Author: Caroline

Moving a church tower from the Square Mile to Twickenham: the story of All Hallows
17th Century · 20th Century · City of London · Twickenham

Moving a church tower from the Square Mile to Twickenham: the story of All Hallows

Caroline13 Comments

It’s a little known fact that more of the City of London’s churches were demolished during peacetime than were destroyed during the Blitz.  As London expanded, the population of the Square Mile declined.  Fifty one of the eighty-seven churches consumed by the Great Fire of 1666 had been rebuilt, but as the City’s population dwindled during the 19th and 20th Centuries, congregations fell and many churches became surplus to requirements.

However, as you make your way along the Chertsey Road in Twickenham, towards the famous rugby stadium, an unexpected sight looms into view: a baroque Christopher Wren church tower.  This is one of the lost City churches, All Hallows Lombard Street, reborn as a suburban parish church.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Continue reading “Moving a church tower from the Square Mile to Twickenham: the story of All Hallows” →

Exploring Blackwell, a stunning Arts and Crafts house in the heart of the Lake District
20th Century · Bowness-on-Windermere

Exploring Blackwell, a stunning Arts and Crafts house in the heart of the Lake District

Caroline12 Comments

On a hillside overlooking Windermere is a spectacular house.  That in itself is not surprising, as in the 19th and early 20th Centuries wealthy business owners from the north west of England flocked to the Lake District and built comfortable homes for their families – retreats from the noise, soot and pollution of the industrial cities.  But Blackwell, the house we’re exploring today, is quite remarkable – within its Grade I listed walls is an exceptionally-preserved Arts and Crafts interior.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Continue reading “Exploring Blackwell, a stunning Arts and Crafts house in the heart of the Lake District” →

The spectacular Tradescant tomb: “a world of wonders in one closet shut”
17th Century · Lambeth

The spectacular Tradescant tomb: “a world of wonders in one closet shut”

Caroline29 Comments

Tucked away in a pretty garden that was once an old churchyard near the River Thames is an extraordinary, richly-carved tomb.  Decorated with exotic scenes and creatures, it marks the resting place of members of the Tradescant family, who made a name for themselves in the 17th Century collecting plants and other curiosities from all over the world.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Continue reading “The spectacular Tradescant tomb: “a world of wonders in one closet shut”” →

New Romney: a thriving medieval port devastated by a storm
13th Century · New Romney

New Romney: a thriving medieval port devastated by a storm

Caroline7 Comments

It’s easy to look at a map of the British Isles and assume that the outline of land that’s so familiar to us has been that way for millennia.  However, the coastline – particularly in the east – has changed dramatically over the centuries, partly due to human intervention (such as the draining of marshy areas) and partly due to the forces of nature.  Often, these changes are quite gradual and happen over many years (for example, towns on the Norfolk coast that have been gradually disappearing into the sea over many decades and centuries), but sometimes, a storm or other natural disaster could change the fortunes of coastal towns overnight.  New Romney in Kent is one of these places.  Once a thriving and important port, a terrible storm in 1287 cut off the town’s lifeline.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Continue reading “New Romney: a thriving medieval port devastated by a storm” →

The Victorian splendour of Highgate’s Western Cemetery
19th Century · Highgate

The Victorian splendour of Highgate’s Western Cemetery

Caroline15 Comments

Highgate is London’s famous cemetery – it’s the one that most people think of first when Victorian cemeteries are mentioned and it’s the most well known of the “Magnificent Seven” cemeteries that date from the early Victorian period.  Its location on a hillside overlooking the towers of central London draws thousands of visitors, and the overgrown western cemetery has inspired quite a few chilling tales over the years.  Although it retains the glamour and prestige it commanded in its heyday, Highgate looks quite different now compared to its Victorian beginnings.  Despite the many years of neglect (now being remedied by the Friends of Highgate Cemetery), this wonderful burial ground is still one of the finest locations of Victorian funerary architecture in Britain.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Continue reading “The Victorian splendour of Highgate’s Western Cemetery” →

Buried under a boulder: the grave of a Lancashire “witch”
18th Century · Woodplumpton

Buried under a boulder: the grave of a Lancashire “witch”

Caroline35 Comments

In a pretty churchyard in Woodplumpton, a village not far from Preston in Lancashire, is a mysterious old grave with many dark tales attached to it.  A large boulder – terribly out of place among smart Victorian and Edwardian headstones – is said to cover the grave of a witch.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Continue reading “Buried under a boulder: the grave of a Lancashire “witch”” →

Deciphering a spectacular resurrection stone at St Andrew, Holborn
17th Century · City of London

Deciphering a spectacular resurrection stone at St Andrew, Holborn

Caroline8 Comments

Over a doorway on one of the City of London’s many Wren churches is something really quite special.  A large but intricate carving depicts the Last Day – the figure of Christ presides over the dead, who are rising up from their coffins in preparation for the final judgement.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Continue reading “Deciphering a spectacular resurrection stone at St Andrew, Holborn” →

The historian and the baron: tales from two churches in a Lancashire village
13th Century · 19th Century · Hornby

The historian and the baron: tales from two churches in a Lancashire village

Caroline7 Comments

I visited the Lune Valley again recently, that picturesque corner of Lancashire that I’ve found to be rich in history and fascinating old churches.  This visit was no different – driving into the village of Hornby, a striking octagonal church tower caught my attention.  Stopping to explore this church and the church situated opposite uncovered the stories of two men with strong links to Hornby who both made their mark on history.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Continue reading “The historian and the baron: tales from two churches in a Lancashire village” →

Novo Beth Chaim: an old Jewish cemetery marooned on a university campus
19th Century · 20th Century · Mile End

Novo Beth Chaim: an old Jewish cemetery marooned on a university campus

Caroline11 Comments

It’s one of the last places you expect to stumble across an old graveyard, but in the middle of the Mile End campus of Queen Mary, University of London, is a remnant of an old burial ground with many stories to tell about the history of East London and the people who settled there.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Continue reading “Novo Beth Chaim: an old Jewish cemetery marooned on a university campus” →

20th Century · St John's Wood

Father Time and the unfortunate incident with the barrage balloon

Caroline5 Comments

When visiting Lord’s, the Home of Cricket, one of the many famous sights for cricket fans is the Father Time weather vane.  Its appearance – Father Time, complete with a Grim Reaper-esque scythe, removing the bails in the manner of an umpire at the close of play – seems oddly morbid, until one reads the Law of Cricket that it is inspired by: “After the call of Time, the bails shall be removed from both wickets.”  Over the years, Father Time has had a few adventures, falling foul of the weather on more than one occasion and most notably, being the only casualty at Lord’s during the Second World War.

P6227042crop

Continue reading “Father Time and the unfortunate incident with the barrage balloon” →