Backpacking Iconic Landmarks in London
Posted: February 4, 2023 | Tagged: United Kingdom
After an epic first day backpacking the sights of London, with the highlights being the Royal Mail Underground Railway and walking across the Abbey Road Crosswalk, day 2 began early, helped along by jet lag.
"No Sleep 'til Hammersmith" - Motorhead
London needed to be backpacked. The blog is on a roll, and slowing down now would be disastrous. After another All You-Can-Eat Breakfast at the St Christopher's Hammersmith hostel, I took the Tube to Mansion House.
"No Sleep 'til Hammersmith" - Motorhead
London needed to be backpacked. The blog is on a roll, and slowing down now would be disastrous. After another All You-Can-Eat Breakfast at the St Christopher's Hammersmith hostel, I took the Tube to Mansion House.
1. St Paul's Cathedral
Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, construction finished in 1710 and sits on Ludgate Hil, the highest point in the City of London.
The cathedral survived the bombardment by the German Luftwaffe, known as the Blitz although bombs did destroy the high altar and the second floor.
This is a photo of a photo in the Churchill Museum showing how St Paul's survived as the immediate vicinity was flattened:
The cathedral survived the bombardment by the German Luftwaffe, known as the Blitz although bombs did destroy the high altar and the second floor.
This is a photo of a photo in the Churchill Museum showing how St Paul's survived as the immediate vicinity was flattened:
I love to admire the architecture on the outside. I rarely go in. My buddy RJ, has some cracking photos from Inside St Paul's Cathedral.
2. Millennium Bridge
The Millennium Bridge was the first new bridge over the River Thames in more than 100 years. It was officially opened by the Queen in June 2000 but was closed just 2 days later because it swayed too much and was hence nicknamed the Wobbly Bridge. It reopened again 2 years later.
3. The Shard
A 310 metres, 72-storey glass skyscraper in Southwark is the tallest building in the UK and 7th in Europe built on the site of Southwark Towers, completed in 2012 and officially opened in February 2013.
4. HMS Belfast
Built at the Harland and Wolff Shipyard in Belfast, launched in 1938, seeing action escorting the Arctic Convoys to the Soviet Union and the Normandy Landings in 1944.
After World War 2, HMS Belfast joined the British Pacific Fleet.
The ship was decommissioned in 1963. Brought to London in 1971 and was opened to the public. It came under the Imperial War Museum in 1978. Check out the Imperial War Museum HMS Belfast page for more details.
After World War 2, HMS Belfast joined the British Pacific Fleet.
The ship was decommissioned in 1963. Brought to London in 1971 and was opened to the public. It came under the Imperial War Museum in 1978. Check out the Imperial War Museum HMS Belfast page for more details.
5. Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge, not to be confused with London Bridge, is a Grade 1 listed suspension bridge built between 1886 and 1894 and is London's most striking bridge with its Neo-Gothic architecture.
Tickets to explore the bridge which includes access to the towers, walkways, glass floor and the engine room cost £11.40/£5.70 (adults/children).
Tickets to explore the bridge which includes access to the towers, walkways, glass floor and the engine room cost £11.40/£5.70 (adults/children).
More details can be found on the official Tower Bridge website..
6. Monument to the Great Fire of London
The Monument as it is also known, was designed by Christoper Wren and Robert Hooke, standing 62 metres tall, built to commemorate the Great Fire of London which swept through Central London in September 1666, supposedly having been started in a bakery on Pudding Lane.
7. The Gherkin
The Gherkin is a commercial skyscraper in the financial district of the City of London. Standing at 180 metres tall, with 41 floors and designed by Norman Foster
Then I just meandered down Fleet Street and from Embankment, rode the Tube back to Hammersmith.
Related Posts from London:
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