The New Normal - Out of Africa to Christmastime in London, part 5, Blewcoat School, Westminster Cathedral and Shopping

We were wandering around on Tuesday, our last full day in London.  Heading for shopping, we literally ran into two really awesome buildings; the old Blewcoat School and the iconic Westminster Cathedral!  WOW.  

First, the Blewcoat school - It was built in 1709 to house a charity school started in 1688. It was taken over by Ian Stuart in 2013, who redid the interior to house his bridal shop. I don't think it's famous, but I'm really not sure.  We just really liked the old building, with a statue in front of it, and the amazing plantings around it.

A little while later, what should appear in our path but Westminster Cathedral.  I guess Westminster, being the "mother church of the Catholic Church of England and Wales", should be impressive, and it is.  

Construction on the Early Christian Byzantine-style building began in 1895 and finished in 1903, so it is not as old as some churches we saw in London. The exterior is made of brick and stone, giving it a colorful look.  

The interior is huge, with 54,000 square feet of floor space.  Much of it was not worked on until much later than the official "finish date", and has not actually been finished even now. I can't imagine what more could be done to make it more decorated, with all the marble and mosaic we saw.  I particularly loved all the different colors of marble.  Some pieces are framed, like a picture, with white marble; so the marble itself become the focal point.

There is a huge "high altar" in the middle, and the sanctuary is surrounded by smaller chapels.  The "grand organ", finished in 1932, has four manuals and 81 stops.  I would love to hear it someday.  There is another smaller organ as well.

The High Altar

Statue of St. Peter

Statue of St. Peter, foot

After marvelling at the cathedral for a while, we decided to have lunch.  We went into a nice little place called "Nightingale".  Since the restaurant was full, a women sitting alone invited us to join her.  We had the nicest conversation with her; that's what travel is all about.

We finally got around to shopping, which was the whole reason for the outing. We enjoyed the city streets all decorated for Christmas.  

Walking around the famous Harrod's proved to be challenging with the crowds, but we had fun anyway.  This department store is located on a 5 acres site, with 330 departments covering, 1 million square feet!

Harrod's

We arrived home to Casa on Wednesday after an uneventful plane ride (thankfully!)  There is so much more to see in England, and we want to return again someday.