DOCSLIB.ORG

(345) BIRDS of INNER LONDON. DURING 1935 Two Species

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
(345) BIRDS of INNER LONDON. DURING 1935 Two Species (345) BIRDS OF INNER LONDON. BY A. HOLTE MACPHERSON. ADDITIONAL SPECIES. DURING 1935 two species occurred which make additions to the list published in this magazine in 1929 (Vol. XXII., pp. 222-244) and subsequently extended. A Snow-Bunting (Plectrophenax n. nivalis) was seen on November 26th, 1935, in Kensington Gardens, by Dr. G. Carmichael Low and Mr. E. G. Pedler, and has already been recorded {antea, p. 239). The date is worth noting. Mr. W. E. Glegg, in his Birds of Middlesex (p. 45), drew attention to the fact that out of the twelve dated occurrences of this species in the county, all but five were in November. Early in the morning of May 27th, 1935, I noticed a Black Tern (Chlidonias n, niger) flying to and fro over the Serpentine, Hyde Park. It stayed throughout the day and was seen by several other observers. At this time there was a marked passage of the species through the Thames Valley. I saw another Black Tern an hour later at Barnes, and had watched a party of six at Staines on the day before. ADDITIONAL NOTES IN 1935. There were probably not more than two pairs of Jays (Garrulus g. rufitergum) in the grounds of Holland House ; but, as in 1934, a pair frequented Regent's Park where Miss M. Rew noticed them on many occasions from January to September. A Goldfinch (Carduelis c. britannica) was seen by Miss M. Rew on March 7th and 16th in Regent's Park. Dr. G. Carmichael Low and Mr. E. G. Pedler saw a Brambling (Fringitta montifringilla) on March 29th in Kensington Gardens. The Long-tailed Titmouse (Mgithalos c. roseus) is a very uncommon visitor to Inner London, but on October 30th I noticed a flock of six in Holland Park Avenue, and on the same day Mr. R. W. Hale saw four flying over The Times office in the direction of Blackfriars Bridge. Mr. H. G. Attlee writes that on November 30th he saw three in a garden near Addison Road Station, Kensington. Mr. E. G. Pedler- saw a Goldcrest (Regulus r. anglorum ?) in Hyde Park on October 5th, and another in Kensington Gardens two days later. 346 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIX. A Pied Flycatcher (Muscicapa h. hypoleuca) was seen by Mr. E. M. Nicholson on September 23rd, in St. James's Park. A Wood-Warbler (Phylloscopus s. sibilatrix) was in song by the Long Water on May 30th in the early morning. Wheatears ((Enanthe ce, cenanthe) passed through Regent's Park in April, though in smaller numbers than usual (Miss M. Rew) ; and I only heard of two in the autumn, seen in Kensington Gardens by Mr. E. G. Pedler and Admiral C. S. Hickley. The Whinchat (Saxicola r. rubetra) was reported from Regent's Park by Miss M. Rew on April 10th, and by Mr. E. G. Pedler on August 24th from Kensington Gardens. A Redstart {Phcenicurus ph. phtxnicurus) was seen by Miss M. S. van Oostveen on April 10th, and another by Mr. E. G. Pedler on September 25th, both in Kensington Gardens. Swifts (Apus a. apus) were often flying over the Serpentine and Round Pond from May 9th throughout the summer. It is possible that they nested in the neighbourhood, but I have no evidence of it. The Kingfisher (Alcedo a. ispida) was observed by the Regent's Canal on February 26th (Miss M. Rew) ; in Kensing­ ton Gardens on March 29th and July 26th (Dr. G. Carmichael Low and Mr. E. G. Pedler) ; and in Battersea Park on August 3rd (Mr. H. G. Attlee). The Great Spotted Woodpecker {Dryabates m. anglicus) bred in the grounds of Holland House. The nest was about 18 feet from the ground in the trunk of a chestnut tree, within three yards of a public walk. The young birds were very vociferous during the first week of June, but not one in a hundred passers-by appeared to notice the sound. Of the nests of this species which I have seen in London and which were over ten feet from the ground, this was the only one from which the owners were not ejected by Starlings. Miss M. Rew informs me that she saw the Great Spotted Wood­ pecker in Regent's Park on various occasions throughout the year. Mr. E. G. Pedler observed a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dryobates m. comminutus) several times during the autumn in Kensington Gardens. A Cuckoo (Cuculus c. canorus) was calling in Kensington Gardens on June 1st. Others were reported to me from the same place on July 23rd (Mr. D. Gunn) and 26th (Mr. E. G. Pedler), and from St. James's Park on July 28th (Mr. E. M. Nicholson). VOL. xxix.] BIRDS OF INNER LONDON. 