It seems ages ago since I bought tickets for this event, yet it came round quickly in the end. It’s still the season of light shows, and having been knocked out by one I attended in Winchester Cathedral last year, I thought I’d do another, but in London. It is by the same people and they take their light show all over the place. It was in St Albans at one time.
The night was surprisingly warm. I’d booked the tickets for the first slot on the first night, so no hanging around. Because St Martin’s is a smaller venue than some, the lights began outside the building to the side (where you could get a free peek if you’d not got tickets). You could also see through the windows and the display flitting across the church.
After seeing the lights outside, we filed down the stairs into the crypt where there is normally a cafe. This was shut, but outside there was a drinks bar. Down here was a tunnel of blue with stars and made everyone look like they were wearing cosy fleeces!
The Crypt
Then it was time to enter the church itself where the main display was.
What can I say, but wow! It over too soon. We watched it through twice before finally leaving, and to make space for those coming up behind us. The show is on for a few more weeks, so if you can, do go and see it.
It was lovely to be back in London last week, and despite the rain (most welcome after the heatwave) I enjoyed it. I thought I’d start with the ‘something completely different’.
I began at This Bright Land currently at Somerset House courtyard (closes 29th August). The stalls don’t open until midday, but I just wanted a wander around and see what was there. I loved the garden, the toadstools, flamingos and giraffes!
EntranceMy favourite part
My second stop on my wanderings was St Clement Danes Church in Strand. I have been here once before, but a small orchestra was rehearsing, so on this visit I was able to walk around freely. St Clement Danes is the RAF central church. Here they hold remembrance records and memorabilia. It is a most beautiful church with the insignia of the RAF everywhere.
NaveAltar railOrganGalleryOutside of St Clement Danes
By the time I left the church a light rain had begun to fall.
St Clement Inn
I made way towards Temple Church, I place I hadn’t been to for maybe 20 years. The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown) made this place rather famous as the author used this for one of his locations. I have read the book, and despite all the bad reviews (unchecked locations!), I loved it. The book had not long been out when I went to Temple Church, though this was not my main reason for going. I just like visiting new places! It was free to visit then. Now there is a charge of £5 (£3 concession), but very worth it. There is a lot of merchandise available now which wasn’t there before. And even more exciting to me was the opening of the upstairs. Something new to see.
Temple Church was the English headquarters of the Knights Templar and built as London’s Jerusalem. There are information boards all around the walls telling the story. The church is a working church and is most beautiful with its pews facing across the nave, rather than towards the altar. It has some fantastic stained glass windows.
Temple ChurchThe walls of the round churchRoundal over doorKnightsNaveOrganAltarLooking from the nave towards the round church
On the steps leading to the upper floor is a tiny cell (penitentiary), said to be too small to stand up in! From above you look down on the round church, consecrated in 1185. The church is also the place where the Magna Carta was discussed. For more of the history, please have a look at Temple Church website.
Cell doorLooking down on the round churchUp in the domeFloor tilesThis was very tempting!
By the time I came out of Temple Church, the rain was really going for it. I decided now was a good time to stop for lunch, so that’s what I did. From my table I was able to watch the rain pounding the pavement. Thankfully, it tailed off, and I was able to continue my walk to Trafalgar Square with a visit to St Martin-in-the-Fields.
Window, St Martin-in-the-Fields
And here is what I came to look at! Easily missed in Trafalgar Square, though I have seen it before. Built in the 1920’s this was used by the Police to watch Trafalgar Square because there were so many protests! It used to have a telephone and the gas lamp on top was converted to electric. These days cleaners keep their buckets and cleaning equipment in there!
I hope you have enjoyed this little jaunt around London with me.
My London+ 