Carolineld

LATEST ARTICLES ( 803 )

• Tulip Stairs

  

  The first geometric, self-supporting spiral staircase in Britain is in the Queen's House, Greenwich. It is 'geometric' because each step supports the stair... Read more

  Posted on 24 June 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Whitgift Almshouses, Croydon

  

  Incongruously ancient amidst the trams and chain stores, Whitgift Almshouses are an intriguing feature of central Croydon. The annual Heritage Festival offers... Read more

  Posted on 07 June 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Croydon Arts and Crafts

  

  Tucked opposite the better-known Fairfield Halls is one of Croydon's most interesting buildings, the Adult School Hall. This functional, and rather lovely, piec... Read more

  Posted on 28 May 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Croydon Heritage: Aviation, Education, Inspiration!

  

  Croydon isn't thought of as a heritage destination, but its annual Festival highlights the amazing history to be found there. As this year's festival approaches... Read more

  Posted on 25 May 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Above the Scaffolding

  

  The stunning Painted Hall of the Old Royal Naval College has entered a new phase of conservation work. After the newly-bright West Wall was unveiled, cleaned an... Read more

  Posted on 09 May 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Eiffel's Edwardian Laboratory at Work

  

  Gustave Eiffel was always keen for the Eiffel Tower to be more than simply a tourist attraction. Originally built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889, it... Read more

  Posted on 30 April 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Les Ponts Neufs Renewed

  

  I'm quite a fan of Breton architect Louis Auguste Harel de La Noë, leading architect of the (now closed) Cotes du Nord railways. Read more

  Posted on 14 April 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Heavy Motor Cars

  

  While the speed limit had been raised to fourteen miles per hour in 1896, drivers had to wait until the Motor Car Act 1903 for it to reach a dizzying twenty... Read more

  Posted on 08 April 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Surrey Docks Sentinel

  

  The busy working docks of south-east London have been quieted, as industry gave way to housing and leisure. A few reminders are scattered along their banks,... Read more

  Posted on 31 March 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Ghost Signs (128): a Breton Profusion!

  

  Once on the main road but now bypassed by a dual carriageway, Vildé-Guingalan still bears its vintage roadside advertising. There are a number of ghost signs... Read more

  Posted on 26 March 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• The Strange After-lives of Clapham South

  

  Clapham South Deep Level Shelter was one of eight underground bomb shelters created in response to the 1940-41 blitz. Unused for several years after its 1942... Read more

  Posted on 19 March 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Victoria Coach Station, Happy 85th Birthday!

  

  Eighty-five years and a day ago, on 10 March 1932, Victoria Coach Station was officially opened. The building was designed by Wallis, Gilbert and Partners, whos... Read more

  Posted on 11 March 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Deptford in Wesley's Chapel

  

  John Wesley, founder of Methodism, had a home and chapel on the City Road, opposite Bunhill Fields burial ground. The home is now a museum, but the Chapel... Read more

  Posted on 12 February 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Auber, Fading Underground Wonder

  

  Auber station, just behind the Paris Opera, serves the RER (local railway): you can catch a train from here to Disneyland. However, there's little magic and... Read more

  Posted on 20 January 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• A Breton Chapel

  

  Small chapels are liberally scattered around Brittany; many villages have several. They are testament not only to the importance of faith in the region's histor... Read more

  Posted on 16 January 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Ghost Signs (127): Moorgate Station

  

  Moorgate Station is being stripped and retiled, and for the most part the walls are strangely bare - with an intriguing exception. Read more

  Posted on 13 January 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Engineers' Art Nouveau

  

  Almost a century after they were established, TJ Boulting Sons adorned their new premises with richly-coloured, Art Nouveau signs. Read more

  Posted on 10 January 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Remember the Poor's Box

  

  Before the National Health Service ensured free medical treatment for all, the sick were often dependent upon charity. The wealthy hospital of St Bartholemew's... Read more

  Posted on 06 January 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Ghost Signs (126): Gosta Green

  

  One frosty morning, walking across the campus of Birmingham's Aston University, I nearly slipped over as this ghost sign distracted my attention from the icy... Read more

  Posted on 03 January 2017 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY

• Review of the Year

  

  It's that time again: as a new year arrives, we take a look back at the most popular posts of 2016. Top five of the year. Archaeology certainly caught our... Read more

  Posted on 31 December 2016 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, HISTORY