Occasional Tourist... The Blog

A night in Glasgow and lunchtime in Edinburgh

2011-08-25T12:32:00.000+01:00

Business, rather than pleasure, sent me to Scotland today. Visiting our office in Glasgow today and on to Edinburgh tomorrow. This necessitated an overnight stay in Glasgow. I had a hotel organised for me by the office - it turned out to be a brief ride down the hill - and just up the hill from George Square where Brad Pitt is currently filming 'World War Z'.

I was booked in to stay at a hotel on Renfrew Street CitizenM. At the moment it is the only one in the UK... and if you haven't any other reason to visit Glasgow a night at this hotel is enough.

Photos of the hotel can be found at this link.

It labels itself as 'Boutique Budget'. I don't stay in enough hotels to comment on the budget part, but the boutique part is certainly true!

I took a quick walk down to see the film set, a square in central Glasgow pretending to be Philadelphia. I had to see it just so that I can sit there when the film comes out I can sit and say 'I saw that, I was there'.

A short train journey the next day took me to Edinburgh. The Fringe Festival is drawing to a close, but there is also a Book Festival happening. As I waked along Princes Street I was given a free promo copy of a book (which I'm pretty certain I'd read a preview of and decided I want to read). See London Calling for what I think of it when I'm done! There was also a French market on Castle Street so I got a sausage baguette for my lunch.

Didn't get to see many sights in either City due to the business not pleasure bit, but it certainly reinforces my desire to take a real visit to both places.

Marble Arch and Hyde Park East

2011-05-07T21:02:00.001+01:00

Designed in 1828 by John Nash Marble Arch was originally the entrance to Buckingham Palace. When the Palace was extended to its current configuration the Arch was moved to its current position (in 1852); although these days it is somewhat isolated by the roads around it - it is effectively on a (very large) traffic island along with Marble Arch Underground Station. There is frequent speculation that it might be moved across the road to Hyde Park, but nothing has come to pass.

Hyde Park has a lot of attractions. Opposite Marble Arch is Speakers Corner; where speakers can talk on any topic and debate and speech on any topic can take place. This right to free speech is not limited to Speaker's Corner (or any of the other Speaker's Corners in the UK) but provides a useful rallying point. Nobody was talking there on Saturday when I was there.

There is also a lot of public art and memorials in and around Hyde Park. On the left is Nic Fiddian-Green's 'Mawari Head'. On the right The Jelly Baby Family, work of sculptor Mauro Perucchett - a temporary installation.

On Park Lane is Lorenzo Quinn's 'Vroom Vroom' a giant hand holding a Fiat 500. Both the sculptures on the right are only on display until Spring 2011.

There are also a number of memorials in Hyde Park. On the East side there are: the monument to Animals in War and also the memorial to the victims of the terrorist attacks on July 7 2005.

There is one post for each person who died, stamped with the location, date and time - and a plaque listing the names of those who died.

You can plan your visit to Hyde Park (or any of the Royal Parks) using their website.

Jubilee Line

2011-04-15T20:04:00.000+01:00

Once upon a time, over a decade ago, the Jubilee Line followed the Bakerloo Line and stopped at Charring Cross. Then somebody somewhere decided to build the Millennium Dome (now the O2) out on a scrubby piece of land north of Charlton and Greenwich, and a tube line was needed to get all the tourists there. So began the Jubilee Line extension.

The Jubilee Line is an odd line. It starts way off in North London past Wembley above ground. It then dives beneath London to become one of the deepest lines. It crosses the Thames not once but four times; and of the first four stops of the extension heading out of Central London three of the four had to co-ordinate with existing stations.

Once you come above ground at Canning Town (and stay there until the end of the line at Stratford) the stations become less impressive. But the new stations (I discount London Bridge and Waterloo as they are so integral to the stations that they integrate with) are all quite 'lofty' and possibly the equivalent of modern day Cathedral Building.

1. Westminster: this must have been one of the hardest stations to do. Running close to the historic Palace of Westminster, on the banks of the Thames and meeting up with two existing lines (Circle and District) which are sub-surface lines and not that deep. I remember as a student a journey on the way to the RICS (located on the North side of Parliament Square) and the major construction work that was evident all around. It is now a feat of engineering. The two Jubilee line platforms run at different levels between the existing SSL platforms and there is a massive network of lifts and escalators to get you where you need to go as well as some absolutely huge pieces of structure to hold the whole station up!

Ignoring Waterloo I move on to Southwark.

2. Southwark: I happened to get on a Southwark the other week. Not a very impressive station from the outside - but an award winning building according to the sign inside.

Again there is an almost Cathedral like feeling to the inside with buttresses up in the roof. There is also a small ocular as you come into the station, which is a bit of a nod back to the styles of the 1930s with the glass blocks.

Southwark doesn't have to join up with any of the other underground lines, but does have to link up with Waterloo East main line train station, which itself links with Waterloo; which is itself a station on the Jubilee Line. You could get confused if you weren't paying attention!

Ignoring London Bridge we move to Bermondsey.

3. Bermondsey: Despite my daily trips in both directions through this part of London I'd still struggle to locate Bermondsey station above ground. I didn't on my mini-trip as leaving the through the ticket gates would have added to my journey! It's a bit more light and airy here - much less of the soaring feeling, but still the unfinished concrete look of many of the stations at this end of the line.

Like many of the stations it also has the the ticket hall concourse and the middle concourse on its way down to the depths of the Jubilee Line at this point (which is still crossing at re-crossing the Thames at this point).

5. Canada Water: for residential and shopping. I've been to this one a few times when North Greenwich has been scuppered, as it is a quick bus ride on the 188 (traffic permitting).

The slightly domed roof at the entrance is a bit church like again, with the continued motif of unfinished concrete. There is some soaring architecture as you plunge down to the depths of the station the catch the trains.

The space and any natural light these station can capture is maximised by not separating the opposite running platforms (which can also be very helpful for the occasions when the Jubilee Line isn't working properly and you have to go backwards to go forwards!).

6. Canary Wharf: given its unique position amongst some of London's tallest buildings the outside of the station is always a bit in the shade. It's also a very complicated area with the underground and the DLR - but Canary Wharf underground station, like Canada Water is soaring.

It must have been another difficult one to build. Two of the four crossing of the Thames on the Jubilee Line are just to get the trains to Canary Wharf and on, digging down amongst the basins of the docks. Well it is a feat of engineering.

