Doors 302 – Copenhagen, Denmark (part II), September 2024
My series of doors from Copenhagen is going to be fairly lengthy, and I might have to increase the number of doors in each post a little, to prevent fatigue. This week’s selection is mainly from the waterside area of one of the canals that runs through the capital, of which there are several.
I took advantage of my mother needing a rest after our morning exertions in the Tivoli Gardens and trotted off on my own on a ten-mile afternoon walk (the first of two in three days). I took in so many incredible sights including an open-water swim, with hundreds of competitors braving the freezing seawater, many without wetsuits. Finding and photographing doors, of course, played an important part in my enjoyment of the city. I hope you enjoy them:
Grey door and shuttered windows, Vester Voldgade, Copenhagen, September 2025Door within a door? Bryghusgade, Copenhagen, September 2025Doorway into Christian Iv’s Brewhouse, Copenhagen, September 2025Five warehouse doors, orange brickwork and blue skies, Frederiksholms Kanal, Copenhagen, September 2025Gangway and door to a lighthouse boat boathouse, Frederiksholms Kanal, Copenhagen, September 2025Several boat doors and hatches, Havnegade, Copenhagen, September 2025WC doors, Havnegade, Copenhagen, September 2025
So that’s it until next time from sunny Copenhagen, may I wish you a happy week in these troubling times.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.
Doors 301 – Copenhagen, Denmark (part I), September 2024
In January last year, I turned 60, and have to say I wasn’t then, or indeed now, overjoyed about this landmark. Being eligible for a senior railcard is scant compensation for getting older and finally coming to terms with the fact that many of the things I wanted to do are now out of scope.
But, when old doors close, new ones open, and my birthday present from my (then 89-year-old) mother was a weekend break to a European city of my choice. I chose Copenhagen because I have never visited Scandinavia, it is not very far away, and you can fly from Bristol Airport. I had also heard many good reports about the Danish capital from friends who had been there before.
Getting there was incredibly straightforward and fast, and because my mother has limited mobility, we got through the airport security etc, in minutes. On arrival, the welcome was extraordinary and warm, from airport staff to train attendants. We decided to get a train from the airport to the city centre, as our hotel was next door to the Station, and it couldn’t have been easier. The train was clean and comfortable – it felt like a treat, but that probably tells you more about the appalling state of rail services in England.
Our hotel, as well as being adjacent to the station, was also very close to the Tivoli Gardens, the world’s second-oldest theme park (I am informed that the oldest one is also in Denmark). We headed in that direction on our first day and jumped the massive queues, by taking the restricted mobility entrance, and I wheeled my mother about the park for the rest of the morning, which she thoroughly enjoyed – I told her not to get too used to it!
I left my mother at the hotel for the afternoon, and went on one of two epic walks through the city hunting down street art and of course, doors. I got a little carried away, and I’m afraid this might be a very long series of doors, but worth it, I hope. Enjoy this first selection of doors from Copenhagen:
Three doors on the brick building which is on the western edge of Tivoli Gardens theme park, Copenhagen, Denmark, September 2025Front gateway to Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark, September 2024Large arched doors to the beautiful brick-built Copenhagen City Hall, Vestervold, Copenhagen, Denmark, September 2025Glass doors and grand entrance to the Palace Hotel, Vestervold, Copenhagen, Denmark, September 2025Large double doors with ironwork window panels, Vestervold, Copenhagen, Denmark, September 2025Superb green double doors and large fanlight, Vestervold, Copenhagen, Denmark, September 2025Beautiful red doors and brick surround, Galerie Ellen Frilling, Copenhagen, Denmark, September 2025Green double doors, Vestervold, Copenhagen, Denmark, September 2024
On looking back at these doors, I am reminded of the outstanding architecture and red brickwork that runs throughout the city. I am also reminded of the gorgeous weather we had for the few days that we were there. More next time, but until then may I wish you a happy weekend.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.
This is the last post from my trip to Buxton, and we say farewell to this beautiful Derbyshire town with a set of doors that includes the famous Buxton Opera House, an outstanding building and vibrant concert venue, that punches well above its weight in terms of its location, probably reflecting a more prosperous period when the wealthy would flock to the spa town.
