A lunchtime wander to West Brompton

Despite the grey skies, and menacing clouds, I braved the elements and ventured out. A round trip to West Brompton is just about possible within a lunch hour, and there are fortunately various routes to get there, so plenty of scope for wandering along new roads. I have previously visited West Brompton but I think only from the opposite direction.

London has plenty of Peabody housing, courtesy of social visionary George Peabody. As well as being architecturally striking, many have interesting signage. I'd like to have taken a few more pictures here but I felt I was intruding too much into people's personal space.

Signage on the Peabody houses, Lillie Road, London

Along the same stretch of road was a former school, with the segregated school entrance signs still visible. Just a few yards away from the Girls & Infants entrance was the Boys entrance.

Girls & Infants entrance to former school, Lillie Road, London

When I first saw this ghost sign, I had assumed that I'd seen it before, but then realised that the one I had seen was at the other end of Lillie Road. I can only assume I'd never spotted this massive one before as I had always walked in the opposite direction. Quite pleased with my find though.

Brymay safety matches ghost sign, Lillie Road, West Brompton, London

With the Empress State Building to the left, and the London Overground railway approaching West Brompton station to the right, this piece of open land is in the process of being redeveloped. I'm sure next time I visit it will look completely different.

Wasteland between Empress State Building and London Overground line, West Brompton

On my return route I spotted this ghost sign on Chesson Road. I am fairly sure I had walked this way before but never noticed it. On closer inspection though, the fact that the main part of the sign is a different colour to the rest of the walls suggests it has, until recently perhaps, been covered by a more modern billboard. Unfortunately I cannot make out what it says. Maybe the last word is Hall?

Ghost sign, Chesson Road, Fulham, London

As often seems to happen, when I'm out hunting for ghost signs, almost anything can look like one. I originally took this photo to showcase the boarded-up shop, but also noticed above the shop what could perhaps once have been a ghost sign. Having blown the picture up though, I now think I was imagining it.

Boarded-up shop, Turneville Road, London W14

    

A Weekend Wandering Around Kent (part 3, Margate again, from abandonment to Dreamland)

As hinted at in my previous post, a Weekend Wandering Around Kent (part 2, Margate), I had far too much material for a single blog post, so here's the 2nd instalment of the Margate section of my recent visit to Kent. Again this post covers all sorts of aspects of Margate, from abandonment to dreamland.

The pictures in today's blog post were all taken as we walked to Margate station, which will have it's own blog post later, on a day trip to Whitstable, which will also have its own blog post.

First up we have what seemed to be half a street of abandoned and boarded up buildings, I think along Bath Road. The one on the left looks as though it may have been a factory or warehouse of some description, whereas the one on the right looks like it may have been a shop. Hopefully the attractive brick buildings on the left will be restored and escape the bulldozer.

Boarded up buildings, Margate, Kent

The boarded up buildings continued for quite a way.

Boarded up buildings, Margate, Kent

This one was a little more curious. It may have been a shop but also reminded me, in a strange way, of electricity substations I have seen in London.

Boarded up buildings, Margate, Kent

As we left the abandonment behind us, we headed towards the station via the sea front, taking in Dreamland. Originally opened in 1880 but not using the Dreamland name until 1920. It's had a somewhat chequered history but I'm pleased to say that it now seems to be enjoying a new lease of life, with some attractions open even in the off-peak season. It's rise and fall and rise again is well documented in various publications, like Dreamland Revived: The Story of Margate's Famous Amusement Park.

Dreamland, Margate, Kent

Roller Disco, Dreamland, Margate, Kent

Dreamland, Margate, Kent

Dreamland, Margate, Kent

Dreamland, Margate, Kent

And finally for the 2nd Margate instalment, a quick doorway mosaic to finish off.

Doorway mosaic, Margate, Kent

I've now realised that the Margate post within the Kent post is likely to run to 4, if not 5 posts. My next Margate post will look at Margate station and the area around it, taken on two days, one beautifully sunny, the other unfortunately a bit grim. So stay tuned for more folks.