![]() |
A 'Small Car Big City' Mini Cooper. |
Saturday October 18, 2025.
It had been a while since Erin and I had taken a trip to London, so we needed to plan something. Erin found out about 'A Wicked Celebration' taking place at the British Film Institute, on the Southbank, so we decided that that would be our starting point.
We left home and made the short walk to Watford Metropolitan station and boarded a train for Baker Street. We changed at Finchley Road, where we boarded a Jubilee line train to Waterloo.
![]() |
Paddington Bear mural. |
As we had plenty of time before the exhibition opened, we took a slow walk from Waterloo station, along Concert Hall Approach, and passed a great mural to Paddington Bear on the way. We then explored the various external floors of the Southbank Centre. I have walked along the Southbank before, but never visited the various raised plazas that make up the Southbank Centre.
![]() |
Water feature sculptures at the Southbank Centre. |
The views from these raised walkways offered nice views of the River Thames, while different sculptures were dotted around, too.
Once we had seen enough we made our way down to street level and Theatre Road. For an exhibition about the phenomenon that is 'Wicked', there were no advertising signs or posters to say that it was on, which was a surprise.
![]() |
Vickers (Charlize Theron) EVA Suit, from Prometheus (2012). |
We made our way into the BFI, via the Cinema and Box Office entrance, and climbed the stairs and joined a small queue of about twenty people.
![]() |
Ozian coins. |
After about ten minutes we were climbing the stairs to the Mezzanine Gallery and exploring 'A Wicked celebration'. Large panels, containing photographs and snippets of information, lined the wall, detailing the behind-the-scenes making of the movie.
![]() |
Erin with Glinda's costume. |
Then there were the four small glass cabinets that held replica props, such as Ozian coins and Glinda's wand. At the end of the gallery were Elphaba and Glinda's dresses, protected behind glass, that allowed people to see the intricacy of their design.
Once we had seen everything, which didn't take long, we headed outside and sat and ate our lunch by the National Theatre.
Once we had eaten we decided to head towards London Bridge, by following The Queen's Walk. As Erin doesn't enjoy walking, as much as Keilyn, I thought that it would be easier if we walked towards underground stations, should she suddenly tire. Wooden huts, selling their wares, were already open and decorated for Christmas.
![]() |
Blackfriars Station commemorative plaque. |
We passed Gabriel's Wharf, Thames Beach, Oxo Wharf and Sea Containers House, before we turned down Marigold Avenue onto Upper Ground. We then turned south, onto Blackfriars Road, passing the original entrance to Blackfriars station, heading to The Cut, where we stopped at a Tesco Express for some more snacks.
![]() |
The Mint & Gospel Lighthouse Mission Shaftesbury Society. |
From here we headed along Union Street, passing the London Fire Brigade Headquarters, an original tram shelter, which is now a 'Heard' burger restaurant, that looks rather nice. We then passed the old Ragged School building and, opposite, discovered that Crossbones Graveyard and Garden of Remembrance was open. So, we went in.
![]() |
La Catrina, donated by the Mexican Ambassador to the United Kingdom. |
Besides a few volunteers, and a handful of other visitors, the place was remarkably empty. While Erin picked up an information booklet I made a donation and, soon, we were exploring this historic place. As we walked slowly around I told Erin about its history.
![]() |
Erin's 'Ribbon of Remembrance'. |
About halfway round Erin decided that she wanted to tie a 'ribbon of remembrance', so headed back towards the entrance to collect one. We then continued our walk around this deathly quiet graveyard, with Erin looking for a suitable place to tie the ribbon. At first she thought about tying it to the gates, but then decided to tie it to a branch of a small pine tree.
![]() |
The statue of Thomas Guy. |
On leaving Crossbones Graveyard we crossed Borough High Street and continued eastward on Newcomen Street, passing the King's Arms, with its Coat of Arms that once stood above the southern entrance to the old London Bridge. We then turned into the campus of King's College London, Guy's Campus, and on through Guy's Colonnade, where we stopped to look at one of the original pedestrian alcoves from the old London Bridge.
We crossed St Thomas Street and made our way along London Bridge Street to Tooley Street, which we crossed, before heading down the steps to the Contorted Tunnel that would lead us to Hay's Galleria. We then rejoined The Queen's Walk and made our way to Tower Bridge.
![]() |
Liberties of the Tower marker, number 23. |
Using the west walkway, of Tower Bridge, we made our way through the crowds, passing the Tower of London, as we headed for Tower Hill Gardens and then Trinity Square Gardens. On the way we spotted a 'Tower Liberties' marker, before exploring the old Tower Hill Scaffold site.
Since we were in the area, I showed Erin the Four Seasons Hotel London, where, after speaking with the doorman Riccardo, we went inside to see Liberty Marker number 10. As I was about to take a photo of Erin with the marker, Riccardo came through the door and turned on a framed screen. He explained that this short video would explain more about the Liberty Markers. So, we stood and watched the 90-second video, which was more informative than the plaque affixed to the wall opposite.
On our way out we thanked Riccardo and headed toward Byward Street. It was here that we heard the unmistakable sound of some 'super cars' revving their engines. Standing at the corner of Byward Street and Great Tower Street we managed to get a great view of a half-dozen Lamborghini's getting caught at the traffic lights.
![]() |
Leadenhall Market. |
During our walk we saw two cars from the 'Small Car Big City' tour, which I think is a great way to see the city.
We continued up Great Tower Street until we reached Rood Lane, which we took to Fenchurch Street. We then headed up Lime Street and entered Leadenhall Market.
On leaving Leadenhall Market, we crossed Gracechurch Street and entered Corbet Court, which brought us to St Michael's Alley and the Jamaica Wine House. From here we entered Castle Court and then followed Ball Court to Cornhill.
From here we turned up Royal Exchange and entered the Royal Exchange shopping centre, which neither of us had been into before. This building is something else. With its amazing ceiling, balconies, columns and shops, I will have to visit here again.
![]() |
The Royal Exchange. |
On leaving the Royal Exchange we headed along Threadneedle Street, onto Bartholomew Lane and then Throgmorton Street and Old Broad Street, until we reached our destination of Liverpool Street station. Down stairs, through the ticket barrier, up stairs and down even more stairs we headed, until we reached Platform 2. Within minutes we were aboard a Hammersmith & City line train that we rode to Baker Street.
At Baker Street we headed straight for the Starbucks kiosk and purchased hot drinks and snacks. We then headed over to Platform 4, from where the next Watford-bound train was due to leave.
Arriving back at Watford we walked home, chatting about the day and all the things that we had seen. Erin said that she had really enjoyed the day, too, being pleased to have seen the Wicked exhibition and the Lamborghini's.
I am looking forward to our next trip out, already.
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 - 41 miles
- Walking - 5 miles
A nice walk. Glad Erin enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteIt was a really nice day out, that we both enjoyed. We saw so much in such a small distance that time flew. Erin enjoyed walking up the red carpet of the Four Seasons Hotel London. I can't wait until our next walk.
Delete