'Any Old Iron?'

 
 

I'm not sure why I like wrought/cast iron stuff so much, but I do.   So here are some shots of things I have found in my wanderings.   Just keep your eyes open and perhaps you too will  start to get excited when you spot an unusual or elegant design.
 
                                                                                     
 




Railway stations are a good place to start.   After all, you probably spend a lot of time just gazing into space waiting for a train.  This example is from Chesham, Buckinghamshire. 

The area round the Caledonian Road has plenty of ironwork - quite a lot of it in the form of bars in HM Pentonville Prison.   However, these three window boxes, plus the one at the top of the page  can be found in Hemingford Road.   To see more pretty cast ironwork, click here for details of how to get to this quiet Victorian road.    

 














Meanwhile at Parsons Green you might like to have a quick look at this lamp before embarking on a long trail to find a series of majestic iron gasholders, one of which you can see in the photo on the left.   


Other walks to do straight from the London Underground can be found at London Tube Rambles.

                                                                

                                          

Canary Wharf - the old and the new

The transformation of London Docklands has been dramatic.   Instead of toiling dockers and the noises and smells of a vast variety of cargoes being unloaded among shabby warehouses there are now huge glass buildings housing smartly-dressed office workers who are only likely to break into a sweat in the gym. However,  there are still a few reminders of the past around  and interesting vessels visit  from time to time.


 

















1. Reflection of Docklands Light Railway train in glass office block
2. The lovingly-preserved Portwey, an old (1927) coal-fired river and coastal tug which was in dock early Summer 2010.

3. The Training Ship Lord Nelson being guided to her berth in West India Dock at the end of a voyage to Holland.

4.Old cranes left as a reminder of past times.

For details of a potter round this area of London Docklands click here.  For more walks go to London Tube Rambles

Chimneys, Chimneys, Chimneys

                                                      

Hampstead

Chimneys on Flask Cottages, Flask Walk.

Hampstead is so full of interesting buildings that it is well worth devoting a whole day to exploring the area. Suggestions for a walk can be found here

 

Kingsbury

This chimney is being used to anchor a washing line.   I am still trying to work out how the occupants of this building in north London managed to get the rope in position . . . The chimney is on some flats built by the remarkable architect, Ernest Trobridge, who built some astonishing houses with all kinds of medieval and 'Tudor' details in Kingsbury during the 1920's/30's.   For more photos and details of the architectural trail click here

 

Chalfont and Latimer

Here we have the real thing - Chenies Manor in Buckinghamshire has twenty-two Tudor chimneys - each intricately decorated.   The house is situated in glorious country surroundings in an estate village - yet can still be reached by Tube. The walk to get to it goes through woodland and then along a path with beautiful views down over the Chess Valley.   Details here

Archway The trail from Archway Tube station takes in Highgate Cemetery - these chimneys can be found on the lodge by one of the entrances.

Deails here

For lots more interesting walks to do straight from a Tube station,  you might like to go to my website London Tube Rambles

One of the finest Art Deco buildings in London

Mornington Crescent

Near this station, famous for its association with the famous surreal panel game, is one of the finest Art Deco buildings in London, the old Carreras cigarette factory,  now offices. The building dates from 1928 and apart from its amazing trademark Egyptian cat theme is remarkable for being the first pre-stressed concrete factory in Britain and the first to have air-conditioning installed. A real stunner.

A trail from Mornington Crescent Underground, with many other beautiful/fascinating buildings to be found along the way,  can be found by clicking here.   




To find other interesting places to visit, go to www.londontuberambles.co.uk

Big Brother is watching you - in Richmond (antique optician's sign)

 

Richmond, Surrey

An antique optician's sign found while wandering round this lovely riverside town which has so many beautiful buildings and historic connections.  For full details of the walk that includes this wonderful sign, click here.  Other interesting places to visit can be found at
 Rambles from the London Tube 

Artesian Well house, Wimbledon Park

When the octagonal well was first built in 1763 by the Lord of the Manor, Earl Spencer, it was only about thirty feet deep. A horse was set to turn the mechanism that pumped the water up to the storage tank under the dome for use in Wimbledon Park House. In 1798 the decision was taken to deepen the well in order to improve the supply but it took over a year to strike more water – the rush of which then nearly drowned the workmen. The well silted up in the early nineteen century and was finally converted to a dwelling in 1975.

For full details of the walk that includes this odd building, click here.  Other interesting places to visit  can be found at Rambles from the London Tube 

Morden - beautiful parkland walk and wetland wander

 






Morden Hall  itself is not open to the public, but you can wander freely through the beautiful parkland (National Trust) and find all kinds of surprising things - including an old snuff mill and some fascinating wetlands. A splendid free day out! For full details click here. To find other interesting places to visit, go to London Tube Rambles







Photos: 
1.Morden Hall
2.Bridge over the River Wandle
3.One of the buildings associated with the Snuff Mill