Walking with family: Green Park to Victoria Tower Gardens... and beyond

Theodore outside Buckingham Palace.

Saturday July 12, 2025.

Keilyn and I had planned today's trip a few weeks back, not realising how hot the day was going to be. But, instead of cancelling, we continued with our plans.

All aboard!

My grandson, Theodore, who will be eight in September, was dropped off just after 08:00 and, once lunches were made and snacks were packed, Emma ordered us a taxi to Watford Metropolitan station, ready for Theodore's first walk around London.

We changed to a Jubilee line train, at Finchley Road, which would take us to our starting point of Green Park.

Theodore's photo of Buckingham Palace and the Victoria Memorial.

Even with our early start the temperature was already in the mid-twenties centigrade, so we kept to the shade of the trees, as we made our way towards Buckingham Palace. On Friday Keilyn had charged a digital camera, which we gave to Theodore, so that he could take some photos, too.

Theodore's photo of the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk marker.

From Buckingham Palace we entered St James's Park, still keeping to the shade. Squirrels, ducks, moorhens, coots, various breeds of geese and more were sheltering in the shade, as we made our way towards Horse Guards Parade, where we were going to see the guards.

Members of the Belgian military, and dignitaries, prepare for their parade.

As we reached Horse Guards Road, opposite King Charles Street, we noticed that barriers were in place, with a heavy police presence. There was also a large contingent of military uniforms, of all styles and ranks, but they weren't British Army. I politely asked one of the police officers what was going on. He informed me that it was the annual Belgian Cenotaph Parade, so Horse Guards Parade and Whitehall were closed off. 

With the various roads closed and diversions in place, we headed towards Birdcage Walk and continued to Parliament Square, where Theodore was excited to see 'Big Ben', taking some photos of the Palace of Westminster and the Elizabeth Tower.

Victoria Tower.

We passed the Palace of Westminster, before we entered Victoria Tower Gardens, where we sat on a bench, overlooking the River Thames, where we ate some of our rolls and snacks. Much of the gardens were still hoarded off, while archaeological works continued. The Horseferry Playground was open, so Keilyn and Theodore took to exploring that, while I looked after the bags. 

Keilyn and Theodore exploring Horseferry Playground.

Once they had finished exploring we crossed the River Thames, via Lambeth Bridge, passing the St Mary-at-Lambeth Church Tower and the Garden Museum, continuing along Lambeth Road until we reached Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park and the Imperial War Museum.

Theodore's photo of the Imperial War Museum, with its two 15-inch naval guns.

As we passed through the gates Theodore was immediately struck by what was in front of him. Two giant 15-inch naval guns, that are so massive that they dwarfed him. He took some photos before we headed inside, with Theodore almost tripping up the steps in his excitement.

Once inside, and we had made a donation to the museum, we headed towards the stairs and the atrium. Arriving at the ground floor Theodore was visibly impressed with the V2-Rocket, Harrier jet and Spitfire as we made our way towards a small yellow trolley, where we collected two 'Story Seekers' booklets. These booklets help children explore more of the museum as they try to find clues that will help them answer six questions. Each question has a photo of what they are looking for, making it slightly easier On completion they receive a stamp and a badge.

Theodore in a World War I uniform.

With booklets and pencils, in hand, we made our way into the 'First World War Galleries'. Keilyn and Theodore set about exploring and interacting with the various displays. Just before we entered the trench, with a British Mark V tank crashing over the top, they spotted the 'Story Seekers' sticker, and so were able to answer the first question. Then it was through the trench we crept, with Theodore resting briefly in a dugout, before we exited the gallery.

The pen used to sign the armistice between France and Germany.

Then it was up the stairs to the 'Second World War Galleries'. Theodore potted another 'Story Seekers' sticker, near a lifeboat from the 'SS Anglo Saxon'. He then read out the entire story of the boat, thus discovering the answer to another of the questions.

Keilyn, meanwhile, had noticed that we had passed another of the 'Story Seekers' stickers. This one was near a large bed sheet that a nurse had used as a diary to record her imprisonment, while in a Japanese prison camp.

Keilyn takes shelter beneath a bed.

