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!
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.
By the time I left the church a light rain had begun to fall.
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.
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.
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.
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+ 