Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, UK
Being one who likes to 'Inspect the Plumbing' and photograph 'The Facilities' during visits to new places, when Rosemary Main sent me details of this new facility about to be installed at Blenheim Palace, it gave me the opportunity to share some photos with viewers.
Maurizio Cattelan
'AMERICA' was an art exhibition by Italian Artist, Maurizio Cattelan featured in the Guggenheim Museum earlier this year.
The Golden Toilet when located in The Guggenheim Museum
The artist is quoted as saying "Whatever you eat, a two-hundred dollar lunch or a two-dollar hot dog, the results are the same, toilet-wise"
From September 12th to October 27th the exhibition will be relocated to Beautiful Blenheim Palace, home to our All Morgans' Day gatherings. Sadly it will be gone by the time we are next there on 7th June 2020.
The star feature of the exhibition will be the 'Golden Throne' A toilet available for use by visitors, if you are able to tolerate the security around it. It was said that at the Guggenheim, 100,000 people queued in line to use it, so with that level of popularity, a desperate visit would not a good idea.
For those of us males who have visited Blenheim Palace in the past will recognise these facilities currently available
During my first ever visit in June 1015 to plan our first AMD event I was as ever in need so made my way to the Visitor Center facility.
In such an old building as Blenheim I was very impressed by the cleanliness.
Practical if a little lacking in style.
Being aware of potential visitors the shots have to be taken quickly.
During All Morgans' Day 2016 colleague Terry Seymour spotted that some of our stripped Marking Out tape had more than one use?
If you happen to venture into the Toilet Lobby set in the basement of the Palace in the Great Court you will find this wonderful set of show cases.
They are displaying part of the model collection owned by 'The British Model Soldier Society'
Apparently, Members of the society can gain free access to Blenheim on production of their membership cards.
The Coronation Parade.
The rest of this massive collection is housed at The British Ironwork Center near Oswestry.
During my last visit to Blenheim Palace I stayed over st The Holt Hotel in Hopcrofts Holt near Steeple Aston.
Just a single photo of my Bathroom there.
......................................................................
During that first planning visit to Blenheim we also visited the nearby Bicester Heritage on its WW2 airfield site.
There the buildings were being renovated and the facilities had been brought back to their original standard.
The old Guard House is now the estate office and at the rear of the building all on its own is an Urinal.
Standing here one felt the history of the many brave airmen who had stood here over time.
Out among the hangers we found this tiny loo which has also been brought back to its original condition.
Short Doors for good ventilation.
Traditional High Level Cistern with Chain Pull and Wooden Seat.
Modernised Sinks with heater and hand drier which certainly would not have been there in the 1940's
It even won an award.
The refurbished Sky Light.
I think that the name refers to the engineers who probably used it rather than the equipment to be found inside.
......................................................
Checking back through my photos I could not believe that it was 2018 during our eleventh visit to the very busy Brooklands Museum that I finally managed to photograph the old Clubhouse Loo there.
The Brooklands Clubhouse
The passage way used when heading for the toilets
Driving Clothes being advertised behind the cubicle downpipe.
Even an outfit for your Chauffeur.
For the Motorcyclist.
The original Urinals which are a Museum Piece now and no longer used.
..............................................................
During a trip to South Bucks I stopped at Longbridge Mill near Basingstoke for a coffee.
The Mog in the Car Park at Longbridge Mill.
The modern facilities there offered some interesting Artwork for visitors to peruse.
Haunting Aroma.
Notable in its Category
Then came a Parson so burley and big.
The feast of Reason, and the flow of Soul __i:e:__ The Wits of the Age, setting the Table in a roar.
..............................................
At Rothley Station on the old Great Cetral Railway near Leicester the Waiting Room has some stunning original architecture.
As original as can be is the Waiting Room itself, complete with Gas Lamp.
Complete and Original plumbing.
Hot & Cold Water.
The Cubicle's Gas Lamp.
Postcard Art.
At the Leicester end of the line things were not looking quite so grand.
These Urinals have seen better days.
Tighter conditions and only cold water.
Basic requirements
But the most ornate Brass Roll Holder.
Later, at Stoneywell National Trust a visit to the bathroom was in order.
.........................................