7. North Greenwich: we go no further as we're home. Also - after this point the line rises from under the Thames and remains above ground until Stratford.

North Greenwich is also the proud possessor of some soaring architecture. Not like many of the stations in unfinished concrete, but covered in tiny blue mosaic tiles (amazing prescience that one day O2 whose corporate colour is blue would take on the dome?!).

There are two parts to North Greenwich - the underground station and the bus terminus, itself a soaring piece of Architecture, which as far as I have ever seen (based on the crowds inside) is much larger than it needs to be, serving most of the time as a conduit to transit people between the two forms of transport available.

I am grudgingly fond of the Jubilee Line. It has its fair share of problems - Engineering works nearly every weekend, a half-hearted reliability record - but it is also South East London's quickest link to the rest of town.

One New Change

2011-04-08T17:53:00.001+01:00

When we go to watch the Lord Mayor's Show we stand in the same spot, at the end of Cheapside, by St Paul's. In 2006 they were getting ready to knock down the building opposite, and by 2008 it was gone!

Since then the new building has risen from the ground, and now finally is finished. I took a brief stop on my way home today. Which ever approach you take it is an impressive building.

You enter in the shopping area from New Change, passing the exit out from the lower ground shopping area and looking up to shops and offices either side.

There are shops on lower ground, ground and first levels (with a light well all the way up through to the sixth floor) and offices on the upper levels (not yet occupied).

The roof terrace is given over to public open space, and there will be a restaurant up there. At the moment it is worth the trip for the view of St Paul's and South and West London (the Shard, the new building at Elephant and Castle and all the way to Crystal Palace). The view from the glass lift going down is pretty impressive too!

From Farringdon to Kings Cross

2011-03-01T20:28:00.001Z

Clerkenwell Green

When I first started work (over a decade ago now) I worked in Clerkenwell Green. The Clerks Well (from which the area takes it's name) was not rediscovered until the 20th Century and can now be seen through the window of a nearby building on Farringdon Lane.

Also nearby is St John's Square and St John's gate; once the English headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller and now the Red Cross.

Farringdon Station

Farringdon was originally the terminus of the Metropolitan line (the first of the underground lines)... and a lot of the original architecture can still be seen today - both at the front of the station and on the platforms.

Farringdon is undergoing a facelift however, and will have a new station to accommodate both Crossrail and the upgraded Thameslink. I hardly recognised the area which I once knew quite well.

Construction of the new station.

There was once a row of shops and a fairly substantial office building here! By 2016/18 this will be a busy station serving not only the mainlines but four sub-surface tube lines.

Gothic?

One of my favourite buildings in the area is right across the road from all the construction work. This rather gothic building which always makes me think of 'Rosemary's Baby'.

From here it is a short trip back to Kings Cross to change tube lines on my journey back to the office (I'd been to a meeting near Hatton Garden).

In Memoriam

Whist there I noticed the memorial to the Kings Cross fire memorial. Until 1984/85 smoking was allowed on both trains and platforms. Although by the time of the Kings Cross fire smoking was banned the cause is thought to have been a discarded match which ignited wooden parts of the old escalators; 31 people died in the tragedy.

Piccadilly: Green Park to Hyde Park Corner

2011-01-10T13:58:00.000Z

Piccadilly runs east to west from Piccadilly Circus to Hyde Park Corner, thus connecting two of London's busiest traffic hot-spots.

There is a natural divide to Piccadilly at Green Park Station and the Ritz Hotel where the south side of the street becomes bordered by Green Park itself. So apart from Green Park, what happens to Piccadilly between Green Park and Hyde Park Corner?

There are a number of streets running north - all of which are part the West End's horrifying one way maze. This delightfully Victorian looking street is White Horse Street which if followed north will lead to Shepherd Market.

As with many of the buildings in the area a lot of what were once residences for the gentry the buildings in this street are in poor repair although some construction work was evident.

In Down Street the distinctive facade remains of an abandoned tube station. Sitting between Green Park and Hyde Park on the Piccadilly Line it was squeezed out of use by the expansion of the other two stations and closed in 1932. The areas behind the bricked up platforms were used as bunkers during the second world war.

If you pay close attention you can spot the location as you travel between Green Park and Hyde Park on the tube as the face of the tunnel material changes.

At Hyde Park Corner is Constitution Arch (also known as Wellington Arch) with the lovely sculpture of The Angel of Peace descending on the Quadriga of Victory. This was put on the Arch in 1912 replacing a statute of the Duke of Wellington. The Arch is cut off from its surroundings by the gyratory that is Hyde Park Corner - a by-word for busy and chaotic traffic. There are also a number of other monuments to be seen at Hyde Park corner... which will have to wait for another post.

The view was spoiled a bit on Monday lunchtime by a gentleman taking his exercises in front of the Arch.

Amongst the buildings on this stretch of Piccadilly are several luxury hotels these include The Athenaeum which boast London's only living wall. Rather than the normal sedum or climbing ivy this is a vertical garden. It contains 260 plant types and includes species from all over the world.

The ballroom entrance to the Park Lane Hotel is not its main entrance, but I rather like the faded 1920s grandeur.

Almost back to Green Park Station again when I noticed two engraved panels on Stratton House. I have worked in Mayfair for six years and this is the first time that I have noticed these, which does not say much for my powers of observation!

Home to the Netherlands Government for five years during World War II.

London Christmas (2)

2010-12-17T10:56:00.001Z

Tree Lights

Oxford Street

John Lewis raining lights

House of Fraser gone red

Debenhams all lit up

Fenwick have their own bauble tree

London Christmas (1)

2010-12-17T10:49:00.001Z

Royal Arcade

Tiffany & Co

Asprey and their rocking dolphin


Bond Street Lights

Ralph Lauren

Cartier

Office recepetion decoration

At a flower stall

One of London's passages

Lighted columns

Elephant Parade

2010-05-30T21:28:00.001+01:00

Elephants spotted in Great Titchfield Street, Soho Square and Trafalgar Square. Read all about the Elephant Parade at their website... and see how many you spot in the streets of London!

London by night (2)

2009-12-05T18:16:00.001Z

Just about everything in the City looks more dramatic by night...

St Paul's Cathedral

The Royal Exchange

The Monument

Tower Bridge

London by night (1)

2009-12-05T18:05:00.000Z

Last night I was so engrossed in my book that I missed the bus stops at Cemetery Lane and Erwood Road - the next thing I knew I was in Woolwich at John Wilson Street. Just what I needed on a wet Friday night! I did get this very dramatic shot of the tower on the Town Hall.

