Category Archives: UK

London, June 2013 & July 2009

London pubs Harrods Thames

London pubs Harrods Thames, certainly one of my favourite cities, here I am enjoying a few drinks at The Botanist hotel in Sloane Square with Teresa Hamilton-Smith who was a favourite girlfriend of mine in Sydney in the early 80s. Her lovely friend Debbie joined as well.  Here is a comparison of photos taken 31 years apart. The one below was Terry & I with Helen Burke another girlfriend of mine on my balcony at 72 Wrights Rd Drummoyne in Sydney in 1982. I often wonder in which decade did I have the most fun, when I see a photo like this I vote for the 80s, however when I think really hard about the question, the fabulous 70s win every time.

Sydney in 1982.

As I said in my first blog it seems to me you go to sleep one night, wake up the next morning, and 30 years have flashed by. No matter how many years have passed I will always remember the wonderful people and the great times we had together.

London pubs Harrods Thames Kings Rd Chelsea

Kings road is Chelsea’s main road. It was once a private road- used only by royalty seeking access to Hampton Court. Starting at Sloane Square, Kings Road stretches south-west and round Worlds End before becoming New Kings Road and crossing Putney Bridge. The Kings Road has always been synonymous with fashion and small clothes stores can be found all along the route. Such stores have been responsible for such fashion tends as the miniskirt and Vivien Westwood’s punk-inspired shop ‘Sex’ can be found here.  Many of the original clothes boutiques have made way for more exclusive and corporate clothing labels in modern times. The Kings Road is also a treasure trove of antiques stores- the famous Chelsea Antiques Market for example. Many established stores such as Habitat, Heals and Bluebird have grown from the Kings Road.

Chelsea Bridge

Chelsea Bridge is a bridge over the River Thames in west London, connecting Chelsea on the north bank to Battersea on the south bank. There have been two Chelsea Bridges, on the site of what was an ancient ford.

The first Chelsea Bridge was proposed in the 1840s as part of a major development of marshlands on the south bank of the Thames into the new Battersea Park. It was a suspension bridge intended to provide convenient access from the densely populated north bank to the new park. Although built and operated by the government, tolls were charged initially in an effort to recoup the cost of the bridge. Work on the nearby Chelsea Embankment delayed construction and so the bridge, initially called Victoria Bridge, did not open until 1857. Although well received architecturally, as a toll-bridge it was unpopular with the public, and Parliament felt obliged to make it toll-free on Sundays. The bridge was less of a commercial success than had been anticipated, partly because of competition from the newly built Albert Bridge nearby. It was acquired by the Metropolitan Board of Works in 1877, and the tolls were abolished in 1879.

The bridge was narrow and structurally unsound, leading the authorities to rename it Chelsea Bridge to avoid the Royal Family’s association with a potential collapse. In 1926, with the bridge unable to handle increased volumes of users, caused by population growth in the surrounding area and the introduction of the automobile, it was proposed that the old bridge be rebuilt or replaced. Between 1934 and 1937 it was demolished and replaced by the current structure, which opened in 1937.

London pubs Harrods Thames The Albert Bridge

The Albert Bridge is a road bridge over the River Thames in West London, connecting Chelsea on the north bank to Battersea on the south bank. Designed and built by Rowland Mason Ordish in 1873 as an Ordish–Lefeuvre system modified cable-stayed bridge, it proved to be structurally unsound, so between 1884 and 1887 Sir Joseph Bazalgette incorporated some of the design elements of a suspension bridge. In 1973 the Greater London Council added two concrete piers, which transformed the central span into a simple beam bridge. As a result, today the bridge is an unusual hybrid of three different design styles. It is an English Heritage Grade II listed building. Built as a toll bridge, it was commercially unsuccessful. Six years after its opening it was taken into public ownership and the tolls were lifted. The toll booths remained in place and are the only surviving examples of bridge tollbooths in London. Nicknamed “The Trembling Lady” because of its tendency to vibrate when large numbers of people walked over it, the bridge has signs at its entrances that warned troops to break step whilst crossing the bridge.

Eaton Square Belgrave

Eaton Square Belgrave is just opposite this corner, and the photo below is Hyde Park. Beautiful, imposing Eaton Square lies at the heart of Belgravia, a superb discreet location bordered by Chelsea, Knightsbridge, Buckingham Palace, Pimlico and Hyde Park. Eaton Square is London’s prime residential square. Eaton Square is arranged around six private gardens, including a tennis court which is for the exclusive use of residents.

