Tag Archives: American London

World Rugby Museum & Stadium Tour

05 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by in Family Activities, Museums (Historical), Richmond upon Thames

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Only a 20 minutes train ride from Waterloo station and you are in Twickenham - home to the largest rugby venue in the world and the 4th largest sports stadium in all of Europe.  Located in the east stand of the stadium is the World Rugby Museum (the largest in the world) and a great experience for all - whether a fan of rugby or interested in sports and the culture associated with them.  The museum has a large collection of everything rugby throughout its permanent galleries and changing special exhibitions.  The museum also hosts periodic workshops and seminars for those wanting a more in depth experience.  There are interactive exhibits allowing adults and children to get physical, as well as a Wall of Fame, displays of memorabilia, trophies, educational panels, and examples of uniforms past and present.  There are plenty of video monitors with clips and footage to watch throughout.  One unique item is a programme from the 1924 Olympics.  This was the last time rugby was played at the Olympics with the USA winning gold - thus they are still the current Olympic champions!

History:  Rugby Football Union (RFU) started in 1871 and the collection provides insight and perspective from its founding to the current day.  Over the years many rugby unions have donated items to the museum.  As the collection grew, the RFU decided to put items on display.  In the late 1970s and early 80s, display cabinets contained a small sampling of the collection, and then in 1983 a museum was built in the south stand to provide a permanent home.  In 1996 the museum moved to the newly redeveloped east stand.

Stadium Tours:  In addition to visiting the museum, visitors can book a tour of Twickenham stadium.  The tour gets you into the stadium to visit the England dressing room, the Royal box, medical room, players’ tunnel andtwickenham stadium hospitality suites.  You also get great views of the arena from the top of the stand and pitschside walk around the field.

Visiting Info:  The Museum is generally open Tues-Sat 10-5, and Sun 11-5, though closed on and often around match days/weekends - so check website before visiting.  Tours are at specific times during these hours and should be prebooked to ensure space. Museum adult entry: £7, or £15 if combined with a tour. For specific details visit their website at: http://www.rfu.com/twickenhamstadium/worldrugbymuseum

Located at:   Twickenham Stadium, Hamilton Rd, Twickenham, TW2 6SN

Closest transit:  RAIL: Twickenham (from London Waterloo).  TUBE: (1) Richmond (District Line), then R68 or 33 bus to Twickenham, or (2) Hounslow East (Piccadilly Line), then 281 bus to Twickenham.

Whitechapel Bell Foundry ~ maker of Big Ben & the Liberty Bell

14 Tuesday Aug 2012

Posted by in Tower Hamlets

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Whether visiting their onsite museum displays or store (both open daily) or arranging a full tour of the Foundry, a visit to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry is truly unique and a part of British (and global) culture.  The Foundry is Britain’s oldest manufacturing company, having been established in 1570 (during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I) and being in continuous business since that date.  The history may even extend further back, as links show a foundry in Aldgate and Whitechapel back to the year 1420 (in the reign of Henry V, and 72 years before Columbus sailed for America).

Whitechapel’s famous bells include the original Liberty Bell (1752), the Great Bell of Montreal and, probably best known of all, Big Ben at the Palace of Westminster. Cast in 1858, this is the largest bell ever cast at Whitechapel, weighing 13½ tons. To this day, a cross-section of the bell surrounds the entrance door to the Foundry.  The Foundry buildings date from 1670, four years after the Great Fire of London, and presumably replaced earlier structures lost to fire. Originally built as a coaching inn called the Artichoke, the lease of the buildings was acquired by Thomas Lester - then Master Founder at Whitechapel - to accomodate the need for extra workshops and space during a time of great expansion in the craft of bellfounding. The business moved there from the north side of Whitechapel Road, and has remained on the site ever since, withstanding the ravages of war and development.  The premises are now designated as Grade II listed buildings. The frontage remains unchanged.

During the Blitz in the Second World War many surrounding buildings were hit and destroyed, including the Church of St. Mary, Whitechapel (the ‘white chapel’ which gave the area its name), just a few hundred feet from the Foundry. The ground where it stood is now the Altab Ali Park. During the war years, the Foundry ceased making bells, switching to manufacturing castings for the Ministry of War. In the aftermath of the war, the Foundry was very busy replacing peals lost to bombing raids and fires, including the bells of St. Mary le Bow and St. Clement Danes of ‘Oranges and Lemons’ nursery rhyme fame, in London.  Cumulatively, this history makes this a fascinating place to visit.  The museum displays in the foyer and the Foundry store, which sells bells and a range of Whitechapel merchandise, are open Monday to Friday, 9.00am and 5.00pm.