Great Yarmouth (2)

2009-08-20T19:19:00.000+01:00

Until the arrival of the railway Great Yarmouth was mainly a busy port and fishing town. Steam locomotion at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th Centuries brought the tourist trade to the promenade.

The promenade is over a mile long; boasting two piers and a number of other attractions, including a Sea Life Centre and Model Village. For those who can't face the walk their is a motorised train or horse drawn carriages travelling the length of the sea front.

Below are some fine examples of Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian architecture, mostly with some modern additions tacked on the front!

The Norfolk Broads

2009-08-19T09:42:00.001+01:00

The trip along the Broads started in Wroxham. The round trip down stream was about an hour and a half. I thoroughly recommend the trip as not only was it extremely relaxing but the captain of the boat also gave an extremely informative commentary.

On the left, the first birds of the day, looking for lunch in Wroxham.

The Norfolk Broads (which actually are located in Norfolk and Suffolk) consist of around 50 shallow lakes (broads, from which the Broads get their name) connected by several tidal rivers.

The character of the area varies from semi-urban around towns and villages to rural and peaceful in the countryside. It is always extemely busy with river traffic, however.

The conservation of the area (which is equal to that of a National Park) is assisted by the imposition of speed limits on the waterways, this helps to limit 'wash' from water craft which erodes the banks and destroys the habitat of wildlife.

Some of the craft still seen on the Broads are the wherries. These are traditional boats (inspired by the Viking long-boats) and have been used historically as trading boats and pleasure craft.

Pictured here, the Solace - a privately owned pleasure wherry usually found moored in Wroxham.

This wherry is the Albion, a trading wherry - characterised by the black sail; blackend traditionally with tar for protection from the harsh envrionments in which the boats operated. The hulls are also black with a white patch on the prow - though to come from the eyes painted on Viking long-boats to ensure that the boat always has safe passage.

Here we are out on an open broad. Although most of the land surrounding the Broads is in private ownership and often subject to privacy restrictions the Broads themselves are public waterways with the right of navigation.

These reeds are used for thatching the roofs of buildings, not just in Norfolk but all over the UK.

Some of the bird life on the Broads.

Another Wherry - this is the Ardea with her unique teak hull

An urban part of the Broads

Back at Wroxham, different local wildlife!

Horsey Windpump

2009-08-17T21:32:00.005+01:00

A windpump looks like a windmill, but instead of grinding grain it pumps water. This fine example was built on the site of a previous pump at the turn of the last century and was fully operational until struck by lightning in the 1940s.

It is quite a climb to the top but inside are the original workings of the pump and there is a fantastic view once you reach the viewing platform.

View of the windmill from along the path.

The sails at the top - apparently they used to be re-painted with lead paint until it made them too heavy to turn!

More at the top.

Part of the gears.

It's a long way up!

View from the window.

It's a long way down too!

Gears at the bottom.

Great Yarmouth (1)

2009-08-16T21:37:00.000+01:00

Whilst shopping in Great Yarmouth today we took a trip out along the banks of the River Yare to the sea and saw what on any day except Sunday is probably a hive of activity.

Britannia Monument (Nelson's Column)

This is a splendid example of a Victorian Gasometer.

This is a panoramic shot of the opposite shore of the river.

Just visible here the wind turbine down at Lowestoft.

Monument and some churches

2009-06-15T20:41:00.000+01:00

Walking from St Paul's to London Bridge takes you down Cheapside (one of the City's busier thoroughfares) and along Poultry to Bank and Mansion House.

On the way along Cheapside you'll pass St Mary-le-Bow - home to the famous 'Bow Bells'. It is London tradition that those born in the sound of the Bow Bells are 'true' cockneys. St Mary-le-Bow was originally re-designed by Sir Christopher Wren following the Great Fire (one of many London churches so to be) and was re-built again following severe bomb damage in the Second World War.

The churches of the City could take a day to see by themselves. I visited three today and passed by four or five more without stopping!

Next I took a shortcut through Number One Poultry and onto Queen Victoria Street. On the south side of the street you can see the Temple of Mithras. This ruin of a Roman Temple was discovered in 1954 when excavations for nearby Bucklersbury House were being undertaken. The ruins were painstakingly reconstructed some 18 feet above the level of their original discovery on Walbrook on the bank of the original Walbrook stream. These ruins date from the second century AD.

After this I re-crossed Queen Victoria Street to visit the church of St Mary Aldermary. Another Wren church this is notable for it's beautiful plaster ceilings.

Heading south from here onto College Hill I encountered the church of St Michael Paternoster Royal, Seafarers Church. A more modern building than the Wren churches the interior was still enhanced by some beautiful stained glass windows.

After this I headed along Upper Thames Street (famous for rush-hour traffic jams) to visit the Monument. Built between 1671 and 1677 the Monument commemorates the Great Fire of London which burned for three days in 1666 destroying most of the City of London. The Monument is 202 feet high and if laid down flat would reach the exact spot in nearby Pudding Lane where the fire started.

A rush of blood to the head led me to think that it was a good idea to climb the 311 steps to the viewing platform. The views from the platform (160 feet above London) are fantastic. A complete panorama of London is laid out pretty much unobstructed (apart from the nearby cluster of tall buildings in the City).

Ready to go... and starting the climb

Going up!

Views from the top

The flames on the very top

Going down

You get a certificate when you get back to the bottom, and I certainly felt I deserved it!

Monument is a short walk from St Paul's Cathedral, London Bridge and Southwark.

Oxleas Woodlands

2009-04-24T10:36:00.002+01:00

Such a beautiful spring afternoon called for a walk in the countryside (or as close as you can get here in London), so I took myself up to Oxleas Woodlands. Covering the side of the hills just to the South of Shooters Hill these woods claim to be 8,000 years old, and provide fantastic views over Kent and London.

I arrive near the Cafe at Crownwoods Lane, and head off towards Jackwood House

All that remains of Jackwood House (demolished in the 1930s) are a few parts of the gardens; which appear contrast to the woodland path from which you emerge.

Back into the woods and heading off towards Severndroog Castle.

Severndroog Castle is not open to the public, but plans are underway to do so by 2010. The Castle and gardens provide fantastic views over London.

