London Day 1: 21st May 2018 Mon
Around 5.15 am we reached Heathrow Airport. As we moved along, it felt cooler but not freezing cold.As the check-in for Airbnb was at late afternoon, we decided to drag our luggage around London as we go sightseeing.
We took the metro to Westminster Station to see Big Ben. Their train carriage is smaller than Singapore. The seat texture is like coach bus seats. When we changed to another train, we are exposed to the cold weather.
A jacket and scarf are definitely advisable. You don’t need a winter wear jacket, but a normal jacket is still not enough. Perhaps layer long sleeves top with jacket and scarf will do.
When we reached Westminister Station, we took the lift up. Yes, there is no escalator, just stairs and lift. The lift is automatic. There is no button for you to close the door, and you have to wait for it to close by itself.
When we exited Westminister Station (from the left entrance), we saw a huge building undergoing renovation. It took us a while to realize that it was Big Ben!
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| Big Ben under construction |
We took pictures of Big Ben along Westminster Bridge.
Then crossed the road and passed by The Battle of Britain Monument.
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| The Battle of Britain Monument |
We dragged the luggage along the Victoria Embankment to see London Eye from the opposite bank.
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| Gold Eagle along Victoria Embankment |
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| View of the London Eye from Victoria Embankment |
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| Finally took a picture of this in London instead Changi Airport |
(A better plan would be to take the Metro exit near this lane first, before crossing the traffic light to Westminster Bridge, and pass by Big Ben.)
We walked back to the Big Ben, walked straight from Westminister Station.
We passed by Westminster Abbey to take photos in front of the Houses of Parliament.
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| Saw this on the way to Houses of Parliament. I think it is part of it. |
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| Houses of Parliament |
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| Saw this on the right. Think is part of Westminster Abbey. |
Then passed by Westminster Abbey again as it is on the way to St. James Park and Buckingham Palace.
We split into two groups at the entrance of St. James Park as the ground in the park is not friendly to the luggage wheels. Two of us decide to pass through St. James Park to use the toilet, while another two bring our luggage to Buckingham Palace.
Passing through St. James Park, we managed to see some swans, ducks, and squirrels!
Most of the squirrels were quite fat, probably because tourists feed them a lot. They weren’t really scared of people, and if you brought food to feed them, they will come near to you to take the food from your palm. The squirrels are really cute and nimble!
You need to pay to enter the toilet in St. James Park, so as we were not really urgent, we decided to give it a miss and continue to walk to Buckingham Palace.
Around 10.15 am, there were already many people near the Buckingham Palace to watch the Changing of the Guard. However, if you want to watch it near the gates, there is still some space. The stairs of Victoria Memorial were full of people though.
To get to the gates of the Palace, you have to cross the traffic lights at the park, near the side of the palace. You can not cut across Victoria Memorial to reach the gates as there will be road blockages.
There were police officers riding on horses to control the traffic.
Perhaps due to the open space, and the fact that the sun was beating down on us, we felt warm. The crowds started to build as the time passed.
Before 11 am, we heard the Bands. They marched into the gates of the Palace. We couldn’t really see anything interesting happening inside the Palace. It was like National Day Parade marching contingent. Many tourists took pictures as they walked past the gates. The police officers urged people to walk faster.
Around 11.30 am, the center gates finally opened and the Band marched out while playing their instruments.
After the ceremony, we walked through Green Park. This time we have no choice but to drag the luggage on the uneven path to the Metro, Green Park Station, at the end of the park. There is a water fountain to fill up your water bottle at the entrance of the Green Park Station.
We took the Metro from Green Park Station to Southwark Station near Tate Modern. We went to the opposite direction to have our lunch at Terry’s Cafe first before moving on to the museum. It was a bit of a walk.
They will place your luggage near the door where you can see it. There was a small toilet at the back where we used for free. There were two taps, cold and hot. No middle ground. So we just have to use cold water to wash our hands.
Overall, the food wasn't to my taste so I do not recommend dragging your luggage all the way there to have your lunch.
We dragged our luggage all the way to Tate Modern. On the way, there were some shopping malls. We skipped it. Once you saw the unique building, walked along the road, Holland Street. There was a wide, sloped ramp which extends down to the entrance to Tate Modern. We reached around 1.50 pm.
Entrance to the Museum is free. There wasn’t any queue at the Tate Modern security check. After they look through briefly into the suitcases, you can place the luggage at their cloakroom for free (the main reason why we went there...Ha Ha). Of course, any donation is always welcome.
There are toilets, a water cooler, and sofas. A place to rest your feet. Of course, looking through the modern arts exhibited in the museum is the perks of this trip.
After browsing through the arts in Tate Modern, we walked to the adjoining building, the Blavatnik Building. The top floor is an open viewing terrace, which you can walk around the building to view the London Skyline 360-degree.
After that, we collected our luggage and walked to the Millennium Bridge.
We forgot to go to Shakespeare's Globe which is supposed to be nearby.
You will pass by benches that face the Thames.
