An astonishing survivor in central Croydon is this lovely complex of almshouses. Located right in…read morethe heart of the shopping district, and surrounded by bars and clubs, it seems oblivious of the world beyond. The building was the brainchild of Archbishop Whitgift (c. 1530-1604) who, resident in the nearby Archbishop's Palace, sought permission from Elizabeth I to build some almshouses for the poor of the parish. Begun in 1596, and built in brick with stone detailing, it survives essentially unaltered; a quadrangle of individual houses, each with their own entrance and porch, surrounds a delightful courtyard of pretty gardens. The chapel contains a memorial to Whitgift himself, and other Tudor fittings, including the original benches. There are two entrance porches, sensibly gated off, but the one at North End allows passers-by a glimpse into this secluded world. It still fulfils its original purpose, providing sheltered accommodation for the elderly. The present Queen Elizabeth described it as 'An oasis of peace and tranquility'. It's hard to disagree. ############################################# Photographs added 01-12-2007

It's astonishing how many people must walk past the almshouses every day without giving a second…read morethought to what they are and why there are there. This beautiful building is just one of the legacies which John Whitgift left to Croydon about 500 years ago. That it still survives when so much of the town has been replaced with concrete and glass is a small miracle. Opposite the almshouses, you used to able to sit in a small raised area (dubbed locally 'pigeon s**t square' until it was demolished to make way for the tram), but now the corner is very much busier, and it is increasingly difficult to stop and take in the Tudor brickwork, the tiny windows and over-sized chimneys. If you turn your back to Primark, and claim one of the benches for 5 minutes, you might start to imagine what Croydon was like before the advent of the high street.

This landmark building of East Croydon has been refurbished! Oh my goodness, it looks really…read moreimpressive. This used to be one of the most horrific building structures which I had come across in my entire life and it was incredibly ridiculous to think people actually worked in such a dingy thing. Yes, it was that terrible. From many miles away, the sight of this building could give an onlooker a headacheuntil now. With beautiful lighting effects that glow in the evenings as one of the minor refurbisment effects, this building has now given East Croydon a lift!! If you think I'm joking, board a train or tram to East Croydon and get off there. You could fall in love with the building and perhaps might just meet the love of your life at a glance ;-)

Almost at the end of the Thameslink you'll find Carshalton, with lots of green space, some ponds,…read moremany commuters, and the Carshalton Water Tower. It's pretty much what you'd expect, a building designed to hold some water for a large house, with some original features and if you do a guided tour, a wealth of information to be had. Most surprising is that they let you up on the roof, which in today's health and safety obsessed society was a welcome treat. Carshalton isn't an area I know well and is properly outside of my day-to-day life (I think I was last there in around 2002, looking at a flat) but I think if for killing some time on a Sunday afternoon, you could do worse than spending the £2 to come here. It's near the ponds and the nature reserve and a park, so a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. Just make sure you check that it's open before you go, as it's only open seasonally and on Sundays. I was lucky enough to go during the week on a private tour!

Great to look around a bit of history. historic gardens for all!read more

If you're lucky enough to know someone who works inside, you can get a little tour of Portcullis…read moreHouse. I like the glass ceiling that lets in some natural light. Lunch at the cafe is great as well - nice fresh hot dishes for astoundingly low prices. Funny mix of school groups and lots of government workers in suits.

We walked blocks and blocks to get to this spot to see where Freddie Mercury's last residence and…read morestudio was in London. There isn't much to see but a high wall painted in anti graffiti paint. There isn't much to see or do, no tour to take - therefore it was just an okay experience for me. The highlight was the memories that sprung to mind when being in this place.

I went to visit Freddie's final haunt more for sentiment than expecting to see some great tribute,…read moreor anything much more than a vandalised door and some bricks (as the previous Yelp pictures suggested). I was pleasantly surprised that it seems a compromise has been reached between vandalism and tribute; the bricks directly beside that famous door - now redecorated with 'Garden Lodge' printed on it - are covered in perspex but fans have slipped through letters, notes, doodles, all full of so much love. In reality, Freddie was a private man and I doubt he'd want a shrine (he objected to the place being turned into a museum, apparently) but to see the love people still hold for him nearly 25 years on is beautiful. My sentiments were fulfilled, and I respectfully left listening to 'I'm Going Slightly Mad'. Just around the corner (I kid you not) I bumped into a person dressed as a life-size can of paint. I was already wondering if 'slightly' wasn't quite appropriate for me but that just proved it - hah! Worth going for the sentiment alone, if you're sentimental like that. You won't be bowled over by what you see but more what you feel, if you're that way inclined.

Tucked away at the far north of Wandsworth Common, behind the Fitzhugh housing estate, is one of…read moreSouth London's most remarkable buildings: on the scale - and in the style - of a baronial castle, it has variously been a school, hospital, interrogation centre and a college, and was nearly pulled down. It is now a Grade II-star Listed Building. History The building was paid for by the Royal Victoria Patriotic Fund, established to provide for the widows and orphans of soldiers killed in the Crimean War. The building was intended as a girls' school and opened in 1859. A boys' school was built to the rear in 1872. The original building - designed by Rhode Hawkins - incorporated a number of innovative building techniques, that nearly caused its later downfall. Life for the orphans was extraordinarily hard: from pumping water to the roof cisterns to having their heads shaved to counter lice, they were assembled to be hosed down with cold water every morning in the courtyard. Scandals which involved physical and sexual abuse by staff - and the death of an orphan - nearly resulted in the institution being closed down. The innovative heating system didn't work, so conventional fireplaces were provided for the staff - but not the orphans. Things had improved somewhat by the First World War (for example, central heating had been installed), when it was used as a hospital for injured troops, who arrived at a specially-built temporary railway station close by. After the end of hostilities, it resumed life as a girls' school under 1939. During World War II, it became the London Reception Centre, used by MI5 to process non-British aliens entering the country. After the war it became a teacher training college, and then a comprehensive school, before the decaying fabric - many problems arising as a result of the techniques used to build it - forced them out. The building was sold and gradually restored by its present owners, who had to endure, among other things, a fire in the Great Hall just before it was handed over. Building works took 7 years. The building now contains flats, studios and workshops for businesses in the creative industries, a drama school and a wine bar. The building The main building is built in a Scottish Baronial Gothic style, with Gothic, Jacobean and French elements, in yellow brick with stone dressings. The main façade has an imposing central tower, with matching smaller corner towers. The plan includes two central courtyards, a separate Chapel and various outbuildings, but the main feature is the huge Great Hall, with a hammer-beam ceiling decorated with the coats of arms of towns across Britain and the Empire which contributed to the original funds. The whole edifice really is an astonishing sight, especially as it has now been surrounded on the north side by comfortable suburban housing. Practicalities There is pedestrian access from Fitzhugh Grove, but vehicular access is via Windmill Lane and John Archer Way. Unless you are visiting a business or a resident in the one of the flats, the only public access inside is to the wine bar (the restaurant in the cafe recently closed down).

Thatcher would be proud…read more Looking around Hever, many would be left with the impression that the owners are enormous fans of Anne Boleyn. The unfortunate wife of Henry VIII is, after all, the main focus of the exhibition and makes an appearance on much of the marketing material. But look a bit closer, and the more astute visitor may notice a different, more 'true blue', streak permeating the house. Yes, Labour voters clutch your pearls, but the proprietors appear to be worshippers of none other than Margaret Thatcher. (More so than Ms Boleyn, I would wager.) In the castle, visitors are treated to a near life-size oil painting of the union basher. And for those lucky enough to stay in the guest house for the price of £300 per night, they will find a letter written by the Iron Lady to thank the castle for her stay that has been framed and hung in one of the hallways. Among the owners personal possessions, I note Ms Boleyn has not received a similar dose of affection. Of interest is also the fact that this castle, its stunning gardens and water maze, owe their amazing condition to our friends across the Atlantic. Most stately homes in Britain are now virtually on their knees, with years of decline and underinvestment in the country reflected in their faded carpets, moth-eaten curtains and peeling paintwork. Hever, however, has avoided this fate for the good reason that it was bought by... gasp... an AMERICAN. Horrifying as it may sound, Mr Astor - who owes his astounding wealth to the rise of New York City - purchased the castle and injected nothing short of a fortune into it in order to create the attraction that we see today. Demonstrating an entrepreneurial spirit so often absent in Britain, he then had the vision to order the construction of a second moat, a lake, a walled Italian garden complete with artefacts from Pompeii, a 'wall waterfall' and to direct the gardeners to shape some bushes like a chess set. I don't think he was involved in the water maze, so loved locally, but its presence reflects Hever's enduring ambitious spirit. Perhaps it was this spirit that so inspired Margaret Thatcher to write of Hever: 'I have seen several castles and large country houses but none as perfect as Hever.'

If you are visiting London, Hever Castle is a must do. Only a 90 minute drive from London hotels,…read morethe trip is well worth the wait upon arrival. From its sprawling vistas to the castle itself this place is a real treat. There is a large lake on site that offers rowing, an area that allows you to try your hand at archery and even a place to see falconry. There are jousting exhibitions and plenty of food from the cafe or restaurant on site. The REAL gem is the castle. Home for Queen Anne Boleyn from 5 years old to 12 one can only imagine the wonder this place brought her. The castle provides an audio tour in several languages so there is no issue there. (The staff are marvelously kind and helpful in the castle and in the dining areas and gift shop.) It's small but chock full of informative history about Anne Boleyn as well as those who lived in the castle after her death. If you are looking for a respite from the concrete jungle and noisy planet that is London, Hever provides you with lots of peace and quiet Tour the rose garden or just sit and enjoy the views and shade from the trees. It's an idyllic setting and a trip that will make your visit to the UK complete.

