Thursday November 7, 2024.
After having rested my leg for a few days I was itching to get back to London. So I decided to plan a route, instead of just winging it, as usual, so that I didn't end up walking too far. It was a great idea, but I knew that it didn't stand a chance when I got to London.
My journey began much like most others: a taxi to Watford Underground station from where I caught a train to Baker Street, changed to a Bakerloo line train to Charing Cross and exited beside Trafalgar Square.
My first stop was at the statue of King Charles I, which stands on a small traffic island at the northern end of Whitehall. Before this statue was erected here the space was occupied by the original Queen Eleanor's Cross, a replica of which now stands outside Charing Cross station. It is from this statue of King Charles I that all mileages from London are measured.
From here I headed down Whitehall and onto Parliament Street, where cleaners were busy cleaning paving slabs and curbstones, while others polished the brass on the Women of World War II memorial. Police cars and vans were in abundance as various services were going on, ahead of the Remembrance Day services on Sunday.
I crossed Bridge Street and continued south along Abingdon Street and onto Millbank, before heading west along Horseferry Road. A left down Marsham Road an then right onto Page Street, followed, I spotted a cafe at the corner, but the queue was halfway down Regency Street. So, I turned south down Regency Street and then turned right onto Vincent Street, in search of a fireplace.
As I was taking a photo of said fireplace one of the residents of the private building, next door, stopped to talk to me about it. He explained that the houses along this side of the street had been heavily damaged by bombs, during World War II. The wall containing the fireplace was still sturdy and acted as a support for the nearby properties, so was left standing.He went on to explain that it wasn't the only remaining feature of the old houses and, ushering me through the security gate, proceeded to show me more of the surviving wall and its features. With plenty of photos taken I bade him farewell, thanking him for his time, and continued on my walk.
Heading south, along Vincent Square, I soon found myself on Vauxhall Bridge Road, which I followed east, still in search of a cafe.
As I crossed the River Thames I noticed that the large hole, dug as part of the Thames Tideway Tunnel project, had been capped. Planting was being installed around its sides, while benches were being added to the top. So, instead of being capped and left as an eyesore, new 'islands' are being created for people to use as green areas.
On reaching the south side of the river I headed towards Vauxhall Park, my logic being that most parks have cafes. And, this one did. I sat in the park, drinking my Vanilla Latte, with a plan to begin heading north, as I was now farther south than I had anticipated being.
Finishing my drink I rose from the bench and noticed some small dwellings in another part of the park. It turned out to be a model village, with about ten houses in it, which was cool.
On leaving Vauxhall Park I headed north and crossed Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens onto Tyers Street, which I followed north to Black Prince Road. North, from here, along Kennington Road to Walnut Tree Walk and Lambeth Walk, where I found four mosaic of Charlie Chaplin.
From here I joined Lambeth Road, heading west, soon finding myself beside the River Thames and Lambeth Bridge, which I crossed.
Back on Millbank I headed north onto Abingdon Street, Parliament Square, Parliament Street and Whitehall, before I turned onto Horse Guards Avenue. To my right the Grade I listed Main Building of the Ministry of Defence loomed large, with its two colossal 40 tonne statues of 'Earth' and 'Water' high above the entrance.
I continued along until I reached Victoria Embankment Gardens, with its statues, memorials and, the often missed, Queen Mary's Steps.
With my leg beginning to ache I headed along Horse Guards Avenue and turned onto Whitehall Court, then Whitehall Place, then Scotland Place and Great Scotland Yard, where you could see the stables and the officers grooming their horses. A short walk up Whitehall and, after crossing Northumberland Avenue, found myself on Strand and Charing Cross station. My circle was complete.
Heading down to the platform level I caught a Bakerloo line train back to Baker Street, where, fortunately, my Watford-bound train was waiting. On arriving back in Watford, although my leg was aching, it wasn't so bad that I couldn't manage the short walk home.
I definitely ended up walking further than I expected, but I did see quite a few new things and discover new information, so all is good.
Distance travelled:
- Bus - 0.0 miles
- Cable Car - 0.0 miles
- Car - 0.0 miles
- DLR - 0.0 miles
- Ferry - 0.0 miles
- Overground - 0.0 miles
- River Boat - 0.0 miles
- Taxi - 0.6 miles
- Train - 0.0 miles
- Underground - 40 miles
- Walking - 6.6 miles
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