Feet First Walking

 

Another satisfying urban ramble around central London. Excuse the pictures whilst I get to grips with a new phone and the format ratio size of the pics it takes.

Walk no. 94 from the Reader's Digest Town Tours in Britain (ring binder).

 

St. George and the Dragon statue was created in 1988 by Michael Sandle.

 

Bride Lane.

 

The Old Bell Tavern.

 

St Brides Church was designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1672, though Wren's original building was largely gutted by fire during the London Blitz in 1940 and then was faithfully reconstructed in the 1950s. It's steeple stands at 69 metres tall, and is the second highest of all Wren's church spires.

 

Looking back at St Brides Avenue.

 

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese and Wine Office Court.

 

A penguin and Hodge the cat in Gough Square. The 'Penguin Parade' consists of 12 large and colourful penguin statues that have been positioned (for a limited time only) at specific locations throughout the streets between St. Paul's Cathedral and Chancery Lane

 

Samuel Johnson's House stands at the other side of Gough Square.

 

Dr Johnson's festive front door.

 

A plaque on the pavement of Fleet Street. William Caslon Junior's English Egyptian was the first sans-serif typeface to be sold commercially, from 1816.

 

Ye Olde Cock Tavern on the opposite side of Fleet Street, originally dates back to 1549 and is well known for the pub with the narrowest frontage of any London pub. It was frequented by Pepys, Dickens and Dr Johnson.

 

The entrance arch of the Maughan Library, King's College, looking out to Chancery Lane. It was formerly the home to the headquarters of the Public Record Office and was built in 1851.

 

The entrance to New Square, from Carey Street.

 

New Square.

 

 

Sir John Soane's Museum.

 

I took a slight detour to have a look at The Ship Tavern on Gate Street. Established in 1549, The Ship served as an 'underground' church for London's hidden Catholics. Banned Catholic Priests conducted Mass from the pulpit, cleverly disguised as the bar, while spotters signaled the presence of the King's officials, prompting a transformation into rowdy pub clientele.

 

Another 'Ye Old' pub, this time the White Horse on St Clement's Lane, amongst the jumble of LSE buildings.

 

Spectra by Tod Hanson on the outside of St Clement's Building on LSE Square. It was commissioned to mark LSE's 125th anniversary in 2020.

 

Royal Courts of Justice.

 

Looking down Essex Street.

 

The water gate that leads to Milford Lane and the Victoria Embankment. A drawing of the water gate was used for a time as an emblem by Methuen and Co, who were based in the street..

 

The view across the Thames.