347 A Sparrow-Hawk (Accipiter n. nisus) was seen by Miss M. Rew on March 16th in Regent's Park. A Shag (Phalacrocorax a. aristotelis), which stayed on the Serpentine from October 14th to 18th, and was identified by Mr. E. G. Pedler and Mr. D. Gunn, has already been recorded (antea, p. 293). Great Crested Grebes (Podiceps c. cristatus) paid an unusual number of visits to the water in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. They were seen in March, July, September, October and December. At the beginning of the year a vast number of Wood-Pigeons {Columbus p. palumbus) came into Kensington Gardens to roost. They must have numbered several thousands. Most came from the north and west. Their numbers rapidly diminished towards the end of February. Several hundreds which roosted on the island in the Serpentine arrived mostly from the east. The Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia t. turtur) was seen in Regent's Park in May and June (Miss M. Rew), also in September (Col. A. E. Hamerton) ; and in Kensington Gardens in June (Mr. E.G. Pedler). In the early and misty hours of May 30th, I came within a few feet of a very tired Dunlin (Calidris alpina) by the Round Pond in Kensington Gardens. It did not remain long, leaving before many people were about; yet it was identified and reported to me by four other observers, evidence of the large number of persons now taking an interest in birds. There is only one definite record of the previous occurrence of this species in Inner London. Some Common Sandpipers (Tringa hypoleucos) probably escaped notice. One was seen by Mrs. E. MacAlister on May 20th, and another by Mr. E. G. Pedler on July 14th. Both birds were by the Long Water. Mr. E. M. Nicholson heard several Curlew (Numenius a. arquata) over Westminster on the night of August 21st. A Common Tern (Sterna h, hirundo) visited the Serpentine on May 28th, and was reported to me by Mr. J. B. Watson and other observers. A Scandinavian Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus f. fuscus) was seen in St. James's Park by Mr. H. W. Robinson (antea, p. 188). I saw one by the Long Water on October 9th, side by side with it was an adult example of Larus f. graelhii. Mr. Graham Hopkins telephoned to me on September 18th that he had just been watching an Arctic Skua (Stercorarius parasiticus) in St. James's Park. The bird had left when I 348 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XXIX. arrived there half an hour later; but it had been noticed also by Mr. W. P. K. Neale, who recorded the occurrence in The Times (September 23rd, 1935). In the afternoon of October 14th a Puffin (Fratermla a. grabce) held up the traffic in the Strand by alighting in the middle of the roadway. It was caught and taken to the Zoological Gardens. On going to look at it three days later, I was informed that it had died during the preceding night. I found it in the hands of the pathologist, Colonel A. E. Hamerton, who had just examined it and told me its death was due to pneumonia. It was a young bird. ADDITIONAL NOTE FOR 1934. Too late for insertion in my last report, Mr. E. M. Nicholson informed me that on September 9th, 1934, when in Hyde Park, he heard and saw an Oystercatcher {Hcematopus ostrakgus). This bird was flying fairly low and as if lost; eventually it went off in the direction of Lancaster Gate. This species has previously only once been recorded from Inner London. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Annual Report 2001 TTM Kensington Society
    TIIE Kensi gt Society t r'.ttt L I \ I 'l t "Cl s r"' tt'l t. -:--+ *'.-- Annual Report 2001 TTM Kensington Society 15 Kensington Square, V/8 5HH The objects of the Society are to preserve and improve the amenities of Kensington for the public benefit by stimulating interest in its history and records, promoting good architecture and planning in its future development and by protecting, preserving and improving its buildings, open spaces and other features of beauty or historic or public interest. Registered Ch arity N o.267 7 7 8 Annual Report 2001 Front cover: Summer evening at the Libeskind Pavilion, Serpentine Gallery. See p21 Photo: Merrilees Brown The Kensington Society CONTENTS PATRON HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS Gay Christiansen-Tributes .4 THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, K.c., c.c.v.o. From the President .7 Chairman's Report l0 PRESIDENT sIR RONALD ARCULUS, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O Secretary's Report I2 Treasure's Report t4 VICE-PRESIDENT Planning & Conservation in 2001 r5 THE RT.HON. THE BARL OF SNOWDON, G.C.V.O New Brooms ................ 17 AGM 200r ......... 18 COUNCIL Barnabas Brunner Sir Duncan Oppenheim Happenings-Kensington 200 1 PhilipEnglish Dr Stephen Pasmore (a) A Glimpse of Libeskind .... 22 Arthur Farrand Radley, M.B.E George Pole Peter de Vere Hunt The Hon.Laura Ponsonby (b) The Swan Surfeit 23 Robert Martin Martin Starkie (c) Fall & Rise of the Princess Alice Garden 25 Michael Middleton C.B.E. TomWilmot (d) First Consider your Tree 26 Dr Peter Nathan Michael Winner Environmental Awards-2001 ..........
