The Royal Walk
London is the largest urban area in the United Kingdom with a history of settlement for two millennia. The city has been inhabited by the Romans, played host to the English Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution and the Gothic Revival. So it's not surprising that this ancient metropolis has hundreds of fascinating walks to offer.
The Royal Walk
Start at Westminster Tube station and walk towards Westminster Bridge. Stop at the first set of traffic lights on the corner of the junction of Victoria Embankment and Bridge Street. Look behind and you will see Portcullis House where Members of Parliament have their offices. In front of you is Victoria Embankment - the road running alongside the Thames was constructed in 1870 and is a superb example of Victorian know-how and design. It was also the first electrically illuminated street in London.
Next, cross Victoria Embankment and walk down the steps to the statue of Boadicea. Here you will see a green turret known as the Westminster tide recorder whose function is to measure the depth of the Thames.
Looking across the river you will notice a number of lions heads with steel mooring rings hanging from their mouths. Every London policeman keeps a watchful eye on them as they are an essential part of London's flood warning system. If the water were to reach the lion's mouths, this would be considered flood level resulting in the immediate closure of the tube system and Thames tunnels.
Turn round and head back towards Westminster Station and continue along Bridge Street to the corner of Parliament Square. Cross the road towards Big Ben. Here you will see the largest Gothic building in the world - the Houses of Parliament. Built in 1040, it contains over 1000 rooms with 2 miles of corridors.
Big Ben is named after Sir Benjamin Hall who was in charge of constructing this giant clock. Turn your back to Big Ben and face Parliament Square - built in 1868. On one of the corner of the square you will see a statue of Sir Winston Churchill - Britain's Prime Minister during the second World War. As I mentioned last week, this statue is one of London's secrets - it has a small charge of electricity running through it to keep the pigeons away.
Continue past the gates to the Houses of Parliament and turn right at the next traffic lights, crossing St Margaret Street. Walk along Victoria Street to the entrance to Westminster Abbey, passing St Margaret's Church on your left. Stop, facing the entrance to Westminster Abbey. This historic building was where William the Conqueror was crowned on Christmas Day in 1066. Notable people buried with the Abbey include: Henry III; Elizabeth 1; Charles II; Chaucer and Tennyson. The funeral for Princess Diana was also held there though she is not buried there.
With your back to Westminster Abbey, continue along Broad Sanctuary, crossing at the first set of traffic lights on your right. Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing on Tothill Street and continue along Storey's Gate. Next, cross Matthew Parker Street and, soon after Lewisham Street. Keep walking to the next road on your left - Old Queen Street. Now turn left and walk to the end of Old Queen Street.
Once at the end, turn left again a followed by a right turn into Queen Anne's Gate. Walking along this road you will see buildings dated from the 1700s including the old headquarters of the British Secret Service (number 21) where James Bond would have worked. Once you get to the junction of Queen Anne's Gate (just after number 34a) take a right turn into Birdcage Walk. Cross the road and enter St James Park. Walk along the path in front of you to the footbridge. Cross the footbridge and turn left following another path. You will see a pond to your left. Near the end of this path you will see a refreshments stand. Turn right and continue walking along this path to the road. Once at the road, turn left and head towards Buckingham Palace.
Built in 1703. Check out the flag pole atop the Palace. Should the Queen be in residence then the Royal Standard flag will be flying. A must see is the changing of the guard which can be viewed for free at 11:30am every morning during the summer and every second morning during the winter.
The Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace was unveiled in 1911 - constructed from a single block of marble.
To the left of the Palace is Green Park - made into a royal park by Charles II.
Here's an interesting fact: the first cup of tea consumed in England was drunk in the Palace gardens in 1663.
I am going to leave you in front of Buckingham Palace for now. But come back next week for the second part of this Royal Walk.