Although this is the last post from Buxton, the good news is that I have doors lined up from Copenhagen, Marrakesh, Rochester and from a trip to Godalming on Tuesday this week amongst many other folders of doors ready for posting. In fact, my archive is growing faster than I am able to post… something to keep me going at least. I hope you enjoy this swan song from Buxton:
Rotating door and beautiful stone entrance to the Old Hall Hotel, Buxton, Derbyshire, April 2024Double doors to St Ann’s Well Water Pump Room (for Devonshire hospital patients only), Buxton, Derbyshire, April 2024Beautiful shopfronts with green doors and superb tile work, Buxton, Derbyshire, April 2024Doors and stunning architecture of the Buxton Opera House and Gardens, Buxton, Derbyshire, April 2024Two double doors and side entrances to the Buxton Opera House, Buxton, Derbyshire, April 2024An original door in the ‘hot house’ of the Buxton Gardens, Buxton, Derbyshire, April 2024Doors and entrance to the Devonshire Dome building, Buxton, Derbyshire, April 2024
On this last building, here is a snippet from Wikipedia with some really interesting facts about the place:
The Devonshire Dome building (previously known as the Devonshire Royal Hospital) is a Grade II* listed 18th-century former stable block in Buxton, Derbyshire. It was built by John Carr of York and extended by architect Robert Rippon Duke, who added what was then the world’s largest unsupported dome, with a diameter of 44.2 metres (145 ft). It is now the site of the Buxton Campus of the University of Derby.
That’s it for this week. I now have to consider what doors to bring to the party next time. Have a happy weekend.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.
Doors 300 – Doors of Buxton (part III), April 2024
Coming home from a holiday can be a tricky period, especially returning to work immediately afterwards. I still haven’t cleared the accumulated emails from last week and feel like I am very much on the back foot. I don’t think that there is any quick solution to this situation, other than to take early retirement (not a financially viable option) or to not take any leave (well, that’s not happening). So I simply take the heat, keep calm and carry on.
The point of the story is that I have limited time to do justice to Thursday Doors, a valuable constant landmark in my routine that offers me a weekly mindful moment.
I visited Buxton back in April last year as part of a team meeting which we combined with a tree planting opportunity, supporting a project called LIFE in the Ravines. Derbyshire is a fair schlep from Bristol, so I stayed the night in the spa town of Buxton and spent an early hour the next morning wandering round a town I had never visited before – an opportunity to capture a few doors. This week’s doors highlight the dark stone buildings and feature a water fountain, the source of the famous Buxton spring water company.
The faded grandeur of the Buxton town hall with several doors, Buxton, Derbyshire, April 2024A worn out door on Buxton Town Hall, Buxton, Derbyshire, April 2024Fancy front door of Buxton town hall, Buxton, Derbyshire, April 2024Black door at number 10, Buxton, Derbyshire, April 2024Unusual archway and green door (just the three letterboxes!), Buxton, Derbyshire, April 2024White doors of the Buxton pump room, Buxton, Derbyshire, April 2024St Ann’s Well, Buxton, Derbyshire, April 2024
Something that bothers me about so many doors that I have photographed is the tendency to use them as noticeboards. Is this a UK thing, or does this happen world-wide? Health and safety notices, ‘please use other door’ type notices, adverts and so on, ruin the overall appearance of a door, and while sometimes interesting, show a deep-seated lack of respect or indifference towards doors. Enough said.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.
I am really having way too much fun skiing, and way too tired to do pretty much anything else, so today’s entry is necessarily short. After last week’s classic car doors from a car auction in Buxton, this week’s selection is rather more ordinary, but I hope you enjoy them nonetheless.
Westminster Hotel door, Buxton, Derbyshire, April 2024Diamond decorated door frame and white door, Buxton, Derbyshire, April 2024Fabulous ghost door, Buxton, Derbyshire, April 2024The perfect Thursday Doors door, Buxton, Derbyshire, April 2024No parking in front of this workshop door, Buxton, Derbyshire, April 2024CoCo pink doors, Buxton, Derbyshire, April 2024
That’s your lot from the small Derbyshire town this week, more to come next time.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.
Doors 297 – Doors of Peterborough (Part V), April 2024
So at last we come to my final selection of doors from Peterborough, which were taken in the Cathedral area and then passing on down towards the river Nene. While I very much enjoyed my wanderings around this historic Cathedral City, I was left with a bitter sense of urban deprivation in 2020s England, a legacy of 14 years of running down of public services, of impacts of Brexit, of Covid and of the rising costs of fuel. I have shown you one face of this city, but it is important to understand that it is not all ‘chocolate box’ views and stunning architecture.
My genuine wish is that our country rediscovers its sense of purpose, its compassion and its place in the European conversation. After all, who wouldn’t want to live in a better place that is business-like, kind and fair? Enjoy the doors:
Norman archway and doors with the cathedral behind, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024Black door and fine stone surround, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024Number 2, black door with large wrought iron hinges, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024Studded wooden door and plants, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024Norman arched doorway and wooden door. I found the sign more offensive than the smoking it is there to advise against, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024Peterborough Guildhall, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024Front door of Old Customs House, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024Rear door to the river, Old Customs House, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024
So that’s it from Peterborough, Adieu! I’ll have to think of what to share next from my archive, and will have fun doing so. May I wish you a happy weekend.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.
Doors 296 – Doors of Peterborough (Part IV), April 2024
The truth is, I forgot that today was a Thursday. I have so far had a week of wall-to-wall meetings and have struggled to come up for air. Add to that an evening out last night (on a school night) and my head hasn’t really been in the right place.