Eaton Square Belgrave

If money is not a problem then this is where you would live.

Wellington Arch Hyde Park

Wellington Arch, also known as Constitution Arch or (originally) the Green Park Arch, is a triumphal arch located to the south of Hyde Park in central London and at the western corner of Green Park (although it is now isolated on a traffic island). Built nearby between 1826-1830 to a design by Decimus Burton, it was moved to its present position in 1882-83. It once supported an equestrian statue of the 1st Duke of Wellington; the original intention of having it topped with sculpture of a “quadriga” or ancient four-horse chariot was not realized until 1912.

Beautiful Hyde Park

Just a beautiful place to explore, find a shady spot and relax.

 Hyde Park

 Hyde Park is a real gem in the heart of London.

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London Eye

The London eye  opened in March 2000 the EDF Energy London Eye and has become an iconic landmark and a symbol of modern Britain. The London Eye is the UK’s most popular paid for visitor attraction, visited by over 3.5 million people a year. A breathtaking feat of design and engineering, passengers in the London Eye’s capsules can see up to 40 kilometres in all directions.

Westminister Bridge & Big Ben

Westminster Bridge is a road and foot traffic bridge over the River Thames in London, linking Westminster on the north side and Lambeth on the south side.

The bridge is painted predominantly green, the same colour as the leather seats in the House of Commons which is on the side of the Palace of Westminster nearest the bridge. This is in contrast to Lambeth Bridge which is red, the same colour as the seats in the House of Lords and is on the opposite side of the Houses of Parliament.

Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, and often extended to refer to the clock and the clock tower. The tower is now officially called the Elizabeth Tower, after being renamed in 2012 (from “Clock Tower”) to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II. The tower holds the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world and is the third-tallest free-standing clock tower. The tower was completed in 1858 and had its 150th anniversary on 31 May 2009, during which celebratory events took place.  The tower has become one of the most prominent symbols of both London and England and is often in the establishing shot of films set in the city.

London pubs Harrods Thames, where does it all end? There are so many things to see and do in this great city.

Palace of Westminster

The Palace of Westminster is the meeting place of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

London pubs Harrods Thames Waterloo Bridge

Waterloo Bridge is a road and foot traffic bridge crossing the River Thames in London, between Blackfriars Bridge and Hungerford Bridge. The name of the bridge is in memory of the Anglo-Dutch and Prussian victory at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Thanks to its location at a strategic bend in the river, the views of London (Westminster, the South Bank and London Eye to the west, the City of London and Canary Wharf to the east) from the bridge are widely held to be the finest from any spot at ground level.

The Hungerford Bridge

The first Hungerford Bridge, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, opened in 1845 as a suspension footbridge. It was named after the then Hungerford Market, because it went from the South Bank to Hungerford Market on the north side of the Thames. The footbridge gained a reputation for being narrow, dilapidated and dangerous – it was the scene of a murder in 1999. In the mid-1990s a decision was made to replace the footbridge with new structures on either side of the existing railway bridge, and a competition was held in 1996 for a new design.

Trafalgar Square

This could be London’s most famous landmark.

Trafalgar Square

  Here I am at Trafalgar Square in July 2009. Trafalgar Square, designed by Sir Charles Barry, was constructed in the 1840s on the site that was originally the Royal Mews for hawks and then royal stables.  Barry was also responsible for the Houses of Parliament.  

Trafalgar Square Lions

The children love the Trafalgar Square lions.

Prince Edward Theatre.

The Prince Edward Theatre is a West End theatre situated on Old Compton Street, just north of Leicester Square, in the City of Westminster.

London pubs Harrods Thames Jersey Boys

One of the best shows I have ever seen. Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward theater in London’s West End. Perhaps I liked it so much because I grew up listening to FrankieValli. It is on my list to see it on Broadway as well.

London’s West End

I must say I was a little disappointed in this show.

Porsche Panamera

 The first time I saw the beautiful Porsche Panamera was outside Harrods in July 2009.  

The Comfort Inn

An excellent location near Victoria station and the bus station.

Good value hotel, the Comfort Inn near Victoria station, just use this link for a good discount.

Jump on a London bus

A very good way to see this fabulous city.

THE END

Until next time. 🙂

One of my favourite songs about London.

Thanks for visiting my London pubs Harrods Thames photo blog.

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Escape the cold weather in London and slip down to Barcelona

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