Looking out towards London (left) and back upo towards the castle (right).

Looking towards Crystal Palace (left) and up through the woods to the Castle (right).

Taking a shortcut back to the car, Central London just visible in the distance.

Thames Barrier

2009-03-06T17:49:00.001Z

This morning was a beautiful spring day and I decided to take advantage of the weather and go the Thames Barrier. Despite the fact that I've lived in Charlton for nearly nine years I've never seen the barrier up close from the South Bank.

I set off from home and walked down towards the River through Maryon Park. Again, in nine years I've never visited this park either. I was expecting something smaller (like the similarly named Maryon Wilson Park) but as I came down a steep flight of steps it became clear this was an altogether larger park. Famous for location shooting of the 1960s film 'Blow Up' and also Gilbert's Pit. Gilbert's Pit is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) orignally used to quarry sand. I didn't visit there today as it was the other side of the steep hill I walked down, and I really couldn't face walking back up. Another day, perhaps. The park is also home to Cox's Mount - used by the Romans as a fort, and more recently as a semaphore station in the 19th century and to help ships adjust their compasses.

Walking down towards Maryon Park

Maryon Park

Crossing the Woolwich Road (know locally as "The Low Road") brings you to New Charlton. Originally a thriving industrial area it fell virtually derelict during the 1970s and 1980s (as did much of the banks of the Thames in South and East London). It is now coming back to life as a 'light industrial' area full of warehouses and shopping estates. A short walk from the Woolwich Road brings you to the Thames Barrier.

Thames Barrier seen from the top of the steps for the first time

Thames Barrier from the East

Thames Barrier from the West

Whilst you are there the Thames Barrier Visitor Centre is worth a visit. Only £2 for adult entry; and apart from the arrival of a school party as I was leaving I had the place to myself. There are fascinating exhibits all about the Thames, the ecology of the River and the history of flooding and construction of the Barrier (including a short film).

1/12th size scale model of one of the 'gates'

The Thames Path - from source to the Barrier, 180 miles!

I followed the Thames Path back from the Barrier to Woolwich - an endeavour not for the faint hearted, as it leaves the River to follow an 'interim' route; along the Woolwich Road, through light industrial and residential estates, turning back in the direction you came - before finally finding the River again.

Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother - London Statues (1)

2009-02-25T07:46:00.001Z

Yesterday a new statue of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was unveiled. Sited at the bottom of Carlton Terrace on the Mall it joins the statue of her husband George V.I The whole setting of the original monument has been given a facelift, and the two statues have been joined by a couple of bronze friezes.

Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother

Queen Elizabeth and George VI (complete with floral tributes)

Extracts from the bronze freizes

George VI

Location of the original monument

City of London (Tall Buildings Part 2)

2009-02-21T16:12:00.001Z

Before the 1990s most of the tallest buildings in London were to be found in the 'Square Mile', within the boundaries of the City of London. These, along with some more recent additions, form a distinctive part of London's skyline.

Here are some more buildings from the "London's 50 Tallest Buildings" list.


Number 5 Tower 42, formerly NatWest Tower (188m tall with 43 floors)	Number 6 30 St Mary Axe, The Gherkin (180m tall with 41 floors)

Number 7 201 Bishopsgate, Broadgate Tower (161m tall with 35 floors)	Number 15 CityPoint (127m tall with 36 floors)

Number 16 51 Lime Street, The Willis Building (125m tall with 28 floors)

Numbers 18, 19 and 20 - Shakespeare, Lauderdale and Cromwell Towers at the Barbican (123m tall with 43 floors except Cromwell 42 floors) Until the construction of the Pan Peniunsula Towers in Docklands these were London's tallest residential towers. The three towers, along with the whole of the Barbican complex are listed buildings.

Number 23 Aviva Tower/St Helen's (118m tall with 28 floors)	Number 26 St Paul's Cathedral (111m tall) Making a surprise appearance on the tallest buildings list St Paul's is easily the oldest building on the list; illustrating who few really tall buildings there are in London at the moment.

Number 32 99 Bishopsgate (104m tall with 26 floors)	125 Old Broad Street, Stock Exchange Redevelopment (103m tall with 27 floors) damaged by an IRA bomb in 1990 this is a refurbishment of the original 1970s building
	#43 (awaiting image)
Number 39 The Lloyds Building (95m tall with 14 floors)	Number 43 One Angel Court (94m tall with 21 floors)

Number 46 200 Aldersgate Street (91m tall with 21 floors)	Number 48 6-8 Bishopsgate (88m tall with 24 floors)

Canary Wharf (Tall Buildings Part 1)

2009-02-16T19:46:00.001Z

As recently as twenty years ago there was nothing much to see in the area known as Docklands. Although much of London's wealth came originally from it's docks and import/export businesses by the middle/end of the Twentieth Century technology had overtaken the docks. New types of shipping using super-sized vessels and giant containers rendered the docks in London useless as they were too small for the new ships. The area fell into disuse and dereliction. That was until a number of initiatives to redevelop the land were put in place. Given the multiple land-owners and the fact that the area spanned some five Boroughs things were never going to be easy; but the development did get under way, and the area was regenerated into what is today Canary Wharf, Canada Water, Surrey Quays etc.

Part of this re-development meant that London got a new tallest building. The iconic One Canada Square was finished in 1991 rising about the previous tallest building Tower 42 (NatWest Tower) by some 50 metres.

One Canada Square is not only the tallest building in London, but in the UK and briefly (until beaten by a building in Frankfurt) in Europe.

One Canada Square (235m tall with 50 floors)

Where there is one, more will surely follow. After ten years in lonely splendour One Canada Square was joined by the next two tallest buildings in London, one either side.

8 Canada Square (200m tall with 45 floors)

25 Canada Square (200m tall with 45 floors)

London's tallest buildings 4 through 7 are located over in Central London (mostly the City). However numbers 8 through 11 are immediate neighbours back in Docklands.

25 Bank Street (153m tall with 33 floors)

40 Bank Street (153m tall with 33 floors)

10 Upper Bank Street (151m tall with 32 floors)

A little further away across the water is the building that comes it at number 12 and again at number 21. The East and West towers of the Pan Peninsula - London's tallest all residential development (although the West tower is one metre shorter than the three towers of the Barbican, the previous holders!).

Pan Peninsula's East Tower is 147m tall with 47 floors

Pan Peninsula's West Tower is 122m tall with 39 floors

Pan Peninsula shines at night, literally, when it is lit by neon lighting strips.

