Love Charlie

 'An English man's home is his castle', is quite a true statement and for many years when it came to his home, whether it be semi detached, detached or even a bungalow,  he preferred it to be a two storey dwelling. A s a nation we seemed to turn up our noses at living in a multi storey dwelling, the idea was seen as European, those in Paris or Barcelona may have accepted the idea of people living on top of people but over here it was mostly shunned upon, there are however a few, early examples of us doing just that.  The Albert Hall Mansions in Kensington, London is one such example built in 1879 this Victorian tower block rising 10 storeys (including two attic floors) and situated in a very picturesque and exclusive location, opposite both the Royal Albert Hall and Kensington Gardens was one of the first to throw of our reservations of multi storey living. Designed in the Queen Anne style by architect Norman Shaw the building was constructed from red brick and features l...

It's the most famous clock in the world, instantly recognisable and a landmark of not just London but for the whole of Great Britain, it's a very good time keeper too, I am writing about Big Ben. Big Ben as seen from Westminster Abbey The Queen Elizabeth Tower or as it is more commonly known Big Ben, is a tall, Gothic clock tower and the most recognisable feature of the Houses Of Parliament in London, the title actually refers to the bell inside the tower not the building itself but over the years has come to symbolise both. It's official title of The Queen Elizabeth Tower  was named in honour of Queen Elizabeth ll (the second) on her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, renamed from simply The Clock Tower (how inventive) it was also known as St.Stephens Tower.  Completed in 1859 in a Gothic Revival style to the designs of Augustus W.N. Pugin ,  the clock first started ticking on 31 May 1859, it's other musical attributes however were first heard in stages, it's hourly s...

An Evolution In Architecture I have an interest in architecture, just a quick look through this blog should prove that! I don't know when or how it came about but it is something I have been passionate about for quite some time. To be more precise I have an interest in old architecture, Victorian, Edwadian, Art Deco, designs from eras when buildings had detail, I am not adverse to modern architecture but find it as a whole quite bland and boring, although I am aware of some more recent whimsical constructions.  This hall should be in a museum, the Grand Hall of the Natural History Museum in London My favourite design has to be the Natural History Museum in London, a place I have visited many times over the last few years both with family members and on my own. Entrance to the museum is free and if you plan your visit carefully and go during school hours then it is a lot quieter, not only are the displays interesting however but the museum itself is a masterpiece. Alth...