Are you getting so excited about the new Downton Abbey movie being released September 20th? I sure am! Oh, the drama, the characters, the opulence, the costumes and of course, the brilliant and witty remarks by the Dowager, Violet Crawley. Think you know all there is to know about the beloved aristocrats and their loyal servants? Invite some friends over, brew a pot of tea, serve some scones and test your knowledge with this Downton Abbey Trivia challenge!Continue Reading
Classic Pimm’s Cup with Sherlock Homes and Doctor Who Stops around the City
“You have to have a Pimm’s Cup and toast me from London!” That was our instructions from a friend when we shared about our upcoming trip introducing us to the iconic drink of Britain. To oblige our friend we made sure to seek out and try this colorful beverage made with Pimm’s liqueur, lemonade and plenty of fruit stirred in.
Keep Calm and Love London
Keep Calm and Love London. We weren’t really calm at all but actually quite excited. And loving London is easy. This was our second trip to this lovely city, across the pond and we were thrilled to be going to London, England again. This time with two of our adult children and our oldest grandson. A little more confident in our international travel experience and our ability to navigate airport flights and customs as well as the tube and underground, took away much of our first-time anxiety. Once again we would be experiencing the history, art and culture that is so abundant at every corner we turned. Added to all of this, we would be enjoying it through the eyes of our kids. Continue Reading
London, England Jamie Oliver Inspired Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta with Creamy Ricotta
A visit to London Covent Garden and Jamie Oliver restaurant inspired this easy recipe for roasted cherry tomato and basil bruschetta with creamy ricotta. It is a fresh and delicious summertime appetizer or entree.Continue Reading
Platform 9 3/4, English Tea, Greenwich and Royal Observatory
A spectacular view from the Royal Observatory overlook located in Greenwich, England.
Platform 9 3/4 ~ if you are familiar with the Harry Potter books you’ll recognize this as the fictional location for departure of the train to Hogwarts, selling magic artifacts and wizarding gear. Abbey is a big fan so we made sure to visit for a photo.
Because of its popularity, the station has the area set aside where fans can snap a fun pic.
Then, how can one visit London for the first time and not enjoy a Proper English Tea!
Next, we head to Tower Pier to board a boat for the Themes River Cruise.
Tower Bridge ahead
passing under the Tower Bridge
view of Greenwich and the Cutty Sark
Off the cruise boat, we walked to the Naval College, the Maritime Museum and past the Cutty Sark.
It was a hike up a tall hill and then lots of steps to reach…
the Royal Observatory
The Royal Observatory, Greenwich, played a major role in the history of astronomy and navigation, and is best known as the location of the prime meridian. The observatory is situated on a hill in Greenwich Park, overlooking the River Thames.
The observatory was commissioned in 1675 by King Charles II, with the foundation stone being laid on 10 August. The site was chosen by Sir Christopher Wren. At that time the king also created the position of Astronomer Royal, to serve as the director of the observatory and to “apply himself with the most exact care and diligence to the rectifying of the tables of the motions of the heavens, and the places of the fixed stars, so as to find out the so much desired longitude of places for the perfecting of the art of navigation.” He appointed John Flamsteed as the first AR. The building was completed in the summer of 1676. The building was often called “Flamsteed House”, in reference to its first occupant. source
and this gorgeous view
We waited our turn
to stand on the Prime Meridian Line to have a foot in both hemispheres
Hemispheres
The prime meridian and the International Date Line create a circle that divides the Earth into the eastern and western hemispheres. This is similar to the way the Equator serves as the 0 latitude line and divides the Earth into the northern and southern hemispheres.
The eastern hemisphere is east of the prime meridian and west of the International Date Line. Most of Earths landmasses, including all of Asia and Australia, and most of Africa, are part of the eastern hemisphere.
The western hemisphere is west of the prime meridian and east of the International Date Line. The Americas, the western part of the British Isles (including Ireland and Wales), and the northwestern part of Africa are landmasses in the western hemisphere. source
From Greenwich we headed back to the cruise boat, this time disembarking at Westminster Pier.
Dusk turned to night and the evening became chilly.
John took this panoramic view
the Parliament Building in golden illumination
Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, and often extended to refer to the clock and the clock tower. The tower is officially known as the Elizabeth Tower, renamed as such to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II. The tower holds the second largest four-faced chiming clock in the world. The tower was completed in 1858.