There are five more buildings in and around Docklands that feature in London's top 50 (well, sometimes - it depends on how you measure and what you include on the list!).

Number 28
One West India Quay (108m tall with 36 floors)

This building houses a hotel and apartments.

Number 30
Ontario Tower, New Providence Wharf (106m tall with 31 floors)

Residential use only - once again lit up at night with a blue neon ring around the ellipse.

Number 31
33 Canada Square (105m tall with 18 floors)

Linked to its immediate taller neighbour 25 Canada Square.

Number 47
One Cabot Square (89m tall with 21 floors)

Number 50
5 Canada Square (88m tall with 16 floors)

This list is correct at time of writing - but constant construction in progress means that several of these buildings will soon be knocked off London's 50 tallest building's list.

St Paul's Cathedral

2009-02-09T12:25:00.001Z

A cathedral has stood on this site since around the 7th Century AD and the current building is estimated to be the fifth construction on the site. The previous building was one of the many destroyed in the Great Fire (1666) and the current cathedral was one of the many buildings designed by Sir Christopher Wren.

The building we know today was based on the third proposal for the site. The first design which followed the outline of the old foundations was rejected, the second design (in the shape of a Greek cross) was also reject as too radical, and the third design, the 'warrant' design was approved; and Wren was given permission by King Charles II to make 'ornamental' changes to the approved design, amongst which was the enlargement of the dome to that which we see today.

The cathedral managed to withstand the Blitz during the Second World War, despite several times being hit by bombs; it is, therefore, a symbol of London's 'Blitz spirit' and survival abilities.

St Paul's from Cheapside

The famous dome

St Paul's from the churchyard

On the edge of the new Paternoster Square development is Temple Bar. Originally located on the Western edge of the City where Fleet Street becomes The Strand it was one of eight principle entries to the city (the others being: Ludgate, Aldgate, Newgate, Cripplegate, Moorgate, Bishopsgate and Aldersgate). The stone structure (by Christopher Wren) stood across Fleet Street (where it obstructed the traffic) until it was carefully dismantled and sold. It was reconstructed on a country estate (Theobald's Park) in Hertfodshire where it stood until 2003 when it was again dismantled and returned to the City (albeit not quite where it started).

Temple Bar

Paternoster Square is an area between St Paul's and Newgate Street. It was originally developed in the 1960's for office and retail use. It was a grey, bleak development characterised by faceless blocks and a deserted square. By the late 80s/early 90s it had pretty much fallen vacant, and the last time that I walked through there it was reminiscent of something out of Clockwork Orange!

The redevelopment opened in 2004 and although the new square still has detractors it cannot be anything but an improvement on what was previously occupying the site!

Paternoster Square Column

Juxon House adjacent to Temple Bar

From St Paul's it is a short walk over the Millennium Bridge to Southwark or a trip along Canon Street to London Bridge.

Oxford Street and Regent Street

2009-02-01T15:24:00.000Z

Between them Oxford Street and Regent Street form the backbone of London's shopping district.

Originally designed in 1811 by John Nash and completed in 1825 Regent Street is named after the Prince Regent (later George IV). It was designed to link Carlton House (home of the Prince Regent with Regent's Park).

The original Nash buildings have long since been demolished and replaced with the buildings seen to day, and All Soul's Church at the top of Regent Street by Broadcasting House is the only Nash building to remain.

All the buildings on Regent Street are owned by the Crown Estate, and all are listed buildings.

Regent Street looking South to Piccadilly Circus

Regent Street looking North to Oxford Circus

Just off Regent Street on the East side is Carnaby Street. Originally Carnaby Street was famous in the 1960's for fashion boutiques (such as Mary Quant) and the fact that many of the famous names of the time could be seen there. There was a brief time in the late 80s and early 90s when a lot of the shops were 'tourist' type venues selling souvenirs and cheap fashion, as the area traded on its former fame. Recently the small type boutiques that made it famous have made a comeback.

Carnaby Street

Heading north from the East end of Carnaby Street takes you to Great Malborough Street. Here you will find the faux-Tudor glamour of Liberty (actually built in the 1920s) famous for its Arts and Craft styles, in particular its fabric prints.

Liberty on Great Marlborough Street

Just past Liberty you find yourself on Oxford Circus. From here you can head North towards Regent's Park, East along Oxford Street to Centre Point and Tottenham Court Road or West along Oxford Street to Marble Arch.

Oxford Street is one of the major shopping thoroughfares in London. There are several major department stores as well as many smaller shops. Oxford Street is always extremely congested both with traffic (both buses and taxis) and pedestrians. Major department stores include John Lewis, Debenhams, House of Fraser and Selfridges.

Oxford Circus

Oxford Street (East to Centre Point)

Oxford Street (West to Marble Arch)

Selfridge and Co.

Oxford Street is abutted by other shopping districts; Regent Street (as already mentioned) and also New Bond Street. Visitors to London are confused by the fact there is no such road as Bond Street. The nearest that you get is the underground station on Oxford Street, which confusingly doesn't even stand on New Bond Street!

Bond Street Underground (in West One Shopping Centre)

Walking South down New Bond Street (and then Old Bond Street) will take you back to Piccadilly. The shopping here is a whole different level, and you will find many famous names such as Chanel, Prada, Gucci, DKNY and more.

New Bond Street (looking North)

As Old Bond Street turns to New Bond Street (well, almost) you will come across this life size statue 'Allies' by Lawrence Holofcener. My photo is taken at night as during the day it is quite often joined by tourists or similar!

Roosevelt and Churchill

One of the many beautiful buildings on Old Bond Street is Number 24 which houses Atkinsons Carillion, 23 bells played by hand on occasions of celebration (such as the turning on of the Christmas lights).

24 Old Bond Street

Also on Old Bond Street is Tiffany and Co. This is the London branch of the New York store, famously citied by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's - where nothing bad could ever happen.

Tiffany & Co

Just leading from Old Bond Street to Albermarle Street is the Royal Arcade. Smaller than most of the other Aracdes in the area it is still a beautiful example of the Victorian fashion for Arcades.

Royal Arcade

Now almost back at Piccadilly, other areas of interest near here are Green Park and St James'.

Westminster

2009-01-04T01:27:00.000Z

Starting on the South Bank of the Thames by County Hall provides an excellent view over Westminster Bridge towards the Palace of Westminster (the Houses of Parliament).

