Things I love about London

St Pauls … IMHO is a very special place in London. I know many of you might be thinking … when I go to the UK and/or Europe I don’t want to spend all my time in Cathedrals … but this one is worth the visit. It is simply beautiful … but I think that the special place it fits within the fabric of English and society is enough for it to be included within any visit … plus the views from the top are lovely.

St Paul’s Cathedral

St Paul’s Cathedral over the years has acted as an important meeting place for people and ideas, as a centre for the arts, learning and public debate … and a centre piece of hope and resistance during the dark days of the blitz during the Second World War.

I know when I think of St Paul’s my first thoughts go to the Second World War and the London Blitz. I think when you live in Australia it can be a bit hard to understand what it must have been like during the Blitz. And I think word like horrible and horrendous really just don’t do enough. During this horrible time, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill had asked that St. Paul’s Cathedral should be protected at all costs in a bid to boost morale across the capital. So in particular on the night of the Second Great Fire of London. Over the night of 29/30 December 1940 more than 24,000 high explosive bombs and 100,000 incendiary bombs were dropped. The area destroyed was greater than that of the Great Fire of London in 1666. Over 1500 fires were started, with many joining up to form three major conflagrations which in turn caused a firestorm that spread the flames further, towards St Paul’s Cathedral. Twelve firemen and 162 civilians lost their lives that night. And yet St Pauls stood. And only because of the dedication of the London firemen who kept the fire away from the Cathedral and the volunteer firewatchers of the St Paul’s Watch who fought to put out incendiaries dropping firebombs on its roof.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h29Bdv4apvQ

But there is more to St Pauls than the Blitz. Last year it celebrated it’s 300th Anniversary of the current St Pauls Cathedral and a cathedral dedicated to St Paul has stood on the same site since 604AD (the last one destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666). So many interesting things have happened here … and interesting people have been buried here.

What’s to see and do at St Paul’s Cathedral?

Lots of things … But here is a some short highlights

• Climb the Dome – At 111.3 metres high, it is one of the largest cathedral domes in the world and weighs approximately 65,000 tons. If you are game to clib the 528 steps to the Golden Gallery that runs around the highest point of the outer dome, 280ft (85.4 metres) you will be treated to panoramic views of London that take in the River Thames, Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. But there is more than the great view you will enjoy ..
• Discover the crypt – Visit the tomb of Lord Nelson, Lord Wellington’s Tomb, Christopher Wren’s Tomb (architect of St Pauls) and The Chapel of St Faith: Chapel of the Order of the British Empire. I love how on the epitaph above Christopher Wren’s Tomb in Latin it is written ‘Reader, if you see his monument, look around you.’
• Visit the The American Memorial Chapel. The chapel is at the east end of the Cathedral behind the High Altar.This part of the building was destroyed during the Blitz and as part of the post-war restoration it was decided that the people of Britain should commemorate the 28,000 Americans who were killed on their way to, or stationed in, the UK during the Second World War. Their names are recorded in the 500-page roll of honour encased behind the high altar and a page of the book is turned every day.
• Come for the music – Evensong. The music at St Pauls … is just so beautiful. The first time I heard it was just by chance … but once it started I coun’t leave. There has been a choir of boys and gentlemen at St Paul’s Cathedral for over nine centuries. I know that it might not be everyone’s sort of thing … but if you are near by come and listen even to just alittle. It is just so uplifting.

I will also admit I have another reason while St Pauls has a very special place in my heart. St Pauls was my father’s favourite cathedral. I am not sure if was his staunch devoution of the Anglican Church, something to do with his father’s family coming from London … or simply that he loved St Pauls but he did. And when he got very sick I emailed them to ask them to say a prayer for him … they included him in their daily prayers throughout his final battle with illness and for a short time after. I know that would have helped give him strength near the end and for me that means so much … and I will always be grateful to them. For I know that while he is here with us in our hearts… there is a small part of him in St Pauls siting smiling and waiting patiently for his favourite part of the day … evensong.

For more information including how to get there, time of opening and special exhibits to the the official website of the St Paul’s Cathedral.

Only 149 days to go to the start of the Olympics. I remember when they came to Sydney. Before hand I was very unimpressed by the whole thing … and working near the main Olympic site my biggest concern was about how this was going to impact my ability to get to work. What I came to realise that most of my expectations about the Olympics were entirely wrong. It wasn’t a huge hasssle or pain … especially in relation to the traffic. It was actually the best traffic I have EVER experienced in Sydney and have often thought fondly … while stuck in traffic … about how good it was and wishing that it was similar now. And that it did make Sydney … for the few weeks that it was in town a better and more enjoyable place. I think that there is something special about the Olympics … I know even not at the events there is a kind of buzz that just makes everywhere fun and interesting. I guess one of my favourite memories was just walking around Darling Harbour … not doing anything special … but just seeing the crowds of tourists from all over the world enjoying themselves … sometimes breaking out into cheers or song but generally having a great time. I wish that I could hope on a plane and go over for the London Olympics. It am convinced it is going to be fantastic and something very special.

