London - Open House
Moderator: maddog986
London - Open House
London held its annual Open weekend over the last couple of days – allowing the public access to many buildings not normally open to them.
Some of the more popular ones are available by ballot e.g. Downing Street, but there are many other interesting ones that are available to all.
We went to four buildings – one of which was Horseguards, the former Headquarters of the Commander in Chief of the British Army (until 1904) but still the home of all troops in the London District and, more famously, the Household Cavalry.
For those that don’t know, the Household Cavalry is made up of two regiments – The Life Guards and the Blues and Royal – and along with the five Guards foot regiments, these seven make up the Queens bodyguard – the Household Division - septem juncta in uno (Seven joined in one) as per the badge.
The main office used by The Duke of Wellington during his two terms as CinC is still in use today – as is the desk he used (although the computer is probably not original!!). There is a letter from Florence Nightingale – written to the CinC during the Crimean War - mounted on the wall and a picture of how the room looked in the Iron Duke’s time. Apart from the desk being in the centre of the room, there is little difference. Incredible history. And my little warspite got to dress up as a Life Guard too!
We then went to the Banqueting House, the only surviving part of the Palace of Whitehall (the main residence of English kings and queens) that was destroyed in a fire at the end of the 17th Century.
I only went to look at it because it was the place at which Charles I was beheaded in 1649 and there was reference to this on one of the walls. As we were there we decided to go inside… and I am glad we did! Beautiful, magnificent…..words don’t begin to describe the ceiling alone.
Walking along Whitehall were some impressive WWII monuments too.
Below are some pictures:
Horse Guards Parade (where the Queen celebrates her official birthday in Trooping the Colour)
Horse Guards entrance leading onto Whitehall. Why does changing of the guard take place here? Its actually the official entrance to Buckingham Palace!
The clock tower. Until Big Ben arrived this clock was where London set its time against. The black mark where the 2pm is is said to represent the time that Charles I was executed.
Some of the more popular ones are available by ballot e.g. Downing Street, but there are many other interesting ones that are available to all.
We went to four buildings – one of which was Horseguards, the former Headquarters of the Commander in Chief of the British Army (until 1904) but still the home of all troops in the London District and, more famously, the Household Cavalry.
For those that don’t know, the Household Cavalry is made up of two regiments – The Life Guards and the Blues and Royal – and along with the five Guards foot regiments, these seven make up the Queens bodyguard – the Household Division - septem juncta in uno (Seven joined in one) as per the badge.
The main office used by The Duke of Wellington during his two terms as CinC is still in use today – as is the desk he used (although the computer is probably not original!!). There is a letter from Florence Nightingale – written to the CinC during the Crimean War - mounted on the wall and a picture of how the room looked in the Iron Duke’s time. Apart from the desk being in the centre of the room, there is little difference. Incredible history. And my little warspite got to dress up as a Life Guard too!
We then went to the Banqueting House, the only surviving part of the Palace of Whitehall (the main residence of English kings and queens) that was destroyed in a fire at the end of the 17th Century.
I only went to look at it because it was the place at which Charles I was beheaded in 1649 and there was reference to this on one of the walls. As we were there we decided to go inside… and I am glad we did! Beautiful, magnificent…..words don’t begin to describe the ceiling alone.
Walking along Whitehall were some impressive WWII monuments too.
Below are some pictures:
Horse Guards Parade (where the Queen celebrates her official birthday in Trooping the Colour)
Horse Guards entrance leading onto Whitehall. Why does changing of the guard take place here? Its actually the official entrance to Buckingham Palace!
The clock tower. Until Big Ben arrived this clock was where London set its time against. The black mark where the 2pm is is said to represent the time that Charles I was executed.
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Now Maitland, now's your time!
Duke of Wellington to 1st Guards Brigade - Waterloo 18 June 1815
Duke of Wellington to 1st Guards Brigade - Waterloo 18 June 1815
RE: London - Open House
Awesome Robert, thanks! [:)] Look forward to more!