If I was giving a review for what a pain it is to get to Down House on public transport, this would…read morebe a 1 star (there are two buses you can take - one is every 90 minutes, the other every 60...). But once you drag yourself there, Down House is simply lovely. I actually only quickly flew through the ground floor of the house, but even on my quick visit I could see it was full of interesting things and I will definitely be back to explore more properly. However, this visit was for a garden tour, which I wholeheartedly recommend. We were in a private group - about 15 of us, and the tour was £75 on top of the normal entrance fee (£12.30 if you want to gift aid it). They do offer the garden tour for everyone on Wednesdays and Sundays in July and August for a small fee on top (£4). Our tour was lead by the gardener, Christina, a knowledgeable and enthusiastic lady from Prague. She knew the garden inside out, but also had plenty of Darwin spiel. It was interesting to learn how much of the garden is planted to Darwin's specifications. The kitchen garden is spectacular, and they try to plant strains popular from the 1800s, even if there's often something 'better' developed now. They use the vegetables in the café, and also sell some (I was eyeing up, but too slow, courgettes with the flower attached - 3 for £1!) The garden also still does some of Darwin's experiments. It's all in a lovely setting and the nearby village of Downe is quaint with a couple of pubs and a church. All in all, a fine day out that you can get to on London transport, but feel like you're in the middle of the countryside (and well, you are!)

Visit this amazing and remarable house where Charles Darwin the Victorian scientist revolutionised…read morethe world with his groundbreaking theory regading evolution.I was touched by his spirit when I visited this place to see the room where the origins of the species was written.There are extensive interactive exhibitions on Darwin's life and theories and will captivate all age groups.

Knebworth house, gardens and park is a brilliant family day out. The grounds are huge, the gardens…read moreare interesting, and the house is beautiful. You can park the car by the house and gardens, and also at the bottom of the park. For the kids, there is a huge adventure playground (best to do this on the way out as it's right at the bottom of the park, miles from the house and gardens), which has a good range of play equipment for pretty much any age range. In the summer they have a free bouncy castle too. The gardens are seperated into different areas, and it is all very well signposted so you won't get lost. The dinosaur garden is really good, and the kitchen garden smells heavenly in the right seasons. There is a fun maze too. The house itself is really beautiful, and you can pay extra to have tours. I could go on forever explaining everything here, but I won't. Rest assured it is well worth the entrance fee. The cafe is really expensive so take a picnic!

Sky Garden ended up being such a fun experience while we were in London…read more We started at the restaurant on the 27th floor and ordered a bottle of champagne for my friend's birthday. They gave us a really nice birthday discount which was unexpected and appreciated. The service the whole time was fantastic and the views were honestly incredible. After that we went down to the 26th floor and stayed there for a while because the vibe was just really good. Live music, more amazing views, people hanging out and enjoying themselves... it felt very "London night out" in the best way. Touristy? Sure. Worth it? Absolutely. Definitely something I'd recommend making time for if you're visiting London.

The Sky Garden is an absolute masterclass in how to waste people's time while pretending to run a…read more"reservation system." We had tickets for 12:45. In any remotely competent operation, that means you show up at 12:45 and go inside at 12:45. Not here. Here, your reservation is basically a polite suggestion that no one intends to honor. There is zero clear signage, so instead of simply following directions like a normal human being, you are forced to stand in a line just to ask someone what you are supposed to do. And who is handling this? One single, overwhelmed employee who is somehow responsible for scanning tickets and answering every random walk up question. One person. For a major tourist attraction. It is not just inefficient, it is absurd. After wasting time in that line, you are then sent to another, much longer line. For your "timed entry." So at 12:45, your actual reservation time, you are not entering. You are standing in a slow moving queue wondering why this place even bothers issuing tickets with times on them. Let's call it what it is. If you cannot honor reservation times, do not offer reservations. This system does not manage crowds, it creates them. And here is the part that really pushes it over the edge. We missed another reservation because of this disaster. Not because we were late. Not because we did not plan. But because this place is so poorly organized and so wildly inefficient that it derailed the rest of our day. That is not just annoying, it is completely unacceptable. This is not some small oversight. This is a fundamental failure in basic operations, communication, and respect for visitors' time. It is almost impressive how badly it is handled. By the time you finally get inside, it honestly does not matter how good the view is. The experience has already been ruined by the chaos, the delays, and the sheer incompetence of the system. If you value your time, skip it. Or go in fully expecting your "reservation" to mean nothing and your schedule to take the hit.