Archbishops Park looks like a little gem
Whereas Lambeth Palace park/grounds looks an absolute disgrace.
Whereas Lambeth Palace park/grounds looks an absolute disgrace.
Wapping Wander - E1 to SW3 to SW11 to SE1…..And on….
- Thread starter Wapping
- Start date
looks like an ideal place for the local winos, or novice priests knocking off the communion wine to get pissed before the bishops tuck them in at night
You are exactly right.
Right on both counts. Most of the London boroughs work pretty hard at keeping their 'green spaces' nice. It is only regrettable that some of the users of the spaces cannot then reciprocate.
St Mary's Church looks like a country church plonked in the city.........possibly was in the country when it was built??
very much so - Lambeth was a number of estates for various nobles until it developed in the industrial revolution of the 18th century
the original church predates the Norman invasion from Edward the Confessor's time, but the current one is more recent
Thank you both.
I meant to include the potted (literally) history of the deconsecrated St Mary’s, but then forgot:
livinglondonhistory.com
As much as religion has faded from the national consciousness, it’s interesting (in a way) to ponder that people built this church (let alone the City of London’s 100 plus churches in the ‘Square Mile’, before you even get onto all of the other churches in the country and all the great cathedrals) for a reason. It is all but certain that our great grandparents - so, not so very long ago, for us - would have been more than just nominally Christian. It would make an interesting read to discover why it all faded. I can only assume that it was the Victorian and then Edwardian spirit of enquiry into Science and Nature that accelerated it? Maybe it’ll make a comeback; not least as one form has been around for over 2,000 years.
I meant to include the potted (literally) history of the deconsecrated St Mary’s, but then forgot:
St-Mary-At-Lambeth: A Medieval Hidden Gem - Living London History
St-Mary-at-Lambeth, now home to the Garden Museum, has a fascinating history. There are lots of historical curiosities to see inside and out.
livinglondonhistory.com
As much as religion has faded from the national consciousness, it’s interesting (in a way) to ponder that people built this church (let alone the City of London’s 100 plus churches in the ‘Square Mile’, before you even get onto all of the other churches in the country and all the great cathedrals) for a reason. It is all but certain that our great grandparents - so, not so very long ago, for us - would have been more than just nominally Christian. It would make an interesting read to discover why it all faded. I can only assume that it was the Victorian and then Edwardian spirit of enquiry into Science and Nature that accelerated it? Maybe it’ll make a comeback; not least as one form has been around for over 2,000 years.
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Brilliant story that and great history of the surrounding area. One of my Daughters works in London (lives at Clapham Common) and to my shame I only go over once a year or so while my wife is over 3-4 times. I really must look past the crowds and do a bit more exploring. Your wanders are an excellent education and incentive to do just that. 
Onto Lambeth Bridge, walking north again. It’s now about 13:30 and we started at about 10:00 at Queensway tube station.
They say that to see London, you should look up, as the upper portion of buildings don’t alter as much as the bottom parts. Similarly, they say you should always stand back and (where possible) view them from a distance. That’s both true. You do ‘stand back’ from the view on the bridges,
Southwards first, back to Lambeth Palace, St Mary’s next to it. To the left of the photograph is the low bulk of St Thomas’ Hospital and the edge of the wheel of the London Eye. The London Eye is edge on when viewed from the bridge, as the river bends south to north, as it makes its way west to east and the coast at Southend. The south bank of the river, from Lambeth back to Tower Bridge (or tge other way) is worth a walk on its own:
Looking westwards back the way we’ve come. And there, on the right of the picture is MI5:
Then westwards, where the Houses of Parliament are starting to come into view:
We can also cheat a bit and zoom in, looking east, to see the Shard in Bermondsey (on the south of the river) and the tower blocks of the City of London on the north side:
en.wikipedia.org
To be continued. We’ve still got quite a long way to walk…..
They say that to see London, you should look up, as the upper portion of buildings don’t alter as much as the bottom parts. Similarly, they say you should always stand back and (where possible) view them from a distance. That’s both true. You do ‘stand back’ from the view on the bridges,
Southwards first, back to Lambeth Palace, St Mary’s next to it. To the left of the photograph is the low bulk of St Thomas’ Hospital and the edge of the wheel of the London Eye. The London Eye is edge on when viewed from the bridge, as the river bends south to north, as it makes its way west to east and the coast at Southend. The south bank of the river, from Lambeth back to Tower Bridge (or tge other way) is worth a walk on its own:
Looking westwards back the way we’ve come. And there, on the right of the picture is MI5:
Then westwards, where the Houses of Parliament are starting to come into view:
We can also cheat a bit and zoom in, looking east, to see the Shard in Bermondsey (on the south of the river) and the tower blocks of the City of London on the north side:
Lambeth Bridge - Wikipedia
To be continued. We’ve still got quite a long way to walk…..
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Brilliant story that and great history of the surrounding area. One of my Daughters works in London (lives at Clapham Common) and to my shame I only go over once a year or so while my wife is over 3-4 times. I really must look past the crowds and do a bit more exploring. Your wanders are an excellent education and incentive to do just that.
Thank you.
It is only when I come to walk and and then share the Wanders, that I come across all what my grandmother referred to as ‘Twiddly bits’ and the bits I missed out. The truth is, you could spend all day just doing a square half mile and still not see it all. But that doesn’t matter, as there is still something to see (or just trip over by chance) another day. I still think I am very lucky to see it all for nothing, when tourists pay hundreds of pounds (or more) to see bits.