County Hall (main entrance)

County Hall (which has an impressive facade on the Thames) was originally the home of the London County Council (LCC) and then of its successor the Greater London Council (GLC). Afte the abolition of the later the building has (eventually) become a hotel and lesiure complex, housing (amongst others) the London Aquarium.The County Hall Island Block (a concrete monstrosity in the middle of a roundabout) was demolished a couple of years ago and a hotel is currently under construction.

1 Westminster Bridge Road (under construction)

On the opposite side of the road from County Hall is St Thomas' Hospital. Although the buildings look very modern this were reconstructed after war damage and the hospital has actually been on its current site since the late 19th Century.

St Thomas' Hospital

Intesting note: the Houses of Parliament are a royal palace, and as such Commoners are not allowed to die there. Bodies are taken to St Thomas' where the death is certified! Westminster Bridge itself was immortalised by William Wordsworth in his poem 'Upon Westminster Bridge' - although the view invoked by the poem is very different from the one offered today! It is the oldest extant vehicle/passenger bridge in Central London beating Blackfriars Bridge by seven years (opening in 1862 and 1869 respectively). The oldest crossing in London is of course London Bridge (in many incarnations since Roman times) but Westminster is the nex t oldest, having had a bridge located at this point since 1750.

Looking east (Hungerford Bridge and Shell-Mex House)

Looking west (Vauxhall)

Arriving on the North Bank of the Thames one is confronted immediately by the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and Parliament Square.

Looking north (Palace of Westminster)

'Big Ben'

Big Ben is actually the nickname of the Great Bell housed within the Clock Tower, not of the clock (or the tower) itself. Big Ben is accurate to 1/10th of a second - although it isn't even the biggest clock face in London, that honour belongs to the Clock on Shell-Mex House (see photo above). Looking back across the Thames provides a fantastic view of County Hall and the statue of Boudicca (Queen of the Icena) who legend has it is buried somewhere in London - one of the strangest options being under platform 10 of King's Cross station!

County Hall

Paliament Square

Parliament Square is borderd to the south by the Palace of Westminster, to the west by St Margaret's and Westminster Abbey, to the east by Whitehall and to the north by Middlesex Guildhall which is currently undergoing refurbishment to become the UK's Supreme Court. The square acutally functions as a giant roundabout, situated as it is on the confulence of routes East/West and North/South. The square in the centre is almost completely inaccessible, there being no pedestrian crossings. The square is noticable for the statues of several former British Prime Ministers and one of Nelson Mandela; that and the 'peace camp' of protestor Brian Haw, which has been there since 2001 and beginning to look its age.

Westminster Abbey and St Margaret's Church

The site of noteable weddings and funerals as well as many noteable tombs and of course Poets' Corner Westminster Abbey was originally a monestary which explains the church of St Margaret's so close by! Shown below are some of the statues around Parliament Square these include the likes of Churchill, Disraeli, Palmerston, Peel and Mandela.

From Westminster the next stop is Whitehall.

Whitehall

2009-01-03T22:53:00.000Z

Whitehall is the name of the road which runs between Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square. Housing many buildings occupied by various Government departments and access to Downing Street (London residence of the Prime Minister) it is synonymous with Government in the UK.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)

There are several buildings along Whitehall other than Government offices - several of these being public houses!

The Red Lion

Other structures on Whitehall include war memorials - one of these being the Cenotaph, designed by Lutyens and constructed around 1920 following the First World War. It is now the location of the Remembrance Sunday ceremony annually.

The Cenotaph

The Cenotaph was joined in 2005 by a second memorial, which is to the women who contributed in many ways during World War II; this is located a little further up towards Trafalgar Square.

Women of World War II Memorial

Probably the most famous part of Whitehall, Downing Street. This is the official residence of both the Prime Minister (at No. 10) and the Chancellor of the Exchequer (at No. 11). Pictured here are the heavily guarded gates which block the end of the street from public access.

Downing Street

On the opposite side of Whitehall is located Banqueting House. Constructed in 1622 and designed by Inigo Jones it is the only surviving part of the palace of Whitehall. It was the location of the execution of Charles I and the restoration of the monarchy with Charles II. Much of the splendour of the building is on the inside rather than the outside, and it is open to the public.

Banqueting House

Back across the other side of Whitehall again is the front of Horse Guards Parade. This is the 'official' entrance to St James' and Buckingham Palaces. Mounted members of the Household Cavalry are stationed there from 10am to 4pm and before 8pm and after 7am an unmounted soldier is on duty. The Household Cavalary is made up from two regiments, the Life Guards (wearing red tunics) and the Blues and Royals (wearing navy blue). The changing of the guard can be seen on the parade ground between Whitehall and St James' Park every day at 11am (10am on Sundays). This area will be converted into an arena for Beach Volleyball during the 2012 Olympics.

Whitehall entrance to Horse Guards Parade

This brings us almost to Trafalgar Square, and the end of Whitehall. There are several more 19th Century buildings which still house various Government departments, committees and so on.

The Old Admiralty Building (now the Cabinet Office)

The Old War Office

55 Whitehall

Southwark

2008-11-12T21:45:00.000Z

On Saturday afternoon, after spending most of the day at the Lord Mayor's Show (and associated festivities) I decided that my best route back to South London was down the Jubilee Line, and the best way to pick up the Jubilee Line would be at London Bridge which is only a short walk across the Thames from the City.

The South Bank of the Thames is the lesser known part of London for most tourists. Although it boasts several major rail terminus stations most of the tourist attractions are found on the North Bank of the river (being the older part of London).

My journey from St Paul's began by crossing the river on the famous (or should that be infamous) Millennium Bridge also known as the Wobbly Bridge - due to the fact that when it first opened some irregularities of construction meant that the bridge wobbled alarmingly as people walked across it.

The Millennium Bridge

The first thing you see as you cross the Millennium bridge and arrive of the South Bank is the Tate Modern, this disused power station houses a number of permanent exhibitions as well as special displays of modern art.

The Tate Modern

A little further along the riverbank (amongst the pubs) is the recreation of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Although the 2008 Theatre season is now over there are still other events and theatre tours on offer.

The Globe Theatre

This area of London (away from the river) has a large amount of accommodation under railway arches (there are a lot of railways leading out of the centre of town into the Kent and Surrey countryside).

