Bayham Abbey
I wanted to visit Bayham Abbey because I had come across the Abbey when I was making Green Lewisham. The original Abbey was founded in Brockley, in Lewisham, and then moved down to... READ MORE
Bodiam Castle
We were heading back to London after a few very enjoyable days in Rye, but on the way stopped to see Bodiam Castle, and Bayham Old Abbey. They are both fascinating and it... READ MORE
The Church of St Thomas in Winchelsea
We had walked in the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve and decided to take a quick look at Winchelsea. Our first impression was that it was similar to Rye, although much quieter, but then... READ MORE
Rye Harbour
We drove out or Rye, along the River Rother, and down to Rye Harbour, only about two miles outside Rye. When we left there was a seagull on the car, and yet another... READ MORE
Corners in Rye
This post is about a few corners in Rye, bits and pieces discovered while walking round. READ MORE
Main streets in Rye
The town is small and the main streets in Rye can easily be explored in a few days. READ MORE
Latest Posts
The Fountains of Trafalgar Square
Bradshaw in hand I wrote this post, and discovered that the fountains in Trafalgar are second-generation – the originals were shipped to Canada. Well, one thing leads to another and here is an unintended exploration of the Fountains of Trafalgar Square!
Bradshaw’s Hand Book to London, The West, Day 5, District III, St James’s Palace and Green Park, (no.21)
In the 1100s Henry II granted a charter to the Sisters in charge of the Hospital of St James for leprosy sufferers, in the parish of St Margaret’s, Westminster. (Fascinating Gresham Lecture on Medieaval Hospitals here.) The Hospital may have dated … Continued
Bradshaw’s Hand Book, The West, Day 5, District III, St James’s Street (no.22)
St James’s Street changed dramatically during the 19th century when grand club houses replaced residential housing and coffee and chocolate houses, although the purpose of the area remained roughly similar (Peter Ackroyd‘s ‘continuation of purpose’ again).
Bradshaw’s Hand Book to London, The West, District III, Pall Mall, (no.19)
This route covers the area known as St James’s which falls into three main parts (Pevsner): the L-shape of Pall Mall and St James’s Street, the 17C suburb planned by Henry Jermyn, Earl of St Albans, and centred on St James’s Square, … Continued
Westminster Abbey and Westminster Palace
I found an old map with Westminster Abbey and Westminster Palace which really caught my imagination and when I found myself bombarding a friend with details I clearly had to explore the area in more detail, if only to protect … Continued
Bradshaw’s Hand Book, Part III, The West – Westminster Abbey and precincts (no.17)
Westminster Abbey, says Mr Bradshaw is a ‘..magnificent edifice, .. said to have been founded by Sebert, King of the East Saxons in 616. This spot of ground was then a small insulated tract, surrounded by the Thames, and called Thorney Island..’. … Continued
Parliament Square
This extraordinary and iconic space carries a weight of history. A Hall over 1,000 years old – And memorials to men who have shaped history –
Bradshaw’s Hand Book, Part III, The West, District II (no.16) Charing Cross, Whitehall, Westminster
Today’s route begins at Charing Cross and ends at Chelsea New Bridge, from where Mr Bradshaw suggests ‘..we can take an omnibus back to Charing Cross, or stroll leisurely through St James’s Park, by way of varying our return..’. Well, … Continued