Famous London Landmarks

"Pussycat pussycat, where have you been?"
"I've been up to London to visit the Queen."
"Pussycat pussycat, what did you there?"
"I frightened a little mouse under her chair"
"MEOWW!"

First published in London during 1805 in the book "Songs for the Nursery"

I think I spent my entire week in London with a huge smile on my face.  Now, the effect of heat, sunshine and a direct hit of vitamin D every day probably contributed to this, but the perma-smile was also a direct result of coming face-to-face with these famous landmarks every day.  I was walking in famous places, walking through history, getting to do all the kitschy touristy things that are clichés because they are so fun to do!

Matthew hanging out in Piccadilly Circus.  I think I would have much preferred touring around it in an omnibus in the 1800's but it was still pretty cool. Plus, they would not have had a Cinnabon shop in the 1800's! 

Requisite uber-touristy photo!  I was so stoked -- even though we have phone boxes in Edinburgh, we never have 5 in a row!

Big Ben! Big Ben!

So, The Palace of Westminster is really big and hard to fit all in one frame...

Another shot of the Palace of Westminster.

Excellent flag action combined with a close up on the gilding going on at Westminster.

Standing on the Thames it is much easier to  take a shot of the whole Palace.

The real Big Ben, an Olympic mascot painted to look like Big Ben, and Matthew imitating the imitation of Big Ben.  :)

Westminster Abbey.  We attended a service of Evensong (no fee!).

Westminster Abbey from the side.  It was really neat to see a place where so many Royal services take place (like Kate & Wills' wedding).

This is the 'North Portal', one of the side doors of Westminster Abbey.  I think it is way cooler than the front entrance.

A dream-come-true. The interior of Shakespeare's re-created Globe Theatre.  I've only wanted to see a play there since it opened while I was in high school.

Exterior of the Globe Theatre.  We stood as groundlings for the performance of 'The Taming of the Shrew'.

Trafalgar Square.  Wee Nelson dominating his pillar.

Buckingham Palace!!!!  Now I, too, have been to London to visit the Queen!  Well, I visited her gilded house at least. :)

Admiring the Victoria Memorial.  I had no idea it was so hugemongous!

The famous Black-and-Gold gates of Buckingham.

The Thames and London Eye.

No amount of money could ever induce me to ride on this thing. 

Matthew on the Millennium Bridge over the Themes.  On our way to St. Paul's Cathedral.  He's so excited and just can't hide it!

St. Paul's Cathedral.  We attended Evensong here another evening.  I much preferred its mosaic interior to that of Westminster.  It was a bit brighter and the dome meant that its acoustics were flawless.

Detail of St. Paul's.

The front of St. Paul's.

It is really, really huge...

Those pillars are attached to the British Museum.  It is famous but I had never heard of its gardens.  I am in the North American section enjoying some flora from home.

I met Paddington Bear at Paddington Station and my face almost broke I was grinning so hard.  :)

The imposing Tower of London

Peter the Beefeater!  His tour was a highlight of our time at the Tower.  A definite must.

Matthew with the White Tower - the original palace for the monarch in London before the area around it gets built up and used as prisons for the wealthy (at which point the monarchs had other residences in London).

The Shard as seen from the Tower of London.

Top of the White Tower.

Two-for-one special on landmarks.  The Tower with an old Double Decker.  I regret not taking a bus ride so if I ever get the chance to return to London I will have to do so!

I know that there are a lot more famous London landmarks, but a girl only has so much energy, time and moolah.  One noticeable omission from this collection is the Tower Bridge.  This is because I think it is stunning and took far too many photos of it and it will therefore be the subject of my next post in this series.