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RE: London - Open House
The Guard themselves. When we arrived the Blues and Royals were on duty - and the Life Guards took over. Smart or what?
The Blues (tunic) and Royals (plume)
The Life Guards (with their latest recruit - little warspite)
Some mounted Life Guards
The Blues (tunic) and Royals (plume)
The Life Guards (with their latest recruit - little warspite)
Some mounted Life Guards
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Now Maitland, now's your time!
Duke of Wellington to 1st Guards Brigade - Waterloo 18 June 1815
Duke of Wellington to 1st Guards Brigade - Waterloo 18 June 1815
RE: London - Open House
The desk used by the Iron Duke in his office.....
...and the desk today
And the decor hasn't changed (see the painting above)
...and the desk today
And the decor hasn't changed (see the painting above)
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Now Maitland, now's your time!
Duke of Wellington to 1st Guards Brigade - Waterloo 18 June 1815
Duke of Wellington to 1st Guards Brigade - Waterloo 18 June 1815
RE: London - Open House
The badge of the Household Division - and the seven points for the seven regiments.
An original letter from Florence Nightingale
Looking out of Wellington's office, across Horse Guards Parade, is the Guards memorial.
An original letter from Florence Nightingale
Looking out of Wellington's office, across Horse Guards Parade, is the Guards memorial.
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Now Maitland, now's your time!
Duke of Wellington to 1st Guards Brigade - Waterloo 18 June 1815
Duke of Wellington to 1st Guards Brigade - Waterloo 18 June 1815
RE: London - Open House
Monty
Slim
A monument to the Women that served in WWII - wish my old mum could have seen this.
Slim
A monument to the Women that served in WWII - wish my old mum could have seen this.
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Now Maitland, now's your time!
Duke of Wellington to 1st Guards Brigade - Waterloo 18 June 1815
Duke of Wellington to 1st Guards Brigade - Waterloo 18 June 1815
RE: London - Open House
The Banqueting House and the monument to Charles I
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Now Maitland, now's your time!
Duke of Wellington to 1st Guards Brigade - Waterloo 18 June 1815
Duke of Wellington to 1st Guards Brigade - Waterloo 18 June 1815
RE: London - Open House
Finally the inside of the Banqueting House.....nice.
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Now Maitland, now's your time!
Duke of Wellington to 1st Guards Brigade - Waterloo 18 June 1815
Duke of Wellington to 1st Guards Brigade - Waterloo 18 June 1815
RE: London - Open House
Excellent Robert! [:)] Some great photos...got me to reading a bit about Charles the 1st and the English Civil War! Incredible history...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_I_of_England
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Civil_War
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_I_of_England
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Civil_War
Please come and join and befriend me at the great Steam portal! There are quite a few Matrix/Slitherine players on Steam! My member page: http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197988402427
RE: London - Open House
warspite1ORIGINAL: wings7
Excellent Robert! [:)] Some great photos...got me to reading a bit about Charles the 1st and the English Civil War! Incredible history...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_I_of_England
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Civil_War
I must confess the English Civil War is not a subject that has ever really interested me (too early in time and so too many Pikes and not enough tanks) but I should learn more about it. Interesting that unlike a great many European countries, having got rid of the Monarchy, we voluntarily opted to bring it back.
Now Maitland, now's your time!
Duke of Wellington to 1st Guards Brigade - Waterloo 18 June 1815
Duke of Wellington to 1st Guards Brigade - Waterloo 18 June 1815
- Chickenboy
- Posts: 24520
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RE: London - Open House
Indeed. Nice pictures. Thank you for sharing. [:)]
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Although I must confess that I have trouble understanding some art. (although I am not sure that art is the right word)
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Although I must confess that I have trouble understanding some art. (although I am not sure that art is the right word)
Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb -- they're often students, for heaven's sake. - Terry Pratchett