London!

A weekend in London!


We flew from Basel to London Gatwick and took a train to center of London.  We stayed at the Strand Place Hotel right in the center of London, a block off the Thames river, near Covent Gardens.

Buckingham Palace

Even before checking into our hotel, we stopped at Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guards.

This Buckingham Palace, seen from the Mall.



Victoria Memorial





Hyde Park

On Saturday, we walked all around Hyde Park.  
Marble Arch

View of Kensington Palace

Albert Memorial

Princess Diana Fountain



Kensington Palace


The London Eye:

This is an engineering marvel...SCIENCE!  The glass passenger pods 'roll' to stay upright as you go all the way around the wheel.  Awesome view and good SCIENCE.




Westminster Palace, Houses of Parliament

We took a tour of Westminster Palace, which was very interesting, detailed audio tour.  We got to go through both Lords and Commons chambers.  It was amazing to stand right there among the green benches of the Commons Chamber, right where Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher stood.   Couldn't take any pictures or sit on the benches.



St.Stephen's Hall, entry to both houses of Parliament.  Only part that allows cameras.

Tower Bridge:

This was a 45 minute walk from our hotel. 


Tower of London:

We spent several hours here, learning history of London, dating back to the Norman kings around 1100.  The Crown Jewels are stored here, can't be photographed, was interesting to see.



Piccadilly Circus:



Other:


Westminster Abbey










 

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