    [Show full text]
  • Spring 2019 Founded in 1991 to Promote the Peace and Beauty of the Parks Issue 48
    Friends of Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens www.friendshpkg.org.uk SPRING 2019 FOUNDED IN 1991 TO PROMOTE THE PEACE AND BEAUTY OF THE PARKS ISSUE 48 Spring 2019 Newsletter Aim to be the best So says Tom Jarvis, Royal Parks Director, about his ambitions for the five thousand acres of historic parkland in the heart of London for which he is responsible. FHPKG members are very different from each other - Kensington Gardens has When Tom Jarvis took over his role as Director last October, he was no formal landscaping while Hyde Park is bitty and idiosyncratic, and we must newcomer to the Royal Parks and after a break of seven years working avoid any tendency to homogenise our approach. Each Park is a separate elsewhere, he is delighted to be back. His role encompasses the oversight and entity." strategic direction for all the Royal Parks, each of which demands an A second growing challenge is the management of pests and diseases which, individual approach. While Tom is constantly planning ahead, the Park coupled with climate change, is creating many new problems to tackle. The Managers, who report to him, are operationally focused. I sat down with him impact of the long hot dry summer last year will not be visible for five or six in his office at the Old Police years, but the threat may be House in Hyde Park and asked devastating, even if many plants him what his main ambitions are able to adapt to changing for the Royal Parks are. conditions in a short space of time.
    [Show full text]
  • W ALK 1 Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens
    LONDON’S GREEN WALKS 20 Walks Around the City’s Best Parks, Gardens & Waterways by David Hampshire City Books • Bath • England Acknowledgements First published 2018 he author would like to thank all the many people who helped with research and provided information for this book. Special thanks are due to Alex Browning for her invaluable research, TGraeme & Louise Chesters and Richard Todd; Robbi Forrester Atilgan for editing; Peter Read for additional editing and proof-reading; Susan Griffith for final proof checking; John Marshall for DTP, photo selection and cover design; and Jim Watson for the lovely maps. Last, but not least, a special thank you to the many photographers All rights reserved. No part of this publication – the unsung heroes – whose beautiful images bring London to life. may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or recorded by any means, without prior written permission from the publisher. Copyright © Survival Books 2018 Cover design: Eoghan O’Brien Cover photo: Hyde Park Maps © Jim Watson City Books, c/o Survival Books Limited Office 169, 3 Edgar Buildings George Street, Bath BA1 2FJ, United Kingdom +44 (0)1305-266918 ACCESS [email protected] All parks and gardens provide wheelchair access unless noted www.survivalbooks.net and www.londons-secrets.com otherwise. Note, however, that this doesn’t always apply to buildings within parks or WCs. Contact parks and gardens if you have specific requirements. The Disabled Go website (www. disabledgo.com) provides more in-depth access information for many destinations. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN: 978-1-909282-82-7 Printed in China Author’s Notes Contents Please note the following regarding the walks in this book.
    [Show full text]
  • Public Library in Hyde Park’ That Would Promote Reading Culture Among the General Public and Visitors
    www.archasm.in BACKGROUND London--literature’s labyrinth of ‘lost souls’ is one of the favourite settings for writers/poets/scientists/thinkers and intelligentsia, who have nurtured the city into the greatest hub of intellectual revolution. One of the greatest living cities of the planet, London has had the biggest global influence on the socio-economic and cultural landscape of the world., even being the birthplace to the likes of Industrial Revolution. It has practically absorbed the different times into its intense and heterogeneous landscape through accumulation and juxtaposition. London has been the influence and subject of various literary figures like Shakespeare, Keats, Milton, Byron, Dickens, Newton, Arthur Doyle, George Bernard Shaw, PB Shelley, Chaucer, Virginia Woolf, JK Rowling etc. to name a few. It has been the greatest hub for the development of arts, science and the great English Literature. London was the chosen burial site for a number of poets, writers and scientists who rose into legends in the Poets’ Corner of Westminster Abbey or the Trafalgar Square. London has a great reading culture among its residents, who like to drown into their books looking for some respite from the fast paced metropolitan life. The city is home to great libraries like the British Library, Westminster Reference Library and London Library to name a few. Libraries all over the world have had a great impact on the society and people. Creating and providing an outlet for technological advancements, introducing and nurturing cultural artefacts, supporting the rise of various religions and helping to maintain a sense of historical structure, they have managed to help communities survive and thrive via numerous artistic outlets.
