The London 2012 Olympics. Years of planning and construction, bucket-loads of money and all over in two weeks…but it was bloody great. Despite many Londoners being full of cynicism prior to the event, it was a roaring success. I’m lucky enough to live pretty close to the Olympic site and also had tickets to a number of events.
Great Britain in the clouds!
The Shard, London Bridge. This new addition to London’s skyline is also the new tallest building in Europe, and can be seen from all over the city. The building contains offices, a 5-star Shangri-La Hotel, restaurants, apartments and a viewing platform on the 72nd floor. The Shard opened on the 5th July with a laser and light show.
Time Out London Shortlist 2012
Kingly Court, Soho, London. Tucked away off Regent Street, and far lesser known than neighbouring Carnaby Street is the lovely Kingly Court. Full of boutique shops and independent cafes and restaurants, you may have passed by this area totally unaware of it’s existence.
This walk in South East London from the River Thames at Erith to Falconwood is a short train journey from London Bridge and is an official Green Chain Walk, marked out by arrows and mileage posts. It passes through Lesnes Abbey ruins which date from 1179; once far removed from the city, now overlooked by council estates. It travels through Plumstead Cemetery and beyond, taking in town and country, passing dog walkers and ramblers and the odd conveniently placed pub.
Full details of this walk are in Time Out London Walks Volume One with more information on the Green Chain website.
Bostall Heath and woods
Lesnes Abbey ruins
Severndroog Castle
Plumstead Cemetery
Museum of London Docklands, Isle of Dogs, London. The museum, which opened in 2003 in an old sugar warehouse, contains artefacts and displays telling the history of the Thames and Docklands area, from Roman times to the closure of the docks in the 1970’s and subsequent development into a busy business district. Among the many exhibits, you can get an insight into the role London played in the transatlantic slave trade and you can wander through recreated narrow streets of 150 years ago with sound effects of drunken sailors.
//// BEN ROWE photography /////// 