Modern Architecture
by Airpunk
Although London is considered as a very porgressive city, modern architecture does not (some may say: fortunately) form a big part of the cityscape. Only a few innovative or at least exzentric buildings exist, so like the so-called "Gherkin" or the town hall exist next to some less interesting buildings. Skyscrapers exist but are not really popular. Current plans to build a spiky 310 m skyscraper near London Bridge are discussed with controversy. The building shown on the photo is not really interesting, but at least the form is a little unusual. I really like modern architecture when it's outstanding and not just one of the ubiquitous glass and steel temples.
If someone could provide me with additional information about this building, I would be grateful.
Black History of the Tower of London
by Elodie_Caroline
For hundreds of years prisoners were held here in the Dungeons, even up until the 1940's, when a man was tried and shot for being a spy.
But my favourite, if I can call it that, piece of black history of the tower of London; is the story of Roger Casement. He was a humanitarian, he came back and told the Brits of their barbarianism in the Amazon, where the Amazonians had to chop the rubber trees down for making tyres, if they didn't work hard enough, they had their hands chopped off and their villages were burnt down with their wives and children still in them!
Roger Casement was knighted in 1911 by King George V. Then he was found guilty and sentenced to death for high treason on 29th June 1916 for taking part in the Easter rising in Dublin. He was hanged in Pentonville Prison on 3rd August 1916.
I think the English should hold their heads down in shame.
Black Diaries
Amazon Books
Casement Congo Report
I can't find any links to 'The White Diaries' I'm afraid...
So, when you visit London; make sure that you behave yourself, no Grand Larceny, Spying or Arson of Her Majesty's Docks (you can 'still' be hung for these crimes here!) otherwise you could end up with The Tower of London as your accommodation! They actually still have a reconstructed 'Rack' there, like the one that was used for thre likes of William Wallace.
I have told my husband, that I want a room in the Tower of London, one that faces towards the estuary. I can look out of it and see Canary Wharf in the distance that way.
The pics are some wonderful art around the Tower of London whilst it was being done up in 2004.
Visit Covent Garden Market
by trai
This quaint little market was a real highlight for me. Here I found many stalls selling arts and crafts, clothes, and imports among other odds and ends. I came across a stall selling beautiful 3-player chess sets at the market and couldn't resist picking up a board. There also seemed to be continuous entertainment by street performers and aspiring singers at the market.
Putney Wharf
by alucas
The centrepiece of the Putney Wharf development is the tower block shown in the picture.
Originally built in the 1960’s as a boring slab-sided office building, the building has for many years been an eyesore, totally dominating the adjacent St Mary’s parish church. The conversion of the building into a block of luxury flats has totally changed the aspect. The top floors have been cut back, and the lower floors extended, creating balconies and terraces. The flank walls have been re-clad with red terracotta tiles which contrast with the metal and glass of the new frontage. The architects for this spectacular conversion were Patel Taylor
The views over the river must be superb from the upper terraces, but alas, the building lies under the flight path to Heathrow airport, and the constant stream of low-flying aircraft must more than take the edge off having a roof terrace !
Picture taken 7th January 2005.
Putney Wharf is on the south side of the Thames, right next to Putney Bridge.
You CAN drink the water.
by leics
Not only is it perfectly safe to drink the water wherever you are staying, you will also find 'top-up' points dotted about the capital.
Water in plastic bottles is a huge problem, from a green point of view. Safe disposal of plastic is a major problem all over the world.
So please, please do not just keep buying water in plastic bottles. Not only is it very detrimental to the planet, and very expensive, it is also entirely unnecessary when you are in the UK. Our tapwater is perfectly safe to drink everywhere in the country, and tastes perfectly ok. In places where it is not drinkable (e.g. in train toilets) it will be clearly marked as not drinkable.
So buy one plastic bottle, if you absolutely must, and then just refill it from your hotel tap or from the top-up points.
Sign in with Facebook
Trafalgar Square, London, UK.
Banger Bros- Euson Station
The largest piece of gold found.
Still new buildings are going up!!
