Arundel, Sussex

On the southern edge of the South Downs National Park, the ancient town of Arundel overlooks the marshes and wetlands that surround the river Arun. The 1,000-year old seat of the Dukes of Norfok, Arundel Castle looms high above this atmospheric town and port.  Although much of it has been rebuilt over the centuries, the castle, which contains 40 acres of grounds and gardens, dates back to 1068.

Next to the castle, is the Parish Church of St. Nicholas, built in 1380, while further down the high street is a Georgian coaching inn, The Norfolk Arms, built by the 10th Duke of Norfolk. Upholding an 18th century tradition, the Arundel Society for the Prosecution of Thieves and Felons still holds its annual dinner at this hotel.

Arundel's striking cathedral, which also sits high on a hillside, was built as a church by the 15th Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal, between 1868 and 1873 in French Gothic style.  It was re-designated as a cathedral in 1965. It celebrates the feast of Corpus Christi – the Body and Blood of Christ, 60 days after Easter. A  carpet of flowers is laid out a few days before the Mass and a procession of the Blessed Sacrament to Arundel Castle.

Shepherdess Walk, Central London

In the trendy neighbourhood of Hoxton, Shepherdess Walk runs down towards City Road. It is home to the Eagle Tavern, which dates from 1820 and features in a verse of the nursery rhyme Pop Goes the Weasel:

Up and down the City Road,

In and out the Eagle,

That's the way the money goes,

Pop! Goes the weasel.

Buckingham Palace, Central London

 

 

Cars have largely been excluded from the roads in the vicinity of Buckingham Palace, but cyclists can still weave their way past the plentiful traffic furniture and tourist throngs.

The Strand Meets the Aldwych, Central London

 

A grandiose statute of Gladstone marks the spot where the eastern end of the Strand meets the arc of the Aldwych.

Summer in the Grand Place, Brussels

 

Lining Brussels' Baroque showpiece, the Grand Place's pavement cafes would make a great spot to while away a lazy summer's afternoon. 

St. Michael & St. Gudula Cathedral, Brussels, Belgium

Work began on the St. Michael & St. Gudula Cathedral in the early 13th century. It took about 300 years to complete this enormous Brabant Gothic construction - its towers are 64 metres tall. The cathedral was finished just before the reign of the emperor Charles V.

Roundabout in the Heart of Oxford

 

Academics on eclectic bikes glide around the roundabout where Broad Street meets Holywell Street meets Catte Street meets Parks Street. From the tables outside the Kings Arms pub you are treated to fine views of the venerable Old Indian Institution Building, the mid 20th century Weston Library and the neoclassical Clarendon Building.

New Buildings, New College, Oxford

 

The New Buildings along Holywell Street were built between 1873-96 to enable New College to expand. Founded in 1379 by William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, New College is so called to distinguish it from an earlier Oxford college (Oriel, founded 1326) also dedicated to the Virgin Mary.