The Serpent Column / Delphi Tripod

Cast in 478BC to commemorate the ancient Greek victory over the Persians and installed at Delphi. Relocated to the Hippodrome at Constantinople by Emperor Constantine I in AD324. The bronze column originally ended in snake heads which supported a gold bowl. Istanbul, Turkey. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - credit: Images George Rex.)

Pudding Shop® / Lale Restaurant

"Pudding Shop® World Famous since 1957". Once the haunt of beatniks and hippies travelling overland to Asia. Istanbul, Turkey. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - credit: Images George Rex.)

Blue Mosque / Sultanahmet

Architect: Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa, 1616, in the late Classical Ottoman style. The English name derives from the blue interior decoration which includes 20,000+ blue ceramic tiles. Istanbul, Turkey. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - credit: Images George Rex.)

Gülhane Park / mural & sculpture

Gülhane (Rosehouse) Park was once the outer gardens of the Topkapi Palace; it was made a public park in 1912. I assume the mural depicts vessels converging on Istanbul due to its important strategic location. Istanbul, Turkey. 

Wooden dome framework enveloping a celestial globe, near the Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam.

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - credit: Images George Rex.)

Topkapi Palace / Tower of Justice

View of the Tower of Justice from the 1st Courtyard of the Topkapi Palace. The original conical tower was built in the C15th, but this neo-classical style tower was completed in the C19th. Istanbul, Turkey. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - credit: Images George Rex.)

Hagia Irene / (Holy Peace)

Its architect unknown, this Byzantine basilica dates from the C6th, although its predecessor was commissioned by Emperor Constantine I — along with Hagia Sofia (Holy Wisdom) — in the C4th. It was the first place of Christian worship in Constantinople. Ironically, after the Ottoman invasion the church was used for a time as an arsenal, although it was never converted to a mosque. Istanbul, Turkey. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - credit: Images George Rex.)

Hagia Sophia / minaret

Architects of original Christian basilica: Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles, AD537. Minarets and other Islamic features were gradually added to the building after it became a mosque at the Fall of Constantinople in 1453. Istanbul, Turkey.

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - credit: Images George Rex.)

Hagia Sophia / 2 sunrise images

First rays of morning sun on Hagia Sophia, designed in the Byzantine style by Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles for Emperor Justinian I, completed AD537. Originally a Greek Christian basilica, then much later additions of an Islamic mosque, including minarets to the exterior. The building is currently a museum. Istanbul, Turkey.

(Both pics CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - credit: Images George Rex.)

Wollman Rink / Midtown Skyscrapers

(From the archives of 2011)

Ice skaters enjoying the Wollman Rink in Central Park, with Midtown Manhattan skyscrapers providing a magnificent backdrop. The vertically-striped modernist tower is the General Motors Building on Fifth Avenue, designed by Edward Durell Stone & Associates with Emery Roth & Sons (1968). The modernist tower with a dark glass curtain wall is the Solow Building designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP with Davis, Brody & Associates (1974). New York, NY.

  Copyright ©2011 Images George Rex. All Rights Reserved.

St Botolph Building / IV

Grimshaw Architects, 2010. Offices with steel frame, concrete cores and glazed facade, including distinctive blue glass spandrel panels. Seen from Jewry Street. 138 Houndsditch, City of London.

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - credit: Images George Rex.)

St Paul's / City of London Info Centre

St Paul's Cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren in the English Baroque style, completed 1708. In the shaded foreground is the stainless steel City of London Information Centre designed by Make Architects, 2007. City of London. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - credit: Images George Rex.)

Paleys upon Pilers / (Palace on Pillars)

Architects: Studio Weave, 2012. Elevated timber sculpture at the Aldgate, where once stood the City of London's eastern-most gateway. The piece is intended to denote where Geoffrey Chaucer lived between 1374-1386 and some of the poetry he wrote there. Commissioned by the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects. City of London.

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - credit: Images George Rex.)

