Expedition England: Day 3 - Minis and Historical Bling

Written By Chris

It`s Sunday and we took a long tube ride to Wood Green and the Alexandra Palace to see the Doll House and Miniature Fair. Wood Green reminded me of Nottingham that we visited last year as it was an older quieter neighbourhood. As we rode the bus up the hill we came to Alexandra Palace! It's currently it`s being used as an exhibition hall, Wedding Centre, and an ice rink. When it was built in 1873 it was intended as a North London counterpart to the Crystal Palace as a place for everyone to enjoy with different events during the year.

The Miniature Fair was in the Palm Court and it had sphinx statues and huge palm trees all over the place. The Fair was good as there were quite a few of the same vendors from the Kensington Dollhouse Festival in May last year. Chelsea bought a small fireplace, some books, and a tiny brandy decanter. As usual, the details are amazing in something so small and delicate.

Sphinx

Palm Court Entrance

West Entrance of Alexandra Palace

We then caught the bus and tube back to Piccadilly Circus. What a crowd of people! I don`t know if it was just the tourists, or that it was Sunday, but I think everyone in London was on that street. We stopped for a bite to eat before heading over to Buckingham Palace. We had tickets to join the 2:15 PM tour of the State Rooms. It was incredible! We started off in the corridor viewing the Quadrangle which is where the carriages for State events draw up and load or unload their passengers. Originally Buckingham was a house with only three sides, but it was reworked by John Nash to fill in the side to make a square and thus Buckingham Palace was created. We viewed State room after state room and each was more magnificent than the last!

We saw ballrooms, throne rooms, music chambers and great halls. Tons of gold gilded the walls and ceilings, damask wall paper (Chelsea tells me it's actually fabric) and draperies made of silk. Add to that priceless works of art by Rembrandt or marble statues by Cannova and you can image how opulent is all is! My first favourite room was the State Banquet room where they recreated the setting of the dinner served after the Queen`s coronation back in 1953. Each person had their own gold salt and pepper shakers, sauce servers in winged, gold containers, and a delicate China setting in a pale, apple green with delicate pink and salmon coloured flowers on it. There were at least 6 different glasses per person for the various wines, cordials, liquors and water on the table as well.

Sample table set up as it was for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

My second favourite room was the Music room with it's sumptuous colour scheme of gold and cream. It faced the back of the Palace and so the light streamed in through the large windows and it had pale blue window coverings. It was so beautiful and elegant it's hard to believe people actually did and still use it day to day. We also enjoyed all the exhibits they had regarding the Queen's Coronation back in 1953. They had old footage of the Coronation Day plus all the gowns and robes worn by the Queen, Prince Phillip, and others like the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret.

Queen Elizabeth's Coronation gown and the ones worn by her ladies in waiting were designed by Norman Hartnell. They were fitted perfectly with tiny waists and lovely necklines, but what made them special was the embroidery they displayed. It took seamstresses 3,500 hours to stitch and attach all the sequins, seed pearls and other embroidery. The symbols chosen were the Irish Shamrock, Scottish Thistle, and the English Rose as patterns on her dress. The colours were soft lilac, sage green,silver, and gold. It's a dress I'll never forget.

Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation gown

Close up of the embroidery

After the State Rooms tour, we exited via the back of the Palace Shop and Gardens. We didn't realize how big the gardens were as they're over 39 acres of gardens, ponds, and pathways. I'm always amazed at how well the British design their gardens and parks to transform the space into wonderful oases of greenery and quiet in the middle of a very bustling city like London.

Back of Buckingham Palace

One of the many gardens at Buckingham Palace

Green Park

After leaving Palace grounds we of course strolled through the gift shop. Chelsea found a lovely freshwater pearl necklace and we of course bought some obligatory tourist postcards.Leaving the palace we walked back to Piccadilly station, stopping on our way at Fortnum and Mason Department store for a look around. Six stories of stunning goods ranging from fine China and Silver, to food items and liquor, a Christmas store, and stylish items for both Ladies, Gents and children to wear.

Fortnum and Mason teas, salt jar, and the pearl necklace Chelsea bought at Buckingham Palace.

The first and second floors were our favourite. The ground floor sells candy, chocolate, tea, and coffee. They sell their famous tea blends pre packaged in stunning tea tins. They also have a loose tea bar where you can create your own custom blend using any of the ones they have on hand. You can also do the same at their coffee bar. The sweets counter reminded Chelsea of being a kid again with their glittering displays of glacé fruit and old fashioned candies like Turkish delight. Fortnum and Mason reminded us both of a fairy tale department store, something you'd imagine at Christmas. It's no less elegant than Harrods but it feels less pretentious and far more welcoming. We're going to go back at some point this week for tea or ice cream.