I had heard of the giant Wandsworth telescope erected in 1852 and, at the time, the largest refracting telescope in the world.
I knew it was on that stretch of land mysteriously called "The Telescope" that runs about 500 metres from the junction of Bellevue, Burntwood Lane and Trinity Road , along Trinity Road towards Wandsworth Bridge.
However I came across this excellent website, http://www.craig-telescope.co.uk
that comprehensively and entertainingly using maps, diagrams and photographic interpretations of how it was built, what happened to it and the subsequent TV programmes and digs that tried to investigate further.
It' exact location is roughly at the top of Frewin Road, why not take the kids for an architectural investigation of their own this school break?
Just one interesting fact - some of it's bricks were saved when it was demolished and were used to build part of what is now Brinkleys Restaurant on Trinity Road - will your kids be able to spot them from the street?
Here is a representation of the telescope if it was still standing - it was huge but sadly, now almost totally forgotten! Get your own Time-Team onto the job!