Look down on the ground as you walk on the bridge and you will find some surprise! Do note the ground is not luggage friendly though.
Actually, by then, I was a bit tired dragging my luggage around the uneven ground. So if you are also tired, you may walk back to Southwark Station, which is actually closer.
St Paul’s Cathedral is on the north bank of the Thames. You can see it as you walk to the end of the Bridge. It looks quite grand from far. There is still quite a distance to walk there.
We walk through the Cathedral to take the Metro, St. Paul’s, back to our Airbnb.
Summary
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| We didn't enter Westminster Abbey |
We split into two groups at the entrance of St. James Park as the ground in the park is not friendly to the luggage wheels. Two of us decide to pass through St. James Park to use the toilet, while another two bring our luggage to Buckingham Palace.
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| Many place in London is pebbled walkway. The floor at the park is sandy. |
Passing through St. James Park, we managed to see some swans, ducks, and squirrels!
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| Squirrels! |
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| Look at that! |
Most of the squirrels were quite fat, probably because tourists feed them a lot. They weren’t really scared of people, and if you brought food to feed them, they will come near to you to take the food from your palm. The squirrels are really cute and nimble!
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| You can get quite close to them |
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| They were nimble |
You need to pay to enter the toilet in St. James Park, so as we were not really urgent, we decided to give it a miss and continue to walk to Buckingham Palace.
Around 10.15 am, there were already many people near the Buckingham Palace to watch the Changing of the Guard. However, if you want to watch it near the gates, there is still some space. The stairs of Victoria Memorial were full of people though.
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| A very London feel |
To get to the gates of the Palace, you have to cross the traffic lights at the park, near the side of the palace. You can not cut across Victoria Memorial to reach the gates as there will be road blockages.
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| Palace gates |
There were police officers riding on horses to control the traffic.
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| The horse that the traffic police rode |
Perhaps due to the open space, and the fact that the sun was beating down on us, we felt warm. The crowds started to build as the time passed.
 |
| Tourists gather near gate to look inside before the ceremony |
Before 11 am, we heard the Bands. They marched into the gates of the Palace. We couldn’t really see anything interesting happening inside the Palace. It was like National Day Parade marching contingent. Many tourists took pictures as they walked past the gates. The police officers urged people to walk faster.
Around 11.30 am, the center gates finally opened and the Band marched out while playing their instruments.
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| Can't really see much if not standing at the first line |
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| Changing of the Guard |
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| Band |
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| Victoria Memorial |
After the ceremony, we walked through Green Park. This time we have no choice but to drag the luggage on the uneven path to the Metro, Green Park Station, at the end of the park. There is a water fountain to fill up your water bottle at the entrance of the Green Park Station.
We took the Metro from Green Park Station to Southwark Station near Tate Modern. We went to the opposite direction to have our lunch at Terry’s Cafe first before moving on to the museum. It was a bit of a walk.
They will place your luggage near the door where you can see it. There was a small toilet at the back where we used for free. There were two taps, cold and hot. No middle ground. So we just have to use cold water to wash our hands.
 |
| It's really just bread and meat... |
Overall, the food wasn't to my taste so I do not recommend dragging your luggage all the way there to have your lunch.
We dragged our luggage all the way to Tate Modern. On the way, there were some shopping malls. We skipped it. Once you saw the unique building, walked along the road, Holland Street. There was a wide, sloped ramp which extends down to the entrance to Tate Modern. We reached around 1.50 pm.
 |
| Tate Modern |
Entrance to the Museum is free. There wasn’t any queue at the Tate Modern security check. After they look through briefly into the suitcases, you can place the luggage at their cloakroom for free (the main reason why we went there...Ha Ha). Of course, any donation is always welcome.
There are toilets, a water cooler, and sofas. A place to rest your feet. Of course, looking through the modern arts exhibited in the museum is the perks of this trip.
 |
| Claude Monet's Water Lilies |
After browsing through the arts in Tate Modern, we walked to the adjoining building, the Blavatnik Building. The top floor is an open viewing terrace, which you can walk around the building to view the London Skyline 360-degree.
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| I think that is the St. Paul Cathedral |
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| Can see The Shard |
After that, we collected our luggage and walked to the Millennium Bridge.
We forgot to go to Shakespeare's Globe which is supposed to be nearby.
You will pass by benches that face the Thames.
 |
| It's quite comfortable sitting here and enjoying the breeze |
Look down on the ground as you walk on the bridge and you will find some surprise! Do note the ground is not luggage friendly though.
Actually, by then, I was a bit tired dragging my luggage around the uneven ground. So if you are also tired, you may walk back to Southwark Station, which is actually closer.
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| Street art on the Millennium Bridge |
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| Little surprises |
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| View of St. Paul's Cathedral from Millennium Bridge |
We walk through the Cathedral to take the Metro, St. Paul’s, back to our Airbnb.
Summary
- Big Ben
- London Eye
- Houses of Parliament
- St. James Park
- Buckingham Palace
- Victoria Memorial
- Tate Modern
- Millennium Bridge
- St Paul’s Cathedral
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