London 2026: Part 8--End Game

This is part 8 of an 8 part series.  To find part 1 click on an early date at right.

We had one day left in London, and it was to be a fairly local one.  I had built in a few spare days and neither of us felt like another long walk.  We had plans to visit a very small and unique museum, so we went ahead and visited The Museum of the Mind at Bethlem Hospital.  The Croydon bus terminal is just across the street from the East Croydon train station.  Here we caught the SL5 bus, and after a 20 minute ride we arrived at the hospital complex.  The museum lies straight ahead through the gate, about a 2 minute walk from the bus stop.  Before visiting, however, we headed to a nearby Toby Carvery for lunch.  Why would vegans go to a carvery for lunch?  Because they actually have fantastic vegan mushroom tarts, plus all the veggies you can eat from the buffet.  They also had Sharps Doombar on handpull, so it counts as a pub.  We never did go to an all-vegan restaurant on this trip, since nearly everywhere we did go had multiple vegan options on their menu.

It was about an 18 minute walk from the museum, and we headed back there right afterwards.  The museum is free but accepts donations.  We were the only visitors on a mid afternoon Friday.  Since many artists were treated here for mental health issues over the years the museum has some rather unique and very beautiful works, along with many disturbing ones.  We came across works of a favourite Canadian artist, too; William Kurelek.  There are some cringe worthy displays of ways that patients were restrained, as well as other questionable tools of the trade back in the day.  The main gallery is upstairs.  There is an elevator.  We stayed about an hour then took the SL5 back to Croydon.

 

Bethlem Hospital Museum of the Mind. 

 

There are several rooms filled with art. 

 

William Kurelek is a favourite Canadian artist of ours, and the gallery had a large representative work.

 

They also had this, a very disturbing work by Kurelek.  His childhood was a horror story, and this work goes a long way in describing how he felt while growing up. 

 

They also have many works by Louis Wain, which are shown in rotation.  These two caught our eye.

 

Art by Louis Wain.  There is a terrific film version of his life showing on Prime, starring

Benedict Cumberpatch.

 

The rest of the day was given over to a final farewell to the three closest pubs to our hotel.  At the George we shared Burton Bridges Top Dog Stout, quite delicious.  At the Green Dragon we had another glass of that Viennese Swirl Chocolate Vanilla Porter, along with Pulp Apple Cider, another worthwhile beverage.  Our final pub stop was Art and Craft taproom.  They had a cask on, Pig and Porter Funky Claude Porter, which got better and better the more you drank.

 

We stopped at nearby Forbidden Planet, a SF store with everything from books to posters.  We ended up buying three terrific posters, which I will feature on the main blog once they are hanging.  Then it was back to the hotel for the packing ritual.  We hadn't purchased many things this time, and I had been throwing away old tee shirts and such as I went through them.  I had brought some old stuff I didn't want any more, so we had no trouble with the packing.

 

We were up at 6 am, which is 1 am Windsor time, and were home before 9 pm local time (2 am London time).  So it was a long day.  We caught the 6:30 am SLR 7 bus to Heathrow, got through security easily and quickly, then sat around for a long time in terminal 2.  Deb paid a half pint visit to the Fullers pub in the terminal, and we both drank coffee as per the jet lag program.  Our flight for Toronto left on time, we had great seats (Deb had an aisle) and the flight was smooth but long.  I mostly read while Deb watched a couple of movies.  We were in Toronto on time, then had a dismal time trying to find something to eat.  This wasn't London any more.  Vegans are 3rd class citizens at this airport.

 

We came across this vending machine at Heathrow (this is the side of it showing the menu) which will dispense no less than 51 different beverages.  I would like one in my kitchen. 

 

We were surprised by how quickly (after an interminable walk) we got through customs, and discovered that our luggage had been checked through to Windsor, a first.  In the old days one had to go to baggage claim, get the suitcases, go through customs, recheck the bags and then go through security lines again.  All that is now avoided if one has nothing to declare.

 

The flight to Windsor was delayed due to a bad storm, and we arrived about 45 minutes late.  Randy was there to pick us up and drive us home.  We weren't awake too long that night, and mostly slept well until next morning.  We arrived with loads of laundry to do and a few cool items we had picked up on the trip.

