Carolineld

LATEST ARTICLES ( 790 )

• Heavenly Stairs

  

  Perhaps the most extraordinary stairs I've walked up are those leading to the Chapter House in Wells Cathedral. First, they are very old, built in the years 126... Read more

  Posted on 05 August 2015 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• 150 Feet Above Whitehall

  

  The Banqueting House is currently hidden behind scaffolding, thanks to restoration works - but what's happening behind the hoardings? Read more

  Posted on 29 July 2015 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Postman's Park (21): Thomas Simpson at Highgate Ponds

  

  In January 1885, Highgate Ponds had frozen over, making them appear perfect for skating. At 5pm on a Sunday evening, twilight may have been hovering but there... Read more

  Posted on 26 July 2015 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Ghost Signs (117): Observatory Street, Oxford

  

  Here's a fragment of a painted sign, peeping shyly out from behind a lamp post.The words 'Park End' are clearly decipherable, but the text above is more... Read more

  Posted on 22 July 2015 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Postman's Park (20): Fireman George Lee

  

  Modern tabloids have some terrible headlines, but it would be wrong to assume that the print media of the nineteenth century were necessarily more sensitive. Read more

  Posted on 19 July 2015 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Modernism, Inside and out

  

  The Isokon building in Hampstead is one of London's finest Modernist buildings - and a gallery in its former garage allows us to explore the interiors too. Read more

  Posted on 14 July 2015 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Postman's Park (19): G F Watts on Display

  

  When I originally wrote the Postman's Park series, the gallery devoted to its creator GF Watts was closed for refurbishment. An exhibition of his work at... Read more

  Posted on 12 July 2015 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Brighter Rhodes in SE1

  

  Among the joys of London are its myriad gardens and green spaces; one of the newest, and perhaps the most colourful, is tucked away near London Bridge Station... Read more

  Posted on 09 July 2015 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Effigies and Ambulances: the Museum of the Order of St John

  

  The Museum of the Order of St John is one of London's hidden treasures, although it's hiding in plain sight! If you've walked around the Smithfield area, you... Read more

  Posted on 07 July 2015 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Postman's Park (18): Ellen Donovan

  

  Like drownings, fires were a frequent cause of death in Victorian London. There was even a specialist charity dedicated to addressing the problem, the Society... Read more

  Posted on 05 July 2015 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Postman's Park (17): the Rev G Garnish

  

  If swimming in the Thames was dangerous, boating also posed real risks. In January 1885, two boats collided on the river at Putney. Read more

  Posted on 28 June 2015 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Ingersoll in Islington

  

  The name of Ingersoll stands out in fine mosaic on top of a building in St John Street. While the company has left, its former showroom and factory is a gloriou... Read more

  Posted on 24 June 2015 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Postman's Park (16): Harry Sisley

  

  In mid-Victorian Britain, swimming became a popular leisure activity. Outdoor swimming pools began to appear, including the marvellous Thames Lido. Read more

  Posted on 21 June 2015 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Derelict Glastonbury

  

  Until recently, Glastonbury was a centre of sheepskin goods manufacture. On Beckery Island at the edge of town stood the factories of two companies, Morlands an... Read more

  Posted on 18 June 2015 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Vintners' Hall: Swans, Schoolboys and Coade Stone

  

  Close to Southwark Bridge, the Vintners' Hall location is no accident. Proximity to the water was necessary for a trade whose focus - wine - was imported by... Read more

  Posted on 16 June 2015 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Postman's Park (15): Death in the Frost

  

  The cold weather of February 1895 became known simply as the Frost. The Illustrated Police News described it as 'terribly severe', asking 'what must be the... Read more

  Posted on 14 June 2015 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Redsands Revisited

  

  Last Saturday was a lovely day for a boat trip. On board the X-Pilot, I enjoyed a picnic on the deck, views of the Thames Estuary, and the clear, fresh air. Read more

  Posted on 11 June 2015 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Never Mind the Bollards

  

  A punning title for an exhibition devoted to street furniture: it's no surprise that I was tempted along to the Building Centre on Store Street! Read more

  Posted on 09 June 2015 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Postman's Park (14): Pantomime Disaster and a Spelling Mistake

  

  Search for more information about the death of Sarah Smith at the Prince's Theatre, and you'll reach a dead end very quickly. Thanks to the Newspaper Library,... Read more

  Posted on 07 June 2015 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Dough No!

  

  A new addition for the scary food collection! This one's from Cardiff, and he's a doughnut. With doughnut arms and doughnut legs and doughnut feet. Stood on... Read more

  Posted on 02 June 2015 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY