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Broadcasting House was built in 1932, as the BBC's first purpose-built broadcast centre. The building is worth a visit for two reasons, in my opinion. Firstly, for its architecture; it is a classic example of 1930s design. It is built of Portland stone and often likened in design to the prow of a ship. Above the entrance is a famous statue of Prospero and Ariel (from Shakespeare's play The Tempest), by Eric Gill (see photo 3). Ariel is naked, and there is a story that there were complaints about the size of his p***s, with the result that John Reith, then Director-General of the BBC, ordered Gill to alter it, although there is no real proof of this.
Secondly, visit for the historical resonance of this building. It was from here that the first BBC radio broadcast was transmitted, a performance by Henry Hall and his BBC Dance Orchestra, on 15 March 1932. In a studio here John Logie Baird tried out his experimental television apparatus in August of the same year. And in Christmas of that year King George V came here to deliver the first of what is now a British tradition, the monarch’s Christmas day speech to the nation.
During the Second World War this building epitomised the British determination to carry on as much as normal as was possible. It was painted grey during the Second World War to disguise it from bomber attack but nevertheless it was bombed three times. The most destructive of these was in October 1940, when seven members of staff died. Newsreader Bruce Belfrage was reading the 9.00 PM News at the time – famously, he continued without pause, for security reasons. To ensure that they would be available when it was time for their programme to be transmitted, producers, announcers and artists often slept in the building. Apparently the Queen of the Netherlands was an overnight guest, and trod on sleeping newsreader/journalist Alan Bullock lying in the corridor on her way to the bathroom. It was also from here, on June 18 1940, that General de Gaulle made a speech, following his escape from Nazi-overrun France, in which he rallied his compatriots to form what was to become the Free French Forces.
More recently, Broadcasting House has seen the birth of Radio One, the BBC’s pop and rock station, in 1967. And today a large modern extension is underway, that will extend the activity here to include all BBC Television and Radio News, Network Radio services and the World Service (currently at another iconic building, Bush House in the Strand). The intention is to also increase access for the public, who will have much more opportunity to see broadcasting in action.
Meanwhile, although Broadcasting House isn’t generally open to the public, there are tours offered once a month on Sundays. More details of these are available on the website below, but do note that these are considered suitable for children 12 and above, and pre-booking is essential. I haven’t done a tour myself, but I have had occasion to visit BH (as it is often shortened to) several times in the course of my work and I reckon a tour would be well worth doing.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Portland Place, London W1A 1AA
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Piccadilly Circus with the statue of Eros, Theatres and antiquated book shops on Shaftsbury Avenue.
China Town and slippery Soho - a mix of old, seedy-sixties-sex-industry 'red neon' and pretentious yuppy restaurants, media and offices.
Leicester Square for cinema and food and Covent Garden for bars and street entertainers.
The West End of London is the place to be at night.
See this West End Map for details.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
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In the middle of the busy Soho the Soho Gardens is a delightful quiet place to have a moment of to relax.
The history of the square and gardens dates back to 1681.
In the center is a small Tudor-syle house built in 1925 to cover an electricity sub-station underneath; it's now a garner's hut.
Updated Oct 23, 2010
Address: Soho Square - London.
Oxford Street in London is a hopping heaven. There are so many stores (both expensive and reasonable). However, shopping on Saturday afternoons requires courage (not being pushed from the main street because of so many shoppers), always keep eyes on your bags due to frequent appearance of pickpockets, maneuver skillfully your ways to shop and tube entrances. If you do not mind doing these things, it is one of the best shopping streets in London. A good luck.
Written Oct 18, 2010
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Soho is a small neighbourhood in London, but it’s central and very famous. It is the center of culture and fun. It has many clubs, pubs, bars and restaurants which make it unique place for enjoying the night
Also Soho is home of the biggest gay-community in London especially in the beginning of the 90-s. There are gay bars in the whole area.
Written Jun 27, 2010
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I loved walking around the Soho area. The whole area is so cool, and you can almost feel creativity in the air, I don't why.
The streets and Pubs have a lot of activity, but still there is a sense of calm and "savoir - vivre" all around.
The little garden in the small square in the centre of Soho is a perfect place to rest from a long walk around the whole area.
Written Sep 21, 2009
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No, this is not Cairo and the river behind is not the Nile. However this obelisk is a truly Egyptian one.
Apparently it was given by the Egyptian ruler Muhammad Ali (no! He did not play boxing) in 1819.
It stayed in Alexandria, Egypt, until 1877 when an English man sponsored the transport of the obelisk to London.
After a troubled trip to England during which the boat capsized, part of its crew died and the boat had to be towed to El Ferrol, in Spain, the obelisk was placed at Victoria Embankment, by the river Thames.
During WWI a bomb launched by a German bomber hit the piece. The damage was left without repair.
The name, Cleopatra's needle, is a nickname. The obelisk had actually been made a long time before Cleopatra lived.
Poor obelisk, buried in the sand for 2000 years, surviving a shipwreck, getting collateral damage at war, corroded by London's pollution and weather, and even being victim of ID fraud. I feel sorry for this piece.
Written Jun 9, 2009
Address: Victoria Embankment
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Free admission. Open daily 10am -5pm
Closed 24-26 December.
The Wallace Collection is named after the illegitimate son, Sir Richard Wallace, of the Marquess of Hertford. It is housed in Hertford House.
There are 25 galleries in this superb building, which itself deserves a visit. It was built as the home of the Marquesses of Hertford who collected many paintings, pieces of furniture and armour, and porcelain in the 18th and 19th centuries. When the last member of the family died in 1897 , she left the house and its contents to the nation.
There are exhibitions held on a temporary basis, as well as lectures.
Among the most famous paintings are:
The Laughing Cavalier by Franz Hals. Instead of being a cavalier it is actually a rich Dutch merchant
The swing by Fragonard
Titus, by his father Rubens, a genuine painting.
Landscape by Rembrandt, one of a pair. The other is in the National Gallery.
Dance to the Music of Time by Poussin
Canalettos, Titians, Gainsborough and others
It is possible to see the collection in about an hour.
There is an excellent restaurant in the Courtyard open Sunday-Thursday 10 am- 4.30pm
friday-Saturday 10am-10pm
Written Apr 4, 2009
Address: Hertford House, Manchester Square, W1U 3 BN
Phone: 020 7563 9500
Website: www.wallacecollection.org
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Located in the heart of Piccadilly Circus, Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum offers visitors the ultimate insight into the world of the odd and bizarre. Marvel at over 500 weird and unusual artifacts in over twenty themed galleries spanning four floors. Whether examining genuine shrunken heads, getting a close up view of an actual section of the Berlin Wall, or experimenting with a real life vampire killing kit, the truly amazing Ripley's Believe It or Not! collection proves that fact can indeed be stranger than fiction. For over 40 years, Robert Ripley - the real-life Indiana Jones - travelled the world collecting the unbelievable, the inexplicable, the one-of-a-kind. Now, for the first time in London, this bizarre collection can be viewed in person.
Prices
Adult £17.95 (about 23 Euro)
Senior/Student £15.95 (about 20 Euro)
Child [4 - 15] £13.95 (about 18 Euro) Under 4 FREE Mirror Maze £3.95
Family * £59.96 * 2 Adults + 2 Children (about 75 Euro)
Written Jan 1, 2009
Address: 1 Piccadilly Circus, The London Pavilion
Phone: +44(0)20 3238 0022
Website: www.ripleys.com
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Set in the heart of Royal London at Hyde Park Corner,Wellington Arch is a landmark for Londoners and visitors alike. George IV originally commissioned this massive monument as a grand outer entrance to Buckingham Palace. It was completed in 1830 by architect Decimus Burton, and moved to its present site in 1882.
Take a lift to the balconies just below the spectacular bronze sculpture which tops the imposing monument, for glorious views over London's Royal Parks and the Houses of Parliament. The statue is the largest bronze sculpture in Europe, and depicts the angel of peace descending on the chariot of war.
Inside the Arch, three floors of exhibits tell its fascinating history, including its time as London's smallest police station.
The Arch's Viewing Gallery offers unique views of the Household Cavalry passing beneath on their way to and from the Changing of the Guard at Horse Guards Parade.
Apsley House, opposite Wellington Arch, was the London home of the Duke of Wellington.
Price to enter Wellington Arch
Adult: £3.20 (about 4 Euro)
Children: £1.60 (about 2 Euro)
Concession: £2.40 (about 3 Euro)
DONT MISS MY VIDEOS OF WELLINGTON ARCH
DONT MISS MY TRAVELOGUES OF WELLINGTON ARCH
Written Dec 31, 2008
Address: Hyde Park Corner, Adsley Way
Phone: +44 (0)20 7930 2726
Website: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.12848
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