Ministry of Defence: Statues and Memorials

The Ministry of Defence building, Whitehall, is home to two great stone statues, 'Earth' and 'Water', as well as a number of memorials to various campaigns, armed forces and personnel. 

'Earth' and 'Water' can be found above the northern entrance, on Horse Guards Avenue, and were designed by Sir Charles Wheeler. Each weighs 40 tonnes. If you are wondering where 'Air' and 'Fire' are... the money dried up during construction of the building, so they were never sculpted.

If you head into the Victoria Embankment Gardens, in the grounds of the Ministry of Defence, you will find a number of memorials dedicated to various campaigns, armed forces and personnel.

Each one is unique and tells its own story.

One New Change: Viewing Area

Reflecting on St Paul's Cathedral. 

Sunday July 31, 2022.

One of the major developments over the last few decades, which enhances the appeal of London, is the new buildings that include viewing areas, nearly always on the roof, that allow free access for the public to see London from a different perspective.

Looking across at St Paul's Cathedral.

So it was that after a visit to the Museum of London, I took Erin and Keilyn to the top of the One New Change building, via its glass lifts, to see the view.

'Ariel' by Boris Anrep with the Barbican towers in the background.

From its location opposite St Paul's Cathedral it is this iconic building that you see while travelling up in the lift, and the first thing you see when you walk onto the viewing area.

With dusk fast approaching London takes on a new light.

The panoramic view allows you to see The Shard and along the River Thames to the London Eye and more. On clear days you can see the Crystal Palace transmitting station radio mast.

The Shard, Crystal Palace transmitter, London Eye and St Paul's.

But, for a truly great experience, sunset offers some amazing photo opportunities, which I hope to take the girls to see, later in the year.

Sunset.

There is also a mosaic and stone carvings to admire, towards the northwest of the viewing area.

'Ariel' by Boris Anrep (1883-1969).

'St George Combatant' by Sir Charles Wheeler (1892-1974).

Suitably impressed with the views Erin, Keilyn and I made our way to the lifts and headed off on the next part of our walk.