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.

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 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.

'HMS Belfast'... revisited.

Erin and Keilyn standing by 'B' Turret. 
The guns of 'A' and 'B' turrets are both elevated and targeted on the M1 Gateway Services, some 12.5 miles away.
This is well within reach of these 6-inch guns.

Way back on August 4, 2010, I took my eldest daughter, Alysha, aboard HMS Belfast. She was 14 at the time. We had a great time exploring the ship and taking in the views.

This past Sunday, August 4, 2019, I took my two youngest daughters, Erin (7) and Keilyn (6), aboard. We climbed up ladders, clambered through watertight doors and edged our way along narrow gangways, taking in all nine decks.
(I am unsure as to why August 4th has played a part in both visits).

We began our exploration on the Quarterdeck, before heading inside and into the Laundry. Then off to the Sound Reproduction Room, Chapel and Mail Room, before heading down the first of many ladders to the Boiler and Engine Rooms.

A set of ladders brought us back up to the quarterdeck, where we saw the Messdeck, Bakery and Food Stores. We then carried on passed the  Galley, NAAFI, Provision Stores, the Dentist, Dispensary and Sick Bay. This brought  us to the Arctic Messdeck and the Brig.

We then doubled back and headed down more ladders to the Forward Steering Position. Then up some ladders only to go down some more, a few moments later, as we entered the Shell Room and Magazine for 'B' Turret.

'HMS Belfast'

Gateway Services: Targeted.

Saturday June 6, 2015.

It was while walking around the Unfinished City, and its environs, that I managed to grab yet another image of this iconic piece of Royal Navy history. Thankfully, the sun was just right and the crowds were few, which allowed me to get this shot, with the Tower of London in the background, rather than the standard shot of H.M.S. Belfast with Tower Bridge. I have clambered under, and over, her decks on a number of occasions, but on this visit it was purely for the photograph.

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Walking with friends: Imperial War Museum to Borough Market... and beyond

Bethlem Hospital

Saturday September 6, 2014

As is customary, Len and myself, and whomever else wants to join us, take a stroll around London, taking in the sights and sounds of the great city, when it is someone's birthday.

This year, Len, myself and Stephen Brown, who works with me, met at Watford Metropolitan station and headed off for Len's special day.

At Finchley Road Len and I changed on to a Jubilee Line train, while Stephen headed off to Baker Street, as he had a few things to do before meeting up with us again, later in the day.

Len and I got off the train at Westminster and headed towards our first destination; The Imperial War Museum. As we headed down the road, talking and generally catching up, I missed the correct turning, which we didn't even notice until we were on Borough High Street. Oops! After a quick drink, at The Trinity, we headed back towards the Imperial War Museum, arriving there just after 11:30.

The new 'improved' atrium.

I had last visited the Imperial War Museum in 2012, with my eldest, Alysha. Since then it has undergone a £40 million refurbishment. This has resulted in a completely remodelled, and enlarged, atrium where some of the museums larger exhibits can be seen. Other work carried out has seen the galleries increase by three times their original size and, with more than 1,300 objects on view, there is something for everyone, covering nearly every conflict, war and terrorist attack.

Katana.

Armour representing the differences between the people in Northern Ireland.

Iranian Embassy Siege, 1980.

Window frames from the World Trade Centre.

Unfortunately, the World War I galleries required a ticket, which we were issued with, but our allotted time was so far in to the afternoon that we would have to had spent the entire day at the museum, thereby missing out on seeing the rest of the sights. Instead, we walked around all of the other exhibits and saw;

• Rommel's map of northern Africa
• An Italian 'human' torpedo
• Various bomb shelters
• A Taliban motorcycle
• A Humber 'pig' from northern Ireland
• Wreckage of a Japanese fighter aircraft
• Katana swords
• An Exocet missile
• A piece of the Berlin wall
• The cockpit from a Lancaster Bomber
• Plus lots more

Then there were the various rooms, containing;

• The history of MI5, MI6, SOE and other Intelligence services
• The history of the war in Afghanistan
• Britain's SAS
• The war at home
• plus many more

A Sherman Tank

Wreckage of a Japanese fighter aircraft

The fuselage of an Avro Lancaster

A Harrier Jump-jet

We then went up to the very top floor, which is empty, except for the 'holocaust' exhibit which didn't interest either of us in the slightest, so we headed back out into the afternoon sun. 

We made our way down to Elephant & Castle and headed to Borough Market for some well deserved food, washed down with a well deserved pint. We ate at Hobbs, where Len had a roast pork bap, with stuffing, and I had the BBQ pulled pork on a bed of 'slaw' in a baguette. This was washed down with a pint in The Barrowboy and Banker.

Suitably fuelled, we continued on our way by dropping down on to Montague Close and heading westward. It wasn't long before we stopped again, this time at The Old Thameside Inn. We then headed to The Anchor, where we sat outside and sipped another refreshing beer, before continuing alongside the River Thames, taking in the sights and sounds.

Outside the Globe Theatre I spotted a Book Bench sculpture. There are fifty of these dotted around our great capital, celebrating London's literary heritage.

One of the fifty Book Bench sculptures

Our next stop was The Founders Arms, where we stood outside, with a beer, watching the myriad boats shuttling tourists back-and-forth along the River Thames. The sun had brought everyone out and, with Bankside getting busier, we decided to head in a different direction. We reached Stamford Street and followed it along until we came to The Thirsty Bear, where we stopped for some light refreshment, before continuing on to the Southbank, where we watched the street performers and took in the atmosphere.

Camouflaged for war

Snoggers like it on top

Len the champion

With it almost time to meet Stephen, we took a slow walk to Westminster Bridge and headed on to Parliament Street, where we waited for Stephen in The Red Lion.

With us back together we headed off up Parliament Street, up St Martin's Lane an onto Great Newport Street and on to Chinatown. From here we headed below the streets of London, by heading into Waxy O'Connor's. On leaving Waxy O'Connor's, we went to Ed's Diner, on Rupert Street, for some food. The burger was delicious, tasting even more so as Stephen decided to pay for dinner as a treat. What a guy!

Ed's Diner does amazing burgers.

From here we headed towards The Montagu Pyke, but not before Len purchased a present for his wife and a hat for himself. Now, The Montagu Pyke is a JD Wetherspoon pub, which is in the building that was The Marquee Club, from 1988-1996.

Len sports his new hat in what was The Marquee Club.

Leaving The Montagu Pyke, we meandered our merry way passed Soho Square and on to Great Marlborough Street, where we saw Michael Flatley getting mobbed by fans as he left the London Palladium.

Reaching Oxford Circus, we headed down and caught a train back to Baker Street and then on to Watford.

It's all too much for the old boy.

I believe that Len and Stephen had a great time, as I did, and I can't wait for my next visit to 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 - 41 miles
• Walking - 10 miles

Imperial War Museum

From Bethlem to Bedlam.

Friday August 5, 2011.

The Imperial War Museum (London branch) is one of my favourite museums. I cannot count the number of times that I have visited, but it would be in the high twenties. It holds a world-leading collection of artefacts from the earliest conflicts and wars through to those from current theatres of operation. 

Following a multi-million pound restoration, which saw the majority of the building redeveloped, including the entrance atrium, space has been created to show more objects from the collection, while creating additional exhibition areas.

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