What to do and see
Big Ben and the Palace at Westminster
With the world of travel shut down at the moment I'm having a little nostalgia fest thinking back on past trips. London is one of my favourite cities to visit, and a great way to see it is to follow the River Thames. Most of the main iconic landmarks can be seen along the river. I've done two different river boat trips, one that comes as part of the London Pass, it's just called the Thames River Cruise. The other, I caught the Thames Clipper from Greenwich and paid for the ticket using my Oyster card.
My collection of photographs do span over a few different trips, currently the Big Ben tower is covered by scaffolding and the work on the tower is due to be completed in 2021. Last year the scaffolding around the clock was removed unveiling the clock face which has been restored back to its original Prussian blue and gold colours.
The restored clock face.
I was quite excited to see it in all its restored glory! It's possible to walk across Westminster Bridge across to Southbank with all the attractions there. Be warned it's a very popular route! You won't be the only one doing it!
Westminster wharf with the London Eye in the background
There are a number of tourist sites around the London Eye, I have to admit I've been to none of them!! Not even the London Eye itself, it doesn't appeal to me but I've travelled with people who have enjoyed the experience, they do recommend that you prebook your timed ticket, it saves a lot of waiting time during busy periods. The London Aquarium is the white building, there's also Shrek the Experience and the London Dungeon. Back behind the main building on weekends there's a food market so it you like street food it's worth visiting. I can recommend the Ethiopian food!
Tower of London with the oldest part The White Tower in the centre
For anyone who wants to visit London's major attractions buying the London Pass is worthwhile. Some strategic planning does need to go into it, group attractions together so that you don't waste time travelling large distances.Keep in mind that most places open at 10am and the last admission is 4pm! Also do the most expensive attractions you can to get your money's worth! The Tower of London is one I would do first.
The Globe Theatre
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre is a reproduction and it stands on the site of the original Globe. You can either just visit and walk around, which is what I did. Or attend a play, be warned there's no roof, and the performances go ahead rain or shine!
I love a good High Tea and am always on the lookout for a more unique place to have tea. The Shard is the tallest building in London and has a variety of restaurants and cafes, I checked a few menus and decided I liked the Aqua Shard menu the most. It's afternoon tea with a fabulous view.
The Shard
Afternoon tea!
Close by to the Shard is the Borough Market with all its various food stalls.
Borough Market
Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast
A day trip out to Greenwich is a pleasant way to spend time in London, there's the Maritime Museum, the Greenwich Observatory which has the Prime Meridian (and be amused by the people posing for pictures next to a line in the ground!) The restored Cutty Sark is great to visit, then take the Thames Clipper back to Westminster and central London.
The Cutty Sark
The Cutty Sark
Going further up the river there is Hampton Court, King Henry VIII's principal palace. The interiors of the palace, particularly the chapel are lovely, the grounds are well worth exploring, I happened to be there in spring so it was all very pretty.
The grounds at Hampton Court
It's possible to go further out from central London by visiting Richmond. It's the last stop on the District Line. Richmond is quite lovely, I like the area around the river.
Richmond
Teddington Lock
The first Teddington Lock was built in 1810 and used to help boats navigate the river. In 1940 it was the site where the flotilla of 'small boats' were assembled for the Dunkirk evacuation.
The Thames at Richmond (the only picture with blue skies!)
I hired a bike at Richmond and rode along the river path to Hampton Court, I timed it as I had the bike for an hour so 30 minutes in the direction past Teddington Lock I made it as far as the park around Hampton Court.
Bike path (also walking path)
Back in central London, it's possible to walk on the south side of the riverbank starting from London Bridge Tube Station. Visit Borough Markets and then make your way down to the river and walk the along the path past The Globe and the Millennium Bridge. Keep following the path past the National Theatre and around to Westminster Bridge. Around by the National Theatre are second hand bookstalls which are great for browsing and finding yourself a bargain. By walking along the southern side of the river you can look across to all the major landmarks on the northern side. There are restaurants and cafes along the way as well.
With the world of travel shut down at the moment I'm having a little nostalgia fest thinking back on past trips. London is one of my favourite cities to visit, and a great way to see it is to follow the River Thames. Most of the main iconic landmarks can be seen along the river. I've done two different river boat trips, one that comes as part of the London Pass, it's just called the Thames River Cruise. The other, I caught the Thames Clipper from Greenwich and paid for the ticket using my Oyster card.
My collection of photographs do span over a few different trips, currently the Big Ben tower is covered by scaffolding and the work on the tower is due to be completed in 2021. Last year the scaffolding around the clock was removed unveiling the clock face which has been restored back to its original Prussian blue and gold colours.
I was quite excited to see it in all its restored glory! It's possible to walk across Westminster Bridge across to Southbank with all the attractions there. Be warned it's a very popular route! You won't be the only one doing it!
There are a number of tourist sites around the London Eye, I have to admit I've been to none of them!! Not even the London Eye itself, it doesn't appeal to me but I've travelled with people who have enjoyed the experience, they do recommend that you prebook your timed ticket, it saves a lot of waiting time during busy periods. The London Aquarium is the white building, there's also Shrek the Experience and the London Dungeon. Back behind the main building on weekends there's a food market so it you like street food it's worth visiting. I can recommend the Ethiopian food!
For anyone who wants to visit London's major attractions buying the London Pass is worthwhile. Some strategic planning does need to go into it, group attractions together so that you don't waste time travelling large distances.Keep in mind that most places open at 10am and the last admission is 4pm! Also do the most expensive attractions you can to get your money's worth! The Tower of London is one I would do first.
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre is a reproduction and it stands on the site of the original Globe. You can either just visit and walk around, which is what I did. Or attend a play, be warned there's no roof, and the performances go ahead rain or shine!
I love a good High Tea and am always on the lookout for a more unique place to have tea. The Shard is the tallest building in London and has a variety of restaurants and cafes, I checked a few menus and decided I liked the Aqua Shard menu the most. It's afternoon tea with a fabulous view.
Close by to the Shard is the Borough Market with all its various food stalls.
Borough Market
A day trip out to Greenwich is a pleasant way to spend time in London, there's the Maritime Museum, the Greenwich Observatory which has the Prime Meridian (and be amused by the people posing for pictures next to a line in the ground!) The restored Cutty Sark is great to visit, then take the Thames Clipper back to Westminster and central London.
The Cutty Sark
Going further up the river there is Hampton Court, King Henry VIII's principal palace. The interiors of the palace, particularly the chapel are lovely, the grounds are well worth exploring, I happened to be there in spring so it was all very pretty.
It's possible to go further out from central London by visiting Richmond. It's the last stop on the District Line. Richmond is quite lovely, I like the area around the river.
Richmond
The first Teddington Lock was built in 1810 and used to help boats navigate the river. In 1940 it was the site where the flotilla of 'small boats' were assembled for the Dunkirk evacuation.
I hired a bike at Richmond and rode along the river path to Hampton Court, I timed it as I had the bike for an hour so 30 minutes in the direction past Teddington Lock I made it as far as the park around Hampton Court.
Back in central London, it's possible to walk on the south side of the riverbank starting from London Bridge Tube Station. Visit Borough Markets and then make your way down to the river and walk the along the path past The Globe and the Millennium Bridge. Keep following the path past the National Theatre and around to Westminster Bridge. Around by the National Theatre are second hand bookstalls which are great for browsing and finding yourself a bargain. By walking along the southern side of the river you can look across to all the major landmarks on the northern side. There are restaurants and cafes along the way as well.
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