Wapping Wander - E1 to SW3 to SW11 to SE1…..And on….

What I've noticed in these types of threads is, both reading and writing, are buildings and areas where usually you're scurrying past to another destination, you are required to stop, frame a photo and take in the splendour and information of your subject.

Indeed. I had just the same thought; we all miss so much, hurrying from A to B or, worse, take it all for granted.

For now at least, I do it without a guide book but, I guess, with the advantage of knowing (at least roughly) where I am going. I also have the advantage of time, as I had all day for this very long Wander. One thing I do like is that my iPhone captures the position where the picture is taken and displays it on a map, as a good reminder of where I went! That by no means is to dismiss guide books, some are often very good, particularly those with suggested walking (or even driving) routes around places.

I have said it several times but I am so lucky to have the privilege of the ‘Free transport’ pass around London, so can go to see things for nothing. It’s a waste not to use it, so I will be doing more as the year goes on. Not least, walking itself is free…. And not bad for you.
 
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Across into another of the royal parks, this time St James’:

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And a walk along one side of the lake:

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Towards:


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Left out, onto The Mall for a quick look at one of the most photographed buildings in the world:

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Before turning around again, to look down The Mall, leading up to Admiralty Arch and Trafalgar Square:

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But, we’ll turn right and walk back through the park gates:

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To walk along one of the rides, towards Horseguards Parade:

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Pausing only to look at the Guards Division memorial:

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Onto Horse Guards Parade, with its statue of Mountbatten:

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And to the left of the square the brooding brown block of the WW2 Admiralty Citadel:

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As it’s a military square, there’s statues of military leaders and trophies:

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The flag was flying at half mast on the HQ of the Household Division, above archway into Whitehall with its dismounted guard:

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Crossing over Whitehall, we can head north again towards Trafalgar Square, past the Ministry of Defence building (with a view to the London Eye wheel, on the south bank) to our right and the entrance to Downing Street on our left:

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As it’s the Ministry of Defence building, there’s the famous military figures, too:

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We could carry on up to Trafalgar Square:

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But we’ll detour again…..
 
Let’s instead, turn right cut east a bit on the diagonal along Great Scotland Yard, past the Civil Service Club:

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Before turning right on the Embankment, to look at New Scotland Yard (it’s moved) being the HQ of the Metropolitan Police. To get there, we can walk along Whitehall Gardens, with its statue to the English martyr, William Tyndall and the RAF memorial on the river’s edge:

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And so to New Scotland Yard:

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Before returning the way we came, this time pausing to look at the various memorials:

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Past the Plimsoll memorial:

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Looking out across the river, to the Royal Festival Hall:

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Before turning left at Northumberland Avenue, beneath the Charring Cross railway bridge. The green wooden hut is one of the few remaining ‘Cab shelters’ from when London’s cabs were all horse drawn:

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And the comforting sight of two horse mounted police officers on patrol:

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Instead of continuing up Northumberland Avenue, straight to Trafalgar Square, let’s fork right, sort of north east for a short walk along Craven Street, which has some quite nice buildings and was the home of the author of ‘Moby Dick’, Herman Melville:

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Before nipping into Craven Passage, to stop for a pint in the Ship and Shovell pub, narrowly divided by only the passage from the other pub, namely the Ship and Shovell:

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Beer finished, it’s out again to turn right, back into Craven Street, which brings us past Benjamin Franklin’s house:

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And the side of Charring Cross station:

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Before turning left on The Strand, to look at Trafalgar Square, with the National Gallery in the middle right background. Admiralty Arch is covered with contractors’ sheets and other protection, as it is being converted into a very upmarket hotel.

It’s now one minute to four (we’ve been on the go since 10:00), the camera making it seem lighter than it was:

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Trafalgar Square done, all be it quickly, it’s time to turn around for the final run to home. But still more to see. To be continued…..
 
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Only just seen this thread… you’re trespassing in my territory :D


You walked right past the Pet Cemetery in Hyde Park https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyde_Park_pet_cemetery

And also the house where Bram Stoker lived in St Leonard’s terrace, overlooking Burtons court (incidentally during the blitz my mum used the bomb shelter in Burtons court, which very very few people know about :D).

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Also Sir Richard Roger’s house is on the next corner.
And the famous house in Durham
Place where Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh had their “love nest” . It sold couple years ago for £6.7 million, and it was derelict and almost falling down.

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And the author of Mary Poppins, P.L. Travers is 30 seconds walk away in Smith street

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The “thin house” about 15 years ago .,
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And some interior pictures


What else would you like to know :D

Where Eric Clapton, Bob Geldof, Mick Jagger, Bill Wyman and Rupert Murdoch all live :D
 
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Richard as you are a cartagraphic connoisseur I thought you might be interested in this one I saw in a gallery in Bluewater this morning. I don't know how much it was but it's a limited edition.

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