Roadside London (Part 3 of 4)

London was the first city so far warranting a return trip due to there being just too much to see.  I'm not too surprised to say this given the city's internationally grand status, but after two and a half days just getting a feel for England's capital I see a return trip (or two) in the future.

Spartan Reunion: Me, Steve and Luke at the "Coal Hole"

Setting aside the sites and attractions for a second, the high point of the visit was spending time with a couple old friends, Steve and Luke.  Quite coincidentally, the three of us (and Steve's family) found ourselves in the same city at the same time and got to hang out for a little bit.  Having been in A2 back at school a decade ago, fellow Spartans can appreciate that "We came back on our shield" after a night at the bars!

After catching up (and an all-too early departure by Luke), I hit as many of London's major attractions that my short trip allowed.  Fortunately, I visited most with Steve, Jenny and their daughters, Maddy and Abby.  To that end, I feel like I soaked in the full experience of a handful of sites.  These include Trafalgar Square, the London Eye, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, Churchill's War Rooms and Museum and the Imperial War Museum.  The others were viewed from the city's Eye or by foot.

Today, I'll catalogue the latter with pictures and descriptions.

The GE portrait at the National Gallery

National Gallery.  The nation's most important art repository, this gallery includes works from Giotto, de Vinci, Michelangelo and Van Gogh.  Didn't get a chance to get inside, but the outside included a living portrait dedicated by GE.  Made of plants, this slick marketing project was at least 30' x 50'.

The Westminster Bridge with Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

Big Ben

Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.  Officially titled the Palace of Westminster, the building's oldest part was originally built in 1097; however, most of what's seen today was remodeled in the mid 19th century.  Big Ben is actually attached to the Houses of Parliament; its name comes from the 13-ton bell named for Benjamin Hall, its architect.

Westminster Cathedral 

Westminster Cathedral.  Built in 1895, this cathedral has acted as the headquarters of England's Roman Catholic Church.  Nearby is Westminster Abbey, where the Kingdom's monarchs have been crowned since 1066.  Additionally, many of them are interred here.

 The Somerset House Art Gallery

 Saint James Park, main gate and view of the London Eye

Saint James Park felt quite Canadian to me, given the Canadian memorial inside as well as the dozen or so Canadian flags flying at its gates.  Practically surrounding Buckingham Palace, this park was a welcome reprieve from London's backwards streets.

 Steve and I in front of Wellington Arch.  Below, the top of the arch.

Wellington Arch.  In a small park at the end of Saint James Park, this monument commemorates the victor of Waterloo.

 The little ones in front of the Australian Memorial; below, Steve trying to coral his kids!

The Australian War Monument.  Located near Wellington Arch on the western end of Saint James Park, this monument cascades with a film of water over the names of campaign and participants' names.

The Tate Modern.  Located on the southern side of the Thames River along an active walking, biking and running path, the country's (maybe the world's) largest modern art museum featured an exhibit by the artist, Miro.

A short walk from the Tate spans The Millenium Bridge.  Opened in 2000, it was London's first new bridge in 100 years.  Today, it's referred to as a "blade of light."

At the bridge's sourthern end sits Shakespeare's Globe Theater.  Finished in 1997, this replica sits 100m from the site of the original.

Further along the path, a reconstruction of Sir Frances Drake's galleon, The Golden Hinde, is open for tourists.

At the end of my walk, I met up with the London Bridge, which was standing austerely in a muddy Thames River.

London's most impressive bridge in my opinion, the Tower Bridge was finished in 1894.

 The London Tower exceeded expectations and is worth a trip back itself!

On the northern side of the river, I passed by the Tower of London.  Much larger than what I expected, this World Heritage Site (one of England's three) houses the crown jewels and consists of at least five towers, named Martin, Bowyer, White, Devereux and Beuchamp.  Each were constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries.  A visit here is planned next time!

Across from the Tower, the Tower Hill Memorial memorializes the 24,000 men of the Merchant Navy lost at sea between 1914 and 1918 during World War I.

 The Monument

The last thing I saw before leaving the city was The Monument.  Located a short walk from the Tower of London, the memorial was built to commemorate the great fire of London in 1666.  Measuring 60.6m high, the memorial is located the same distance from the bakery on Pudding Lane where the fire began.