British Museum

But I digress … this post is supposed to be about what I love about London and maybe give some people some ideas for when people visit. One of my other favourite places in London is the British Museum. On the few visits I have made to the city I can not tell you the number of times I have visited. I love the place. It has one of the best collections for a museum in the world … and I really do mean that and I am a museum junkie.

What’s so special about the British Museum?

Lots of things … But here is a some short highlights

• The British Museum was founded in 1753, the first national public museum in the world. The beginings of the museum  can be found in the will of  Sir Hans Sloane (1660–1753). Who left his collection of over more than 71,000 objects to King George II for the nation and this gift, accepted and an Act of Parliament (7 June 1753) established the British Museum.
• From the beginning it granted free admission to all ‘studious and curious persons’. Visitor numbers have grown from around 5,000 a year in the eighteenth century to nearly 6 million today.
• It now comprises over 8 million objects spanning the history of the world’s cultures: from the stone tools of early man to twentieth century prints.
• Some of the highlights  from the collection
  • Rosetta Stone – Probably the most famous items in the collection and I don’t think it is possible to over-estimate the importance of this object in our understanding of Ancient Egypt. I just find it remarkable that this one stone tablet was instrumental in the decipherment of Egyptian hieroglyphs. A must see if you go to the museum …. plus you can also do your own rubbing from a copy that they have on display. Plus … if you are looking for that perfect gift for the history teacher that has everything you can’t go past a Rosetta Stone Mouse Pad.
  • Entire Egyptian Collection – The British Museum has been called the best collection of Ancient Egyptian artefacts outside of Egypt … and some have the best in the world.
  • Parthenon Marbles (Elgin Marbles)  – I know that there is alot of debate about these being in the collection. I believe that they are important historical artefacts that need to be protected, preserved and shared.  Whether they should be returned to Greece … I don’t know. I can see the arguments from both sides. But as they are in London … you should make the most of it and see them.
  • Statues of Livia – OK while not especially historically significant and would not probably be within the museum’s top 100 either most popular or historically significant objects … this one is important to me. I have to confess I am alittle addicted to this woman from Ancient Rome. But she was a kick-arse no-nonsense woman in a world more more than 1000 years away from giving woman equal rights or the vote. While there maybe some questions around her actions/motives (if you believe everything that she has been accused of) … you gotta love her spunk. So for me this is an important statue and one that I have tried to visit each time I have been to the museum
  • Colossal bust of Ramesses II, the “Younger Memnon”
  • Reconstruction of the Nereid Monument – Also one of my favourites.
  • Mausoleum at Halikarnassos
  • Column from Temple of Artemis at Ephesos
  • Crouching Aphrodite
  • Nineveh Palace Reliefs
  • Colossal statue of a winged lion from the North-West Palace of Ashurnasirpal II
  • Human Headed ‘Lamassu’ Lion
  • Sutton Hoo helmet
  • Hoa Hakananai’a
  • Cradle to Grave 

For more information including how to get there, time of opening and special exhibits to the the official website of the British Museum.  

Heading created using Kate Hadfield‘s Great Britons, Cool Britannia & Great British Alpha

1So with all of the world turning its attention this year to one of my favourite cities … London. I thought that it was time to do a small series of posts on this wonderful city and some of the things that I really loved.
Why does London a special place for me … I guess it would have to be a combination of

• My family (on my paternal grandfather’s side) can be traced back hundreds of years living in London. And the family had even attained a small level of prominence … well for the making of cricket bats. Their bats were famous (Clapshaw bats) and were consider for their time the best even by Prince Albert (husband to Queen Victoria). The Prince Consort not only bought his bats from Clapshaws, but gave the firm the Royal Warrant.
• I am an absolute history nut and anglophile … so walking around London for me is a bit like a child in a candy store. I go into a bit of a historian/geek frenzy 🙂
• Being a musical theatre tragic … yes I have always liked musicals. IMHO there are two cities in the world that you can get to see the best of the best … and this is one.

So with the Olympics coming here later in the year … I thought it was worthwhile me putting my 2 pence worth and highlighting some of the spots I like.

Tower of London

I think it is far to say that I LOVE the Tower of London. I think it is quite easy to say that the number of times I have visited the tower is greater than the number of times I have visited London. It is my favourite of all the royal palaces (please do not think it is a prison … it has acted in that capacity but it is and always has been a royal palace), one of favourite museums .. and touristy place to visit. If you are going to London for the first time I would recommend that you visit the Tower.

What’s so special about the Tower?

