The Cutty Sark and other London, United Kingdom Things to Do Tips

A must see visit is Greenwich where the Dateline is. The area itself is green and the Greenwich Naval College stands out as beautiful white building.
After walking around and seeing all the maritime features, and strolling up to the Greenwich Observatory, it is then time to find the now land-locked Cutty Sark. This was one of the famous tea clippers that carried tea from the Orient to London. Races were undertaken to see which ship could cover the distance first.
This fine ship now sits for all to see.

Since I wrote this tip, there was a fire that caused much damage to the ship.

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Address: Greenwich, SE10
Directions: Cutty Sark DLR

Kew Gardens is a must see for lovers of nature. There are extensive grounds with examples of English trees, a Chinese pagoda, Japanese rock garden, lake and bushes.
The glass houses are huge and house examples of plants from each of the world's regions.
The dome allows tall palms to grow. There are streams with waterlilies and fish in them.
Some of the tropical areas are like a veritable steam bath, and the profusion of flowers is a delight.
A wonderful day out within easy reach of London by Underground and then a short walk.

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Address: Richmond
Directions: near Underground Station.

Once the London fruit and flower market, now a seething hub of activity. restaurants, stalls, open air artists and musicians attract tourists and locals alike.
In summer it is a bright cheerful corner of London.

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Address: near Covent garden tube station

Many children brought up on Winnie the Pooh books, will know of Christopher Robin and the poem "They are Changing Guard at Buckingham Palace".
The Grenadier Guards in their red jackets and black bearskins are a very popular sight.

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Address: The Mall, SW1
Directions: Green Park tube

A great place for small children. there are so many features: Indian village, fort, pirate ship as well as the traditional swings etc for children.
Some are a bit difficult for the very young, like climbing a narrow rope 'bridge' to get on the pirate ship.
The gardens in general have a lot to attract children - the statue of Peter Pan, squirrels running around.

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Address: Kensington Gardens, originally part of Hyde Park

Any stretch of water in London is an attraction. the most popular are the Round Pond and the Serpentine.
They attract ducks, swans, geese and children and adults alike enjoy feeding them.
Somehow when you are in the park, you feel you are no longer in a busy metropolis. Relax under mature trees, watch squirrels darting about- some are quite tame.
In summer it becomes very crowded.

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Address: Park Lane, Bayswater Road, Knightsbridge
Directions: Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Lancaster Gate tubes
Website: http://www.royalparks.gov.uk/hyde.htm

Camden Town is a busy part of London, especially Camden Market, so it is with amazement that one comes across the canal. It is a pleasant walk along the towpath and refreshes you from the hustle and bustle of the busy streets.
When canal boats go drifting by, you could be in another time period altogether.

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Address: Camden
Directions: Camden Town and Chalk Farm tubes

Soho is a dodgy area at night, and not for the prudish by day. But there are little corners that are interesting. I was trying to find where my great grandparents used to live, and wandered around Soho because I thought it was in Greek Street. Today Greek Street has a lot of restaurants; but in 1860s was full of small industries and shops.
I discovered the street I needed was now called Manette street after a character in Charles Dickens's "A Tale of Two Cities', whereas it had been Rose Street
We entered through an arched entrance and found a quaint little street with a mixture of old and new buildings.
What I found interesting was that above the arched entry was a pub called the Pillars of Hercules.
That is why I like London. Every so often a surprise awaits you. Drab streets and then a charming mews, or buildings with interesting names.

Update2008: One side of the street is taken up by Foyles bookshop, and there is a small Orthodox chapel, an Artists building, the sign above Goldbeater's house and a sex shop at the end of the street. This time we came across it from Charing Cross Rd side.

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Address: Greek Street, Soho

St Pancras Church is on Euston Road, one of the busy roads in London as Kings Cross/St Pancras and Euston Stations are on the road.
The church is not one of the famous London churches, and it was just luck that directed me into it.
There are catacombs in the church and they were open. It was quite spooky wandering around the maze-like passages.
Outside the church it was quite peaceful .The facade of the church has statues in the Grecian or Roman style, that seemed rather incongruous to me,
Another of those odd places that exist in London.

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Address: Euston Road, Marylebone

Tower Bridge is the most recognizable of the bridges across the Thames. It was a Victorian addition.
It is the only one that opens to allow ships to enter the pool of London.
As a child I was scared of it, especially when we reached the place wher it opens.
There is a place, I believe, where the bodies of suicides and others who got caught by the bridge were kept- a kind of mortuary.

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Phone: 0 20 7626 3065
Address: Tower Bridge Road, EC3/SE1
Directions: Tower Hill or London Bridge tubes
Website: http://www.towerbridge.org.uk