena is now known, there is always lots to see and do.

Looking down on Peninsula Square.

The riverside walk, towards Woolwich, has been cleaned up and now offers great places to sit and watch the activity of the River Thames. 

'The Tide' from the riverside.

While the Olympian Way, which leads on to the Thames Path, offers great views across to the Isle of Dogs and the various public art along that part of the route.

You are never far from the Greenwich Meridian.

One of the newest features, of the Peninsula, is 'The Tide', which is London's first-ever riverside linear park. This raised walkway allows you to sit above the bustle of Peninsula Square and relax.