Voting and Victorians

Oh, rain, rain, rain.   It's been pelting. But I took my brolly and went to vote in the annual British Guild of Travel Writers awards.  It was held in the Victorian Gothic splendour of the National Liberal Club, near the river.

I've loved High Victorian architecture since childhood (I must have been the only teenage member of the Victorian Society)  and so this place was just right for me, with sweeping staircases ...

twisty corners..

long corridors, brightly tiled 

And curious details, like this exceedingly narrow corridor off a back staircase, suitable only for very thin people, leading to an equally thin door  

And odd little rooms. I found this behind a door proudly labelled "Powder Room."   An empty room, brightly lit,  surreally containing only mirrors, and a shelf under which was a row of brass hooks, nothing more - not even a window

Delightful radiators, state-of-the-art in 1902.

Original washbasins, with long silver taps and marble surrounds

And here and there, statues  looking  gravely on..

The club is open to both political and non political members  but it is closely linked with the Liberal Party. These days, the Lib-Dems are almost a spent force, but a hundred and fifty years ago, the Liberal Party was hugely important.  Its most famous politician was the celebrated Victorian prime minister, William Ewart Gladstone. Here he is, a remarkable man, though I suspect not a humorous one.  

I spoted a photo of him relaxing at home.  Shirt sleeves, but still no smile. 

Apologies for the terrible picture quality. My phone hasn't been the same since I dropped it.

I might consider one day staying in the Victorian splendour of the adjoining hotel. (Read this Daily Mail article about it.  The pictures are far better than my iPhone ones).

As for the Guild's awards - very interesting and members went to a lot of trouble to present their favourites.  I voted for the Titanic centre in Belfast, which looks far more original and exciting than I'd expected.  And, Amsterdam's updated Rijksmuseum is simply the biggest and best recent museum renovation in Europe.  Ecuador's Tren Crucero is a daring and ambitious reinvention of a major derelict railway, which now offers tourists a four day journey through some of the country's best scenery and attractions.

I loved the Bluebell Railway's entry. It's Britain's original preserved steam line, rescued by teenagers in the 1960s.  Its many volunteers raised millions of pounds and moved tons of rubbish to link up with the main line at East Grinstead. Now you can cross over from the fast modern mainline and trundle up the old line to the gorgeous National Trust gardens at Sheffield Park. 

I could actually do it this weekend. And perhaps I will  - if it stops raining.