Highgate Cemetery
In the early nineteenth century a crisis hit London, there were too few sites in which to bury those who died. Parliament authorised the creation of seven cemeteries in and around the City. Highgate Cemetery was opened in 1839 with this main Cemetery becoming known as the West cemetery after the creation of the East cemetery in 1854.
The West cemetery was closed in 1975 after it was no longer financially viable with the newer East cemetery continuing. Sadly many of the graves and memorials became overgrown and started to fall into disrepair and a group formed called the Friends of Highgate Cemetery to tackle the problem. Thanks to English Heritage and heavy campaigning the group was made solely responsible for the upkeep of Highgate Cemetery and the site is now the kept and dignified resting place it was intended to be.
Celebrated artists and sculptors created individual sepulchres with Gilbert Scott using the mausoleum of Greek king Mausolus as the influence for the tomb of Julius Beer. Edward Jones created a piece called ‘Religion’, a seven foot marble female figure for the wife of Reverend Vaughn. The inventor of Cinematography, William Friese-Green died without any money and artist Lutyens paid tribute to him by creating a monument at Highgate and of course there is Karl Marx himself (in the new part) his own grave almost ironically, so much grander than those of his followers who wanted to be buried near to him.
Though there is a small charge to get into both cemeteries the old cemetery in particular is one of the most amazing sites you will visit. As visitor numbers are so tightly controlled, there is an incredibly peaceful and beautiful atmosphere as you wander the small paths through the ancient trees and woodland, amongst sprawling ivy. The guides that take you around have wonderful stories and anecdotes to tell, not least when you come across the Aztec features in the centre. This really is worth a visit.
HMS Belfast
The plan for HMS Belfast was conceived in 1936 when the admiralty decided to build 2 "Southampton" class cruisers to boost their Naval fleet. Launched on 17th march 1938 HMS Belfast became part of the Naval fleet in the following year. With the outbreak of War HMS Belfast was sent to patrol Northern waters where it secured the capture of SS Cap Norte, the largest vessel to be captured in naval history. In retaliation HMS Belfast was mined and the damage so severe that it took three years to repair the vessel.
HMS Belfast was one of the first ships to fire on enemy positions during the D-Day landings in 1944. Over the next six week HMS Belfast provided naval support, firing thousands of rounds upon various targets along the Normandy coast. After operational tours in Korea and the China seas, HMS Belfast was finally decommissioned in 1963, having sailed almost 500,000 miles for the Royal navy.
HMS Belfast escaped dismantlement and it is now permanently docked near Morgan's Lane. Standing as a living monument to the engineering feat of its creation and a reminder of the battles in which it served. The HMS Belfast is open to the public and visitors are invited to enjoy the Walrus Cafe onboard for refreshments daily.
Hungerford Bridge
The Hungerford Bridge was designed by the celebrated Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1841. The footbridge was built to link the Thames' south bank with Hungerford Market on the north bank.
The suspension bridge is almost fifteen hundred feet long and is supported by cast iron chains. The bridge was opened in 1845 and was a great source of cash, with the piers being leased out to steamboat companies that frequented the Thames.
After the completion of Waterloo station three years later the footbridge carried a considerable number of pedestrians and became a vital commodity for the capital. After more than ten years the bridge was bought by the South Eastern Railway so that a railway bridge could be constructed for the new Charing Cross Station. Sir John Hawkshaw was the resident engineer for SER at the time and had worked on Brunel's suspension bridge in Bristol. He used many of Brunel's principles to build London's only combined pedestrian and Rail Bridge.
In 2000 a huge project was undertaken to create two new footbridges at the site. Brunel's original pier was restored and two new footbridges now join the pier to connect London to the Southbank. Dubbed the 'Embankment', visitors can see the huge building built on stilts above Charing Cross Station. The offices were built on enormous columns so as not to interrupt the train service through Charing Cross.
Jewel Tower, Westminster
The Jewel Tower can be found on Abingdon Street, opposite the Southern side of the Houses of Parliament. It is the only surviving part of the Medieval Palace of Westminster which was burnt to the ground in 1834. The building was built to an "L" shaped design as to not interfere with the garden of Edward III. A moat was dug around the tower on two sides. The tower was built to house the Kings Wardrobe, a collection of jewels and decorative items.
The ground floor of the building retains its vaulting and is adorned with grotesque heads and bosses. A marble table dating from the thirteenth century is also on display here. The Jewel Tower's last incarnation as the Board of Trade's Standards Department is evident through the displays of weights and measuring equipment on show.
Today the Jewel Tower is home to the "Parliament Past and Present" exhibition which chronicles the evolution in the government across the centuries. The Tower is easily accessed via Westminster Underground Station and a nominal admission charge is required to maintain the buildings standards.
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace is a working Royal Residence and has a significant place in the history of London. The Palace was the favoured home of the Monarchy until the eighteenth century. It was the birthplace and childhood home of Queen Victoria.
In modern times Kensington Palace houses offices and apartments of some members of the Royal family. The Jacobean building was purchased from the Earl of Nottingham by William III in 1689 and was extended by Sir Christopher Wren. Rotten Row was a private road from the Palace to Hyde Park Corner. Kensington Palace was the former home of Princess Diana.
Although some members of the Royal Family still live and work here, some of the historic areas are open to the public and it is the home of the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection. The exhibition Hats and Handbags is on view at Kensington Palace, a collection of over seventy hats and accessories belonging to Queen Elizabeth II.
The Kings Apartments include an exuberant staircase with impressive paintings adorning the walls. The Queens Apartment has been restored after it was damaged during the war. Visitors may also wish to take tea at the Orangery Restaurant. The Palace is a 10-15 minute walk from the High Street Kensington Underground Station.
A short journey through London's Landmarks, we'll be bringing you more revues through our travel site www.travel05.co.uk
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