Continuing on through the galleries we explored everything, looking for the next sticker. Passing into another part of the gallery Theodore spotted the sticker and began filling in the answer. Keilyn, who had been exploring a different exhibit, soon joined us, writing down the answer.

Then we were on our way up more stairs to Level 2 and the 'Peace & Security, 1945-2014, Your Britain Gallery'. We checked out everything that we could, but neither Keilyn or Theodore could find the sticker. I had spotted it as soon as we had entered this part of the gallery, surprised that they had walked right by it. As we were leaving they both finally spotted the 'field kitchen' and so were able to answer the fifth question.

The Roof Terrace.

We decided to take the lift to Level 5, where we would visit the 'Lord Ashcroft Gallery', where we would seek the final answer. Arriving on floor 5 we exited the lift and were faced with the amazing glass roof of the 'Roof Terrace', which is used for temporary exhibitions. Today, however, we looked down on an empty space. Entering the 'Lord Ashcroft Gallery', we found ourselves in an air-conditioned space which houses the world's largest collection of Victoria Crosses, alongside a significant collection of George Crosses. For those who are interested, the 'Lord Ashcroft Gallery' has been extended until September 30, 2025.

We searched all of the glass cabinets, learning about the various individuals and the reasons that they were awarded the Victoria Cross. It took us quite a while to find the helmet worn by Johnson Beharry VC, as we needed to know who had signed his helmet. 

So, with all questions completed, we headed back to the lifts and descended back to Level 0. There was no one manning the yellow trolley, so we visited one of the shops, perusing the items that could be purchased. While Theodore and I explored the contents of the shop, Keilyn took herself to the toilet. When she returned we headed to the information desk, where we showed the lady our filled in 'Story Seekers' booklets, who stamped them and gave Keilyn and Theodore their 'IWM' badges. Then she handed me one, too.

Theodore with one of the yellow 'shells' outside the Imperial War Museum.

Keilyn checking her phone.

Once outside we ate some snacks and quenched our thirst in the shade of some trees, before the obligatory photo of the two of them with the yellow 'shells'. We use these as a height marker, so that we can see how much they grow between each visit. This means that Theodore will be returning to the Imperial War Museum, at some point.

Before we headed off towards Waterloo station, Theodore was a little upset that everything was so expensive, in the Imperial War Museum gift shops, so I suggested that we head towards 'London Souvenir' shop, on Westminster Bridge Road. 

Emma Cons mosaic.

On the way we passed Morley College, which has some mosaics of important women affixed to its walls.

Once we entered 'London Souvenir' shop, Theodore and Keilyn went for a good look around. Eventually, Theodore chose a die-cast double-decker bus, plus a notebook with a pen, while Keilyn purchased a notebook, but without a pen. 

With gifts bagged and paid for, we took a short walk up Lower Marsh, keeping to the shade, until we reached Waterloo station. We descended the escalators and headed for the Jubilee line (westbound) taking the train the four stops to Baker Street. 

Keilyn and Theodore have a joke, at my expense, while we await our train.

As usual we headed to the 'Starbucks' kiosk, where Keilyn chose an iced Caramel Frappuccino (without coffee, today), while Theodore had a hot chocolate with cream on top. I went for a vanilla latte.

We had missed our train, which was of no concern as we were in no rush, so we sat on one of the benches, thankful for the breeze blowing through the station.

After waving at the driver, as the train entered the platform, we boarded the train and sat down. Theodore set about playing with his new bus, while Keilyn checked her phone. Soon, they were both writing or drawing in their new notebooks. 

Once we arrived at Watford, Alysha met us to drive us back to my house, where Keilyn and Theodore were soon changed and jumping into the paddling pool, while I relaxed in the shade at the top of the garden.

Theodore's account of the day.

Later in the evening Alysha sent me a copy of what Theodore had written in his new notebook.

It was a great, if exceptionally hot, day out, where we all had a great time.

All photos taken by Theodore are as he took them. 

I have not corrected the orientation or edited them in any way.

Distance travelled:

• Bus - 0.0 miles
• Cable Car - 0.0 miles
• Car - 1.2 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 - 4.7 miles