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Off the bridge:
And a turn right west on Millbank, with another of the excellent ‘sign posts’ that London now has. It really is a city that now encourages walking:
And we are heading towards Parliament Square, but first past the continuous signs of old and new, mixed up architecture and regrowth that have marked London for over 2,000 years. I have a,ways liked the way that the ripping down of old buildings, open up a scene which (in a few months or so) will be gone, until another building goes and is replaced:
Until after a few minutes walk, Westminster Abbey (on the left) and the edge of the Houses of Parliament (on the right) start to come into view:
And a turn right west on Millbank, with another of the excellent ‘sign posts’ that London now has. It really is a city that now encourages walking:
And we are heading towards Parliament Square, but first past the continuous signs of old and new, mixed up architecture and regrowth that have marked London for over 2,000 years. I have a,ways liked the way that the ripping down of old buildings, open up a scene which (in a few months or so) will be gone, until another building goes and is replaced:
Until after a few minutes walk, Westminster Abbey (on the left) and the edge of the Houses of Parliament (on the right) start to come into view:
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Interesting Fact? In your last photo you can see what looks like a bent pair of hairdressers scissors on the lamp column, it is a stylised 'W' for Westminster but if you look to the side you can just make out what looks like the Chanel logo. Apparently it is for City Council but others say it is in recognition of the Duke of Westminster shagging Coco Chanel….
.
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Excellent
Into Parliament Square:
Three things dominate the square, the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament), the clock tower (‘Big Ben’) and of course, Westminster Abbey itself:
The large black roofed building to the left of the next picture (and to the right of the picture after) is Westminster Hall, one of the oldest buildings in London, where I went to see the Queen Mother and then Queen Elizabeth II lying in state:
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
Three things dominate the square, the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament), the clock tower (‘Big Ben’) and of course, Westminster Abbey itself:
The large black roofed building to the left of the next picture (and to the right of the picture after) is Westminster Hall, one of the oldest buildings in London, where I went to see the Queen Mother and then Queen Elizabeth II lying in state:
Palace of Westminster - Wikipedia
Westminster Hall - Wikipedia
Big Ben - Wikipedia
Westminster Abbey - Wikipedia
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But, as is so often the case, it’s the little bits at the side that are also interesting.
The Westminster Scholars’ memorial to former pupils of Westminster School killed in the Crimean war and in the Indian Mutiny, topped by St George slaying a dragon:
And through a gateway, into Dean’s Yard, another of those London (really very nice) green spaces:
Whilst, just across the roads, there is the Methodist Central Hall, a reminder of the influence the movement once held in Britain:
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
The Westminster Scholars’ memorial to former pupils of Westminster School killed in the Crimean war and in the Indian Mutiny, topped by St George slaying a dragon:
And through a gateway, into Dean’s Yard, another of those London (really very nice) green spaces:
Whilst, just across the roads, there is the Methodist Central Hall, a reminder of the influence the movement once held in Britain:
Westminster Scholars War Memorial - Wikipedia
Dean's Yard - Wikipedia
Methodist Central Hall, Westminster - Wikipedia
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Parliament Square is ringed by a series of statues of the great and the good:
Only one, that of Smuts, had a pidgeon. The most recent to be added is that of the Suffragette, Millicent Garrett Fawcett and the only woman. The bronze of Churchill, hunched (he is supported by his cane) but strong in his gratecoat is a powerful interpretation.
Next stop, Whitehall and St James’ Park…. Still a way to go yet……
Only one, that of Smuts, had a pidgeon. The most recent to be added is that of the Suffragette, Millicent Garrett Fawcett and the only woman. The bronze of Churchill, hunched (he is supported by his cane) but strong in his gratecoat is a powerful interpretation.
Next stop, Whitehall and St James’ Park…. Still a way to go yet……
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What I've noticed in these types of threads is, both reading and writing, are buildings and areas where usually you're scurrying past to another destination, you are required to stop, frame a photo and take in the splendour and information of your subject.
Reminds me a bit of the poem by W.H. Davies 1871 - 1940
We have no time to stand and stare?-
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows:
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
Reminds me a bit of the poem by W.H. Davies 1871 - 1940
Leisure
What is this life if, full of care,We have no time to stand and stare?-
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows:
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
Exiting Parliament Square to the north, along Whitehall, towards the Cenotaph, Downing Street and Trafalgar Square, let’s turn left through the arch into Kings Charles Street, which will take us past some of the government ministry buildings, home of the nation’s civil service and seats of power, starting with (on the right) the Cabinet War Rooms:
There was a protest encampment, roughly halfway along, opposite the Foreign Office:
And a small plaque:
We will then leave King Charles Street, via the steps with the statue of Clive of India and the memorial to those killed in the Bali Bombings:
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
There was a protest encampment, roughly halfway along, opposite the Foreign Office:
And a small plaque:
We will then leave King Charles Street, via the steps with the statue of Clive of India and the memorial to those killed in the Bali Bombings:
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office - Wikipedia
Ignatius Sancho - Wikipedia
Robert Clive - Wikipedia
Bali Bombings Memorial, London - Wikipedia
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