The Famous Square Mile guided walk

21.7.11
I hadn't done a guided walk for a while, so was hoping for the rain to hold off - and it did! We started off our walk outside Monument tube station next to the monument erected in memory of the fire of London in 1666 which started in Pudding Lane, right next to where we were standing. It was designed by Christopher Wren in 1677 - you can climb all 377 steps to the top, but it was not for me! It stands exactly 60.6m from the bakery in Pudding Lane where the fire started and it is exactly 60.6m high.
It seems like everywhere we went today was burnt down in the Great Fire of London. It also seemed like all the churches which were rebuilt as a result of the Great Fire were all designed by Christopher Wren!

We walked from there past Old Billingsgate Market, now relocated to near Canary Wharf.

 

From here we walked into an oasis of calm inside an old ruined church - destroyed in the Second World War and made into a garden.

Our guide, Tom, telling us about the area.

It seemed a long way away from the hustle and bustle of the City. 

I just had to take a picture of the beautifully painted bollard above - it is in the colours of the City and they are to be found all around the City of London.

I found the architecture of this area quite fascinating - one minute very modern then suddenly victorian next door.

Lloyd's of London

Lloyds was designed by Richard Rogers with all the external stainless steel ducting on the outside of the building so that all servicing and maintenance could be done from the outside to avoid disturbing business being done on the inside. You either love it or hate it! I have to admit to quite liking it!!
This post-modernist structure strikes a particular contrast with the oldeworlde Leadenhall Market next door.

from the Harry Potter film!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

This market serves food and drink to city folk and has a fishmonger, butcher and cheesemonger. It is a Victorian glass and iron market hall designed by Horace Jones in 1881. The market has recently gained fame from being filmed as Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone!

 

I couldn't help taking a picture of these amazing looking meringues on one of the stalls here!

Our final stop was the Guildhall - right in the centre of the Square Mile - which has been the City's seat of government for nearly 800 years. It is the only secular stone structure to have survived the Great Fire of 1666. It did suffer damage then and also during the Blitz of 1940, but was rebuilt.

I did some exploring of my own after the tour had finished and have included some of the photos I took.

St. Paul's

National Trust House - Sutton House - Hackney

17.7.11
Today we decided to visit a National Trust property. Sutton House is a Tudor house situated in the heart of Hackney. The DLR wasn't working so we hopped on a bus! I haven't been on one in London before!! You certainly get better views and meet a wide and diverse mix of people.
The house was built in 1535 by Sir Raplph Sadleir, a diplomat in the court of Henry VIII, and has had many owners, including being occupied by squatters just before the National Trust took it on and restored it. It has a great deal of beautiful oak panelling and original fireplaces. There is a gallery which now serves as a community space, displaying local artists' work. Today, it was a inspiring display of photographs of various aspects of Hackney.

There is, of course, a charming cafe where you can sit outside if the weather is fine. It was raining so we sat surrounded by second hand books for sale - I bought 2!

Museum of London Docklands

16.7.11
After a gap of three weeks, due to holiday and illness of hubby, I am back in London and visiting the above museum for the first time.www.museumoflondon.org.uk/Docklands/
It is well worth a visit - free admission, though they do charge for special exhibitions, such as the present 'Captain Kidd's experience'. The 11 permanent galleries tell the stories of London’s Docklands, the River Thames, and London’s past as one of the world’s great trading cities. There is a pleasant cafe with comfy chairs.

  

                      

Harry in the sailors' pub

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                           

                                 The front of the musuem

In the evening we went out for dinner. Talking of meals out, where have we been and liked? Well, so far I have really liked  Gordon Ramsey's pub/restaurant 'The Narrow' as mentioned earlier. I also enjoyed going to 'Gaucho' on the Riverside which serves Argentinian steaks. They bring you all the different types available on a wooden board for you to discuss and choose what you want. It is pricey - but you get what you pay for! Good service and the atmosphere was good.
Last night we went to 'The Royal China' also situated on the Riverside near Canary Wharf. It is a chinese restaurant which supposedly serves 'prestigious and authentic' chinese food. It was indeed very tasty and there were many chinese people eating there which one assumes is a good sign! Again, not cheap, but nothing is round here!
I have visited a couple of restaurants which I found sadly lacking! 'La Strada' serves italian food and the atmosphere is fine, but the food we were served was almost inedible! I would not eat there again. Another chain restaurant we visited to celebrate Katherine's birthday was spanish serving different types of tapas 'La Tasca'. The food was ok but almost lukewarm. Again, I wouldn't go there again.
I do like eating out here, especially as you can walk to so many restaurants!