Carolineld

LATEST ARTICLES ( 803 )

• Ship Inn, Hart Street

  

  An exuberant piece of vintage decoration between modern office blocks, the Ship Inn certainly draws attention. Its facade is elaborately embellished with... Read more

  Posted on 12 July 2018 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Ghost Signs (134): Reigate

  

  Visiting Reigate for its caves, I also found all sorts of ghost signs. Some were in the cave system, some around it, and others unconnected. Read more

  Posted on 24 June 2018 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Ganllwyd, Last Ironclad Mission Hall in Wales

  

  Ganllwyd Village Hall is not just a community facility. It's also a rare survival: the only surviving iron-clad wooden mission hall in Wales. This 'tin... Read more

  Posted on 17 June 2018 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Abney Park, Doyenne of Non-denominational Chapels

  

  In 1840, Abney Park cemetery chapel opened. It marked a key moment, not only for Abney Park but also for the ways in which cemeteries were developed and used. Read more

  Posted on 08 June 2018 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Reigate Caves ... That Aren't

  

  Reigate, Surrey is literally built upon sand - and even much of that is hollow! The extensive network of tunnels under the town centre are known as Reigate... Read more

  Posted on 27 May 2018 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Ghost Signs (133): Just Dubonnet

  

  Things have been quiet here for a few weeks, mostly thanks to my being on holiday. And of course, no holiday would be complete without a holiday ghost sign... Read more

  Posted on 13 May 2018 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Hackney Round Chapel, Acousticons, and Second Chances

  

  The Round Chapel in Hackney has an impressive exterior, but opportunities to see the interior are limited. I managed it a few years ago during Open House... Read more

  Posted on 01 April 2018 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Tunnel Visions: Array

  

  Beech Street tunnel is generally a rather uninspiring and polluted space, taking pedestrians and vehicles underneath the Barbican complex. Unless you're using... Read more

  Posted on 23 March 2018 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Acme Electric Co (Finsbury)

  

  An exposed shop sign on Great Eastern Street, Shoreditch reads 'Acme Electric Co (Finsbury) Ltd'. It looks like a momentary exposure, while work is carried... Read more

  Posted on 17 March 2018 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Napoleon in York

  

  Think of Napoleon, and what other word comes to mind? It might be France, Emperor, or Waterloo - maybe 'short' since the myth of his small stature has proved... Read more

  Posted on 03 March 2018 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Ghost Signs (132): Repainted

  

  There's an ongoing debate about the preservation of ghost signs. Very few have any formal protection, but should they be cared for in other ways? Read more

  Posted on 22 February 2018 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Any Old Iron...

  

  The Old Wye Bridge, Chepstow, is an elegant structure which also offers fine views of the town's castle. It is also a rather impressive piece of engineering... Read more

  Posted on 02 February 2018 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Devenport Mausoleum, Greenwich

  

  Next to the National Maritime Museum, a modest building in a modest garden bears quiet witness to the former use of these grounds. Read more

  Posted on 26 January 2018 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Ghost Signs (131): Venetian Mosaics

  

  There is limited scope for ghost signs on Venice's streets, simply because most streets are so narrow and their buildings are crammed in so tightly that... Read more

  Posted on 14 January 2018 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Ghost Signs (130): Pickering and Mayell

  

  In Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter is a building full of fantastic historical features, not least the ghost signs painted along its front and side facades. Read more

  Posted on 06 January 2018 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Goodbye, 2017

  

  As another year ends and 2018 begins, here's my annual look back at the most popular posts. First, the top five of 2017:In fifth place are vintage street... Read more

  Posted on 31 December 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Clacquesin, a Taste of the Past

  

  In 1860, chemist Paul Clacquesin created a liqueur which blended Norwegian pine infusion and spices, intended to improve lung health and breathing. Read more

  Posted on 24 December 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Think This is Fun?

  

  There are many worrying food models, and a number have featured here - the self-saucing hot dog; the lolling-tongued chip; the impaled or cross-eyed doughnuts;... Read more

  Posted on 15 December 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Short Life of a Long-lived Station

  

  Blackfriars Station - now usually referred to as Blackfriars Road to avoid confusion - is still visible on Blackfriars Road. Restored in 2005, its emphatic blac... Read more

  Posted on 08 December 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• To the Trains!

  

  This rather nice sign with its guiding manicule is in Stepney Green underground station, directing passengers down the stairs to the platforms. It has been... Read more

  Posted on 01 December 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY