Part of our success at getting around to so many buildings I think
probably came from choosing places within walking distance of each other. In
previous years we've schlepped from one side of London to the other, hopping on
buses, tubes, and Overground to get around. This year on the other hand, most
places were 5 minutes or so from one another, with our longest walk only
totalling 21 minutes.
First stop was 8-10 Moorgate; office buildings belonging to ING
insurance. Each meeting room boasted themed art collections, corridors were
lined with large, abstract pieces, and there were two spacious balconies where
we stood a while to enjoy sunshine and an alternative view of the city.
From here, we made our way to the first Livery Hall of the day; the
Draper's Hall. By the end of the day, I'd decided that this stop was possibly
my favourite. Each room had an even bigger 'wow' factor than the last. I could
have happily lived forever in the incredibly decadent drawing room decorated in
pastel shades with mirrors on almost every wall and enough chairs to suit even
Goldilocks.
Next on the list, another Livery Hall; this time the Salters' Hall and Garden. Quite the contrast from the Draper's Hall, the Salters' Hall stood alongside Barbican as a Brutalist building with a recent extension offering floor to ceiling views of surrounding buildings.
Here we were given a guided tour, which took us around the main rooms in the building, into the Archives below, and finished in the gardens which I think I may well return to one day in the summer holidays with a book.
So close by, of course we couldn't resist popping into Barbican if only for a lunch stop. We had been disappointed to discover that no Barbican buildings were open over the Open House weekend, although understood why as we battled our way through crowds of graduates and their families in the café.
On the other side of Barbican's lake sits St Giles-without-Cripplegate
Church. It was open, and I've never understood how to get there, so we had to
investigate! Finally found our way up to the elusive walkway that crosses over
the water and down to the other side, and made our way across to the Church.
Not a lot to see, but it was worth going in if only to say that I finally have!
We then made our way out of Barbican (not without detours) and on to
King's College. Happened upon Charterhouse Square where we spied an Open House
sign outside The Charterhouse. A talk was just beginning, so we made our way
inside. Scared off by our first large crowd of the day (still not even that
large, really), we retreated into the Chapel. Upon discovery that this was a
museum that is open and free all year round, we all agreed that we'd be back.
Back on track, we soon found The Maughan Library and enjoyed our time
spent here, following a very handy set of arrow signs which led us up, down,
round and round. Our favourite room was probably the circular Reading Room with
its gorgeous windowed ceiling. It did feel a bit strange to be stood around
ooh-ing and aah-ing with fellow Open House goers as real-life students were
trying to actually do some work on a weekend.
Also rather enjoyed the cast iron and slate shelves in an original cell,
and lots of other original features along the way such as cell doors, and a
Victorian ceiling which it transpired had been above our heads as we entered.
What we thought might be our final call of the day was the Royal Courts
of Justice. Expecting to be greeted by our first queue of the day, we were
actually pleasantly surprised when said queue was relatively short, and moved
quickly.
Thoroughly enjoyed Sarah's tour-guide skills as she read her way through
two incredibly useless maps with very little information which led us around
the ground and first floors. Decided that court houses are not the most
pleasant of buildings, especially as we were ushered through the cells below,
and in and out of prison vans. Even the courtrooms themselves were rather austere,
and everywhere was very dark. An interesting place to visit, all the same.
Two Temple Place was yet another example of 'what do we do here today?
Oh, the building's mostly used for corporate events and as a filming
location..'. Originally some wealthy banker's personal office (it's alright for
some), the staircase was a sight to behold, and there was some absolutely
stunning stained glass.
Definitely running out of time by this point, we had just enough to swing by a Roman, but not Roman plunge bath. Now owned by the National Trust, it would be easy to miss as it's down some fairly dingy steps, along an alleyway and underneath some buildings. Usually open by appointment only, on most occasions you'd probably just get to peer through a dusty window. A pleasantly odd way to end our jam-packed day.
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Evening drawing in and feet tired from the many steps taken, all that was left was to find a seat at a pub serving stout-y things. Another amazing year.