At Montacute House National Trust in Dorset we found a bath in a cupboard.
...................................................
At Uppark National Trust the Toilet was in the basement Tunnels linking the house to the service quarters and used to hide the staff movements.
One of the The Service Tunnels
Hidden below ground with modern equipment.
When Nappy Changing is the man's job.
The waiting, or recovery, area outside.
....................................................
When I visited the Royal Armouries contained in Fort Nelson on Portsdown Hill, to see the Poppy Wave exhibited there, I had to seek out the luxurious facilities in use when it was occupied around the time of the Napoleonic Wars.
Tucked around this corner on the right side was what I was looking for.
Refurbished or recreated?
Traditional wooden paneling, but modern equipment.
Then I found the Guard House.
The Prison Urinal. Sadly the cubicle was locked.
The Cell, probably complete with a bucket.
Found on the walls
.......................................................
Not really Toilet Art but in Buxton's Spa Pump Room I found this interesting Chair Lift used to lower the infirm into the waters there.
...................................................
In Harrogate's Majestic Hotel is the best example of washroom elegance so far in its sea of marble.
Spotlessly clean and almost beautiful in its originality.
Even a place for contemplation either before or afterwards.
.................................................
While taking the Morgan for its annual MOT.
I just had to check out the Garage Plumbing.
Later that day at The Victoria & Albert Museum I visited the new extension.
The route to the Loos takes me down this slope into the basement.
The single automatic wash hands basin.
A Simple layout with no privacy.
A very modern drainage system.
......................................................
During the Morgan Motor Companies Run for the Hills event, held at the Three Counties Showground Malvern, my colleague Terry Seymour managed to get a couple of photos while the loos were vacant.
Lots of Stainless Steel for ease of cleaning.
The Boys Level positioned next to the Hand Basin?
........................................................
During my 1000 Mile Rally I stayed at this stunning Hunting Lodge B&B in Sheppy Magna.
My Bathroom was enormous with this magnificent Bath & Shower.
His & Hers Sin Units and Giant Mirror and Lamps.
During my Around Britain's Coast Road Trip in 2012 I visited my old Golf Club at Machrihanish on the Kintyre Peninsula.
Since I was last there the Locker Room and the Changing Rooms have been re fitted.
In Perth, I also visited the Morgan Dealership of Russell Patterson.
In their restroom they keep a suitable mixture of Motoring Magazines for anyone planning to stay awhile.
At Golspie on my way to Wick I needed to inspect the plumbing at this Super Loo.
I was very impressed by how modern and clean that it was for such a small remote town.
If only all towns had such facilities?
Interesting use of the Beer Kegs Found by Terry in a pub in Ledbury - No sharp edges I hope.
A Motoring Theme with the Wash Hand Basin Tyres and Fuel Pump Handles
Friend Isabel Redman found this interesting combination in a Sophia, Bulgaria, Restaurant. ........................................................
If you happen to venture into the Toilet Lobby set in the basement of the Palace in the Great Court you will find this wonderful set of show cases.
They are displaying part of the model collection owned by 'The British Model Soldier Society'
Apparently, Members of the society can gain free access to Blenheim on production of their membership cards.
The Coronation Parade.
The rest of this massive collection is housed at The British Ironwork Center near Oswestry.
During my last visit to Blenheim Palace I stayed over st The Holt Hotel in Hopcrofts Holt near Steeple Aston.
Just a single photo of my Bathroom there.
......................................................................
During that first planning visit to Blenheim we also visited the nearby Bicester Heritage on its WW2 airfield site.
There the buildings were being renovated and the facilities had been brought back to their original standard.
The old Guard House is now the estate office and at the rear of the building all on its own is an Urinal.
Standing here one felt the history of the many brave airmen who had stood here over time.
Out among the hangers we found this tiny loo which has also been brought back to its original condition.
Short Doors for good ventilation.
Traditional High Level Cistern with Chain Pull and Wooden Seat.
Modernised Sinks with heater and hand drier which certainly would not have been there in the 1940's
It even won an award.
The refurbished Sky Light.
I think that the name refers to the engineers who probably used it rather than the equipment to be found inside.
......................................................