Tours are generally on Saturdays throughout the year and have to be pre-booked.  Check their website for specific dates and times:   www.whitechapelbellfoundry.co.uk To ensure your preferred date early booking is therefore advised. There is a charge of £12.00 per person (must be age 14+).  The tour last approximately 90 minutes.

Located at: 32/34 Whitechapel Road, E1 1DY

Closest tube: Aldgate East

Pickering Place ~ the real Texan Embassy

26 Thursday Jul 2012

Posted by in Free Activities, Westminster

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One of London’s smallest courtyards - and one with a wealth of history.  The Republic of Texas has their embassy here from 1842 until 1845.  At that time, Texas ceased to claim its status as an independent country and it joined the United States.  The entrance to the courtyard takes you through a narrow passageway where a plaque commemorates the location of this embassy.  The plaque reads: TEXAS LEGATION In this building was the legation for the ministers from the Republic of Texas to the Court of St. James 1842-1845

This is certainly not the same as the Texan Embassy cantina by Trafalgar Square!

The courtyard is still gaslit and has a wonderfully historic Georgian feel.  In the 1700s history claims that Pickering Place’s seclusion allowed for gambling, bear baiting and even duelling.  It is claimed that Beau Brummel, close friend to King George IV and inventor of the cravat, once fought here.

Location:  Enter at #3 St. James Street (near Pall Mall), SW1A 1EA

Closest tube: Green Park

All Hallows by the Tower ~ the oldest church in the City with USA connections.

12 Thursday Jul 2012

Posted by in Churches, City of London

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Founded in 675, it is the oldest church in the City of London.  It contains a Saxon arch from the 7th Century.  This part of the church is the oldest surviving section of church in the City.  Founded by the Saxon Abbey at Barking it was for many years known as All Hallows Barking.  Traces of an old Roman building have been found in the crypt indicating it was built on a former Roman site.  The church is steeped in history - from an explosion caused by gunpowder stored in the basement that destroyed 50 nearby homes in 1650, to its surviving the Great Fire of London, to its reconstruction after devastation from German bombing in WWII.  Its survival from the Great Fire was attributable to the actions of Admiral Penn whose naval brigade demolished properties around the church to create a fire break.   During the Great Fire Samuel Pepys watched the fire from the steeple Admiral Penn was the father of one of the founding settlers of America - William Penn, for who Pennsylvannia is named.  William Penn was baptized here in 1644.  John Adams, the 7th President of the US, was married here in 1797.

The church has a museum called the Crypt Museum, containing portions of a Roman pavement, which together with many artifacts, was discovered many feet below the church in 1926. The exhibits focus on the history of the church and the City of London, and include Saxon and religious artefacts.

The church is open daily from 8-6pm (10-5 on weekends).  There are regular guided tours and a bookstore for gifts.  Events are held throughout the year, including regular Thursday lunchtime organ recitals, plays and musical events.  Check their website for more details:  http://www.allhallowsbythetower.org.uk/

Located at: Byward Street, London EC3R 5BJ (adjacent to the Tower of London)

Closest tube: Tower Hill

Benjamin Franklin House

18 Friday May 2012

Posted by in Famous People, Westminster

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In the heart of London, is Benjamin Franklin House, the world’s only remaining Franklin home. For nearly sixteen years between 1757 and 1775, Dr Benjamin Franklin – scientist, diplomat, philosopher, inventor, Founding Father of the United States and more – lived behind its doors. Built circa 1730, it is today a dynamic museum and educational facility.  While lodging at 36 Craven Street, Franklin’s main occupation was mediating unrest between Britain and America, but he also served as Deputy Postmaster for the Colonies; pursued his love of science (exploring bifocal spectacles, the energy-saving Franklin stove); explored health (innoculation, air baths, cures for the common cold); music (inventing the delightful glass armonica for which Mozart, Bach and Beethoven composed) and letters (articles, epitaphs, and his witty Craven Street Gazette), all while forging a hearty social life and close friendships with leading figures of the day.  One of the tours involves an audio/visual interpretation in each room that presents the excitement and uncertainty of Franklin’s London years using rooms where so much took place by seamlessly integrating live performance, cutting edge lighting, sound and visual projection.  Another tour is architecturally focused.  Check their website for hours and costs:  www.benjaminfranklinhouse.org

(36 Craven Street, W2. Closest tube: Embankment or Charing Cross)

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