Lots of things … But here is a some short highlights

• Longevity – The Tower has had associations with (and often contributions and extensions made by) every monarch from and including William the Conqueror. Although not completed until after his death, the credit for the White Tower and the choice of site belong to William the Conqueror.
• Interesting prisoners within the Tower and dying within within the tower walls …
  • 1471 – Henry VI of England was imprisoned in the Tower after his capture at the Battle of Tewkesbury and was murdered there on 21 May 1471.
  • 1483 – Edward V of England and his brother Richard of Shrewsbury (The Famous ‘Princes in the Tower’) disappear, presumed murdered
  • 1502–1539 – Sir William de la Pole. A distant relative of King Henry VIII, he was incarcerated at the Tower for 37 years for allegedly plotting against Henry VII, thus becoming the longest-held prisoner.
  • 1536 – Queen Anne Boleyn was held prisoner in the Tower and beheaded at Tower Green. Buried in the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula.
  • 1539-1541 – Margaret, Countess of Salisbury – Last Plantagenet Princess is held prisoner in the Tower and beheaded at Tower Green. Buried in the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula.
  • 1542 – Queen Catherine Howard and Jane, Viscountess Rochford, Wife of Anne Boleyn’s brother are held prisoner in the Tower and beheaded at Tower Green. Buried in the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula.
  • 1554 – Lady Jane Grey, the ‘nine days queen’, was held prisoner in the Tower and beheaded at Tower Green. Buried in the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula.
• Interesting prisoners within the Tower and executed on Tower Hill (or elsewhere)
  • 1305 – William Wallace was imprisoned for a short time before his execution in 1305 at Smithfield
  • 1540 – Thomas Cromwell was held prisoner in the Tower and beheaded at Tower Hill.
  • 1534-5 –  Thomas More was imprisoned on 17 April 1534. He was executed on 6 July 1535 at Tower Hill and his body was buried at the Tower of London.
  • 1553-1554 – Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, was imprisoned in 1553 before being sent to Oxford in 1554 to be burnt at the stake for heresy.
  • 1605 – Guy Fawkes is tortured at the Tower following the failed Gunpowder Plot to assassinate James I and blowing up Parliament.  When he confessed to treason, he was sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered in the Old Palace Yard at Westminster; however, he escaped his fate by jumping off the scaffold at the gallows which in turn broke his neck and killed him.
• Interesting prisoners within the Tower and lived ..
  • 1406-8 – James I of Scotland, then heir to the Scottish throne, was kidnapped while travelling to France and imprisoned in the Tower until 1408 before being transferred to Nottingham Castle
  • 1471-5 – Margaret of Anjou, consort of Henry VI Imprisoned after being captured at the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471 until ransomed in 1475.
  • 1554 – Princess Elizabeth, later Elizabeth I, is imprisoned in the Tower.
  • 1941 – Rudolf Hess, deputy leader of the Nazi Party, the last state prisoner to be held in the Tower, in May 1941
• Interesting Uses … in addition to being a Royal Palace and sometimes prison it has over the years had some other interesting uses
  • Zoo (well a menagerie) … But yes the tower was used to hold wild animals. For over 600 years, animals were kept at the Tower for the entertainment and curiosity of the court. Everything from elephants to tigers, kangaroos and ostriches lived in what was known as the Royal Menagerie. In 1832 this came to an end when after several attacks, the royal beasts were sent to London Zoo in Regent’s Park, London.
  • Crown Jewels – the current home for the home Jewels was built in 1994 but the crown jewels have had their home in the Tower for many hundreds of years. The Crown Jewels are a sight to behold. They are the greatest working collection of Crown Jewels in the world and priceless symbols of British monarchy. Some interesting facts
    • The oldest object in the Crown Jewels is a gold Anointing Spoon that dates back to the 12th century.
    • The First Star of Africa, now mounted at the top of the Sovereign’s Sceptre, is the largest cut diamond in the world
    • The Imperial State Crown, which has 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 5 rubies.
  • Yeoman Warders – I am a big fan of the Yeoman Warders (better known as Beefeaters) and I think they are one reason that I hold such a high esteem for the tower in general. They are simply amazing. A trip to the tower must include a tour with the Yeoman Warders. Every tour I have been on I have learnt something new about the Tower, its history but also general British history and had a great time.  It isnot easy and it is a honour to be a Yeoman Warder. Yeoman Warders are required to have served in the armed forces with an honourable record for at least 22 years and then have to complete and are tested on their knowledge of british history before being considered if and when a position arises.
  • Ravens – Why do they have Ravens in the Tower? Well according to legend and superstition  “If the Tower of London ravens (six resident ravens) are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it.” There are seven ravens at the Tower today (the required six plus one spare!). You can find their lodgings are to be next to the Wakefield Tower

For more information including how tot get here and ticketing go to the the official website of the Tower of London.

Heading created using Kate Hadfield‘s Great Britons, Cool Britannia & Great British Alpha