Under the arches

Near some of these you will find The Clink Prison Museum. This would appear to be one of London's lesser known attractions and at £5 one of the more affordable. Definitely on my to do list!

A little further along you come across a small dock just off the river. Here is a recreation of Sir Francis Drake's galleon the Golden Hinde. This replica has travelled all over the globe and now is permanently on display in London.

The Golden Hinde

The next landmark is Southwark Cathedral. This magnificent Cathedral apparently has an extremely small parish, being located amongst offices and other industry.

Southwark Cathedral

To the south of Southwark Cathedral amongst the railway lines in Borough Market. This food market occupies a site on which there has been a market for over 200 years.

Borough Market

Nearly back at London Bridge now. Right by the station is the London Bridge Experience. Here you can find the history of London Bridge through the ages. Many years ago I visited a similar exhibit near the Tower of London. At around £15 this is another affordable attraction and one I'll be visiting when I'm next in the area (and it isn't a wet Saturday late afternoon!).

Under the arches (again)

If you still have time left it's a short walk from here up to the mainline station and London Bridge.

Charlton

2008-10-24T07:48:00.000+01:00

This afternoon I took a healthy walk around my local area. First of all a brisk stroll through Charlton Park where I saw a girls football (soccer) team taking practice and about a half dozen squirrels.

View looking towards Queen Elizabeth Hospital

View looking towards Charlton House

Here are some of the dozen or so squirrels - just after they chased each other up the tree!

Charlton House - 400 years and counting

St Luke's Church, Charlton

Although there has been a church in Charlton since the 11th Century this church dates from only the 17th Century. Apparently there is only one bell left now since the bells were removed in the WW2 and only one made it back... the same is true (sadly) for the stained glass windows.

Here's another famous part of Charlton, the football Club.

And, nearly the last famous part - the level crossing.

Just down from where I live I Marion Wilson Park - famous in history as a lair for highwaymen. Now famous for the collection of animals that inhabit the various enclosures.

The herd of deer

Flock of ducks

One of the horses

Goats (complete with magpie friends)

London Bridge

2008-09-20T22:42:00.000+01:00

Yesterday lunchtime I took a short hop on the Jubilee Line from Green Park down to London Bridge. The reason for my journey? World Traders were organising a sheep drive over London Bridge.

Unfortunately my lunch-break happened too late for me to actually witness the sheep crossing the bridge but I did arrive just in time to see the sheep being taken back to their truck for the journey home.

Here's what happened. About 500 Liverymen (and women) from around the City took the opportunity to take turns driving the sheep across the bridge. This is the exercise of an ancient privilege (of hearsay and legend rather than documented evidence) which allowed Freemen to drive sheep across London Bridge (thought to stem from the fact that Freemen of the City were exempt from Bridge tolls/taxes and London Bridge is the oldest and at one time only bridge over the Thames). My parents (both Freemen of the City - as am I) both took part, wearing robes and so I'm told straw boaters (that would be something to see). For more about the Sheep Drive see this report from the Telegraph.

Some of the 15 sheep

London Bridge

Far left - the Corporation of the City of London wash the bridge!

Whilst I was there I took the opportunity to walk across London Bridge to Monument and back. There isn't much to see at Monument right now as the eponymous Monument itself is being cleaned. The Monument commemorates the Great Fire of London and if laid down would reach from where it stands to the site of the Bakery in Pudding Lane where the fire started. The Great Fire of London burned for four days and nights and decimated large parts of old London including the original St Paul's Cathedral and Guildhall along with thousands of homes and 87 churches. Only five deaths were documented but hundreds of thousands were left homeless. The fire did effectively wipe out any remainders of the Plague (1665) and also allowed the redesign of some parts of London - including many of the beautiful churches designed by Christopher Wren, the current St Paul's Cathedral and a new Guildhall.

Monument

Just after crossing the Thames looking east (or west) will afford views of another London curiosity. Some examples of the elevated walkways that populate the City. Part of a post-war planning initiative these were imposed on many developments through the 60s and 70s. Much was built but little was connected, which means that largely these remain unused.

Elevated walkway

I walked back across the bridge to London Bridge to get the tube back to my office. There are quite good views each way from the Bridge up and down the Thames.

The Thames (looking East)

The Thames, Black Cab included (looking West)

City Dragon

London Bridge must be one of the ugliest main line stations in London - probably matched only by Euston and the new frontage of Kings Cross.

London Bridge (including red buses)

Arriving back at North Greenwich in the evening I took the opportunity to capture Canary Wharf with a lovely sunset and some evening shots of the O2.

Royal Observatory (Greenwich)

2008-07-24T03:34:00.000+01:00

Today we took a trip across Blackheath and through the Park to the Royal Observatory at Greenwich. Our original destination was the Planetarium, which we never got around to in the event, but the Observatory itself is a worthwhile day out... and even better, free entry!

We started by getting a bus from Charlton to the edge of Blackheath from where we walked to the top entrance of Greenwich Park. We walked along the beautiful tree lined avenue and finally reached our destination of the Royal Observatory.

Standing in front of the Observatory there are amazing views over the Thames towards Greenwich, Woolwich and Canary Wharf.

Panorama from in front of the Observatory.

There are some amazing exhibitions to see at the Observatory; the original home of the Astronomer Royal has been recreated, including the stunning Octagon Room. There are numerous examples of clocks and watches as well as other equipment used to watch the universe. Amongst other things to see was the amazingly impressive 28 inch telescope. Not for the faint-hearted this one as it involved a climb up a very precarious feeling spiral staircase, a walk across a rather narrow terrace and a descent down another long spiral staircase with chequer-plate treads which mean you can see all the way down! A quick stop in the courtyard to admire the Greenwich Meridian (and the plaques to the three previous meridians!) and we moved on to the 'space' side of the exhibits. These were great fun (if probably more aimed at the younger visitors!) and ended with an excellent short film.

The Greenwich Meridian

The famous 'ball' which drops at 1pm every day - we missed it by 15 minutes!

The top of the Planetarium which is constructed using significant angles relative to the Greenwich Meridian and astronomical features! It is made out of copper, and has signs warning against touching as the metal becomes hot in the sun.

The airship (again) which seemed to be following us as we saw it on Blackheath, at the Observatory and again when we were nearly home!

Trafalgar Square

2008-07-03T05:20:00.000+01:00

Occasional, and on this occasion also accidental. My enforced route march on the way home took me to Charring Cross via Trafalgar Square.