    [Show full text]
  • Standing Open Water
    Queen Mary’s Gardens, Regent’s Park © Nigel Reeve Standing Open Water The major aquatic habitats in Westminster – the canals and The Royal Parks lakes are included within Sites of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation and represent some of the most important corridors for biodiversity in the city. 24 | Westminster biodiversity action plan 1.0 Introduction currently found in Westminster there may be confined to a few sites within St James’s Park, opportunities to promote the recovery of some. Kensington Gardens and Regent’s Park. Across the UK, In Westminster, the Standing Open Water HAP includes up to 40% of reedbed habitats were lost between 1945- lakes, ponds and canals. This refers to open water, The lakes in Westminster are entirely located within the 1990 and reedbeds have since become a scarce which may contain submerged floating-leaved and Royal Parks and are significant bodies of water covering habitat both nationally and in London. emergent vegetation as well as associated fauna. This a total area of 32.8 ha. All are relatively shallow and HAP relates to the UK BAP priority habitats ‘eutrophic classified as eutrophic (nutrient enriched). Eutrophic The canals within Westminster are the Paddington Arm, standing water' and ‘aquifer-fed naturally fluctuating standing waters are over-productive because plant the remnants of the Grosvenor Canal and the Grand water bodies'. There may be some overlap where nutrients are plentiful, occurring either naturally or as a Union Canal. The Grand Union Canal, which passes standing open waters occur in association with other result of nutrient inputs from land run-off, wildfowl and through Westminster for about 5 miles, is an important BAP habitats such as reedbeds.
    [Show full text]
  • HYDE Park Self-Guided WALK HYDE PA RK
    HYDE PA RK HYDE PARK S SELF-GUIDED WALK E L 13 F K -G L U A IDED W 12 11 10 8 9 7 6 4 3 5 2 1 HYDE PARK IS ONE OF THE GREATEST CITY START: Hyde Park Corner underground PARKS IN THE WORLD WITH SOMETHING FINISH: Marble Arch underground FOR EVERYONE. ON THIs walk, we’ll gIVE DISTANCE: Approximately 2 miles you a taste of the park’s dramatIC DURATION: Allow over 1 hour HISTORY, GRAND ARCHITECTURE, FAMOUS REFRESHMENTS: The new Serpentine Bar and Kitchen, The Lido restaurant MEMORIALS AND ORNAMENTAL GARDENS, and at kiosks AS WELL AS SPORTS FACILITIES AND WILDLIFE. SAFETY: Please take particular care on paths that are shared with cycles and cars. BRIEF HISTORY 1536 1637 1690s 1730s 1851 King Henry Vlll acquired King Charles l opened 300 oil lamps installed on The Serpentine lake created The Great Exhibition was held at Hyde Park to hunt deer the park to the public Rotten Row, the country’s first for Queen Caroline the temporary Crystal Palace artificially-lit road 1872 1930 2004 2009 People allowed to speak on any The Lido was established for Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial 52 pillars represent the subject at Speakers’ Corner sunbathing and swimming Fountain opened in 2004 people killed in the July 7th bombings in London 2005 HYDE PARK SELF-GUIDED WALK HYDE PA RK S E L F K TO START THE WALK -G L U A IDED W Hyde Park is one of the greatest city parks in the world with something for everyone.
