At Pallant House in Chichester, the gateposts are topped by ostrich statues… but, to most people, they look more like dodos.
Category: UK Art / Architecture
Gargoyles, Grotesques, and Hunky Punks: Ancient and Modern
There are many odd and unusual carvings on our ancient churches, but not all of them are old…
Legend of the Lincoln Imp
Inside Lincoln Cathedral, a little stone imp sits atop one of the columns. He may be small, but he has a big personality, and even though he caused havoc in the Middle Ages, he’s much loved by the folks of Lincoln today…
Inside Winchester Cathedral: Don't miss these seven interesting items
While the architecture is amazing, this cathedral also holds treasures on the inside…
A Window, A War, and a Metaphor in Winchester Cathedral
A window in Winchester Cathedral tells the story of a war and of people putting things back together…
The Upside-Down Angels of Bath Abbey
It’s not unusual for angels to adorn a church, but on Bath Abbey the angels are climbing on ladders and some of them are even upside down…
Two Chalk Horses in Southwest England: Uffington and Westbury
Southwest England has more chalk horse carvings than anywhere else in the world. Let’s take a look at two of them: the Uffington and Westbury horses.
A Stonehenge Story: How to Move a Monument
Gazing upon Stonehenge, you have to wonder how ancient people moved these large stones. In the Middle Ages, Merlin the Magician was credited with it.
Bunny With a Bag Inspires Lewis Carroll
An unusual carved rabbit in northern England might be the inspiration for the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, but he also has his own story.
Two London Lampposts: One Has Class, the Other has Gas
The story behind two London lampposts: One reminds us of Coco Chanel’s great love affair, the other of London’s Great Stink.
The Mysterious Green Men in Medieval Churches
Medieval churches all over Europe are decorated with carved, leaf-covered faces called Green Men. But who they are and why they are there remains a mystery…
Paddington, Pooh, Pan, and Potter: Four Literary Statues in London
Paddington Bear, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, and Harry Potter: Two bears + two boys = four beloved children’s characters who have statues in London…
London’s Last Supper: Better than Leonardo’s?
There’s an almost exact copy of da Vinci’s Last Supper in London…
The Chronophage: Time Eater in Cambridge, England
Do you ever feel that something is eating up your time? Well, you’re right, and it’s in Cambridge…
Cleopatra’s Needle: How This Egyptian Monument Came to Be in London
Did you ever get a gift you really didn’t want? Or one that was just too big to carry home?…
Big Ben’s Closing Bells
We had all gathered there to hear Big Ben’s final chimes – at least for a while…
Big Ben Silent Minute: Chimes and Prayers for Peace
Could Big Ben’s chimes have played a part in winning World War II? At least one Nazi official thought so…