latedaytraveler

Recently I watched on youtube EDWARD THE SEVENTH, a 13 part ATV series for British television produced in 1975. The story line runs the gamut from Victoria’s rejection of her oldest son Bertie as a child, during her unprecedented decades of mourning for her consort Albert, including her relationships with various prime ministers – all the while refusing Bertie access to the machinations of state business.

As we know Bertie then took solace in wine, women, and song while retaining a deep affection for his wife Alix and his children. He was particularly sensitive to including his oldest son George in the political picture when he finally assumed the throne after Victoria’s death in 1901.

The production has credible acting, great scenery, and a lilting musical score with cameo appearances by John Gielgud as Disraeli and Michael Hordern as Gladstone.

Just getting myself in the mood for returning to London in June – just love all that royalty stuff.

ChgoGal

Thanks, latedaytraveler, for the info! Looking forward to taking a look.
What do you have planned in London? Are there any historical places/exhibits you'll be visiting?

irishface

I really enjoyed that series which our library had on DVD.

latedaytraveler

Hi Chgo gal,

This is my 4th trip to London (never enough though) so I have been to several of the most popular sites. Love art so my first stop this time is the Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, known for many of its Impressionist paintings, located near my hotel on the Strand. I also intend to drop in and out of the National and Picture Galleries again which are just around the corner.

Others on my list include APSELY HOUSE, home of the Duke of Wellington near Hyde Park Corner, MANSION HOUSE, office of the Lord Mayor which is only open to the public on Wednesdays at 2 PM, SPENCER HOUSE near Buckingham Palace (only open on Sundays), plus the Royal Academy of Art on Piccadilly and the Victoria & Albert to name a few. Also thinking of taking a day trip by train to Cambridge.

Of course, I will be strolling around the Whitehall and the Palace grounds – may visit Horse Guards Museum. Also interested in a London Walks tour of the Bloomsbury area or Hampstead.
I will be in London for five days solo before joining a tour to Wales that starts in London and includes a tour of the Tower which I have not done before, mainly because I always thought it was too time consuming. Really want to see the Crown Jewels. If time, I may return to the Wallace Collection.

But enough. Planning is the best part, eh? What are your favorites?

latedaytraveler

Hi Irishface,

Glad you also enjoyed the EDWARD THE SEVENTH series from 1975. While on the subject of oldies, last year I watched the whole 1967 version of Galsworthy’s FORSYTE SAGA starring Eric Porter and Susan Hampshire. Settings are a bit stiff, but it was a great story of the period. In black and white.

The series was wildly popular at the time – not unlike DOWNTON ABBEY today. I would welcome any other suggestions for similar films/series with Victorian or Edwardian time frames….

ChgoGal

Hi, latedaytraveler!
Yes, so true. When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.
So envious of your trip. Your plans sound wonderful.

I loved the Tower, so I hope you find it as transportive as I did.

Love the V&A and the Wallace Collection in London -- though I am somewhat "thick" when it comes to fine art and enjoy it most when it opens a portal to the past. I am more tickled by history, so love the furniture and fashions at the V&A, and the gorgeous parlors of the Wallace. Also, am on a botanical sciences kick at present, so Kew, Chiswick, the Chelsea Physic Garden, the RGS -- and desperately want to get back to London for the Open House weekend in Sept. so I can get further into some older buildings.

When I return to the city, I hope to do more of the LondonWalks, too, plus hope to take in more lectures at the Royal Institute or the Linnean Society. And MUST do Greenwich and learn about the clipper ships.

And, I enjoy going into the bookshops and picking the brains of the sales clerks.
And, I enjoy finding money in the Westminster tube stop during rush hour, but was roundly derided for the giddy joy I took in it here on the Fodor's boards, so I'll stop there.

PatrickLondon

ChgoGal - there's more to learning about ships than the Cutty Sark, which I found slightly underwhelming (for the money) when it reopened. If you're visiting Greenwich, add the Museum in Docklands (at Canary Wharf) to the National Maritime Museum for a <i>lot</i> more about ships, trade and the Thames as well as the sea.

ChgoGal

Lovely, Patrick. Thanks so much for the info. I'd also bookmarked the tour done in Greenwich you mentioned earlier as well. Now, if only I could get free to travel! Hopefully in the fall. The wanderlust has increased to toxic levels.

menachem

I can recommend Leighton House in the Holland Park area. It's the studio of Victorian superstar painter Sir Frederick Leighton, decorated in the oriental/moorish style to house his collection of ceramics.