    [Show full text]
  • Central London Is the Greatest Challenge Within Rivers and the Sea
    Contents 1 Foreword and Introduction 2 Reverie 4 All London Green Grid Vision and Methodology 6 ALGG Framework Plan 6 ALGG Area Frameworks 7 ALGG Governance 8 Area Strategy 10 Area Description 14 Strategic Context 16 Vision 18 Objectives 20 Opportunities 22 Project Identification 24 Clusters 26 Projects Map 28 Key Prjojects 30 Project Details 82 Forward Strategy 84 Gap Analysis 86 Forward Strategy 88 Appendices 90 Baseline Description 92 ALGG SPG Chapter 5 GGA12 Links 94 Project Identification 112 Group Membership Note: This area framework should be read in tandem with All London Green Grid SPG Chapter 5 for GGA12 which contains statements in respect of Area Description, Strategic Corridors, Links and Opportunities. The ALGG SPG document is guidance that is supplementary to London Plan policies. While it does not have the same formal development plan status as these policies, it has been formally adopted by the Mayor as supplementary guidance under his powers under the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (as amended). Adoption followed a period of public consultation, and a summary of the comments received and the responses of the Mayor to those comments is available on the Greater London Authority website. It will therefore be a material consideration in drawing up development plan documents and in taking planning decisions. The All London Green Grid SPG was developed in parallel with the area frameworks it can be found at the following link: http://www.london.gov.uk/publication/all-london- green-grid-spg . Cover Image: River Thames from Wapping foreshore Foreword The All London Green Grid is this most visionary plan And what is the Green Grid? It is not just green, for for London in decades and could have a legacy as a start.
    [Show full text]
  • History in 1536, Henry VIII Acquired the Manor of Hyde from the Canons
    Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner. The park is divided in two by the Serpentine. The park is contiguous with Kensington Gardens; although often still assumed to be part of Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens has been technically separate since 1728, when Queen Caroline made a division between the two. To the southeast, outside of the park, is Hyde Park Corner. Although, during daylight, the two parks merge seamlessly into each other, Kensington Gardens closes at dusk but Hyde Park remains open throughout the year from 5 am until midnight. The park was the site of The Great Exhibition of 1851. It was one of the most important events to take place in the park. For The Great Exhibition the Crystal Palace was designed by Joseph Paxton and constructed on the south side of the park. The public in general did not want the building to remain in the park after the closure of the exhibition, and the design architect, Joseph Paxton, raised funds and purchased it. He had it moved to Sydenham Hill in South London. The park has become a traditional location for mass demonstrations. The Chartists, the Reform League, the Suffragettes and the Stop The War Coalition have all held protests in the park. Many protestors on the Liberty and Livelihood March in 2002 started their march from Hyde Park. History In 1536, Henry VIII acquired the manor of Hyde from the canons of Westminster Abbey, who had held it since before the Norman Conquest; it was enclosed as a deer park and remained a private hunting ground until James I permitted limited access to gentlefolk, appointing a ranger to take charge.
    [Show full text]
  • Opening up Innovation: Strategy, Organization and Technology 1
    MAP OF VENUES DRUID SUMMER CONFERENCE 2010 ON NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM HYDE PARK (TOUR) OPENING UP INNOVATION: (CONFERENCE DINNER) ROYAL SCHOOL OF MINES STRATEGY, ORGANIZATION SCIENCE MUSEUM (TOUR) (PARALLEL SESSIONS) IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON (HELP DESK, 58 PRINCE’S GATE AND TECHNOLOGY PARALLEL SESSIONS & POSTERS) (PARALLEL SESSIONS) ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY SOUTH KENSINGTON (ALL PLENARY SESSIONS) STATION JUNE 16 - 18 AT THE IMPERIAL COLLEGE BUSINESS SCHOOL E-Mail: [email protected] • Website: www.druid.dk/summer2010 CONFERENCE SPONSORS 2010 THE UK~IRC The UK~IRC is a joint venture between the Centre for Business Research at the University of Cambridge and Imperial College Business School to further research and knowledge exchange on innovation policy and practice. The UK~IRC involves a large-scale, multi-year research programme and a Knowledge Hub to engage pol- icy-makers and practitioners about innovation research. The research programme explores open innovation, service innovation, online communities and innovation policy-making. Through the Hub, our aim is to maximise the effect of the research on policy and practice, so as to help the UK face its social, environmental and economic challenges. The UK~IRC is co-funded by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) and the Tech- nology Strategy Board (TSB). Track C. Open Innovation and Distributed Innovation & Track O. Innovation and Institutions in Services are co- organized with UK Innovation Research Centre, funded by NESTA, ESRC, BIS and TSB. ECO-CIT Ecocit is a global network of academic, industry and public sector partners engaged in research whose goal is to make our cities not only sustainable ecologically, but helping them thrive economically – attracting firms, a skilled workforce, and build- ing communities at ease with themselves.