The Three Tuns / EC3

The three tuns (casks) may refer to the arms of the Vintners' Company, an old City of London guild. Although the present building only dates from 1939, there has been a pub on the site since c.1747. In the beer cellar are remains of part of the Roman wall of Londinium. Jewry Street, City of London.

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - credit: Images George Rex.)

Sweet & Spicy / Brick Lane

Surviving sign from what was the third curry house to open on Brick Lane, trading from 1969 to 2013. The street is now famous for a profusion of curry houses. London Borough of Tower Hamlets. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

20 Fenchurch St / 2 images

The bulgy building also known as the Walkie-Talkie, designed by Rafael Viñoly. Nearing completion, with southern brise-soleil now in place, and over 90% let. I think it's fair to say its design looks better in sketches and renderings than it does in its realization — likely to be a strong contender for next year's Carbuncle Cup. City of London.

(Both images CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

The St Lawrence and Mary Magdalene Drinking Fountain / EC4 (2 images)

Architect John Robinson and sculptor Joseph Durham, 1866, restored and relocated to St Paul's Churchyard in 2010. Neo-Gothic water fountain of Portland stone, polished granite and white marble. Showing the south face with statue of Mary Magdalene. City of London. 

(Both images CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

Barnaby Sykes / Pie Maker

Detail of pie stall in the nostalgic Victorian area of the Winter Wonderland 2014 fair. It's said that the eponymous Barnaby Sykes was an C18th Kentish labourer who had a side-line in poaching and pie-making. He fled to America to avoid the authorities and was last recorded in 1822 as a fur trapper. Hyde Park, City of Westminster, London. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

Helter Skelter / Winter Wonderland 2014

Helter Skelter ride at the Winter Wonderland fair in Hyde Park. A 'ring the bottle' stall is built into its base. Situated in the nostalgic Victorian area of the funfair. City of Westminster, London. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

Arctic Lodge Bar / Hyde Park

Pop-up timber building fronted by a simple colonnade and balcony. Gable roof with fake snow :) One of many cafés and bars erected in Hyde Park at the moment for the Winter Wonderland 2014 fair. City of Westminster, London. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

Big Wheel / Winter Wonderland 2014 (3 pics)

Officially named the Giant Observation Wheel, one of many attractions at the 'Winter Wonderland' Christmas funfair in Hyde Park. The wheel is 60m high, less than half that of the London Eye,  but impressive for a transportable structure. City of Westminster, London.

(All 3 pics CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

Ganton St / Xmas lights

Red and white light bulbs hanging over Ganton Street, City of Westminster, London. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

Piccadilly Circus / lights

To give an idea of scale, the TDK panel alone measures 21m x 4.8m. There has been a tradition of advertising lights at this location since the Edwardian era. Personally, I preferred the old-fashioned neons and custom-shaped displays to today's LED panels. City of Westminster, London. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

Golden Pagoda / W1

Restaurant with traditional green-tile canopy ornamentally supported by dougong brackets onto lacquered, tapering columns. At corner of Macclesfield Street and Gerrard Street, Chinatown, City of Westminster, London. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

Leicester Square / funfair

Decoratively illuminated snack bar situated in the central gardens, forming part of a Christmas funfair. City of Westminster, London.

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

Carnaby St / Xmas decoration

Giant headphones, sunglasses and moustache. One of several suspended above Carnaby Street, City of Westminster, London. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

Wan Chai Corner / W1

Cantonese restaurant — named after the district on Hong Kong island — at corner of Gerrard Place and Gerrard Street. The Chinese presence in Gerrard Street began in the 1950s, transferring from war-damaged Limehouse. City of Westminster, London. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

Isokon / Lawn Road Flats

Architect: Wells Coates, 1934. Reinforced concrete with cement wash finish. Grade I listed. The first Modern Movement apartment block in the UK and the first major work of this architect, who went on to design Embassy Court in Brighton. Residents at Isokon have included Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer, Agatha Christie and James Stirling. There was an early C21st refurbishment by Avanti Architects. Hampstead, London Borough of Camden.