Checking back through my photos I could not believe that it was 2018 during our eleventh visit to the very busy Brooklands Museum that I finally managed to photograph the old Clubhouse Loo there.
The Brooklands Clubhouse
The passage way used when heading for the toilets
Driving Clothes being advertised behind the cubicle downpipe.
Even an outfit for your Chauffeur.
For the Motorcyclist.
The original Urinals which are a Museum Piece now and no longer used.
..............................................................
During a trip to South Bucks I stopped at Longbridge Mill near Basingstoke for a coffee.
The Mog in the Car Park at Longbridge Mill.
The modern facilities there offered some interesting Artwork for visitors to peruse.
Haunting Aroma.
Notable in its Category
Then came a Parson so burley and big.
The feast of Reason, and the flow of Soul __i:e:__ The Wits of the Age, setting the Table in a roar.
..............................................
At Rothley Station on the old Great Cetral Railway near Leicester the Waiting Room has some stunning original architecture.
As original as can be is the Waiting Room itself, complete with Gas Lamp.
Complete and Original plumbing.
Hot & Cold Water.
The Cubicle's Gas Lamp.
Postcard Art.
At the Leicester end of the line things were not looking quite so grand.
These Urinals have seen better days.
Tighter conditions and only cold water.
Basic requirements
But the most ornate Brass Roll Holder.
Later, at Stoneywell National Trust a visit to the bathroom was in order.
.........................................
At Montacute House National Trust in Dorset we found a bath in a cupboard.
...................................................
At Uppark National Trust the Toilet was in the basement Tunnels linking the house to the service quarters and used to hide the staff movements.
One of the The Service Tunnels
Hidden below ground with modern equipment.
When Nappy Changing is the man's job.
The waiting, or recovery, area outside.
....................................................
When I visited the Royal Armouries contained in Fort Nelson on Portsdown Hill, to see the Poppy Wave exhibited there, I had to seek out the luxurious facilities in use when it was occupied around the time of the Napoleonic Wars.
Tucked around this corner on the right side was what I was looking for.
Refurbished or recreated?
Traditional wooden paneling, but modern equipment.
Then I found the Guard House.
The Prison Urinal. Sadly the cubicle was locked.
The Cell, probably complete with a bucket.
Found on the walls
.......................................................
Not really Toilet Art but in Buxton's Spa Pump Room I found this interesting Chair Lift used to lower the infirm into the waters there.
...................................................
In Harrogate's Majestic Hotel is the best example of washroom elegance so far in its sea of marble.
Spotlessly clean and almost beautiful in its originality.
Even a place for contemplation either before or afterwards.
.................................................
While taking the Morgan for its annual MOT.
I just had to check out the Garage Plumbing.
Later that day at The Victoria & Albert Museum I visited the new extension.
The route to the Loos takes me down this slope into the basement.
The single automatic wash hands basin.
A Simple layout with no privacy.
......................................................
During the Morgan Motor Companies Run for the Hills event, held at the Three Counties Showground Malvern, my colleague Terry Seymour managed to get a couple of photos while the loos were vacant.
Lots of Stainless Steel for ease of cleaning.
The Boys Level positioned next to the Hand Basin?
........................................................
During my 1000 Mile Rally I stayed at this stunning Hunting Lodge B&B in Sheppy Magna.
My Bathroom was enormous with this magnificent Bath & Shower.
His & Hers Sin Units and Giant Mirror and Lamps.
During my Around Britain's Coast Road Trip in 2012 I visited my old Golf Club at Machrihanish on the Kintyre Peninsula.
Since I was last there the Locker Room and the Changing Rooms have been re fitted.
In Perth, I also visited the Morgan Dealership of Russell Patterson.
In their restroom they keep a suitable mixture of Motoring Magazines for anyone planning to stay awhile.
At Golspie on my way to Wick I needed to inspect the plumbing at this Super Loo.
I was very impressed by how modern and clean that it was for such a small remote town.
If only all towns had such facilities?
Interesting use of the Beer Kegs Found by Terry in a pub in Ledbury - No sharp edges I hope.
A Motoring Theme with the Wash Hand Basin Tyres and Fuel Pump Handles
Friend Isabel Redman found this interesting combination in a Sophia, Bulgaria, Restaurant. ........................................................
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