 

We will likely try and return in the autumn, world affairs allowing.  It was a great trip and we even brought it in under budget!  Thanks for reading.  Until next time.

 

Croydon boasts some fine old buildings.  Always look up when in Europe. 

 

An old one-time textile shop in Croydon. 

  

Most of our recent acquisitions, minus some beer coasters and a large postcard of a work by Kurelek.

 

The next day we noticed our lilac bush in the back yard had really outdone itself this year! 

 

Mapman Mike

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

London 2026: Part 7: Lewes and Seaford

This is part 7 of a series.  1 more to come.  See earlier date to find the start.

On many of our trips to London we have explored places outside of the capital, usually on day trips by rail.  This time was no exception, with a visit to Rochester followed the next week by a trip to Lewes.  From East Croydon Lewes can be reached by one train, making it a very convenient day trip.  We have once visited Brighton, so we continued our exploration of the south of England today.

The train emerges from a short tunnel before arriving at the platform, essentially passing beneath the town and its castle.  The station is one of my favourite in the world.  I stop here often in my train sim world game, and the real thing isn't much different.  There are 5 platforms split into a 'Y' junction, with trains heading to London Victoria (ours), Brighton, Seaford, Eastbourne and Hastings.

 

Why did we choose Lewes?  I wanted to see the real station.  In addition there is a castle, the ruins of a priory, some fine pubs, a worthwhile High Street and, for Deb, a visit to a cinema that has shown her films before as part of the Women Over 50 Film Festival.  The Depot Cinema sits just outside the station.  It has a three screen cinema and a cafe and bar, all in a lovely indoor/outdoor setting.  Someday we may get to visit when one of Deb's films is showing here.

 

Train Sim overview of Lewes rail station.  That's me driving a classic passenger excursion.  In real life we entered from the first track on the right, from London. 

 

Lewes Station from our arrival platform.

 

The station is architecturally wonky in a very fun way.  There is a cafe at platform level, a real beauty, and another one up top outside the ticket area. 

 

Part of the beautiful gardens at Lewes Station.  This is the platform Brighton passengers reach on arriving. 

  

There is some fine hillside walking to be done just outside of town. 

 

A famous film maker stands outside The Depot Cinema. 

 

We mostly headed towards the castle, along with a large grouping of marching school children.  We spent over an hour at the well positioned castle.  Lewes is built on a steep hill, with the castle at the very top (and the station at the very bottom).  There are two keeps to climb, both offering outstanding views of the surrounding landscape.  Far off to the southwest one can glimpse the sea.  We began by watching a short film about the history of Lewes, then we entered the castle proper for a self guided tour.  As in Rochester, there were a lot of stairs to climb; two separate keeps no less.  The day was sunny and mild and without the roaring winds we had encountered in Rochester.  Thus we were able to stay aloft for longer.  The gift shop had some very lovely things, including a brightly coloured pencil and matching eraser.  I left impressed with the whole experience.

 

 Plan of castle grounds.

 

A plan of an early version of the castle. 

 

Some people live with a castle in their backyard.

 

The Barbican, or entrance gate. We got to climb onto it's battlement.

 

 

View of the high south tower from our ascent of the Barbican. 

 

View east from the Barbican. 

 

View back towards the Barbican as we climb towards the south and west towers.

  

Beneath the two high towers is a beautiful large oval space, bwalled, with trees, lawn, views and benches.  From here one can climb the to the highest point in Lewes.  Up we go! 

 

On the way up. 

 

Top of the world.

 

Looking down at St. Michael's.

 

Hills east of Lewes.  Note the trail heading up.  We hope to walk this path in the autumn.

 

View back to the station.  Note the train and wonky roof at the top.

 

Looking down at the Barbican. 

  

By now we'd worked up quite a thirst, so we headed down to where the peasants dwelt in search of a nearby pub. The Brewers Arms is a beautiful pub and we shared half pints of Harvey's Best Bitter (Harvey's is brewed in Lewes) and Thistly Cross cider from the cask.  It was a perfect ending to our exploration of Lewes Castle.  We now have several fine castles checked off on our bucket list. 

 

St Michael's, from street level this time.