I don’t have too much to add to the words about this series of doors from Peterborough, as these are the fourth selection, and I have said much about the city before. These doors were all within the grounds of the Cathedral and of the Cathedral itself. I hope you enjoy them.
Peterborough Cathedral, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024Norman arch and door, Peterborough Cathedral, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024Small side door, Peterborough Cathedral, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024Gateway and door into the Cathedral grounds, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024Buildings and doors in the Cathedral grounds, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024Private door in a wall, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024Door between ancient gateways, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024Closer view of door between ancient gateways, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024
A final set of Peterborough doors to come next time and then onto something else. Have a good weekend.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.
Doors 295 – Doors of Peterborough (Part III), April 2024
This is my second attempt at writing this post – I deleted the first by mistake…very irritating.
Regular readers of Natural Adventures will know the drill by now. When I visit towns and cities in the UK and beyond, I tend to take large numbers of door pictures for Thursday Doors posts, and indeed I have a very healthy archive of ‘pending’ doors waiting to be shared. This has both good and bad aspects. It means that I always have a steady stream of doors to post, but run the risk of being a little monotonous, presenting doors from the same place for weeks on end.
This is the third selection of doors from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, in a series of five posts (I think), and these were all photographed in the cathedral area of the city in April last year. As ever, I hope you enjoy them:
Front elevation and entrance to Peterborough Cathedral, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024Wrought iron gate and glass doorway with large vaulted archways to Peterborough Cathedral, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024Large side door on Peterborough Cathedral, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024210_editedBlack door, window and downpipe, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024Simple green arched door and stone work, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024Black door at number 24 and be careful those flagstones can be slippery when wet, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024Ghost door or gateway, now with nicely framed window, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024Superb ghost door and tower, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, April 2024
Some of the old buildings in the Cathedral area of Peterborough speak of its ancient history and wealth, it feels rather at odds these days with some of the more deprived areas of the city.
That’s it for another week, with more to come next time. Until then, au revoir.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.
As is so often the case, I am a little pressed for time this week, having been volunteered to take on some extra work (which I have no capacity to do) for another parallel team until the end of March. New relationships, ways of working and projects adds up to heightened pressure, but I will not allow this to interfere too much with my mindful moments such as Thursday Doors and photographing street art.
This is the second selection of doors from Peterborough, which bring us closer to the area around the Cathedral, and an area that was historically wealthier than the surrounding districts. I hope you enjoy them.
Grand central portico with Corinthian columns and panelled doors, Peterborough, April 2024Ordinary door on a Grade II listed building built in 1911, Peterborough, April 2024Green gates, Peterborough, April 2024Black door with stained-glass surround, Peterborough, April 2024Exotic doorway fusing the old with the new, Peterborough, April 2024Pair of doors, steps and flower pots, Peterborough, April 2024Black door and sturdy stone surround, steps and flower pots, Peterborough, April 2024Two black arched doors in the grounds of the Cathedral, Peterborough, April 2024
There is not a lot more to add this week, so I will look forward to next time.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.
Last year, I made a work trip to Peterborough to run a workshop, and as ever when on my travels, I took the opportunity early in the morning before the workshop started to gather my thoughts and have a little wander around the place taking photographs and noticing things.
Peterborough is a Cathedral City in eastern central England, and although I have visited it before when I lived in Cambridgeshire, it was always on a night out or to an office, so I hadn’t really ever got to know the place. What surprised me the most wasn’t the incredible architecture around the cathedral or the clean and tidy streets, it was instead the levels of deprivation, and I was quite shocked. There were a lot of rough sleepers about the place and the tell-tale signs of a poverty-stricken society containing streets full of bookies, pound shops, gambling arcades and vape shops – ‘Aladdin’s caves’ of bright lights and hope.
I have to say I found the experience profoundly depressing, and a contemporary illustration of how the previous government of 14 years had failed people at the lower end of the economic spectrum. The first thing I saw as I stepped out of the station was a long queue of people with tatty clothes and plastic bags outside a foodbank. We should hang our heads in shame that foodbanks even exist in one of the wealthiest nations in the world, while the richest in our society just get richer.
On a brighter note, Peterborough had pockets of street art and, importantly to today’s post, plenty of interesting doors to admire. Let’s get cracking:
White garage doors, Peterborough, April 2024An interesting door surround at the Tavan Moroccan restaurant, Peterborough, April 2024Black door and fabulous stonework, Nacro Education, Peterborough, April 20241930 iron and glass latticed door, Peterborough, April 2024Norman gateway and double doors (not a perfect fit), Cathedral Square, Peterborough, April 2024Closer view of the Norman gateway and double doors, Cathedral Square, Peterborough, April 2024Some nice symmetry around the black door of this 1837 building erected by Edward Wortly, an MP of the city, Peterborough, April 2024
Plenty more to come from this trip to Peterborough next time. May I wish you a happy weekend.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.
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