Sunday March 30, 2025.
The day was set to be a warm one, as Keilyn and I set off for Watford Metropolitan station, ready to begin another day in London. However, unlike our usual visits, I had yet to decide where to go. So, we sat on the train, which would be terminating at Baker Street, due to a points failure, still wondering where to go. Approaching Finchley Road, I had an idea, so we left the train and changed to a Jubilee line train, which we took to Green Park. Here we changed to a Victoria line train, heading for Brixton.
On exiting the station we had one minute to get to Bus Stop 'Q', where we hopped aboard the 432 towards Anerley Station. Roughly 30 minutes later we got off the bus, at Thicket Road, with Keilyn still having no idea where we were going.
We entered Crystal Palace Park, via Cintra Gate and found ourselves on the Lower Terrace. Once I had explained where we were we went off to explore the terraces, sphinxes, ruins and, of course, the BBC Transmitter.
Much of the structure is now protected, by metal railings, with some of the statues in a sorry state. Walking along the upper terrace you get a sense of how massive the site is. Standing at the top of the steps we were both amazed by how far we could see, so stunning was the view.
We then headed down the park towards the National Sports Centre, where people were running around the track, while others were practising Beach Volley Ball.
Following the path we descended the steps and turned south, heading around the lakes in search of the dinosaurs and other extinct animals. We spent a good forty-five minutes wandering around, spotting as many of the animals as we could, with only the Pterodactyle being obscured by the overgrowth.
We then headed towards the Crystal Palace Park Market, that we had spotted earlier, in search of some lunch. The market had food stalls from various corners of the Earth, while other traders were here to sell their unique wares: cheese. chili, wines, pastries, herbs and the like. The smells were incredible, as we made our way through the market, making us hungrier than ever.
It was then that Keilyn noticed a Hot Dog stall. The sausages were thick and a foot long and looked amazing. Keilyn ordered a six-inch one, with ketchup, while I had the foot-long, with onions, gherkins and chili sauce. With food in hand we sat on the grass, in the shade of a tree, and tucked in. They were delicious!
Feeling like our bellies were going to burst, we headed off around the Lower Lake, making our wat back towards the Bus Stop, stopping at a local shop to buy some more drinks and an ice cream for Keilyn.
The bus arrived and we clambered aboard, heading straight to the upper deck, sitting at the front, to get the best view. When we arrived at Norwood Bus Garage everyone was asked to leave the bus and wait for the next one, as this bus needed to be rested. The next bus to arrive, though, was the number 2, heading for Marylebone, so we jumped aboard.
We sailed through Tulse Hill, Brixton, Stockwell and Vauxhall, before crossing the River Thames via Vauxhall Bridge. Pimlico, Victoria and Grosvenor Gardens were next, before we found on Grosvenor Place, behind Buckingham Palace. Hastily, I pressed the bell and Keilyn and I made our way back into the afternoon sun.
Using the underpass we made our way to Apsley Way and the Wellington Arch. Although we had visited the Wellington Arch gift shop, we had never explored the building,, nor taken in the views from the balconies, so in we went.
The first floor tells the history of Wellington Arch, from its early designs to its construction. Its dismantling and eventual move to its current location, plus the controversy of the Wellington Statue, that once stood on its roof. Its time as a Police Station is also noted, while replicas of some of the parts of the Quadriga now adorn the walls.
The second floor tells the story of the Royal Artillery, during World War I. A small but powerful exhibition, that includes artefacts from the period.
The Vigo Gallery was exhibiting Leonard Hurzimeier's second exhibition in the space, entitled 'Edenism'. A collection of works based around the Genesis story, from the Bible. The floor, in this gallery, was quite unusual, but fitted perfectly with the space. This exhibition runs from January 24-April 16, 2025.
Climbing the last few steps, there is a lift that serves all floors, brought us to a room between the two balconies. After mentally flipping a coin we made our way out on to the east balcony. From here we could see Green Park, The Shard, the London Eye, the Memorial Gates at the entrance to Constitution Hill, the Elizabeth Tower and the gardens of Buckingham Palace. With plenty of photos taken we headed back through the building, to the west balcony.
This view was just as impressive. We could see Lanesborough Hotel, the Royal Artillery Memorial, the Hyde Park Screen, the Wellington Memorial and Apsley House.
Suitably impressed we made our way back down the 60 steps of the staircase, stopping at the first floor, again, to make sure that we hadn't missed anything, before exiting the building, back into the afternoon sun.
From here we wandered down Constitution Hill and entered Green Park, where more drinks were purchased, before we headed into the depths of Green Park station and boarded a Jubilee line train to Baker Street.
It was a short wait, on Platform 1, before our Metropolitan line train arrived, and was soon whisking us homeward.
It was yet another great day out, visiting different places and discovering new things.
- Bus - 11.6 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 - 0.8 miles
- Train - 0.0 miles
- Underground - 39.4 miles
- Walking - 6 miles
Very much a day of contrasts. You're never short of something to discover in London. Sounds like a good day.
ReplyDeleteIt was a day full of travel and discovery. The dinosaurs were great to finally see, as was the view from the Wellington Arch.
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