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Waterloo to Whitehall
Today’s adventure begins at Waterloo Tube Station. Exit the station out of the north corner and turn right on York Road, then left at Concert Hall Approach. Continue to Belvedere Road, and take a shortcut through Jubilee Gardens to the London Eye.
A Narrated Ride on the London Eye
The 443-foot tall London Eye is the highest observation wheel in the world, allowing riders to have a view towering over the city. It was created with British steel and Dutch engineering. The wheel runs almost in silence with Czech, German, French, and Italian mechanical parts. One rotation of the wheel takes about one-half hour, with each of the 32 riding pods 25 people. The view, on a clear day, can be up to 25 miles.
Head south on The Queen’s Walk to your next stop the Sea Life Aquarium for a close-up experience with sharks, penguins, octopus, turtles, and more sea creatures.
Sea Life London Aquarium Complete Walkthrough Tour
Continue south and walk across Westminster Bridge. Mid-span offers a good opportunity for photographs across the Thames.
Ahead of you are Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
London Walk – London Eye to Westminster Bridge to Big Ben
Rather than the clock or the tower, “Big Ben” is named for the bell that tolls on the hour. Named for Benjamin Hall, the commissioner of works during the time that the tower was completed in 1858. The tower stands 320 feet high and the clock faces are 23 feet across.
Commonly called the Houses of Parliament, the Palace of Westminster, the first palace was at this location in the 11th century, established by Edward the Confessor. In 1087 King William II began construction on a new palace,, eventually becoming the seat of administrative power.
Fire destroyed most of the palace in 1834. Currently, the complex dates mostly from the mid-1800s, although Westminster Hall, a remnant of the original palace remains.
Britain’s Best Buildings – The Palace of Westminster
Continue to Parliament Square Garden taking a walk around the square to view statues of important historical figures, including Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, and Winston Churchill. The Churchill statue has a current of electricity running through it because Churchill noted that should a statue be made of him the head mustn’t be dirtied by pigeons.
Who are all the statues in Parliament Square, London?
From the Square walk south to St. Margaret’s Church.
St. Margaret’s Church is the House of Commons church. has been the location of politician weddings since 1480.
Next to St. Margaret’s Church is Westminster Abbey. The abbey is the final resting place of more than 3,300 notable Brits. Within the highest Gothic nave in England there are more than 600 statues, tombs, and commemorative tablets.
After entering through the north door turn around and admire the world’s largest painted-glass rose window. Walking east toward the apse you will see the Coronation Chair at the foot of the Henry VII Chapel. A black-and-white marble floor, laid in 1268 is in front of the High Altar.
Westminster Abbey Inside Virtual Tour
Backtrack north on Parliament Street – which becomes Whitehall Street. Continue across King Charles Street and continue to Downing Street. Although the street is blocked off you can take a glance at the Prime Minister’s residence.
Continue north past the Horse Guards Parade where the Horse Guards change daily at 11:00 (10:00 on Sunday) with the dismounting ceremony at 4:00.
You may opt to visit the Household Calvary Museum to learn about the calvary’s role.
Changing of the King’s Life Guard at the Horse Guards Parade
Continue walking north to Trafalgar Square, turn right on the Strand to reach Charing Cross Station, and the end of this adventure.
London Walk – Whitehall to Downing Street to Parliament Square
Books at Amazon
Gifts at Amazon
Celebrate!
City of London – In the heart of London, The City is an adventure in architecture with some very modern skyscrapers among structures several centuries old.
Kew Royal Botanic Gardens – Easily accessible from the Kew Gardens tube station, this World Heritage Site offers a full day of discovery.
St. James London – Join me on an arts and culture tour featuring art galleries and fine men’s fashion.
Kew Royal Botanic Gardens – Easily accessible from the Kew Gardens tube station, this World Heritage Site offers a full day of discovery.
City of London – In the heart of London, The City is an adventure in architecture with some very modern skyscrapers among structures several centuries old.
Yorkshire Day – The 1st of August is Yorkshire Day – a day when the whole region shows the world how proud they are to be Yorkshire.
Heritage Treasures Day (UK) – Heritage Treasures Day is marked on January 11 of every year. It’s the perfect day to let everyone know about your unique heritage.
Where are you in London?
Resources Consulted
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