I’ve recently shared some of the sculptures and green spaces from our wander around the City of London, and they already include some of my favourite spots and views, but today I have more to share. One of the things that continues to intrigue me is how the traditional buildings marry and sit happily alongside the more modern structures. And like anything, the more you look for it, the more you see.
Outside St Paul’s Cathedral there’s a series of these ‘heads’ on columns outside the modern facade of shops. I’m sure they keep an eye on everything that goes on, but I also suspect that many that walk past them don’t see them.
This ornate structure, adorned with bikes, is also opposite the cathedral. Its detail in contrast to the modern buildings which surround it. Over at Liverpool Street Station there’s a modern sculpture which sits alongside the traditional structure of the station building.
Walking further around the station we were able to get a look at more of the building work taking place, the platforms are underneath the canopied roof. Here the towering office blocks sit in the background dwarfing the usually busy train station.
Behind our vantage point was this cacophony of steelwork, which I’m sure with people up and down it brings rhythm, noise and life to where we stood.
As we headed into Leadenhall Market, again the office blocks and the cranes in the background on Bishopsgate. The shop fronts in the market look traditional, but look more closely and you’ll see one is Pizza Express.
But my favourite views of where old meets new is on Walbrook, where the Sir Christopher Wren St Stephen’s church sits proudly, next to Mansion House. On this visit we had time to head around behind the church and check out the view from the other side too.
It’s my absolute favourite view in the City, without doubt.
