Old Moaner Travel
I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list
London Walks: Classic Sights
Start: Parliament Square (Tube: Westminster)
Finish: Trafalgar Square (Tube: Charing Cross)
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Distance: 2.6 miles (4.2km)
If coming from Westminster underground station take the Whitehall West exit, otherwise start on the west corner of Whitehall and Parliament Square.
Standing with Parliament Square behind you, the Houses of Parliament should be across the road on your right.
Set off down Parliament Street / Whitehall.
The building on your left will be the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
In the centre of the road you will then come to The Cenotaph, the national memorial to the dead of the two World Wars and the centre of the national Remembrance events on the Sunday nearest to 11th November each year.
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A few yards past The Cenotaph is Downing Street, home of the British Prime Minister. There used to be a time when it was possible for visitors to stroll down Downing Street and even have their photograph taken standing outside the famous black door of No 10. Those days are long gone and this is a heavily guarded, high security area with no access to Downing Street and a strong, heavily armed, police presence, totally disabusing the theory that British police are unarmed.
Indeed it is very common to see police officers, armed with machine guns, openly patrolling all the areas covered in this walk. These officers are generally courteous but firm and they do not always appreciate having their photographs taken – ask first.
Continuing past Downing Street you will shortly come to another memorial set in the middle of the road. This is specifically dedicated to the women who have given their lives in the service of their country in World War II and it is a relatively new memorial, unveiled by The Queen in 2005.
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Horseguards Parade will soon appear on the left, with mounted guards of the Household Division mounting guard at what is still the official entrance to the Royal Palaces. The guard changes each morning.
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It is here the walk may continue in one of two directions. If it is open, walk through Horseguards, under the ceremonial arch onto the military parade ground. Very occasionally the access may be closed.
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Should access be closed you will need to double back on your route to Parliament Square. Turn right into Great George Street. Continue until you reach Horse Guards Road at which you turn right and carry on down Horse Guards Road. Continue until you reach the parade ground.
Opposite the Parade Ground is St James’ Park.
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Cross into the park and walk along the lake, it doesn’t matter which side, you will finish up at the same point.
Strolling through the park it is hard to believe you are actually in the centre of London. There are plenty of water birds on and near the lake, including a collection of pelicans. There are also a large number of grey squirrels, who have become so used to human company they will usually come and eat out of your hand.
As you stroll through the park there are plenty of places to sit, people watch or enjoy the wildlife.
At the top end of the park you will emerge opposite Buckingham Palace.
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In front of the Palace is the imposing Queen Victoria Memorial. The palace itself is surrounded by railings but it is possible to see the Guards, usually in their traditional red tunics and bearskin hats guarding the Palace.
Changing the Guard is always a spectacle worth seeing and it is free..
Depending on the time of year it is possible to visit the Royal Mews, where the Queen’s horses are stabled, the Queen’s Galleries or even the State Rooms within the Palace.
Once finished at the palace head down The Mall, on the side of the road opposite St James’ Park.
After a short while you will come to a turning on your left, this leads to Clarence House, formerly the home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and now home to the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall and his son Prince Harry. Part of Clarence House is open during the Summer.
Return to The Mall and continue away from the Buckingham Palace. The Mall is often the scene of Royal Processions and if you visit coincides with the visit of a Head of State or a State Occasion then it is possible you may witness the pomp and grandeur of a Royal Procession.
On your left you will eventually pass The Duke Of York Column, standing 123 feet 6 inches (37.64m) high. The bronze statue atop the column is 14 feet (4.27m) tall. The column itself is hollow with a spiral staircase leading to a viewing platform – they have been long since closed.
At the end of The Mall you will reach Admiralty Arch, named because it is attached to the Old Admiralty building. It was commissioned by King Edward VII as a memorial to his Mother, Queen Victoria, but he never lived to see his completion.
Pass through the arch and on one of the walls, about seven feet (2.13 m) up is a nose sticking out of the brickwork. It’s height means it is at waist height for anyone riding through the arch on a horse. It is believed the nose is there to honour of the Duke of Wellington, who was known for having a very large nose. Royal soldiers would rub Wellington's nose for good luck as they rode through the arch. It is a nice story, even though nobody know the precise reason why it is there.
Once through the Arch you will have Trafalgar Square in front of you.
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Dominated by the statue of Admiral Lord Nelson, atop his column, the Square is one of London’s top attractions. It is also home to two of the top free London attractions, The National Gallery and The National Portrait Gallery.
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