London needs no further introduction. It's the top city on anyone's first trip to Europe (well, mine at least). It is a city that is easy to get around on foot and has plenty of things to see and do at every turn. On my first day in London, I walked along River Thames, crossing 2 bridges. The only time that day I succumbed to public transport was a train from St Paul's Cathedral (I honestly don't know which Metro Station I landed in) to Buckingham Palace (Victoria Station) and a bus from around Leicester Square (after some Fish and Chips) back to Belgrave Road (hostel sweet hostel).
I arrived in Victoria Coach Station from Gent, dropped off my luggage at a hostel along Belgrave Road (closest Metro station is Pimlico) and walked along the River Thames from dusk to dawn.
Here's a gif of the ground covered in Day 1, which includes must-visit places I saved using Google offline maps:
* There are slight shifts in the map, hence this gif looks slightly disjoint.
Here's a more detailed version of the walking tour, with some extras thrown in for good measure,
From Belgrave to Belgrave in a Day:
1. Tate Britain
Tate Britain is an Art Gallery, once known as the National Gallery of British Art, one quarter of the Tate group of galleries (one of which is the Tate Modern. The building looks like a work of art in and of itself, but in London, I had set my sights on the British Museum.
2. Along Millbank Road
This is the historical, culture and administrative heart of London. The key sights include Westminster Abbey, Jewel Tower, Palace of Westminster (and Big Ben), St Margaret's Church, Parliament Square... you get the drift.
Just an interesting side note about the Palace of Westminster, grand as it may seem on the outside, it seems like it is in dire need of repairs inside. Read The House is Falling Down.
3. Along the Westminster Bridge
Crossing this bridge offers the best and unobstructed view of Big Ben. Once known simply as "Clock Tower" of the Palace of Wesminster, its official name is the Elizabeth Tower, but it is best known by its nickname, Big Ben. It's also the second largest chiming clock with four faces in the world. Go figure.
4. Along the Queen's Walk
After crossing the Westminster Bridge, you can't miss a walk along the Thames, especially since it's the Queen's Walk. Just enjoy the sights along the way, including but not limited to the London Eye, National Theatre, Tate Modern, Millennium Bridge, London Bridge and Tower Bridge (and the Tower of London).
It's quite cool how there are pop-up makeshift stores along the walk selling books and records. Some street food perhaps?
A market right off the Queen's Walk. I enjoyed admiring the wares and grabbing some food, like some hand-dived scallops.
6. Crossing the London Bridge
Nope, London Bridge didn't fall down. Thank goodness!
P..S. I crossed the London Bridge to get back to the other side, but not the further Tower Bridge. The latter is often mistaken for the London Bridge, because, it's fancier.
That's the Tower Bridge:
7. St Paul's Cathedral
I crossed London Bridge to get to the other side... for St Paul's Cathedral. Entry into the churchyard is free, but admission into the Cathedral is required. Some interesting trivia about the Cathedral:
1. It has been built and rebuilt five times and has been around for over 1,400 years.
2. It sits on the highest point in the city, on Ludgate Hill.
3. It is the second largest church building in UK after Liverpool Cathdral.
4. It reminds one of the White House or U.S. Capitol, but is a "busy working" church.
5. People like to sit on the steps of the Cathedral to while the summer's day, people watch and have their lunch.
Visit: https://www.stpauls.co.uk
St Paul's Churchyard
This garden was first laid out as an open space in 1878 and combines the... burial grounds of the cathedral church of St Paul, St Gregory by St Paul's... St Faith the Virgin under St Paul's. The restored railings are a very early example of cast iron work dating from 1714.
8. Victoria Station
Victoria Station is one of the busiest train stations in London. The National Rail annual entry and exit hit 81 million for the year 2013 to 2014, making it the second busiest terminus after Waterloo. The Victoria Coach Station is also nearby. After visiting the Cathedral, I had to experience the Tube experience and got to this station (to get to Buckingham Palace).
9. Buckingham Palace
The Palace, enough said.
You can visit the State Rooms every summer, otherwise, content with watching the daily changing of guards.
Visit: https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/the-state-rooms-buckingham-palace
10. Green Park
Green Park is right across the road from Buckingham Palace and it radiates and links to other parks (including Hyde Park and eventually Kensington Garden). It does have some cool information about the Guards standing guard outside Buckingham Palace.
11. Regent Street
From Green Park, it is easyto walk to Regent Street - the London's premier shopping belt. There are top department stores like Liberty, House of Fraser... Do pop by Hamleys flagship toy store along the street, it's the biggest toy store in the world (or biggest parents' nightmare).
12. The Rock and Sole Plaice
One of the oldest chippies in town, with simple decor, a traditional seafood menu and outdoor seats.
I had to have some quintessentially British meal of Fish & Chips. And this happened to be at the right place at the right time.
9aj, 47 Endell St, London WC2H 9AJ
Visit: http://www.rockandsoleplaice.com/ (nice website)
13. Around Leicester Square
A chance to see West End by dark (It's also where the bus stop for the bus back to Belgrave Road).
Interesting Sights Along the Walk (that doesn't seem to fit the narrative):
Getting Around the City
Getting around London on foot is easy because there are many signs and maps that are very clear.
Otherwise, take the Tube or Bus. The bus stops are also exceptionally clear:
This is the very happening visitor's centre off St Paul's Cathedral. It is the only officially recognized Tourist Information Centre in central London.
Visit: http://www.visitlondon.com/traveller-information/place/209511-city-of-london-information-centre
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