(Both images CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

Evil from the Needle / N1

Upper facade of a tattoo parlour on Camden High Street, London Borough of Camden. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

174 Haverstock Hill / NW3

Ministry of Home Security, London Transport, Mott Hay & Anderson, W T Halcrow & Partners, 1942. Belsize Park south entrance to deep-level shelter. Inside there is a lift-shaft and double helix stairs descending to twin 1,400ft long tunnels, built for civilian refuge from WW2 bombing. The 5ft deep reinforced concrete circular slab protected the shaft in the event of a bomb impact. The taller tower at the back filtered air intake. Several of the deep shelters across London are still utilized for various purposes including data storage and even horticulture under UV light. Belsize Park, London Borough of Camden. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

Royal Free Hospital / NW3

Architects: Llewelyn-Davies, Weeks, Forestier-Walker and Bor, completed 1974 and said to be the first hospital design to use CAD. The main 16-storey building has a cruciform plan and the image is looking up at the intersection of the west and south arms. Pond Street, London Borough of Camden.

(All images CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

The George / Belsize Park

On this site since 1827, although reconstructed and extended over the period, now in a half-timbered mock Tudor style. Records show an inn called The Great Tree being close-by in 1666, which was renamed The George in 1715. Haverstock Hill, London Borough of Camden. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

St Stephen's Rosslyn Hill / tower and wheel window

Architect: S.S.Teulon, c.1871, in a French Gothic style using purple brick and Kentish ragstone. 

 "...a brooding and bulgy central tower made into a macabre Gothic dirge..." (Ian Nairn).

Winner of an English Heritage Angels Award in 2011 for repair and rescue of heritage at risk. Grade I listed. Hampstead, London Borough of Camden.

Exterior detail of the west facing wheel window with plate tracery.

(Both images CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

The Garden House / gateway

Gated archway providing the only access to The Garden House, a 1950s brick built dwelling situated by the Vale of Health pond. A decade of planning applications to upgrade the residence have generated much opposition, at one stage reaching the High Court. Vale of Health, Hampstead, London Borough of Camden. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

Maryon Hall / house sign

Sign to the Grade II listed house known as Maryon Hall, Hampstead, London Borough of Camden.

(All Rights Reserved)

Henlys / ghost sign

Henlys - England's Leading Rover Distributors. The Henly Group was founded in 1947 and closed in 2005. Camden High Street, London Borough of Camden.

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

Monro House / cupola

Designed by Edward Ellis in 1869, originally as The Royal Sailors' Daughters' Home. Now converted to residential apartments for older persons, though much of the original exterior decoration remains, including this cupola belfry. Hampstead, London Borough of Camden. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

Hampstead Heath / Viaduct Bridge

Architect: Joseph Gwilt, c.1845, commissioned by the landowner in preparation for a scheme to build a housing estate on the Heath, which was then denied permission. Red brick Roman Classical design of 5 main arches with rusticated stone flanking piers. The original balustrade has been replaced by metal railings. Grade II listed. Hampstead Heath, London Borough of Camden.

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

Viaduct Bridge / Hampstead

Architect: Joseph Gwilt, c.1845, commissioned by the landowner in preparation for a scheme to build a housing estate on the Heath, which was denied permission. Red brick Roman Classical design of 5 main arches with rusticated stone flanking piers. The original balustrade has been replaced by metal railings (see below). Grade II listed. Hampstead Heath, London Borough of Camden. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)

Postmarked May 1905, showing what is now known as Viaduct Bridge (architect: Joseph Gwilt, c.1845). Hampstead Heath, London Borough of Camden.

The Old White Bear / sign

Another historic Hampstead pub that has fended off conversion to residential; said to be re-opening soon. Rrrrrresult growls the bear. Well Road, Hampstead, London Borough of Camden. 

(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 - attribute: Images George Rex.)