Salford Quays

The Salford Quays lift bridge or Salford Quays Millenium footbridge.

The bridge has a vertical lift of 18 metres to allow large boats to travel underneath.

 The bridge reflected in an office block.

The bronze Quay West office building

Arena reflection

The O2 arena reflected in a building opposite.

Kensington

This is the Art Deco frontage of Barkers of Kensington Department store which closed in 2006. Currently it is a whole food store but still looks as elegant today  as it did when it was built in the late 19th C.

Just across the High Street is St Mary Abbotts church. The spire is 278 feet high and is the tallest parish church spire in London. The church stands where the original village of Kensington stood in the 8th C.

Moving away from the noise and crowds on the High Street you enter a different world. This is Kensington Churh walk with its quaint shops and mural.

Looking back down the walk you can see the old school buildings next to the church.

There are many large expensive properties in Kensington. Here are just a few.

This is Holland Park School, one of the first purpose built London comprehensive schools and situated next to Holland Park.

Tower House built in 1877 in a 13th C Gothic style, The actor Richard Harris lived here in the 60s before selling it Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin fame.

The house next door is said to be one of the best properties in Kensington. It was the home of Sir Michael Winner, film director, who lived here as a child and then bought it from his parents. It is worth well over 60million pounds.

Churchill War rooms (London Museum#11)

At the back of Whitehall is the entrance to the most important underground building during the 2WW, the Cabinet War Rooms. This was the secret headquarters of the British government during the war.

When the Japanese surrendered on 16th August 1945, these rooms were locked and not used again. They remained secret until the late seventies when the Imperial War Museum had the task of preserving their contents and ensuring the site was preserved as an historic site. Part of the site was opened to the public in 1984 but it wasn't until 2003 that the public were able to see the rest of the site.

Behind this door is the small room where Churchill was able to make his most important calls in private.

This is the room used by Winston Churchill's detectives.

Another room used by one of the chiefs of staff. Note the chamber pot under the bed.

A little more colourful, this is the room  where Mrs Churchill stayed when she visited her husband.

Chief of staff conference room. This is where the heads of the army, navy and air force would meet to discuss their strategic plans.

Field telephone.

Even the phones were colour coded.

This board has been left as it was on the day the headquarters were closed.

Winston Churchill's room.


Sharing with Our World Tuesday. 

Albert's reflection

Prince Albert looking out from the Royal Albert Hall in London.

The statue of Prince Albert which is in Hyde Park is reflected in the door of the Royal Albert Hall.

Sharing with James at Weekend Reflections