 

Brewers Arms, a welcoming and very comfortable pub.

 

Sanctuary.

One of many interesting shops on the High Street. 

 

While at the pub we searched online for our next pub.  We had many to choose from!  We headed down the High Street, which drops steeply to the River Ouse, crossing it on a fine old bridge near Harvey's Brewery.  They had a tap room, but as it offered nothing dark today we didn't stop in.  Next time.  We found a bakery with vegan sausage rolls, sharing one on our way to the next pub, and a second one on our way back.  Delicious.  East Croydon Station also had a bakery with some as well, which Deb had for breakfast nearly every morning.

 

Map of Lewes.  The castle is in centre top, with the high Street beneath.
 

 We soon arrived at the next pub, Gardener's Arms.  We tried three half pints and scored high with two of them.  The disappointing one was Langham Dark Mild by Downlands Brewery.  I had ordered a feisty sounding ale, but as it was pulled the cask ran dry.  However, Devil's Dyke Ruby Red Porter became an instant classic, as did Black Dragon Cider.  The pub itself was small and a bit dowdy, but the ale selection was quite good.

 

Down the High Street we go.

 

Harvey's Brewery, along the Ouse River. We will stop in on our next visit.

 

Gardener's Arms.  The Death or Glory ran out on me, but the porter was fantastic.

 

We were able to return to the rail station without reclimbing the hill.  We followed roads around the hill at river level  and came across All Saints Church and Cemetery.  We spent some time exploring the yard, which was steeped in atmosphere and very old graves.  This would be our final site in Lewes, as we were heading to the seashore.  Having glimpsed the sea from the battlements of the castle, it would have been a shame to have missed out on a brief visit.  Our next destination was Seaford. 

 

Unused gate at All Saints.

 

All Saints churchyard.

 

All Saints churchyard.
 

 I just happen to drive trains to Seaford from Lewes and Brighton, so I knew the route and how close the ocean was.  The little station at the end of the branch line also boasted a pub.  While we didn't end up drinking there, we did enjoy coffee.  The pub is located in the old station waiting room, but only served draft beer.  It is called Steamworks and had some fine old travel posters on the walls.

 

It is a six minute walk from the station to the pebbly beach, but we could view the sea from the train windows as we approached.  It is a very short ride, about 20 minutes from Lewes.  That meant that we were only about 65 minutes from our home station in East Croydon.  It seemed like another world.  It was a beautiful day to come down to seaside.  Deb recorded sounds of the waves washing up on shore.  Later, back at Lewes Station while waiting for our train home she recorded crows in a nearby tree.  Earlier in the journey she had recorded trains speeding past us from a suburban station, some going up to 100 mph.  So we came home with more than just memories and photos.

 

Seaford Beach.  In the distance a trail climbs up Seven Sisters.

 

Opposite direction, now looking towards Brighton. 

 

Seaford Beach, up close. 

 

Steamworks Pub is in the old waiting room at Seaford Station.

 

We had coffee only today, though they had a lot of draft ale.

 

The pub had a lot of classic travel posters of local areas. 

 

We popped in to this pub in Seaford, greatly enjoying half pints of Longman's Best Bitter and Lilley's Mango Cider.

 

St. Leonard's Church, Seaford.  That might be the time back home, but not in Seaford.  It was getting late and we were getting tired.

 

Seaford is at the end of a branch line from Lewes.  We are awaiting our train back to Lewes. 

 

Our platform home towards East Croydon from Lewes.  We left the Seaford train and changed platforms.

 

A closer view of photo above showing the tunnel beneath Lewes and its castle. 

 

We had to be back in Croydon for around 6 pm.  It was Caroline's 70th birthday and we had invited her to the hotel for dinner.  We had time to get to our room and freshen up a bit before she arrived.  We had a fun dinner in the hotel restaurant, and even played a few rounds of a card game Deb had purchased at the castle earlier today.  It is called Chorking Jollux (real words) and people have to guess the meaning of very odd and unfamiliar words.  We only got to see Caroline twice on this visit, but both times were a lot of fun with some good conversation.  Caroline gave me hope of getting my short novel published by providing a number of good places to send the manuscript.  So thank you for that! 

 

to be continued....