Back in our hotel room, we watched an episode of Downton Abbey that our friends back home will have to wait until January to see.
So excited to share our next day…
the most special day of our trip!
Southwark Cathedral, London
Of all the cathedrals we visited, Southwark, that lies on the south bank of the River Thames close to London Bridge, was my favorite.
Breathtaking comes close to describing it.
part of their welcome statement: We believe there has been a church on this site since AD 606. There may well have been a church here even earlier. Southwark Cathedral is the oldest cathedral church building in London, and archaeological evidence shows there was Roman pagan worship here well before that.
After our City walk, touring St. Paul’s Cathedral, Millennial Bridge, Bankside walk and Borough Market, it was on to Southwark Cathedral. We timed our arrival so we could enjoy the choral evensong service.
We entered from the North West door and sat in the nave during evensong.
photo source
The baptismal font stands between the north and south entrances of the Cathedral.
extraordinary architecture
monuments and memorials in the transepts
the organ
William Shakespeare monument
William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is commemorated by a window and monument in the South Aisle.
The monument, carved by Henry McCarthy in 1912, shows a recumbent alabaster figure of the actor and writer set against a background of 17th century Southwark.
William’s brother Edmund was buried in St Saviour’s in 1607. Although the position of his grave is unknown, he is commemorated by an inscribed stone in the paving of the Choir.
The window, designed by Christopher Webb, replaced a previous one destroyed during the 2nd World War. It shows characters from some of Shakespeare’s plays.
the choir area
John sitting near a placard with John Bunyan’s name
I am sitting next to a placard with William Shakespeare’s name.
This photo is taken as we looked toward the nave where we entered. It is past the choir benches.
High Altar Screen – Southwark cathedral, 1520 AD
The Great Screen
This magnificent screen was erected by Bishop Fox of Winchester in 1520. Although the general appearance of the screen, with three broad rich bands of carvings and statuary, is that of the original, most of the detail is from later periods.
Whether all the original statues were ever installed is uncertain, as the screen was completed within a decade of the Reformation when such statues were forbidden. The small carvings of the Lamb of God and the pelican (a badge of Bishop Fox) immediately above the rows of angels are probably original, as are some of the bases of the niches. The small carvings in the corners of the two doorways, showing hunting scenes, may also be original. source
Model of the church and old Westminster Palace
The Humble Monument portrays Alderman Richard Humble and his two wives.
the high alter and the great screen
walking toward the retro-choir
the far back is called the retro-choir
The Retro-choir, built from 1215-1260 and is the oldest complete part of Southwark Cathedral.
The Retro-choir is thought by many to be the loveliest part of the Cathedral, with superb spatial qualities. The design is 13th century Early English
view from the retro-choir down the south choir
the floor of the Retro-choir.
The Lady Chapel
south aisle nearing south west entrance
late afternoon sunbeams
exterior view
outside Southwark Cathedral
archaeological chamber
Roman Road 1st century AD
Near the entrance to the cafe and shop is part of the archaeological excavations left open for public display. Excavations around Southwark Cathedral in 1999 revealed part of a Roman road, foundations of the original Norman Priory wall, a 13th century medieval stone coffin and part of a late 17th century ‘Delft’ pottery kiln made of brick, one of the few surviving arched kilns found in Europe. source
Finally, after walking more than seven miles this day, we relaxed and ate dinner in a pub near our hotel.
The City of London, Saint Paul’s Cathedral and Millennium Bridge
This day in London was filled with such splendor and beauty we could barely take it all in.
Among so many other things, I love London for the serendipitous moments. Slipping past a quiet courtyard, strolling past an interesting door or turning the corner and beholding an enchanting wall garden.
so lovely
This is where we passed as we walked to the spot to begin The City walking tour from one of our travel books. We downloaded the app before leaving home and listened to it on our iPhone.On the way we found this very pretty place on the corner of Kemble Street and Drury Lane.
Yes, Drury Lane, where the muffin man of my nursery rhyme days must had lived 🙂
How could these obvious tourists not stop by an iconic red phone box for fun pics!
We began our walk at St. Clement Danes, an Anglican church in the City of Westminster, London.
