Much of the right-hand court is occupied by the privy garden created by Dudley for the queen. Now known as the Elizabethan Garden, it has recently been recreated on the basis of archaeological evidence and an account of the 1575 festivities by Robert Langham.
Like the queen, visitors approach through the keep’s forebuilding, which was remodelled [...]
Archive for the 'London 2014' Category
Filed under Gardens, Heritage, Holidays, London 2014
The Privy Garden – Kenilworth Castle
18 Comments CherryPie on Feb 22nd 2017
Filed under Heritage, Holidays, London 2014
Kenilworth Castle
Kenilworth Castle stands on a low hill that was once at the heart of a 1,600 hectare (4,000 acre) park and surrounded by a vast man-made lake. The spectacular ruins, built mostly from the local red sandstone, reveal much of its medieval and Tudor past.
The castle is approached from the south by a causeway that [...]
12 Comments CherryPie on Feb 21st 2017
Filed under Holidays, London 2014
Kitchen W8
On arrival at Kitchen W8 we were offered an aperitif, perhaps we would like champagne? A perfect option to celebrate the birthday of a gentleman reaching a certain age. The food was delicious, the waiter attentive and always asking before pouring more wine. A perfect end to our stay in London.
His Choices:
Her Choices:
16 Comments CherryPie on Sep 19th 2014
Filed under Art, Holidays, London 2014
Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle
By Yinka Shonibare
Shonibare’s scale model of Nelson’s flagship, Victory, is the world’s largest ship in a bottle. The model is rigged with sails, naval ensigns and signal flags shown as they were on the day of the Battle of Trafalgar. The only significant departure from historical reality is the design of the 37 sails, which [...]
6 Comments CherryPie on Sep 18th 2014
Filed under Heritage, Holidays, London 2014
Altazimuth Pavilion Weather Vane
The Altazimuth Pavilion is topped with an unusual weather vane.
It is modelled on Halley’s Comet, as depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry. It was erected in June 1901, a few years after the building was completed but in time for the comet’s return in 1909. There is a clear link with the Observatory’s history since Halley [...]
6 Comments CherryPie on Sep 17th 2014
Filed under Holidays, London 2014
The Planetarium
This modern structure placed alongside the old observatory buildings draws the eye. It is only on closure inspection that all is revealed…
The truncated bronze cone covering the planetarium dome. Its form and orientation reflect the local meridian and latitude.
4 Comments CherryPie on Sep 16th 2014
Filed under Art, Holidays, London 2014
Astronomia
One of the Royal Observatory buildings is decorated with terracotta tiles and sculptures. Astronomia, a figure representing Astronomy particularly caught my eye.
The terracotta tiles and decorative sculpture are the work of Doulton & Co, of Lambeth. An art nouveau-inspired figure of Astronomia on the northwest side at the bottom of the old staircase is signed `WJ Neatby 1895′. [...]
4 Comments CherryPie on Sep 13th 2014