The remains of the Canada Day celebrations.

Nelson's Column and the latest occupant of the Fourth Plinth.

The National Gallery and St Martin's in the Fields

Piper in a kilt!

More remains from Canada Day celebrations

Kings Cross/St Pancras

2008-06-27T21:09:00.000+01:00

First thing this morning I found myself in the vicinity of Kings Cross after a meeting. The area of Kings Cross isn't very high on London's list of tourist attractions. Although recent regeneration has changed the face of the area quite a lot is still a bit run down and shabby, and the whole area still has a reputation as a red light district.

At the centre of this area are the 'twin' stations know by Londoners as Kings-Cross-St-Pancras. These are actually two stations which sit next to each other. St Pancras has recently been transformed as at the end of last year it took over the role as London Terminus for Eurostar services (previously a role held by Waterloo Station) and the correct title of the station is now St Pancras International.

The initial most impressive thing about St Pancras station is the amazing Victorian Gothic architecture on the front of the station.

At one time the Midland Grand Hotel this building then became St Pancras Chambers and served as office space. After falling into disuse at one time it was slated for demolition, and was saved by being awarded Grade I listed status. Thanks largely (I would imagine) to the new international rail terminus the frontage is now being returned to its former hotel status.

Inside the station is probably just as impressive as the outside of the station. At the time it was built it was the largest enclosed space and the largest single span. An interesting side note (for me) is that the man who designed it William Henry Barlow was born in my very own Charlton!

Platform level looking through the security area to the Eurostar trains.

This statue is entitled 'The Meeting Place' and stands under the station clock. You don't really get a feel for the size of it here, but it is apparently 30ft high (and cost £1m!).

This shows the lower level of the station (so that's where all the people went!). Where there are all the facilities that you would normally associate with a station.

These are some of the original features of the Victorian Station, showing the bottom of one of the supporting arches and the ticket office.

Some more fantastic Victorian Gothic architecture, taking you back out of the front of the station.

The amazing vaulted ceiling of the station, just visible on the left the station clock.

Next to St Pancras the front of Kings Cross is nowhere near as impressive. The original station has been obscured by a 'temporary' extension (which is due to be demolished at some point during the regeneration of the area). Looking from the front there is no indication that another beautiful Victorian station is behind!

Kings Cross is famous these days for Platform Nine and Three Quarters, which fans of Harry Potter will know is from whence the Hogwarts Express departs. Kings Cross Station does indeed have eleven platforms, however, sadly, Platforms 9 and 10 (and indeed 11) aren't in the beautiful main station area but a rather less impressive side extension. There is a rather incongruous monument to the mythical platform as you walk between the sections of the station.

The trolley hasn't been abandoned by a frustrated traveller but is, on closer inspection, part of the 'art' being positioned half-in and half-out of the wall on the way to the 'hidden' platform!

Buckingham Palace and Green Park

2008-06-25T04:15:00.000+01:00

During my lunch-break today I decided to take a trip to Green Park. This is the nearest bit of greenery to my office (although it is probably a close call with the garden in Berkeley Square). Green Park doesn't have the wildfowl of St James's Park, the sports facilities of Regent's Park or even any manicured flowerbeds. It is pretty much trees and sunbathers. The whole effect is pretty impressive though, and leaves you feeling you might be in the countryside!

There are quite a lot of paths through Green Park, many of which converge at a giant lamppost which always makes me expect to see the wicked Queen from the Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Unfortunately nobody was walking past when I took the shot below so you don't quite get the scale of it, but it must be over twelve foot high!

Reaching the other side of Green Park (walking from Piccadilly) you reach the splendour of Buckingham Palace and the Mall. As you can see from the photo below the flag is flying over the Palace which means that the Queen is in residence.

This photograph shows Canada Gate which is at the entrance to Green Park; at the entrance of the Mall is South Africa Gate and over the other side is Australia Gate. Clearly a whole Commonwealth theme!

In front of Buckingham Palace (serving almost as a roundabout) is a monument to Queen Victoria. Fairly similar in style (if not size and scope) to the Albert Memorial over in Kensington.

Heading away from Buckingham Palace is the Mall (which if you follow along you will finally reach Admiralty Arch and Trafalgar Square) here you will find St James's Park to your right and an assortment of Royal Palaces (including St James's Palace and Clarence House) to your left.

Walking back up through Green Park I noticed this lovely circle of trees. You can just see in the distance some of the sunbathers, renting their deckchairs!

St James's

2008-06-20T21:55:00.000+01:00

I decided at spend my lunchtime today taking a wander around my local environs. My ultimate aim was St James's Square.

In the morning paper I'd read about a sculpture which was going on display in the square. The sculpture by Jeff Koon titled 'Balloon Flower (Magenta)' is purported to be worth £12m. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see what £12m looks like!

Very shiny and rather peculiar was my final conclusion. I was more amused by the security staff and staff from Christies guarding it. I suppose you have to look after £12m.

St James's Square is a pleasant green oasis in the heart of a rather upmarket business/shopping district. I was particularly taken of the statue of William III on a horse dressed as a Roman general. A long time ago I was told that the position of the horse's feet in a statue indicate the manner of the death of the rider. Four feet on the ground indicate a natural death, one foot in the air indicates that the rider died of wounds sustained in battle and two feet off the ground indicate that the rider died in battle. I tested this with the statue of William III, and indeed (although not in battle) he died of injuries sustained falling from his horse (after it stumbled on a mole hill!).

Facing Piccadilly is the church of St James's. Designed by Christopher Wren the church was badly damaged by bombs in World War II although many of the original features survived. As London churches go it is a rather plain brick edifice, but it is well know for staging concerts and the markets held out front.

Walking back from St James's Square to my office took me along Jermyn Street, well famed for its shirts (much as Savill row is famed for its tailors!).

There are the back ends (as it were) of two delightful shopping Arcades (which connect you to Piccadilly). Both are full of delightful boutique type shops, and indeed Piccadilly Arcade has it's own website.

At the end of Piccadilly Arcade stands a statue of George 'Beau' Brummell, famous Regency dandy.

My travels ended at St James's Street (which pretty much marks the west border of St James's (the east being Haymarket, and bordered north and south by Piccadilly and Pall Mall respectively).

On the corner of Piccadilly and St James's Street is this building with some interesting statues at roof level (you miss so much if you don't look up!). After some research I discovered that this is Justice by a sculptor Herbert Binney.