It is situated outside the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand. The current building was completed in 1682 by Sir Christopher Wren. Wren’s building was gutted during the Blitz and not restored until 1958, when it was adapted to its current function as the central church of the Royal Air Force. source
Christopher Wren played a large part in London’s history. After the great fire of 1666, Christopher Wren was a hired to rebuild the city.
The Great Fire of London was a major conflagration that swept through the central parts of the English city of London, from Sunday, 2 September to Wednesday, 5 September 1666. The fire gutted the medieval City of London inside the old Roman city wall. It threatened, but did not reach, the aristocratic district of Westminster, Charles II’s Palace of Whitehall, and most of the suburban slums. It consumed 13,200 houses, 87 parish churches, St Paul’s Cathedral and most of the buildings of the City authorities. It is estimated to have destroyed the homes of 70,000 of the City’s 80,000 inhabitants source 
Across from St. Clement Danes is the Australian House. It is both Australia’s first diplomatic mission and the longest continuously occupied diplomatic mission in the United Kingdom.
We stopped in the Twinings’ shop on the Strand. It was established as a tea room in 1706
Inside the long, narrow tea shop.
A bit farther, we came to The Temple Bar Monument with a statue of a griffin. It marks the official entrance in to the City of London leaving Westminster. This is where the Strand changes names and becomes Fleet Street.
This Tudor-style Prince Henry’s Room (top of the house) dates from 1610 and is one of the few buildings to survive the Great Fire of 1666. The top floor of the house was once an office for King Charles I’s son.
Continuing along, The Royal Courts of Justice stand impressively.
The Royal Courts of Justice houses both the High Court and Court of Appeal of England and Wales. Designed by George Edmund Street, who died before it was completed, it is a large grey stone edifice in the Victorian Gothic style built in the 1870s and opened by Queen Victoria in 1882. It is one of the largest courts in Europe. It is located on the Strand within the City of Westminster, near the border with the City of London (Temple Bar) source
Further along, St. Paul’s Cathedral comes into view.
From Rick Steves: If you were standing here in September 1666, you’d see nothing but smoke and ruins. The Great Fire razed everything, including the original St. Paul’s Cathedral. Christopher Wren was hired to rebuild St. Paul’s and The City.
If you were standing here on December 30, 1940, the morning after a German Luftwaffe firebomb raid, you’d see nothing but a flat, smoldering landscape of rubble, with St. Paul’s rising above it, almost miraculously intact.
A quick selfie in front of this busy road and gorgeous cathedral.
the magnificent dome
Queen Anne statue stands in front of the Cathedral
The plinth is inscribed with these words: “The original statue was erected on this spot to commemorate the completion of Saint Paul’s Cathedral. Francis Bird – sculptor.” “This replica of the statue of Queen Anne was erected at the expense of The Corporation of London In the year 1886, The Rt. Hon. Sir Reginald Hanson MA, FSA, Lord Mayor – Wm. Braham Esq., Chairman of the City Lands Committee”
Photos were not allowed in St. Paul’s Cathedral. The photos above were taken from the internet.
around the back
leaving St. Paul’s Cathedral toward the old Temple Bar in Patenoster square
outside the beautiful St. Paul’s
as we walked away
Onward from St. Paul’s, we walked to the Millennium Bridge.
The Millennium Bridge, officially known as the London Millennium Footbridge, is a steel suspension bridge for pedestrians crossing the River Thames in London, linking Bankside with the City of London. It is located between Southwark Bridge and Blackfriars Railway Bridge
Mid-span on the Millennium Bridge with the dome of St. Paul behind us.
Crossing the Themes on foot with the enticing aroma of caramel-coated roasted peanuts permeating the air on another day of gorgeous weather! Could’t resist this delicious snack adding to our list of wonderful London memories 🙂
Can you believe that all of this was just part of our Saturday.
Heading to Bankside and lots to see along the Themes up next.
Buckingham Palace & The Royal Mews
Don’t miss Buckingham Palace & The Royal Mews if you are planning a trip to London. Check the dates for when the palace is open to visitors. As one might imagine, Buckingham Palace is most beautiful and quite interesting to tour.
The Royal Mews are open all year to visitors and an enjoyable The Gold State Coach at the Royal Mews