    [Show full text]
  • Spring 2018 Founded in 1991 to Promote the Peace and Beauty of the Parks Issue 46
    Friends of Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens www.friendshpkg.org.uk SPRING 2018 FOUNDED IN 1991 TO PROMOTE THE PEACE AND BEAUTY OF THE PARKS ISSUE 46 Spring 2018 Newsletter All change at the Royal Parks and the lure of pastures new Chairman Sue Price reports on personnel moves in ‘our’ Andrew Williams (Andy), who has been the manager of Royal Parks, affecting some who have been among the Kensington Gardens, is moving the short distance from his Friends’ closest allies over the past few years. store-yard offices to the Ranger’s Lodge in Hyde Park and will for the time being take on managing Hyde Park. Robert (Rob) Dowling who, until the end of January, was Many members have met Andy at the Albert Memorial the manager of Hyde Park, has been head-hunted. He has and have been led down into the Undercroft for a been made an offer he felt he could not refuse to re-locate memorable experience and a very good tour. He has to Qatar to help build and then develop Al Bidda, a large kindly repeated this every year for us since he arrived at park in Doha. Kensington Gardens and it has become our most quickly booked event. This year Rob has been a great friend to the Friends and many of Andy has very kindly you will have met facilitated some more him at our events in special visits and a re-visit to Hyde Park. One of Brompton Cemetery. Some the most of you will remember a visit memorable was a there about four or five tour of ‘hidden years ago, before magic, places’ when, with masses of hard work, a large bunch of funding and organisation keys, he led us have transformed the overgrown grounds and round Hyde Park in sadly dilapidated buildings to places we barely into structurally sound knew existed.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Full Article (PDF)
    Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Its Norman Gate was added during the reign of Edward III (1327-1377) and refers to the four Norman Kings, starting with William the Conqueror in 1066 and ending with Stephen in 1154. Monica Frim ReturnReturn toto No one ever tires of London. Visitors eager for a royal fix of ceremony, pomp and history flock to London’s ancient monuments by the millions. One doesn’t need to have royal or aristocratic connections to follow in the footsteps of kings and queens that go back a thousand years: many castles and palaces are open to the public, including Buckingham and Windsor. In addition, a slew of museums, churches and galleries teem with royal relics and heirlooms, often with changing exhibits, so there is always something new for repeat visitors to enjoy. I lived on the outskirts of London for nearly two years and thought I had seen every angle of every castle, church and gallery. But that was 30 years ago, before a wave of gentrification swept the gritty Docklands off the Thames and catapulted cloud-busting glass spires into the sky. Shiny modern buildings with cutesy monikers like Onion, Gherkin and Shard have shimmied in next to venerable favorites like the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey and contorted the landscape into a geometrical configuration of old and new. People either love or hate the combo but still they come in droves—more than 30 million international visitors a year—making London one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
    [Show full text]
  • Destination Olympia London the Best Bits from Our Local Area for You to Explore and Make the Most of Your Visit… HOTEL
    Destination Olympia London The best bits from our local area for you to explore and make the most of your visit… HOTEL Olympia London opened its doors to the public on Boxing Day in Things you never knew 6 about Olympia London 1886 Handcrafted in 1886 Olympia London is more than an events space. It’s where culture and heritage come together to create inspiring experiences for everyone who steps through our doors. But did you know our world famous There are venue has some hidden secrets… 100 hotels within one mile, The site of Olympia London was once In 2017, the venue welcomed a famous vineyard established in All monarchs from Queen Victoria to & HOTEL 24,000 Queen Elizabeth II have attended an exhibitors HOTEL 235 event at Olympia 1745 within two London. In fact we And over miles of the also spotted Kate venue Middleton at Spirit 1,500,000 of Summer. visitors 320,000 people live within a mile radius of Olympia London HOTEL HOTEL Portobello Queensway MARBLE ARCH Road The Little Yellow Door Hyde Park Notting Hill Gate Holland Park Kensington Kensington Palace Orangery Gardens Westeld Kensington London Wine Rooms Round Pond Ping Pong The Churchill Arms The Westeld Kensington Serpentine Palace Shepherd’s Bush Dirty Bones Dorsett Hotel Kensington Holland Park High Street The Ivy Royal Garden Brasserie Hotel K West Kensington Spa Hotel Maggie Mahiki Jones The Buddha Bar The Belvedere Balans Soho Society Dishoom The Milestone Knightsbridge Piãno Pizzicotto Hotel Kensington Royal College Royal Albert CIBO of Art Hall Restaurant Sopranos Restaurant
    [Show full text]