Walking with Keilyn: Waterloo to Lambeth... and beyond

Tuesday May 27, 2025.

As I had a few days away from work, Keilyn had planned the day by saying that she wanted to revisit the Imperial War Museum. Possibly trying to learn more about the military, before she joins the Army Cadets in September.

With the weather forecast telling us that there would be intermittent rain showers, throughout the day, we set off. A gentle walk to Watford Metropolitan station was where we took a train to Finchley Road, where we changed to a Jubilee line train to complete our journey. However, Harold Stabler had designed 18 decorative tiles, that can only be found at 5 specific stations, so I suggested jumping off the train at St John's Wood, so that I could get a photo of them all. Keilyn agreed.

As soon as we pulled into St John's Wood we alighted from the train and began searching for the tiles. I already had a photo of 11 of them, so there were only 7 more to find. In the three minutes before the next train arrived we found another 5. I guess I am going to have to do another trip to find the last 2.

We boarded the next train and alighted at Waterloo, from where our walk would begin. 

We headed southeast, along Waterloo Road, with the 'London Ambulance Service Headquarters' being our first stop. Three ambulances, a 1947 Daimler DC27, a 1965 Morris LD and a 2004 Mercedes Sprinter, were stood on the plaza, in front of the building, while information sheets, affixed to the rear wall, told the history of the service.

With photos taken we headed back up Waterloo Road, with the Waterloo Bus Depot being our next stop. A bus garage may not be that exciting, even if this particular one was the first to have an all electric fleet, but it does have a cafe. A cafe that is open to the public. So, we went in, ordering a full English breakfast, for myself, and a small breakfast for Keilyn. The food was perfectly cooked, with the meal coming with tea, for Keilyn, and coffee for myself. The food was delicious and we demolished it all.

On leaving the 'Bus Cafe' we headed to the Waterloo MillenniuM Garden, just as rain began to fall. Not a heavy rain, but a rain that could quite easily soak you to the skin. The garden has a pond, sculptures, meadows and wildlife areas and was fun to explore.

We then headed down Baylis Road and onto Kennington Road, until we reached Lambeth Road and our destination... the 'Imperial War Museum'.

On entering the building I made a voluntary donation, before we headed into the atrium, with its various military aircraft and vehicles. 

Our first port of call was to the World War I Gallery, where the whole history of the Great War was laid out before us. From its causes to the battles to the end. Artefacts, models, pamphlets, uniforms, weapons and more were all on display. Near the end of the gallery was a 'trench' that could be walked through, with a tank appearing to crash over it, while an aeroplane soared overhead.

We then headed to the World War II Gallery, where much of the same was seen. However, innovation had now come to the fore, with invention and mechanisation becoming more commonplace. I had to keep checking with Keilyn that she was 'okay', as some of the information boards and weapons may have upset her. She was fine. A house, with taped windows, could be explored, with its shelters open to explore, too. The gallery told the history of World War II from each theatre of operation, not shying away from the more violent battles.

We pushed on, exploring the rest of the museum, ensuring that we saw it all, before making our way outside into the overcast afternoon.

Following a photo opportunity with a piece of the Berlin Wall, we headed to the Tibetan Peace Garden, which felt even more peaceful with the fine rain still falling from the sky.

Only leaving Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, we headed up Kennington Road until we reached Westminster Bridge Road. Not particularly wanting to head towards the River Thames we turned down Carlisle Lane, which took us beneath the railway lines out of Waterloo station. On the bridge's walls were more of 'Blake's Mosaics' some of which were, upsettingly, damaged by graffiti.

Carlisle Lane brought us to Royal Street, which brought us to Lambeth Palace Road, which we followed south, until we reached Archbishop's Park. By now the rain had ceased, so Keilyn headed to the playground, while I took some photos of the amazing covered wooden bench, or Bower, that has to be one of the best that I have seen. We then followed the MillenniuM Pathway, through the centre of the park, and exited onto Lambeth Road and headed towards the River Thames.

After crossing Lambeth Palace Road we stopped at 'Riverside Cafe' to grab a drink and a snack, sitting inside and watching the river traffic.

From here we crossed Lambeth Bridge and headed up Millbank towards Parliament Square and Great George Street, which we followed onto Birdcage Walk. We stopped at the Guards Museum entrance, to get a photo in one of the two sentry boxes, before continuing on to Buckingham Palace and Green Park.

A meandering route, through Green Park, brought us up onto Piccadilly, before we headed down into the bowels of Green Park station, in search of a westbound Jubilee line train.

Arriving at Baker Street station, a few minutes later, we made our way up to Platform 2, as this is from where our train would be leaving in 7 minutes. This gave us enough time to pick up some snacks for the journey home.

Arriving in Watford, the fine rain, that we had felt in London, was slightly heavier, but it didn't put us off making the short walk home.

Another great day with Keilyn, and tomorrow Erin and I will go for a walk in London.

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 - 0.0 miles
• Train - 0.0 miles
• Underground - 39 miles
• Walking - 6 miles